The following precautions should be taken to prevent fires:
- use less-easily ignited and fewer flammable materials, eg use water-based or low-solvent glues and paint;
- keep the quantity of flammables at the workplace to a minimum;
- always keep and carry flammable liquids in suitable closed containers;
- have an extinguisher to hand when doing hot work such as welding or using a disc cutter that produces sparks;
- check the site at lunch time and at the end of the day to see that all plant and equipment that could cause a fire is turned off. Stop hot working an hour before people go home, as this will allow more time for smouldering fires to be identified; and
- provide closed metal containers to collect rubbish and remove them from the site regularly. Collect highly flammable waste such as solvent-soaked rags separately in closed fire-resisting containers.
