Safety is the most important thing on construction sites, where different situations always emerge. Among all the possible threats, fire hazards can be among the most dangerous to human life. With all the electrical equipment and flammable materials on site, it’s no surprise that you need to exercise caution to avoid creating a disaster. Fortunately, there are various precautions that you can take to prevent something so tragic from ever happening at your construction site! In this article, learn 4 essential ways to prevent fire hazards during construction that will help you keep your team and all your equipment safe!
Start With the Right Equipment
The first way to prevent a fire hazard during construction is by making sure all your equipment is ready and functional. This equipment list will vary as not all construction jobs are the same. You should start by supplying every site with fire extinguishers, as they can put out fires and save lives. Remember that this is the bare minimum, as the goal is to prevent a fire from erupting in the first place! Hence, other safety equipment, such as smoke alarms and adequate facility monitoring, is also necessary. Furthermore, the electrical appliances that you will be using during construction must also be checked carefully as they can easily cause an unfortunate accident if faulty. You should also migrate towards safer compartments, such as double pole switches, as that can make working much safer for you and the team. What is a double pole switch used for, you might ask? To put it simply, a double pole switch is a switch that controls two separate currents at the same time. These are typically used for machinery, making them a safe and reliable choice for construction work. If you’re using oil on site, consider using oil dispensing systems to properly store and measure oil which prevents spillages.
Set Strict Regulations & Keep the Site Clean
One of the best ways to prevent a fire hazard during construction is by always closely monitoring everything. As head of the project, you should know exactly what is happening around the site at all times. Consider putting people on watch in specific areas and having them update you regularly, or you can also set up cameras and create a control room where you can monitor the whole project. On top of that, consider setting rules that help keep the team away from danger, such as banning any unnecessary use of fire. It is also important to note that there are legal requirements for safety which, if not met, can lead to a lump sum fine from the authorities! The site should be neat and clean. You should ensure appropriate waste disposal methods are in place, as keeping unwanted materials may lead to several safety hazards. Additionally, ensure all your materials are at their designated places and have proper labeling on them to avoid confusion among your construction workers. You should also make sure and check if the material processing was done correctly. Run some tests before implementing them into the project.
Teach the Crew
Construction crews work on various projects of many different scales. This makes it so that the team is also different, even if the core members, such as the managers, remain the same. Here, there is a chance that the team working on this new project may not know the necessary procedures and safety precautions. This may inevitably lead to health hazards arising on the premises. Hold briefings on the entire project for all the workers and provide them with the right instructions, such as what their part is in the project, which materials are combustible, how to operate the machinery involved, etc. Not only will this save you money by preventing accidents, but taking care of the team and making them feel part of the project has motivated workers and improved efficiecy! It’s truly a two-bird, one-stone situation!
Implement an Emergency Evacuation Plan
Unfortunately, no matter how many ways there are to prevent a fire hazard, what inevitably ends up happening may not ultimately be in your control. Even when your project design is based on the best fire protection engineering available, there is always a slight chance of an accident occurring. This is why you must also prepare a contingency plan and implement every precautionary method you can afford. Plan ahead to find the most optimal way to lead all your employees to safety. As mentioned earlier, you should begin by briefing the team about the project. Run them through the project blueprint so that they can grasp the potential risks and be aware of any potential health hazards during work. Afterward, create an evacuation plan for everyone to follow during emergencies. Consider running mock drills so that workers don’t panic when a fire breaks out and calmly cooperate together and head to safety.
Conclusion
Putting safety first on construction sites is key to success. Remember that there is no loss greater than human lives, and trying your absolute best to prevent any disasters from happening will surely bear fruitful rewards for your construction team. We hope that this article has been helpful in teaching you the ways to prevent a fire hazard during construction, and we wish you good luck in your future endeavors.
