Workplace fires happen more often than we would like to believe.
Most of the time, we don’t even think about fire safety at work. We all walk past the extinguishers, that fire safety equipment locked away in a glass box, and maybe notice the red ‘EXIT’ signs and think, eh, it’ll never happen here.
But let me tell you, over the past few decades, thousands of workplace fires have been reported. Sometimes, it was due to a space heater. Sometimes, it was faulty wiring. Sometimes, someone dropped something flammable a little too close to a power outlet or a heat source.
But one thing is for sure, workplace fires are scary. They spread fast and, most of the time, unnoticed.
That’s why fire safety training isn’t just a drill but a prerequisite to save yourself and others in unfortunate times.
What is Fire Safety Training?
Fire safety training today is not like the old days. You don’t have to sit in boring lectures or watch stiff safety videos from the ‘80s.
Real fire safety training nowadays is very hands-on, practical, and specific to your own work environment.
You will learn things like:
- How fires can start.
- What kind of fire risks are there around your workplace?
- What to do and not to do when a fire breaks out.
- How to use an extinguisher the right way.
- How to get out safely while helping others.
- How to stay calm and not panic.
Many fire safety training today use simulations to act out the whole drill and strengthen your mind to stay calm under pressure. Not panicking is one of the most crucial aspects of dealing with a fire breakout.
Step By Step Guide to Effective Training
Alright, if you’re in charge of safety or just someone who cares enough to save everyone, you’ll need a solid plan. Here’s a solid framework of best practices from top industry sources to guide your fire safety efforts:
Start by Spotting the Risks
As the saying goes: ‘You can’t prepare for what you don’t see.’ So for the first step, Walk around the workplace to figure out what are the potential risk factors that can start a fire.
You should look for overloaded power strips, dusty equipment, poorly stored materials, flammable storage, or blocked exits.
Once you have a complete assessment of the space, you are better able to target the weak spots and build your training around real-life risks.
Set Up Clear and Simple Procedures
When the fire alarm goes off, no one has time to read a manual. They’re all running out in a frenzy. Therefore, conducting fire training within the workplace is crucial. Make emergency procedures specific to your space and make it easy for everyone to understand.
Who does what?
Where does everyone go?
Where are the exits?
Who’ll check if the space is clear?
Who’s responsible for headcounts?
How do you shut down equipment in a hurry?
And so on.
You must spell these all clearly and then train the staff accordingly.
Teach the Basics
Everyone doesn’t know the basics of fire. Begin with going over the fire triangle (Fuel, Heat, Oxygen) and then the types of fire, extinguisher types, and similar.
Fire can get out of control fast. Teach your staff about when to fight the fire and when to run. Using real-life examples from the workplace helps to get a better idea of the situation and lets people remember what to do.
Run Drills, Then Debrief
Theoretical knowledge and manuals can only go so far. Unless you get first-hand experience and practice how to get out of the situation, you’re bound to feel lost in time of need.
So, schedule regular fire drills, and don’t treat them as formality. Then, gather your team and educate them about what went well and what didn’t. Pinpoint if anyone didn’t hear the alarm or if anyone hesitated. Your feedback will help them prepare better.
Refresh and Repeat
As humans, it is normal for us to forget stuff. Especially when it’s not used very often. To keep the memory and training refreshed, you need to schedule fire safety training every few months.
It is also imperative because there may be new hires, new equipment, changes in the layout, and more. Running refreshers now and then can help staff to stay vigilant and on track.
Common Fire Hazards to Watch Out For
A big part of good fire safety training is awareness. You must not need the help of a fire marshal to know something’s off. Here are some everyday red flags that you must watch out for:
- Space heaters are too close to paper piles or curtains.
- Power cords plugged into other power cords.
- Grease or dust buildup around the machinery.
- Blocked or locked exit doors.
- Wrongly stored flammables.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, fire safety training aims to prepare you to fight instead of getting scared. It is normal to panic when a fire breaks out. But good training will help you to control your nerves and act mindfully.
Since you can’t overhaul everything overnight, regular training after a few months can help you build mental fortitude. Because when the alarm blares, you’ll want everyone to feel ready, not rattled.