Benefits of portable fire extinguisher training in the warehouse.

By developing a yearly fire extinguisher training program in your warehouse, your employees will become knowledable in the process and means of extinguishing small fires by choosing the right extinguisher to remove one of the four elements of the fire tetrahedron.

From IFSTA Essentials 4th Edition: Fire is a rapid, self-sustaining oxidation process accompanied by the evolution of heat and light of varying intensities.  The burning process can be interrupted by removing one of the four elements in the fire tetrahedron (Heat, Fuel, Oxygen, or Chemical Chain Reaction).

Employees that know the classification of fires will also be able to choose the correct extinguisher for the four most common types of fire classes:

  • Class A or ordinary combustibles
  • Class B or flammable and combustible liquids and gases
  • Class C or energized electrical equipment
  • Class D or combustible metals

Trained employees understand that a portable fire extinguisher is the first line of defense in an emergency. Employees that are trained yearly in the use of portable fire extinguishers also can make informed and confident decisions on when it is ok to attack a fire and when it is appropriate to leave the area and let firefighters handle the emergency. Those decisions are based on some of the following factors:

  • Knowing what is burning
  • Fire is not spreading rapidly
  • Smoke and heat has not filled the area
  • You have a clear path of escape
  • Following the training the employee has received

Remember that trained and motivated employees will make confident decisions that can save the company from valuable losses and possible injuries or deaths.  This type of safety training can also save your company on valuable insurance costs as well.

The Rights Tools and Education Can Help You Save!

Do your employees have the right tools for the job? Are their tools ergonomic, do they fit right, and are they the right ones for the specific task they are performing? Some research suggests that the improper use of tools at work can cause musculoskeletal disorders. This can lead to lost time at work and costly worker compensation claims. Implementing a program to prevent these injuries is extremely important. Larger companies realize the need for safety programs and so should smaller businesses. Work related injuries for big or small companies can severely damage your profits.

Tools are marketed in many different ways. Some say ergonomic and some say ‘impact resistant’ or ‘lightweight.’ All of these descriptions sound beneficial! But what if the workers hand is too small for that handle, or because it is so lightweight it really does not do the job effectively? When the tool fits, or is the right tool for the job, there is less risk of injury or repetitive injuries to your employees. When tools get used improperly, a whole list of risks pops up. Your employees may develop carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis or muscle strain.

Here are some considerations from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to help you select tools that are ergonomically correct for the employee and the job:

More…

Evaluating Your Employees Work Environment!

Evaluating the ergonomics of your employees’ work environment means looking at what kind of work your employee’s do, what tools they use, and their whole job environment. The aim is to find the best fit between them and their job conditions, in order to reduce on the job injuries and create a workplace where your employees can be more productive. Examples of ergonomic changes to an employees’ work might include:

  • Adjusting the position of their computer keyboard to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Being sure that the height of their desk chair allows their feet to rest flat on floor
  • Teaching the right way to lift heavy objects to prevent back injuries
  • Provide handle coatings or special gloves to suppress vibrations from power tools

No matter what the job is, ergonomics plays an important role in preventing injury and illness. Take the time to evaluate your jobsite. Is it safe for your employees? Does it meet OSHA standards of safety? Develop a good training system to teach safety at work. Help reduce costly worker’s compensation from injuries on the job that are preventable.

Accidents will happen! But the number and frequency can be reduced. What program do you have in place for those unfortunate injuries that will cost your company or business money? There are so many hidden costs when an employee gets injured at work. It all adds up! It’s in your best interest to pro-actively reduce workers compensation claims, and reduce the costs associated with those claims that inevitably happen.

Proof:Positive understands the need for safety at work. But, we also know that some will get injured – and we have the program to help return these injured workers back to work. We keep track of all their doctor visits and track their restrictions. Also we educate them about their injuries to help prevent future accidents and time loss. Contact us and let us help your company save money and create a safe environment for you and your employees.