4 Causes of Workplace Fires

5/27/2021 (Permalink)

Fires in the workplace can be especially devastating to business owners. There is the damage to the facility, any inventory, and then there is the longer timeline before you can get back up and running which may lead to loss of employees. SERVPRO does not often receive calls for workplace fires, however the ones they do respond to, often have major damage with a loss of most or all their inventory. Take note of these 4 most common reasons for workplace fires.   

Faulty Electrical Equipment 

Loose wires, overloaded plugs and faulty connections can lead to dangerous electrical fires. This often happens because businesses put off replacing functional but unsafe or outdated equipment. It requires a slight investment to keep your staff safe and saves money in the end. 

*Note- it is a business owners' responsibility to care for electrical equipment. These types are especially dangerous because they cannot be put out by water. Make sure you have a fire extinguisher in site for all employees.  

Flammable and Combustible Materials 

Workshops and garages can be prone to these types of fires. If these items are not stored properly certain tools like a circular saw can cause a spark and light near bye flammable chemicals. 

Lack of Staff Training 

Unforeseen accidents are always a possibility even when you have followed all rules and regulations. For this reason, employee training is vital! Proper training can prevent innocent mistakes, like covering the vents of electrical equipment, that could lead to a major disaster. If a fire does still occur, it is extremely important that all staff members are aware of your evacuation plan.  

Lack of resources and equipment in place  

Smoke detectors and fire alarms need to be installed and checked! This should seem like a given, but unfortunately that is not always the case. Investing in the initial upfront cost of these safety procedures could save you thousands of dollars in the end and most importantly will KEEP YOUR STAFF SAFE! 

If disaster should occur call  

SERVPRO of Port Huron 24/7-365.