Fire Prevention Program Revised September 2018 Page 1 of 10 Obey All “No Smoking” and “No Open Flame” Signs and Postings
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FIRE PREVENTION & PROTECTION PROGRAM PURPOSE / SCOPE The purpose or goal of the Fire Extinguisher Program is to inform and train employees on preventing fires in the workplace and the proper selection and the use of fire extinguishers in the event of an incipient fire. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS Fire is a common and serious hazard in the construction industry. Each year fires take many lives, cause workers and their families to suffer, and cost millions of dollars. Fire prevention is everyone’s responsibility. Employees must do their part by observing and complying with fire-prevention regulations and procedures. Employees should report any potential fire hazard or condition that could cause a fire to their supervisor immediately. Many potential fire hazards that are commonly found on job sites include gasoline, diesel fuel, oxygen, acetylene and various other building materials. Most fires are caused by a violation of basic fire safety precautions. While proper procedures and training can minimize the chances of an accidental fire, employees must still be prepared to deal with a fire emergency should it occur. In accordance with OSHA standards, our employees must adhere to the following written Fire Prevention and Protection Program. A copy of this program shall be kept at the work place and is available for employee review. Fire extinguishers shall be readily available and located so that personnel do not have to travel more than 75 feet to reach one. On job sites, all Winger Companies, herein referred to as Winger, fire extinguishers SHALL be conspicuously located, readily accessible, and immediately available in the event of a fire for all cutting, welding and grinding operations. Do not remove an extinguisher from a designated location except for immediate use. Only personnel who have received fire extinguisher training may use portable fire extinguishers. If you have been trained in the use of fire extinguishers, and you believe that you can extinguish a small fire, observe these general precautions: o Never attempt to put out a fire that is spreading in a way that may block your escape path. Be absolutely certain that you can escape. o Never use a pressurized water extinguisher on electrical equipment. You may receive a serious electrical shock. o Never use a pressurized water extinguisher on burning liquids. It may cause splattering of hot liquids and spread the fire. o NEVER discharge a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher in a confined space or any small area with poor ventilation. ABC multi-purpose rated, 2.5-pound, 5-pound, and 10-pound fire extinguishers are the most common type of extinguisher and will handle most fires. EXCEPTION: Special applications may require special extinguishers. Fire extinguishers that have been discharged must be turned in to your foreman or safety personnel to be inspected and recharged. Know the Emergency Contact Phone Numbers and Emergency Evacuation Procedure for the jobsite you are working on. Always know the location of all fire exits and fire alarms in your work area. Keep firefighting equipment, fire exits, and passageways clear and ready for immediate use. Ensure that fire extinguishers are not blocked by equipment, materials, parked vehicles or other objects that could interfere for immediate use in an emergency. Do not park in front of any fire hydrant. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Winger Companies Safety & Health Manual Fire Prevention Program Revised September 2018 Page 1 of 10 Obey all “No Smoking” and “No Open Flame” signs and postings. o IN CASE OF FIRE o Do not panic! o Warn others in the immediate area on the jobsite. o Only attempt to put out a small fire if properly trained. o If the fire is too large for you to control, report it and turn on the fire alarm immediately. Evacuate all personnel. Keep a safe distance from the fire. Post lookouts to direct fire fighters to the fire. For electrical fires – turn off electrical current before attempting to put out the blaze. Keep combustible materials away from lights and machinery, sparks, flames and excessive heat. Keep solvents and other flammable/combustible materials in approved, properly labeled containers, and stored in the proper storage area. DO NOT store these materials under stairways or in passageways. Remove trash and debris from your work area at least once a day or more often as necessary. Clean up flammable spills and leaks immediately. Dispose of oily, greasy or paint soaked rags and towels in covered metal containers. Do not use flammable liquids such as solvents, mineral spirits, or paint thinner for cleaning purposes unless methods (approved by a supervisor) are employed for their safe use. Remove clothing