20,000 fires at work every year
Our Managing Director, Lee Johnson, talks fire safety in his latest blog post.
Why are there so many fires in the workplace each year? Because we do not think it will happen to us. It is that attitude that leads to the staggering figures I am about to share.
The idea of your team burning to death is clearly unthinkable and let us hope we never have to endure that pain. Let us also think of the damage that is caused to facilities, machinery and premises that lead to financially devastating outcomes.
Last year over 200 people died in the UK in fires
Fires happen anywhere and everywhere; however, I can say as a matter of absolute fact that the three most common workplaces for fires are warehouses, factories and then food outlets.
Where do you appear in those categories?
So, we now know how many fires are reported every year at work. We know also that 268 people died last year in fires and there were around 7,000 non-fatal casualties, and we know the three main types of workplace that make up those spine-tingling numbers.
What we now need to know is what causes those horrific statistics in each of those aforementioned areas.
Firstly, 25% of accidental fires are caused by faulty appliances and leads. Overloaded circuits, shoddy workmanship, or a lack of maintenance. In essence this is a very nice way of saying that because we are not providing the appropriate level of training and awareness people are dying and the cost to the economy is millions if not billions.
Secondly, misuse of equipment. There are only two reasons that this should happen. Either our workers have behavioural issues that require managing or that our workers simply do not have an adequate level of understanding of how to use the equipment they have. An outcome of a poor assessment and poor training. Either way, preventable if the risk is managed properly.
Thirdly and unbelievably, smoking remains a significant fire starter as over 1/3 of deaths in non-domestic buildings were due to smoking materials and lighters. This resulted in flammable materials and hazardous environments not appropriately extinguished created the fires that contributed to death and financial loss.
The above information can be read, re-read, and read again but the outcome remains the same. If the fire is prevented no one will die in a fire.
How do we keep our people safe?
Use the most well-trained people to manage and assess your fire risk. Listen to the advice those individuals provide and take action to implement the measures required.
If we stop them before they happen, we change the statistics.
Our consultants are the best in the UK, and we have the accreditation, qualification, and experience to back it up.
Do not think it won’t happen to you, because if and when it does it is too late.