Fires are dangerous and can burn out of control in as little as 30 seconds. Having a detailed and effective loss prevention plan in place can help you keep your construction site, employees, and equipment safe in the event of a fire.
Fire protection should be in accordance with the type and size of the contract work involved. Here are some of our tips that you should consider when it comes to fire prevention and safety on your construction site.
An important part of your fire prevention plan is conducting daily site evaluations, to make sure everything is in working order and up to the necessary standards. It is up to the site superintendent to evaluate the onsite fire protection hazards and exposures of the entire premises at during their shift. Even if daily supervision is delegated to another employee, the responsibility still remains with the site superintendent.
Site superintendents should provide employees with suitable sized fire extinguishers if needed. It is also a good idea to enforce a “no smoking” policy in areas that could be exposed to fire, and in the vicinity of any hazardous operations.
Using and storing combustible materials can be dangerous. Here are some tips to aid you in this important task:
Your actual site itself (how it’s made, and what it’s made of) plays a big role in your fire prevention plan. Here are some things to consider when engaging in site maintenance and upkeep:
Not only is it important to keep up with daily housekeeping tasks to ensure that your business is running smoothly and efficiently, but also to help with fire prevention:
Hot work, such as welding, brazing, soldering, and cutting requires your utmost attention and caution. It is important that before hot work begins, you ensure that you have all hot work procedures and work permits in place, and that these are enforced. Here are some key safety protocols that will help you minimize any risks associated with hot work:
While working on a construction site, you may create temporary buildings in order to house your equipment and materials, act as a restroom, or give your employees a place to relax or work on office tasks. It is important that you ensure that these temporary buildings are made of non-combustible materials, or at least of materials of limited combustibility.
It is also extremely important that you maintain an adequate safety distance between your temporary buildings. This will help ensure that if one building happens to contain a fire, it should not spread as the others will be a safe distance away.
Despite your best efforts and preparation, you could still fall victim to a fire, especially if you work with flammable and combustible materials on a daily basis. That’s why it’s important to invest in comprehensive coverage. Learn more by visiting our Construction and Contractor’s Insurance Page today!
This blog is provided for information only and is not a substitute for professional advice. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information and will not be responsible for any loss arising out of reliance on the information.