that has absorbed flammable liquids immediately. Gasoline and diesel fuel shall always be stored in approved UL (Underwriter’s Laboratory) metal safety containers. No plastic fuel containers shall be used on Winger jobsites. Ground containers during liquid transfer so you don’t create static electricity. When pouring or pumping gasoline or other flammable liquids from one container to another, metallic contact SHALL be maintained between the pouring and receiving containers if possible. Shut off engines of vehicles and other equipment before adding fuel. Don’t overload circuits, motors, fuses, or outlets. Make sure you have good ground connections. While welding and cutting: o Follow all Hot Work Permit Procedures. o Take appropriate measures to control potential fire hazards. o Remove or cover all flammables in the area with fire resistant tarps or covers. o Keep all fire extinguishing equipment readily accessible and in a state of readiness. o Prevent hot metal or slag from contacting combustible materials. o Watch where the sparks are going. Use welding screens/tarps when necessary. Oxygen and acetylene cylinders are to be stored in a secure storage area or in cutting rig carts with a fire barrier of 30 minutes or more. Oxygen and flammable gases should be stored at least 20 feet apart. When using temporary heating devices, such as a salamander, use these precautions: Never position a salamander next to a combustible surface or wall. Do not stand too close to a salamander to prevent your clothing from catching fire. Extreme caution should be used when fueling a salamander. Fire extinguishers: o Know the location of the fire extinguishers nearest your work area. o Only attempt to put out a small fire if properly trained. o Know how to operate each kind. o Know the type of fire on which each kind should be used. o Using the wrong type of extinguisher can cause a fire to spread. When communication equipment is need in potentially explosive work areas, only equipment that is verified to be “Intrinsically Safe” SHALL be used. This includes areas with high concentrations of combustible gas or dust. All other electronic equipment SHALL NOT be used in areas where a potential explosive hazard exists. (e.g., two-way radios, cell phones, pagers, lighting, etc.) ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Winger Companies Safety & Health Manual Fire Prevention Program Revised September 2018 Page 2 of 10 Only non-sparking tools SHALL be used in areas where flammable gases or combustible dusts are present. WHAT IS AN INCIPIENT STAGE FIRE? A fire which is in the initial or beginning stage and which can be controlled or extinguished by portable fire extinguishers, Class II standpipe (a 1 ½” hose system) or small hose systems (a system of hose ranging in diameter from 5/8” to 1 ½”) without the need for protective clothing or breathing apparatus. Winger employees do not fight fires that have progressed beyond the incipient stage. WHEN TO FIGHT A FIRE: You have had training in use of the extinguisher and are confident that you can operate it effectively. o Everyone has left or is leaving the building. o The fire department has been called. o The fire is small and confined to the immediate areas where it started such as in a wastebasket, cushion, small appliance, stove, etc. o The exit is clear, there is no imminent peril and you can fight the fire with your back to an exit. o You can stay low and avoid smoke. o Your extinguisher is rated for the type of fire you are fighting and is in good working order. Never fight a fire: o If the fire is spreading beyond the spot where it started o If you can't fight the fire with your back to an escape exit o If the fire can block your only escape o If you don't have adequate fire-fighting equipment o If you are uncomfortable in doing so If your clothing is on fire (and the floor is not), STOP, DROP and ROLL on the ground to extinguish the flames. If you are within a few feet of a safety shower or fire blanket, you can use these instead, but do not try to make it "just down the hall" if you are on fire. If one of your coworkers catches fire and runs down the hallway in panic, tackle them and extinguish their clothing. Remember, if you have the slightest doubt about whether or not to fight the fire - DO NOT ATTEMPT TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. Instead, GET OUT, closing the door behind you to slow the spread of the fire. The Fire Department is ready to respond to emergencies, so do not hesitate to let the professionals do their job! HOW TO EVACUATE A BURNING BUILDING: The last one out of the room should not lock the door, just close it. Locking the door hinders the fire department's search and rescue efforts. Proceed to the exit as outlined in the Emergency Action Plan. Never use elevators under any circumstances. Stay low to avoid smoke and toxic gases. The best air is close to the floor, so crawl if necessary.