Rob Coppola Senior Account Executive – Construction Insurance Practice Group View Bio

Building a Safer Workplace
Key Steps for Fire Prevention Planning

A workplace fire can cause devastating losses but with the right prevention plan in place, many incidents can be avoided altogether.

A fire prevention plan (FPP) outlines the materials or conditions that could fuel a fire, as well as the systems and procedures in place to control or stop it. This includes identifying fuel sources, such as flammable materials, and understanding how existing equipment (like sprinklers, extinguishers, and alarm systems) helps to contain a fire should one occur.

Fire Prevention Plan Basics
According to OSHA, every business must have a written fire prevention plan that is accessible to employees. For companies with ten or fewer employees, the plan can be communicated verbally.

At minimum, your plan should:

  • List potential fire hazards in your workplace, along with safe handling and storage practices for flammable or hazardous materials.
  • Identify potential ignition sources (such as heat-producing equipment) and describe how they’re controlled.
  • Include procedures for safely removing waste that could contribute to a fire.
  • Outline maintenance routines for heat-producing machinery to help prevent sparks or overheating.
  • Assign responsibility by naming the employees in charge of maintaining fire prevention equipment and controlling potential fuel sources.

Employers must also train employees on the fire risks associated with their jobs and review the parts of the prevention plan that relate to their safety and responsibilities.

Creating and maintaining an effective fire prevention plan not only helps you meet OSHA standards, it protects your property, your business, and most importantly, your people. CLICK HERE for more information from OSHA.

Ready to Get Started?
Reach out to Lawley today to review your fire risks and develop a fire prevention plan that keeps your workplace safe and compliant.