ACTION CHECKLIST FIRE SAFETY

This checklist is a management tool to implement practical actions to improve fire safety at the workplace. The successful implementation of this checklist is dependent on the willingness and cooperation between employers, supervisors and workers to make positive changes in the workplace to improve fire safety.

3. n completing the checklist read each item I carefully. Look for a way to apply the measure, if necessary, ask the area manager or workers for advice. If the measure has already been applied or is not needed, mark No under Do you propose action ? If you think the measure would be worthwhile, mark Yes. Use the space under Remarks to add comments, describe a situation or add a suggestion. 4. fter you have finished completing the checkA list look again at the items you have marked. Yes. Choose the items that you consider to be most important and mark them as Priority. 5. efore finishing, make sure that for each item B you have marked No or Yes and that for some items marked Yes you have marked Priority. 6. mmediately after completion of the checklist, I organize a group discussion by the team to prepare suggestions to management (Experience has shown that this step is absolutely essential for promoting positive change). 7. he result of this group discussion should be T presented to management for planning the implementation of the improvement. The team should not hesitate to seek clarification from fire safety specialists at the local fire brigade, the labour inspectorate, occupational safety and health institutes, national safety organizations or national fire protection associations. This is not an exhaustive list of all necessary measures. The team should add to the checklist any additional items they consider appropriate to improve fire safety at the workplace. Management should comply with legal obligations and establish its own fire protection plan taking into account the local situation.

How to use this checklist:

1. team should be appointed including senior A management, supervisors, workers representatives, and responsible enterprise safety and fire safety personnel. 2. he checklist should be implemented by T gathering and briefing the team on the steps needed to implement the checklist: Review of the checklist items; efine the work area to be checked. In the D case of a small enterprise the whole plant can be checked at once. In the case of a larger enterprise, particular areas can be checked with a plan to cover the whole enterprise in a specific period of time; alk through the workplace or the W designated area of the workplace to be covered. Complete the checklist; lan, as a team, what action should be P taken, by whom and when.

ACTION CHECKLIST
Measures to minimize fire risks
1. Isolate flammable solids, liquids and gases from sources of ignition such as open flames, heated surfaces or unprotected electrical wiring to prevent fires and explosions. (This isolation should include adequate marking of such materials; adequate separation; suitable and fire resistant containers and adequate ventilation to prevent the accumulation of flammable vapours or gases.) 2. Restrict the distribution of flammable materials used for daily work to only the minimum amount necessary for that day.
Do you propose action ? c No c Yes Remarks: c Priority

Do you propose action ? c No c Yes Remarks:

c Priority

3. Construct specifically designed fuel storage facilities in a clearly marked location, well separated from areas where personnel are working.

Do you propose action ? c No c Yes Remarks:

c Priority

4. When open flames are present (such as welding, cutting or smelting), take adequate precautions such as isolating sources of fuel or combustible materials from the open flames. Any residual heat that is left in materials must be monitored until they have cooled and can no longer provide a source of ignition. 5. Assure that flammable substances or combustible materials are isolated from hot surfaces such as machines, equipment and furnaces.

Do you propose action ? c No c Yes Remarks:

c Priority

Do you propose action ? c No c Yes Remarks:

c Priority

6. Install and maintain all electrical circuits to assure adequate earthing to prevent arcing and sparking, to prevent overloading and resulting resistance heat and to prevent short circuits.

Do you propose action ? c No c Yes Remarks:

c Priority

7. Protect each electrical circuit with an adequate fuse or circuit breaker located in a well-constructed box in close proximity to the work station.

Do you propose action ? c No c Yes Remarks:

c Priority

8. Use fixed wiring circuits instead of extension cords to avoid damage to internal wires and instead of multiple plugs to avoid the overloading of circuits.

Do you propose action ? c No c Yes Remarks:

c Priority

9. Arrange switches in such a way that every work station has individual controls to avoid overloading circuits and can be rapidly shut down in an emergency.

Do you propose action ? c No c Yes Remarks:

c Priority

10. Arrange and organize storage areas in such a way that materials are easy to store (on racks, shelves, or in containers) to prevent unorganized accumulation and to allow for effective housekeeping in storage areas.

Do you propose action ? c No c Yes Remarks:

c Priority

11. Provide an adequate number of waste receptacles for each work station to avoid the accumulation of waste and scraps on the workplace floor and to facilitate removal. (Receptacles for combustible materials such as paper, wood, plastics, fabrics and rags should have a cover.) 12. Designate specific smoking areas and restrict smoking from all other areas by clearly indicated non-smoking signs. Make sure designated smoking areas are free of flammable and combustible materials.

Do you propose action ? c No c Yes Remarks:

c Priority

Do you propose action ? c No c Yes Remarks:

c Priority

Preparing for fire emergencies

13. Where curtains are used, assure they are of a fire resistant material.
Do you propose action ? c No c Yes Remarks: c Priority

14. Assure that there are at least two exit routes to a safe Do you propose action ? area outside of the building from every work station. c No c Yes
Remarks:

c Priority

15. Clearly mark each exit route and provide functional Do you propose action ? lighting so that exit routes are well lit during the day and c No c Yes night. Remarks:

c Priority

16. Provide an adequate number of exit stairways (at least two) of adequate construction and width to support the rapid evacuation of all workers from floors above or below ground level.

Do you propose action ? c No c Yes Remarks:

c Priority

17. Post a warning sign at each lift station (on each floor)

indicating DO NOT USE THE LIFT FOR EVACUATION DURING A FIRE.

Do you propose action ? c No c Yes Remarks:

c Priority

18. Keep exit routes clear of obstructing objects and as- Do you propose action ? sure that the exit route is continually unlocked and make c No c Yes sure that all doors in exit routes open in the direction of the Remarks: flow of workers during an evacuation. Doors that may be confused as exits should be clearly marked NOT AN EXIT. 19. Provide fire detection equipment, such as smoke detectors, heat detectors or flame detectors in all areas of the building where flammable materials are being stored. Where possible, connect the detection system to an independent evacuation alarm system loud enough to be heard by all workers in an emergency. (These devices need to be routinely inspected and tested.) 20. Place fire extinguishers in sufficient numbers in locations based on specific fire hazards. Always locate the fire extinguishers at the exit route from the area. (Check with the local fire brigade or labour inspectorate about the appropriateness of types of fire extinguishers for the fire hazard.) 21. Mount fire extinguishers at a reasonable height and clearly mark each of their locations. Keep obstructions cleared from in front of each fire extinguisher.
Do you propose action ? c No c Yes Remarks: Do you propose action ? c No c Yes Remarks:

c Priority

c Priority

c Priority

Do you propose action ? c No c Yes Remarks:

c Priority

22. Carry out at least one fire drill per year evacuating all workers to areas of safety outside of the workplace.

Do you propose action ? c No c Yes Remarks:

c Priority

Training
23. At least annually, provide refresher training to all workers on how to prevent fire hazards and the actions to take if a fire is detected, including emergency evacuation and simple fire fighting procedures.
Do you propose action ? c No c Yes Remarks: c Priority

24. Train managers/supervisors on fire safety, fire control including the use of fire extinguishing systems, and on how to lead evacuation procedures.

Do you propose action ? c No c Yes Remarks:

c Priority

Programme on Safety and Health at Work and the Environment (SafeWork)

International Labour Office (ILO) Route des Morillons 4 CH-1211 Geneva 22 Switzerland

Tel: +41 227996715 Fax: +41 227996878 Email: safework@ilo.org www.ilo.org/safework