Monday, 25 January 2016

Eight Common Causes of Fire in the Workplace


Electrical equipment - faulty wiring, overloaded conductors, misused equipment and incorrect use of electric equipment in inappropriate environments.

Deliberate ignition (arson) – in some cases workplaces may be targeted by a disgruntled employee or an unhappy customer

Hot work – any work involving arc/naked flame (propane torch, oxy – acetylene cutting, arc welding and grinding)

Smoking – carelessly discarded cigarette butts and matches; smoking in prohibited areas



Cooking appliances – fat pans left attended

Heating appliances – electric fan heaters and space heaters, mainly when left unattended

Unsafe use / storage of flammables (example petrol, acetone, liquid petroleum gas) – Static sparks can be generated which could ignite a flammable vapour

Mechanical heat – generated by friction between moving parts or cold work generating sparks

Chemical reactions – can also generate heat, for example oxidisers.
Incineration –uncontrolled burning of rubbish.


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