Stay Fire Smart—Don’t Get Burned!

OSHA doesn’t specifically direct us to prevent burns, but the agency does build fire prevention into many of its regulations. For example, Subpart L of 29 CFR Part 1910 includes detailed requirements for fire detection and alarm systems as well as for fire-fighting equipment and fire-fighting teams. Other OSHA fire prevention requirements are found in OSHA’s regulations for flammable, combustible, and other materials that could burn, and for hot operations like welding and cutting.

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Many of these regulations require employers to have fire prevention plans and emergency action plans. To prevent fire hazards from becoming real fires, OSHA explains in 29 CFR 1910.38 that these fire prevention plans must spell out:

• 
  Workplace fire hazards, along with prevention techniques that apply specifically to them
• Potential ignition sources and controls for them
• Fire protection systems and equipment that control these fires
• Individuals or job titles responsible for maintaining these prevention and control systems and hazards
• Maintenance procedures and plans to prevent accidental ignition of combustible materials

Train your workers to recognize burn hazards, such as the following:

• 
  Flammable liquids, such as oil, solvents, and many chemicals, often have invisible vapors that move quickly through the air; put them together with an ignition source—even a spark—and you could have a fire.
• Smoking is a hazard because lit cigarettes or matches can be an ignition source for paper, flammable liquids, or almost anything that’s capable of burning.
• Welding and cutting operations create flames and sparks, so they’re a potential cause of burns and of fires.
• Hot machines and processes are a burn hazard.
• Space heaters can, if not used properly, cause fires and burns.
• Very hot water is a burn hazard.

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Once they know the hazards, educate and equip them to prevent fires and burns. Train them to take these precautions:

• 
  Keep safe distance from hot tools and processes.
• Test temperature with instruments, not touch.
• Smoke only where permitted.
• Put cigarettes and matches out carefully in ashtrays.
• Use space heaters only when necessary and with correct fuel and good ventilation.
• Keep flammable liquids away from ignition sources.
• Use flammable liquids only in well-ventilated areas.
• Keep flammable liquid in an approved, airtight metal container that’s always closed when not in use.
• Clean up flammable liquid spills and leaks immediately.
• Reuse only tested and identified "empty" flammable liquid containers.
• Don’t cut a container that held flammable liquids.
• Use label and MSDS to identify hazards.
• Wear assigned and/or MSDS-recommended protective clothing.
• Check personal protective equipment (PPE) before use to be sure it’s undamaged.
• Remove PPE carefully to prevent contamination.
• Wash thoroughly after working with chemicals.
• Check that all wiring insulation is in good condition and remove all frayed or worn wires.
• Don’t overload circuits, fuses, motors, and outlets.
• Match plugs to outlets and check that electrical connections are tight.
• Keep machines and tools clean and lubricated.
• Keep combustible trash away from electric lights and machinery.
• Don’t overheat transmission shafts or bearings.
• Keep electrical tools away from water.
• Don’t touch anything electric with wet hands or while standing on wet surfaces.
• Wear rubber protective clothing to handle electric equipment.

Get more information about this year’s event at www.firepreventionweek.org.

Why It Matters…

• 
  Every year in the United States, 1.1 million burn injuries require medical care.
• About 50,000 of those result in hospitalization.
• Almost 10,000 people die of burn-related infections each year.

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