Fire safety is a significant issue that affects all workplaces in New Mexico. Fires can cause a lot of injuries, death and a lot of property loss if measures are not taken as required. The statistics show that the two most frequent reasons for fires at the places of work in New Mexico are carelessness and improper or inadequate tools.
There is always the need to ensure that fire prevention is a priority for business owners through the understanding of major fire hazards and practices. This guide looks at the leading causes of fire outbreaks in the workplace across New Mexico and offers suggestions to reduce the likelihood of such incidents.
Major Causes of Workplace Fires in New Mexico
Negligence with Flammable Materials
Employee negligence poses one of the greatest fire risks. Workers may be careless when handling flammable liquids, chemicals, fuels, solvents, and other volatile substances. Improperly disposing of smoking materials like cigarettes in non-designated areas can also spark fires. Worse still, some employees continue smoking in no-smoking zones against policy. All it takes is a single careless mistake to ignite nearby combustibles and trigger a blaze.
Business owners have a responsibility to establish and enforce clear protocols for safe storage, handling, and disposal of flammable materials. Proper oversight ensures employees adhere to precautions. Safety managers should identify high-risk areas and activities, then develop strong training programs to prevent negligent behaviors. Signage can also remind employees of fire hazards.
Faulty Electrical Equipment
Outdated, damaged, or improperly installed electrical equipment is a major workplace fire culprit in New Mexico. Faulty wiring and malfunctioning appliances, especially those drawing high amperage, can overheat or short circuit. Industrial machinery and pumps that are not well-maintained can suffer mechanical failures leading to sparks. Even something as simple as an overloaded extension cord can start an electrical fire.
Regular maintenance checks and upgrades to modern, code-compliant electrical equipment are imperative. Portable space heaters, hot plates, and other non-commercial appliances prone to overheating should be prohibited. Equipment intrinsically unsafe for the environment should be replaced. A qualified electrician can assist by identifying problem areas and recommending suitable electrical gear for the facility.
Recommended Best Practices for Fire Safety
Complying with Local Fire Codes
All New Mexico workplaces must abide by relevant municipal and state fire codes. These provide the minimum required fire safety accommodations like exits, extinguishers, sprinklers, and alarm systems. Codes also regulate handling and storage of hazardous materials based on factors like type, quantity, and facility size. Fire departments conduct periodic inspections to ensure compliance.
Staying up-to-date on evolving codes and being proactive with upgrades is vital. High-risk businesses like chemical plants, eateries, bars, and crowded venues may need additional precautions beyond standard codes. Business owners should review codes annually and make any necessary adjustments in their facilities.
Installing Adequate Fire Extinguishers
Portable extinguishers are an important first line of defense against small fires. They should be installed in all workplace areas based on square footage, hazard types, and distance from exits. Class A extinguishers containing water are suitable for standard combustibles like wood, paper, and textiles. Class B models with foam, CO2, or dry chemicals can extinguish fires involving flammable liquids.
Class K wet chemical extinguishers designed for commercial kitchens should be used around cooking equipment due to their effectiveness on vegetable oils and animal fats. Facilities with metal fire hazards may need Class D extinguishers containing sodium chloride powder. All employees should be trained on operating extinguishers.
Educating Employees on Fire Prevention
Workplace education is key to preventing fires caused by human error. New employees should receive comprehensive orientation on fire risks, precautions, and emergency response. Ongoing training reminds veteran employees to stay vigilant. Topics can range from hazard spotting and safe equipment use to proper handling of chemicals. Designated personnel should receive response training like extinguisher operation.
Posters, manuals, newsletters, and contests reinforce training. Safety managers can also perform fire risk assessments of all areas and procedures to identify vulnerabilities for improvement. Properly educated employees are empowered to take preventative action.
Evacuation Plans
Every workplace should have a detailed evacuation plan for quickly yet safely exiting in case of a fire. Plans should establish primary and secondary exit routes from each room, ensuring sufficient egress. Well-lit exit signs help guide occupants. Assembly points where employees gather post-evacuation should be designated.
Plans must include provisions to assist mobility-impaired individuals. Fire drills should be conducted periodically to ensure employees understand their roles. Headcounts at assembly points can confirm all occupants safely evacuated. Plans may need adjustments if drills reveal unforeseen obstructions or choke points.
Practicing and Developing Evacuation Plans
Evacuation plans are only effective if practiced regularly. Plans should account for safely evacuating all occupants, including arrangements for assisting mobility-impaired individuals. Annual fire drills ensure employees understand designated exit routes and assembly points. Drills can reveal plan deficiencies that need correction, like choke points or confusing signage.
For New Mexico business owners, frequent drills are essential to prepare staff for swift and orderly evacuation. If drills show employees struggling with certain aspects, additional training may be warranted. Plans may need adjustments for new workplace layouts, exits, or increased occupancy loads. Contacting local fire departments can provide expert guidance on designing foolproof plans tailored to your unique facility.
If business owners need help creating or improving evacuation plans, the fire safety experts at Brazas Fire are an excellent resource. Their team can conduct onsite evaluations and provide actionable recommendations for your situation. Brazas Fire can also run drills and offer training to maximize readiness. For additional questions about developing comprehensive fire safety plans for your New Mexico business, call Brazas Fire at (505)-889-8999.
Conclusion
The most important strategy is to use preventive fire safety measures that are appropriate to the risks of the facility. There is therefore need for fire prevention to be a high organizational priority among New Mexico business owners to protect lives and property.
Fire code update, equipment improvement, employees’ training, sufficient extinguisher, and evacuation plans are some of the evidence-based practices that can help to minimize fire events. Fire prevention is an ongoing process and proper precaution measures can help to avoid many fatal accidents at the workplace.