• Smoking was the leading cause of home fire deaths for the period 2012-2016. Smoking in the workplace is of great concern, it is estimated that 12% of workplace fires are caused by smoking materials as the source of ignition. The potential for material loss, injuries, and fatalities, is huge. It is calculated that every three days someone dies from a fire caused by a cigarette. When we use the term workplace in this and other elements it can mean a vast number of different environments: offices, pubs, chemical industry, food manufacture, in fact the list is boundless, in many instances there can be a crossover from a 'private individual' to the workplace which can increase the potential risk. A tragic example of this is the UK Kings Cross Station Underground disaster in 1987 where after investigation it was found that a cigarette discarded by a member of the public caused the fire to the station which as well as being a public place is also the workplace of many employees. Smoke-free legislation was introduced in England in 2007, banning smoking in nearly all enclosed workplaces and public spaces. Accordingly, many enclosed workplaces (such as shops, restaurants, offices are smoke free. This will contribute to a reduced likelihood of workplace fires starting because of smoking materials. Other workplaces have smoking policies – whereby workers are permitted to smoke now outside the boundaries of their working environment. Accordingly, the risk of fires starting on work premises from smokers’ materials will not be totally extinguished. The site or company fire risk assessment should take account of this and the necessary control measures should be put in place. Overheating of Machinery Machinery used in the workplace can easily overheat. It may be 'overused', poorly maintained, being used incorrectly or have a worn or broken component. Hot surfaces meet with combustible materials, which can ignite. Some types of machinery have built in vents, to help to cool the machine down. If these vents are blocked, then the machine can overheat and ignite any combustibles that meet with them. Many types of machinery found in the workplace are run by an engine that may consist of hydraulic systems and sources of fuel and oils. These will require a cooling system in place and temperature gauges on display. Sometimes broken or split hoses can arise which will release the coolant and not cool the engine down. Spontaneous Ignition of Oil and Solvent Soaked Materials Oil in the correct conditions can ignite and help to start fires. Most vehicles and machine use oil within their working components. Oil leaks are quite common and will require the correct procedures to clear any spillages. Most oil leaks are contained by granules and/or soaked up by rags. Rags are also used to soak up other solvents. Both oil and solvent rags must be stored and disposed of properly to prevent combustion fires. Oil-soaked rags are a spontaneous combustion hazard because the oil will oxidise and release heat. This heat can build up and ignite the oil-soaked rags leading to a fire.
Solvent-soaked rags are a fire hazard since many solvents are flammable. In addition, solvent vapours released by the rags are a health hazard. If reusing solvent soaked rags, they should be stored in a well-ventilated area.
©SHEilds – All rights reserved FCV3 JUN 2021
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