Fire safety: Do your employees know the drill?

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Updated October 2014

The onset of winter means many workplaces will be turning up the heat this month, so it's a good time to tackle the subject of fire safety and make sure your employees are suitably prepared.

The Fire Statistics Monitor recorded 16,200 non-domestic building fires in the UK from April 2013 to March 2014. 

Fire kills
From April 2013 to March 2014 there were 275 fire fatalities in England.

Fire destroys
Fire can cause hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of damage, so it is vital that your employees understand the risks and know what to do in an emergency.

Things that may start or contribute to a fire include:

• Overloaded sockets
• Flammable liquids/residues/vapours
• Combustible items e.g. packaging, process waste
• Covered/dusty/poorly maintained heaters
• Sparking or igniting tools
• Faulty electrics
• Incorrectly handled gas cylinders
• Cigarettes/smoking materials

Other potential problems include:

• Blocked fire exits/escape routes
• Missing/absent fire extinguishers
• Incorrect storage of flammables/combustibles
• Build-ups of combustible waste
• Lack of fire safety comprehension
• Trailing cables, which may impede escape

Your employees should know:

• How to prevent fires from starting
• How to report/deal with fire risks
• How to work safely with flammables/combustibles
• What to do if they discover a fire
• How to sound the fire alarm
• Who their fire officers are (if applicable)
• Where the fire extinguishers are located
• When and how to operate each extinguisher safely
• Where their nearest fire exit is
• Where their outside assembly point is

A sound knowledge of safety precautions should prevent the majority of fires from occurring in the first place. However, if the worst should happen, it's important that your employees know exactly what to do. Though this information varies from one workplace to another, the principle of reminding your employees to test this knowledge remains the same.

In addition, employers should carry out a fire drill at least once a year, or more often if you have had a high turnover of staff.

Kodiak's workplace posters regularly tackles issues relating to fire safety. These include fire prevention, fire procedures and fire risk assessment.

If you would like to find out more about our posters and how they can help make sure your employees know the drill, please contact us.

For daily tips on dealing with common workplace issues, why not follow us on Twitter.

If you would like to find out how Kodiak posters 
can help your business work smoother, smarter 
and safer, please call us on: 01530 456 000 
or email us.

Electrical safety: Ten tips to help you pull the plug on electrical accidents

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Updated October 2014

According to the HSE, there are more than 1,000 electrical accidents in every year in the UK. Most of these accidents result in shocks and/or burns, but around 25 are fatal.

The human body conducts electricity, just like a wire. Even being exposed to a low current of 50 volts can cause muscle spasms and inhibit your heartbeat and breathing.

Here are ten tips to pull the plug on electrical accidents.

1. No experience, no way!
Electricity can be dangerous, which is why electrical repairs maintenance and modifications must only be carried out by a suitably qualified and experienced person.

2. Never use defective equipment 
Inspect plugs, cables and appliances regularly and make sure they are free from damage, cracks, burn marks and stains. Ensure cables have no internal wires showing and tool handles are properly insulated with no cracks or damage. Always tag defective equipment and report it for maintenance.

3. Never rely on temporary repairs
Never attempt quick fixes. Covering cracks or exposed wires with insulating tape won't solve an underlying problem and the equipment could still be dangerous to use.

4. Never work on live machinery
Always lock out and tag out the power when cleaning, removing jams and carrying out routine maintenance. If you fail to do so the machine could start up again unexpectedly and cause a serious accident.

5. Never mix electricity and water
Electricity and water can be a fatal combination. Keep them apart and never use water extinguishers to put out electrical fires.

6. Never overload plug sockets
Overloaded sockets can cause fires. There is a limit to how many amps multi-plug adaptors and extension leads can handle, so make sure you stay within safe restrictions.

7. Never leave trailing cables
Wires left across walkways create potentially dangerous trip hazards. Keep all cables neat and tidy – tape them down if necessary.

8. Make sure equipment is suitable
Make sure electrical equipment is suitable for the task and the electricity supply before use.

9. Use electric heaters with care
Position electric heaters sensibly, away from flammables, combustibles and sources of water or ignition. Ideally plug them into a designated socket and do not leave trailing cables. Remember to switch them off when not in use.

10. Be aware of overhead or underground cables
When working at height or digging below ground, beware of any electric cables in the vicinity and avoid any accidental contact.

Kodiak has a variety of posters covering electrical issues. If you would like to find out more about how our posters can help you manage electrical safety risks in your operation, please get in touch with us.

For daily tips on dealing with common workplace issues, why not follow us on Twitter.

If you would like to find out how Kodiak posters 
can help your business work smoother, smarter 
and safer, please call us on: 01530 456 000 
or email us.

Taking emergency action: What to do if disaster strikes

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At Kodiak we spend a lot of time thinking about accident prevention – it's a subject covered frequently in our workplace poster programme. But, while our programme has been proven to reduce workplace accidents, it would be naive to think that an accident could never happen.

Have you ever been in a building when the fire alarm has gone off? I have, many times now, and I think it's fair to say that no one ever seems to do what they are meant to. Of course, everyone knows that they are supposed to move quickly and calmly to the nearest fire exit, leaving their personal belongings behind, and meet up at the designated assembly point. But that's not usually what happens.

Most people think the alarm is a test – that it will stop in a minute – and they stay where they are and continue doing what they are doing. If it doesn't stop, they conclude that it's probably a false alarm and they still don't move. Some wait until they are told to evacuate by another person. Others are still considering what to do right up until they hear the fire engine sirens in the street outside.

During a stay at a hotel in Edinburgh last year, a kitchen fire set off the fire alarm early in the morning. We left our room on the fifth floor, made our way down five flights of stairs and waited outside, in the snow, while the fire crews went in. After about 20 minutes, during which time the alarm was still ringing, we were allowed to re-enter the building. As the lift finally arrived at the ground floor, we were surprised to see it was full of people from the floors above. "Oh," exclaimed a lady inside the lift, "has there really been a fire?"

It's terrifying to think that so many people are so complacent and that there is any chance that they may not do the right thing if a real disaster struck. This is why we need to remind them.

In the Kodiak programme we ask your employees if they would know:

• what to do if someone is hurt
• what to do if a fire starts
• how to sound the fire alarm
• who their fire warden/first aider is and
  how to contact them in an emergency
• where the nearest fire exits/assembly
  points are located

Of course, they should already know the answers – if they don't, then they need to find out. The right knowledge is a great survival tool and knowing all the answers by heart also means you are more likely to keep a clear head in a crisis.

Following any incident it is vital to gain an understanding of what happened, how it happened and why it happened. For this you need the full support and co-operation of your employees, as only honest accounts will help you establish the true causes and enable you to prevent a recurrence. We have posters on this too.

If you would like to find out more about how Kodiak posters can prepare your employees for emergency situations, please get in touch.

For daily tips on dealing with common workplace issues, why not follow us on Twitter.

If you would like to find out how Kodiak posters 
can help your business work smoother, smarter 
and safer, please call us on: 01530 456 000 
or email us.