Here's How to Prioritize Fire Prevention on the Job Site
Construction sites are high-risk job sites for fire. The presence of flammable materials, unfinished electrical systems, and the various processes involved in building a structure all spell increased fire hazard.
The good news is that contractors can do a lot to minimize the risk of a fire developing in order to keep the job site safe and keep insurance premiums to a minimum.
Here are five key policies that contractors can implement to help prevent fires.
1. No Fires, No Exceptions
Studies suggest that up tp to 71% of construction site fires are caused by open flames, so one of the most effective ways to prevent fires from starting is to maintain a strict no-fire policy anywhere on the site.
This means never burning waste or allowing bonfires or open-flame cookware anywhere near the site. This also means maintaining a strict no-smoking policy. Smoking should be limited to a particular designated area far from the job site. Safe waste disposal policies also need to be in place and strictly enforced.
2. Plan Out Waste Management
The reason that fires on construction sites tend to grow so quickly is that flammable waste materials give them plenty of fuel. This is why it is incredibly important for contractors to prioritize their waste management system.
Start by creating a plan that details where all types of flammable materials will be kept and when and how they will be disposed of. When it comes to fire prevention, frequent offsite disposal is the key to ensuring that waste materials don’t build up and create a fire hazard.
3. Carefully Monitor Electric Equipment
All electrical supplies need to be installed by qualified electricians, no exception. This goes for temporary electrical sources as well. All portable electronics should not only be PAT-tested, but managers should visibly inspect mobile equipment as well before use.
4. Make a Fire Plan
Every job site absolutely needs to have a comprehensive fire plan in place, and contractors also need to go out of their way to ensure that everybody is on board and understands what to do in the case of a fire. This includes performing fire checks on any job requiring the use of flame at 30-minute intervals after the job is completed, so all fire-related work must be done at least an hour before the site closes for the day.
It is also essential that an adequate number of fire extinguishers are kept on hand and easily accessible throughout the site, and that all workers know and understand how to access and use them.
5. Make Sure You Are Covered
Fires are a relatively rare occurrence, but when they happen, the damage that they cause can not only be devastating, but also extremely costly. This is why it is essential for contractors to make sure that they have the coverage in place to protect their bottom line should the unexpected happen.
We understand that to make sure your policy has you fully covered for fire damage, you need an easy way to both review and understand your policy and your existing coverage. This is why at The Business Protection Team, we not only offer specialized and tailored protection for contractors, but we also provide easy and effective tools for you to review and update your policy any time, allowing you to get the most out of your coverage. Learn more about what we have to offer today.