Fire Safety in the Workplace

Speaker: Bethany BrunsellFire and Life Safety Educator, Saint Paul Fire Department

• In 2015, there were 14,128 reported fires in MN • up 11% from 2014

• $223,593,920 in loss from fires• Averages to $425 per minute

• 4,675 were structures• Others were vehicles, outdoor, etc.

• About 76% were residential, leaving 24% as possible workplaces such as schools, commercial buildings, manufacturing, storage facilities, etc.

From “2015 Fire in Minnesota” 2

Cooking44%

Other16%

Electrical8%

Appliance8%

Heating6%

Open Flame7%

Incendiary5%

Smoking3%

Natural3%

2015 Fire in Minnesota 3

• Electrical• Flammable materials• Smoking• Arson

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• Overloaded Outlets

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• Power strips – only one per wall outlet• No “daisy chaining” or “piggy backing”

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• Wires/cords under rugs can overheat• Frayed or damaged wires/cords should be replaced

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• Extension cords are for TEMPORARY use only!• Make sure the cord is appropriately rated for the way it’s

being used

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• Unplug small appliances before leaving each night – reduces fire risk and saves electricity

• Hold the plug, not the cord, when unplugging

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• Safe for alternate heat when used correctly

• Give them space (3 feet)• Turn off when leaving• Plug directly into an outlet (no extension cords or power strips)

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• Smoking is the leading cause of fatal fires• Smoke only in designated smoking areas and dispose of

cigarette butts properly• Smoke away from flammable liquids, vapors and gases!

• Keep equipment well maintained• Reduce clutter• Keep exit paths clear

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• Use and store chemicals safely• Know where Safety Data Sheets are located

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• Report all fires to police/fire, no matter how small• Minimize materials, waste, packaging, etc. stored outside• Maintain good building security

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• OSHA 29 CFR 1910.33 through 1910.39 covers several fire safety topics

• Employers should train employees about fire hazards in the workplace & what to do in a fire emergency

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• Emergency Exits – OSHA 20 CFR 1910.36• Considerations

• Type of structure• Number of occupants• Type of industry• Height and type of building construction

• Must be properly marked• Must be free of obstructions

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• Fire Extinguishers – 29 CFR 1910 L• Not necessarily required to be provided

• If provided, employer must provide training on general principles of use• If employees are expected to USE extinguisher, employer must provide

hands-on training

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• Using a fire extinguisher• Have someone call 9-1-1

• Small fires only

• Don’t let the fire get between youand your way out

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• Emergency Action Plans• Not required for all employers• Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals, 1910.119• Fixed Extinguishing Systems, General, 1910.160• Fire Detection Systems, 1910.164• Grain Handling, 1910.272• Ethylene Oxide, 1910.1047• Methylenedianiline, 1910.1050• 1,3 Butadiene, 1910.1051

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• Describe the routes for workers to use and procedures to follow.• Account for all evacuated employees.• Remain available for employee review.• Include procedures for evacuating disabled employees.• Address evacuation of employees who stay behind to shut down

critical plant equipment.• Include preferred means of alerting employees to a fire

emergency.

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• Provide for an employee alarm system throughout the workplace.

• Require an alarm system that includes voice communication or sound signals such as bells, whistles, or horns.

• Make the evacuation signal known to employees.• Ensure emergency training.• Require employer review of the plan with new employees and

with all employees whenever the plan is changed.

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• Fire Prevention Plans• Not required of all employers

• Ethylene Oxide, 1910.1047• Methylenedianiline, 1910.1050• 1,3 Butadiene, 1910.1051

• Intended to minimize the frequency of evacuations

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• Be available for employee review.• Include housekeeping procedures for storage and cleanup of

flammable materials and flammable waste.• Address handling and packaging of flammable waste. (Recycling of

flammable waste such as paper is encouraged.)• Cover procedures for controlling workplace ignition sources such as

smoking, welding, and burning.• Provide for proper cleaning and maintenance of heat producing

equipment such as burners, heat exchangers, boilers, ovens, stoves, and fryers and require storage of flammables away from this equipment.

• Inform workers of the potential fire hazards of their jobs and plan procedures.

• Require plan review with all new employees and with all employees whenever the plan is changed.

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• Fire alarm systems may be monitored or unmonitored• Treat all alarms as real fires

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• Evacuate or shelter-in-place?• Depending on the situation, it may be safer to remain in place or go to an

area of refuge rather than leaving the building• Close doors – compartmentalize the fire

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• Fire drills – practice where to go, special responsibilities• Be sure to contact fire alarm company before activating alarms• Local fire department may be willing to assist• Evaluate after each drill

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• Temperature at sprinkler head must reach certain temperature to activate – usually at least 155 degrees Fahrenheit

• NOT like movies/TV where all sprinklers activate!• Consider installing sprinklers in new home construction too!

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• Sprinklers REDUCE damage: 8-24 gallons per minute (gpm) of water compared to 100+ gpm from fire hose

• Keep obstructions at least 18” from sprinkler heads

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• Be aware of systems that use agents such as Halon 1211 or carbon dioxide – these can pose a serious health hazard

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• Small fires only (small garbage can or smaller)• Keep in an accessible location• Use the correct type of extinguisher for the type of fire• PASS (Pull, Aim at base, Squeeze handle, Sweep across base)

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• Thanksgiving through New Year is top time for residential fires• #1 cause of residential fires is cooking• Stay and Look When You Cook!• Keep a 3 foot kid and pet free zone around stove• Keep things that can burn

(towels, paper towels, plastics, etc.) at least 3 feet away from stove

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• If you have a cooking fire:• Never put water on a grease fire!• Leave pan on stove – don’t try to move it• Cover with a lid and leave it alone for at least 20 minutes• If fire is inside oven or microwave, keep door closed and cut power to

appliance

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• Candles• Flameless LED candles reduce fire risk• Keep anything that can burn at least 1 foot away from candles

• Blow out candles when you leave the room or go to bed

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• Christmas Trees• Water live trees every day• Keep away from heat sources and flames (ex. candles, fireplace, heater)• Make sure lights are in good condition• After the holidays, bring outside and keep away from structures

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• Smoke alarms • Test monthly• Replace battery yearly• Replace alarm every 10 years• Suggested to have in every bedroom, within 10 feet of sleeping areas, on

every level

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• Carbon monoxide alarms• Test monthly• Change battery yearly• Replace every 5-7 years • Have within 10’ of sleeping areas and on every level • Never warm up a vehicle in an attached

garage, even with garage door open!

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• Stove Top Fire Extinguishers• Will control a stovetop fire if you forget to stay and look when you cook• Easy to install with a magnet

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• Keep a 3 foot area around fire hydrants near you home and workplace clear of snow

• Also keep areas around vents on your home clear of snow

• Keep driveway/sidewalk clear of snow and ice

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Thank you!Bethany BrunsellFire and Life Safety EducatorSaint Paul Fire Department 651‐228‐6239bethany.brunsell@ci.stpaul.mn.us

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