Industrial work environments require immense focus to oversee to prevent accidents and fires. That’s because the equipment and materials used in these environments are potentially very dangerous in the wrong hands. Focusing on employee efficiency and thorough training with equipment is important, but it’s not all you have to think about. You also need to focus on preventing common hazards, such as fires. Learn these key steps for preventing fires in industrial work environments so you can maximize employee and equipment safety in your workplace.
Clean and Discard Dust in the Workplace
Industrial machines can emit large amounts of dust, lint, and other flammable materials when operating. These flammable materials can accumulate on the floor around the machine and become a fire hazard, which is why regularly sweeping and cleaning the floor should be standard. Not only will this prevent slipping and falling, but it can also help prevent the rapid spread of a fire should one erupt in the workplace.
Using dust collection systems is also a great way to combat this. Not only will it keep dust from piling up around the machine, but it will also prevent toxic chemicals from making their way into the air machine for employees to inhale.
Install Combustion Prevention Equipment
Company management needs to prevent flammable materials from building up around the machine, but also needs to prevent it from happening inside the machine. For example, dust collection systems keep industrial environments clean and safe, but they also need proper combustion prevention equipment like spark arrestors to prevent common issues. Spark arrestors will extinguish sparks within the equipment, reducing the chances of an explosion and extensive damage to both your employees and your equipment. There are various combustion prevention technologies available for the many types of industrial equipment.
Properly Store Flammable Liquids
Storing flammable liquids, such as paint or gasoline, requires more than just your average storage unit. You need to place flammable liquids in OSHA-approved storage containers and safely ground them. Grounding a container is a process that helps combat sparks from discharging and igniting the liquid. It’s also important to remember that if flammable liquid leaks or spills out of the container, make sure to clean it up as quickly and thoroughly as possible.
Handle Compressed Gas With Care
Compressed gas is very dangerous because the high pressure inside the container makes even a small leak extremely volatile. That’s why it’s important to properly extinguish flames when necessary. Additionally, as with most industrial equipment, make sure not to break or bump into compressed gas canisters because it can send a high-pressure canister soaring through the air. You should also inspect compressed gas canisters for leaks every day.
Preventing fires in industrial work environments takes through planning and, most importantly, focus. If you oversee an industrial workplace, you need to be aware of how all the equipment works and how it can go awry. That way, you and your team can make sure your facility is as safe and efficient as possible.
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