The possibility of a fire breaking out at work often seems too remote to warrant much attention, and as a result many businesses tend to give insufficient thought to workplace fire safety. In fact, many employees are quite clueless as to what to do to prevent fires and how to react should a fire bre…
Blog posts : "fire"
Fire training, why is it necessary in the workplace?
Chemical firm fined for Burscough explosion
A chemical firm has been ordered to pay £150,000 in fines and costs over a major explosion at a waste management site in Lancashire that caused three workers to sustain serious burns.
Personnel Hygiene Services (PHS) Ltd. was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) following the blast…
Two companies prosecuted for gas mains fire in Leeds
Two major companies were responsible for a major blaze in Leeds that led to the evacuation of six homes, the closure of a major road and gas supplies being cut off, a court heard on 31 July 2013.
Leeds-based Northern Gas Networks Operations Ltd. and Morgan Sindall (Infrastructure) plc both neglec…
Assessing electrical fire risks in the workplace
Making sure that your workplace is suitable for you and your employees to spend a large majority of their time is vital. In fact, if you do not pay enough attention to this particular area of your business, you could be fined, even be taken to court. There have been many cases in the past where empl…
Improving fire prevention in the home
Fire prevention is very important to all homeowners both inside and outside of the home. More than 3,500 people are killed in house fires every year in America and over 18,000 are injured due to lack of preparation or improper maintenance of fire-preventing materials and tools (Source: USFA).
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Choosing the right fire extinguisher
Starting with a risk assessment
It can difficult to choose the right fire extinguisher for your business. A good place to start is with a risk assessment. Firstly, a risk assessment is a legal requirement. Secondly, it will help you identify hazardous areas, potential sources of fuel and the size o…
Nightclub fire safety
On Sunday 27 January, Brazil encountered its most deadly fire for over 50 years. The blaze, which took place at the Kiss nightclub in the southern city of Santa Maria, devastatingly claimed 213 lives and left a country – as well as the wider global community – angry, distressed and confused about ho…
If you’re going to smoke, do it safely
With No Smoking Day coming up (March 13th 2013), the internet is bound to be flooded with articles that stress the health risks of both smoking and being exposed to second hand smoke.
But last year’s government statistics shed light on another worrying issue.
According 2011 – 2012 statistics, smok…
The truths and myths behind automatic fire sprinkler systems
There is a common misconception in society that modern homes are more protected from fires than older properties and we as professionals can confirm that this is certainly not the case. Many contemporary homes give the illusion of safety but in reality they are just as vulnerable, which is why it wo…
Defence company sentenced over explosion death
Wallop Defence Systems Ltd. (WDS) has been ordered to pay £376,000 in fines and costs for safety failings that caused a fatal explosion at its Hampshire factory.
Anthony Sheridan, 37, from Over Wallop, was killed from injuries sustained in the blast at WDS, in Middle Wallop near Stockbridge, in Jun…
The importance of a company fire safety marshal
It is well documented that fires are one of the most lethal killers in the workplace and can occur at the most unexpected of times, due to a variety of reasons. All businesses are legally required to have carried out a fire risk assessment of their premises and the risk of fatality can be dramatical…
Fire prevention: How to build an effective fire safety plan
With summer in full swing and temperatures getting hotter every day, the reality of a workplace fire is more real than ever. To protect workers’ safety, it is important that employers and employees map out a fire safety plan.
When developing an emergency fire plan, it is critical to take cert…
Print firm fined after flash fire injures two workers
A printing company based in Waltham Forest has been fined for safety failings after two workers were burned in a flash fire when vapours from a flammable cleaning fluid ignited in a print room.
The two printers, employed by Delta Display Ltd in Blackhorse Lane, Walthamstow, suffered burns and…
Totton director fined after worker suffers burns
The director of a Totton company has been fined after an employee suffered burns while cutting the top off an unused propane gas tank at the director's home.
The 29 year-old worker from Winchester suffered burns over his left arm, torso and abdomen when he was asked, by Jamie Thomas Jewell, …
Construction firm fined for repeatedly ignoring safety warnings
A construction company has been fined for continuing unsafe working
practices at a site in Upper Norwood, Croydon, after repeatedly ignoring
safety warnings.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) identified multiple failings at a project on Sylvan Hill run by Unicorn Services Limited, where t…
Carlisle boss fined after ignoring fire warnings
The owner of a pallet manufacturing firm has appeared in court after he allowed fires to be repeatedly lit at his premises next to gas storage sites in Carlisle.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted George Ward after he ignored warnings about lighting fires at Brampton Pallets, which …
Fuel injection specialists fined after worker injured
A firm specialising in diesel fuel injection has been fined after a worker was set on fire at its Derbyshire premises.
The 23-year-old apprentice mechanic had been with Swadlincote Diesel Fuel Injection Services Ltd. for 18 months. On 16 March 2009, he and another employee were burning rubbish in …
£10,000 fine for landlord following fatal fire
Following a fatal fire on 29 April 2011 at 546 Coldhams Lane, the landlord Darius Valiulis of Neville Road Cambridge, was prosecuted by Cambridge City Council for breaches of the Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation Regulations 2006, and …
St. Helens Managing Director sentenced over gas explosion
The Managing Director of a St Helens gas supply firm has appeared in court after he and an employee suffered multiple burns in an explosion.
John Webster was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after he and another worker received burns to their faces, hands and legs at North West Ga…
Two killed in fire at Hyderabad pharmaceutical factory
Two employees were killed in a huge fire at a pharmaceutical company at Patancheru near here, police said.
The fire broke out on Sunday at the chemical factory of Rantus Pharma in Pashamylaram industrial area of Patancheru in Medak district, about 50 km from Hyderabad. The factory was complet…