Causes of Fire

Electrical equipment - arcing, sparks, hot surfaces created by defective electrical equipment.

Spontaneous ignition - when some liquids are heated or sprayed onto a hot surface, they may ignite without an ignition source being present

Spontaneous combustion - when materials react with oxygen an exothermic reaction takes place, i.e. heat is emitted. May cause the material to ignite or burst into flames

Smoking - discarded smoking materials. Smoking in dangerous areas, e.g. flammable vapours present

Sparks - act as a source of ignition. Friction between surfaces where a machine contact a fixed part or two surfaces rubbing or sliding together during machine operation, e.g. grinders

Hot work - welding, soldering, hot cutting, brazing. Source of ignition, be careful where flammable vapours are present. Permit to work system is necessary when not in a workshop

Static electricity - electrostatic charging is produced by induction or friction, the charge can be carried away from the source, accumulated charge can be a source of ignition

Vehicles - maintenance and parking areas. Diesel and petrol engines, emissions, and hot surfaces, e.g. exhaust system can be a source of ignition

Open flames - many sources, e.g. boilers, furnaces, portable heating appliances, pilot lights. Poorly maintained or incorrectly used equipment can be a source of ignition

Lightning - source of ignition, protection by direct earthing

Arson - high-risk, e.g. 75% of school fires are caused by arson

Lack of management systems - no appropriate detection systems, means of raising the alarm. Poor housekeeping, no training etc.

Chemical reactions

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Cranes - Construction Safety

Hazard: Significant and serious injuries may occur if cranes are not inspected before use and if they are not used properly. Often these injuries occur when a worker is struck by an overhead load or caught within the crane's swing radius. Many crane fatalities occur when the boom of a crane or its load line contact an overhead power line.

Solutions:

• Check all crane controls to insure proper operation before use.
• Inspect wire rope, chains and hook for any damage.
• Know the weight of the load that the crane is to lift.
• Ensure that the load does not exceed the crane's rated capacity.
• Raise the load a few inches to verify balance and the effectiveness of the brake system.
• Check all rigging prior to use; do not wrap hoist ropes or chains around the load.
• Fully extend outriggers.
• Do not move a load over workers.
• Barricade accessible areas within the crane's swing radius.
• Watch for overhead electrical distribution and transmission lines and maintain a safe working clearance of at least 10 feet from energized electrical lines.

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Staircase - Construction Safety - Hazards and Solutions

Slips, trips and falls on stairways are a major source of injuries and fatalities among construction workers.

Solutions:

• Stairway treads and walkways must be free of dangerous objects, debris and materials.
• Slippery conditions on stairways and walkways must be corrected immediately.
• Make sure that treads cover the entire step and landing.
• Stairways having four or more risers or rising more than 30 inches must have at least one handrail.

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Ladders - Construction Safety - Hazards and Solutions

HAZARDS:

Ladders and stairways are source of injuries and fatalities among construction workers. OSHA estimates that there are 24,882 injuries and as many as 36 fatalities per year due to falls on stairways and ladders used in construction. Nearly half of these injuries were serious enough to require time off the job.

Solutions:

• Use the correct ladder for the task.
• Make sure that ladders are long enough to safely reach the work area.
• Mark or tag ("Do Not Use") damaged or defective ladders for repair or replacement, or destroy them immediately.
• Never load ladders beyond the maximum intended load or beyond the manufacturer's rated capacity.
• Be sure the load rating can support the weight of the user, including materials and tools.
• Avoid using ladders with metallic components near electrical work and overhead power lines.

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Warning signs – Chemical labelling and packaging

GHS Hazard Pictograms

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Firefighting signs

Intrinsic features:
(a) rectangular or square shape;
(b) white pictogram on a red background (the red part to take up at least 50% of
the area of the sign).

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Emergency escape or first-aid signs

Intrinsic features:
(a) Rectangular or square shape;
(b) White pictogram on a green background (the green part to take up at least
50% of the area of the sign).

FIRST AID SIGNS

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