The Importance of Annual Fire Safety Training for Businesses
Fires can be truly devastating to any business, potentially resulting in severe damage, loss of property, injuries, and even death. While having a well-designed fire protection system is essential for reducing the chances of these things happening, regular fire safety training is equally important. Fire safety training serves a number of crucial purposes, all of which are aimed at protecting employees, property, and the company in general.
Preventing Injuries and Reducing Liabilities
The number one goal of fire safety training is to prevent injuries and save lives. Well-trained employees are far less likely to get trapped inside the building because they’ll know the location of the nearest exit point and all of the steps they need to take during a fire. Safety training also reduces the chances of fires by informing everyone of the potential hazards along with how to spot them and how to minimize any risks. By reducing the risk of fires and injuries, you can also help avoid any liability issues you might otherwise face.
Protecting Property
More than 100,000 non-residential fires occur in the U.S. each year, resulting in over $3 billion worth of property damage on average. Even a minor fire could cause your business to incur serious losses; a major fire could do so much damage that it forces you to go under. By training employees on the proper use of fire suppression equipment and systems, you can greatly reduce the amount of damage that results from any fires.
Ensuring Compliance With OSHA and Local Fire Codes
Another essential part of fire safety training is ensuring that your business is compliant with OSHA and all relevant fire codes. OSHA requires most businesses to have a written fire prevention plan that is readily available to all employees and given to employees when they start or move to a different position. There are also numerous other requirements in terms of fire exits and signage, fire sprinklers, fire suppression, etc. Failing to be compliant can result in issues ranging from penalties, litigation, and legal fees to insurance complications.
What Fire Safety Training Typically Involves
Fire safety training can vary quite a bit from business to business due to the different fire hazards you may encounter in different industries. Nonetheless, there are some basic things that the training should always entail that are designed to reduce risk and save lives. The first step should always be to go over the fire prevention plan in detail so that the employees know how to protect themselves and others in the event of a fire. This includes making sure each employee knows the location of all emergency exits as well as the location of fire alarms and how to trigger them.
Each employee also needs to be aware of what their specific responsibilities, if any, are during a fire. Employees should know where the extinguishers are located and which type of extinguisher to use for different types of fires. Ideally, these employees should also receive hands-on training about the proper way to use all the extinguishers and about how to tell when it’s safe to try and extinguish the fire and when they should just evacuate the building.
After going over all these parts of the fire prevention and evacuation plan, it’s a good idea to hold a fire drill when everyone is back at their normal workspaces. Regular fire drills are key for ensuring that everyone is prepared and knows exactly what they need to do if a fire ever occurs. They can also help you spot potential flaws in the fire prevention plan and identify any employees who don’t know the proper procedures and need additional training. A fire is an incredibly high-stress situation, and regular drills help to reduce panic and ensure that everyone acts on muscle memory.
Another essential part of fire safety training is fire prevention. This includes actions like safe handling, storage, and clean up of flammable materials; identifying all potential sources of combustion; and how to safely control them and general risk assessment. Employees also need to be aware of who to talk to about any potential fire hazards they come across.
Expert Fire Protection and Prevention
At Kauffman Co., we’re dedicated to supporting clients throughout Houston and helping them reduce the risk of fires and property damage. From designing and installing custom fire protection and suppression systems to regular maintenance and inspections, we can expertly handle all of your fire safety needs. We can also advise you about the best practices to make your annual fire safety training as effective as possible. To schedule an inspection or a code compliance consultation, contact us today.
