Fire
Fire is not pleasant to think about, but it is a fact of life. A workplace fire can be disastrous both in terms of lost equipment and injury to people. Knowing what to do in the event of a fire can save valuable equipment and, most importantly, lives. Here are a few tips to help prevent fire and protect yourself:
- Always know the emergency procedures to be carried out in case of fire at your workplace.
- Know the location of the nearest fire exits.
- Know the location of the nearest fire extinguishers and how to use them.
- Don't overload electrical outlets.
Simply knowing the location of a fire extinguisher is of no value unless you know how to use it. If you don't, contact your safety department or local fire department. They will be glad to help you get the training you need. Also, remember that using the wrong type of fire extinguisher can be worse than not using one at all.
There are three basic types of fire extinguishers as shown in Figure 19.1.
Figure 19.1 Fire extinguisher types