Water Well Journal
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/643500
Portable Fire Extinguishers Each workplace must have the proper type of fire extinguisher for the fire hazards present. Employees must be instructed on the hazards of fighting a fire, how to properly operate the fire extinguish- ers, and what procedures to follow in alerting others to the fire emergency. Only approved fire extinguishers are permitted to be used in workplaces and must be kept in good operating condition. Proper maintenance and inspection of this equipment is required of each employer. Where the employer wishes to evacuate employees instead of having them fight small fires, there must be written emergency plans and employee training to provide for proper evacuation. Emergency Evacuation Planning Each employer needs to have a written emergency action plan that describes the routes to use and proce- dures to be followed by employees. Procedures for accounting for all evacuated employees must be part of the plan. The written plan must be available for employee review. Procedures for helping physically im- paired employees must be addressed in the plan. The plan must include procedures for those employees who must remain behind temporarily to shut down critical equipment before they evacuate. The preferred means of alerting employees to a fire emergency must be part of the plan and an alarm system must be available throughout the workplace and must be used for alerting for evacuation. The alarm system may be voice communication or sound signals such as bells, whistles, or horns. Employees must know the evacuation signal. Training all employees so they know what is to be done in an emergency is required. Employers must review the plan with new employees so they know correct actions to take in an emergency and with all employees whenever the plan is changed. Fire Prevention Plan Employers need a written fire pre- vention plan to go with the fire evacuation plan to minimize the frequency of evacuation. Stopping unwanted fires from occurring is the most efficient way to handle them. Procedures for storage and cleanup of flammable materials and waste must be included in the plan. Recy- cling flammable waste such as paper is encouraged. Handling and packag- ing procedures must be included in the plan. Controlling workplace ignition sources such as smoking, welding, and burning must be addressed in the plan. Heat-producing equipment such as burners, boilers, ovens, and stoves must be properly maintained and kept clean of flammable residues. Flammables are not to be stored close to these pieces of equipment. All employees are to be made aware of the potential fire hazards of their job and the procedures called for in the employer's fire prevention plan. SAFETY continues on page 52 Twitter @WaterWellJournl WWJ March 2016 51 CERT om t fr CSP KNOWLEDGE EXPERIENCE Y ABILIT CERTIFIED national ground water association TIO D etition with AT TIFIC omp the c ART APA OURSE T YO SE tion ELF ON o t Demon t er as a C . e vic omer ser cust est in viding the b o pr t ommitmen our c e y t a nstr essional! of r ales P tied S nal! NG o t fr apar w earn ho L g/CSP A.or GWA etiti omp om the c ou an set y ou c w y ion! urself 800 551.7379 • 614 898.7791 7379 • 614 898.7791 .7791