Did you know?
According to Makro Safe, Health and Safety Consultants, in South Africa there are over 35 000 fires reported in the workplace every year, and many which could have been avoided if fire safety was properly managed.
What are the most common causes of fires in the workplace?
According to Arrive Alive, faulty electrical equipment, “hot work”, flammable and combustible materials, lack of staff training, lack of resources and equipment, and arson, are the common causes of fires in the workplace.
In the UK, an alarming 45% of all serious fires (to both homes and business) are believed to be caused by arson.
What is arson?
Arson is the willful and malicious setting fire to, or causing to be burned, or aiding, counseling or procuring the burning of, a dwelling house, or building adjoining or adjacent to a dwelling house, or a building by the burning whereof a dwelling house is burned, whether such dwelling house or other building is the property of himself or another and whether the same is occupied or unoccupied.
Fennelly, L (2018). Part 4 – Conducting the Investigation: Investigations: 150 Things You Should Know (Second Edition). 89-151
Fire Safety in the workplace checklist
To reduce the risk of fires in the workplace, be sure to follow the checklist below and put the necessary measures in place. Here is more information from the Government of the Western Cape if you would like to learn more.
