Fire safety management

Question 1

Is attention given at the outset to eliminating flammable and highly flammable liquids from the workplace wherever possible?

Answer 1

At the outset, attention should be given to eliminating flammable and highly flammable liquids from the workplace wherever possible. Serious consideration should be given to the need for the use of such liquids in the process and the possibility of replacing them with non-flammable liquids as alternatives, or at least with solvents having a flashpoint above 55°C

Question 2

What should you make the workforce aware of on site?

Answer 2

The workforce should be made aware of the presence and use of flammable liquids, and the hazards involved within the buildings in which they are working.

Question 3

Are staff trained in good practice relating to the opening, handling and disposal of containers?

Answer 3

Staff should be trained in good practice relating to the opening, handling and
disposal of containers (for example, containers should be opened correctly rather than punctured).

Question 4

Are all staff familiar with the hazards associated with the product(s) used, the necessary precautions and the action to be followed in the event of fire or spillage?

Answer 4

All staff should be familiar with the hazards associated with the product(s) used, the necessary precautions and the action to be followed in the event of fire or spillage.

These include how to:
* raise the alarm;
* ensure all staff evacuate the workplace;
* call the fire and rescue service;
* attack the fire if it is safe to do so;
* contain spillage and dispose of contaminated materials safely; and
* ventilate the area concerned (open windows, doors and other openings
intended for this purpose to increase ventilation).

Question 5

What should staff be made aware of?

Answer 5

Staff should be made aware of the hazards of deliberate fire raising, which may be carried out by colleagues as well as by intruders (ref 37).

Question 6

What should you do regarding flammable liquids and empty containers, security wise?

Answer 6

Flammable liquids and nominally ‘empty’ containers should not be accessible to intruders; suitable security measures should be in place.

Question 7

What should containers have on them?

Answer 7

Containers should be labelled in accordance with BS EN ISO 7010

Question 8

Is installed or portable electrical equipment, including electric lighting, appropriate for the hazard zone in which it is to be used?

Answer 8

Installed or portable electrical equipment, including electric lighting should be appropriate for the zone (assessed according to BS EN 60079-10-1) (ref 20) in which it is to be used. In areas where unenclosed liquids are being used and zones have not been defined, measures should be taken as would be appropriate when considering the whole area as an area of highest hazard (ie zone 0).