Page 38 - Occupational Health & Safety, April 2019

FIRE SAFETY
cords should be rated for commercial use when used in the office. Electrical cords can become frayed from sharp edges, vibration, or pulling them out of electrical outlets by the cord instead of the plug. Always pull the cords out of electrical outlets by the plug. All cords should be inspected at least annually to ensure that the insulation remains intact. Replace broken, frayed, or cracked electrical cords immediately. Many companies have a color-coded tape to identify inspections by the year. For example, green tape on both ends may represent that the cord was inspected in 2019.
Office appliances
Coffee pots, microwaves, toasters, etc., are commonplace in an office kitchen area. To prevent fires from these types of appliances, a person (usually by position) should be designated to turn these off at the end of each workday.
Space heaters
During winter and cold months, employees usually bring space heaters into the office. Prior to bringing them into the office, the employees should ensure that they are in proper working condition and are equipped with a turn-over safety device. Many companies have policies that require these devices to be inspected and permit- ted by company electricians.
Designated smoking areas
Smoking is a major source for potential fires. It is important that smoking only be allowed in designated areas. These areas should be equipped with “butt cans.” It is always a good idea to have a fire extinguisher located near the designated smoking area.
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A HOT SELECTION OF SAFETY ITEMS
Summary
Fires are one of the most serious health and safety threats facing an office employee today. Employees should become intimately familiar with the company’s emergency action plan. Specifically, employees should ensure that they are aware of the evacuation pro- cedures, including escape routes and medical response procedures. By becoming knowledgeable in the evacuation routes and proce- dures, an employee just may save her life or the life of another.
W. David Yates, Ph.D., CSP, is a safety manager for Carmeuse North America and a faculty member of Columbia Southern University in Orange Beach, Ala. Dr. Yates is the author of “Safety Professional’s Reference & Study Guide” and has been training and educating safety professionals for more than 25 years.
Columbia Southern University celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2018. As a pioneer in online education, CSU was established in 1993 to provide an alternative to the traditional university experience. CSU offers online associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees such as business administration, criminal justice, fire administration, and occupational safety and health. Visit ColumbiaSouthern.edu or call 877-347-6050 to learn more.
REFERENCES
1. https://www.usfa.fema.gov/data/statistics/#tab-1
2. https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Data-research-and-tools/
US-Fire-Problem/Fire-loss-in-the-United-States
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