SAFETY TOOLBOX TALK

FIRE DRILLS & EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

EMPLOYERS DUTY FIRE PRECAUTIONS AND

EVACUATION
Companies in South Africa must enforce Fire Safety Rules and
must have an Emergency Response Plan. In order to expedite the evacuation of a workplace in case
of fire, every employer shall ensure that:
WHERE DOES FIRE PREVENTION START? 1. Any emergency escape door from any room or passage or
It starts with you. at a staircase shall, as far as is practicable open outwards;
2. Every door of a room in which persons may be present, and
WHAT DO EMPLOYERS NEED TO DO? every door of a passage or at a staircase serving as a
 Train staff on how to act in the event of an means of exit from such room, shall be kept clear and
emergency capable of being easily and rapidly opened from inside so
 Keep records of fire and safety drills as to ensure quick and easy evacuation;
3. staircases and steps leading from one floor to another or to
 Check fire protection equipment the ground shall be provided with substantial hand-rails;
4. staircases intended to be used as fire escapes shall
 Practise safety drills twice a year (i) be constructed of non-combustible material;
(mandated) (ii) be kept clear of any material or other obstruction; and
 Evaluate company compliance with (iii) not terminate in an enclosed area;
occupational health and safety laws 6. staircases, passages and exits intended for escape
purposes shall be of a width and of a gradient which will
As per (SAFMA) South African Fire and Medical Academy director
facilitate the quick and safe exit of the number of persons
Mark Ackers
intended to make use of them;
7. Having regard to the size, construction and location of a
EMERGENCY
workplace, the number of persons, and the activity therein,
RESPONSE PLANS
such workplace is provided with at least two means of exits
 Companies must
situated as far apart as is practicable.
design emergency
8. Having regard to the size, construction and location of the
plans that are specific
workplace, and the amount and type of flammable articles
to their needs and
used, handled or stored on the premises, an employer shall
effective in their work
provide on the premises an adequate supply of suitable fire-
environments
fighting equipment at strategic locations or as may be
 Take into account the layout of the premises and the
recommended by the fire chief of the local authority
placement of fire protection equipment such as fire
concerned, and such equipment shall be maintained in
extinguishers
good working order.

WHAT ROLE DO STAFF MEMBERS PLAY?

 Participate in emergency evacuations and fire drills
 Participate in fire safety training
 Knowledgeable staff understand that extinguishers are
placed in certain areas for specific reasons and should not be
moved or tampered with
 Certain types of fire extinguishers are placed to
extinguish certain categories of fires and should not be
moved or replaced with another type of fire extinguisher