A workplace fire can be extremely devastating to a business, both in terms of the personal injuries that can occur to employees and the financial impact of losing all or some of the building and its contents. Statistics show that between 70% and 80% of UK businesses fail within 3 years of experiencing a fire.

Despite these frightening statistics, many companies are thought to be taking too few precautions against fire and putting workers at risk. In 2002, over 40,000 workplace fires were reported, causing 147 deaths and 3,200 injuries.

There is a range of injuries that can occur as a result of a fire. Burn injuries and smoke inhalation are the most common types, with the latter accounting for 50% of all fire fatalities. Noxious fumes such as cyanide (from the burning of woollen materials) and carbon monoxide are often produced by fires and play a significant part in injuries and deaths.

Fire-related injuries that are caused when people are trying to flee a burning building are also frequently seen by the fire services. Fall injuries from where people have leapt out of windows and injuries from falling debris result in a considerable number of casualties each year.

What can businesses do to prevent fires?

There are three main ways a fire can start: through intention, ignorance, or carelessness. It is important that these three causes of fire be addressed by businesses if they wish to keep their employees safe and avoid damage to the building.

Fires started by intention

Intentional fires, or arson, are the most difficult to tackle. There is a whole range of reasons why a person may set fire to a business premises and it is hard to predict the way in which they may choose to deliberately ignite the fire. However, most arsonists choose to start the fire from inside the building so it is wise to install effective security measures to prevent them from entering in the first place.

The damage an arsonist does can be minimised by ensuring that all fire detection systems are working efficiently and are placed in suitable areas. Schools and shops are particularly vulnerable to arson attacks and should ensure that they have systems in place that are always ready to deal with fires.

Fires started by ignorance

Employee education is the most effective way to protect against fires started through ignorance. It is important that every member of the company should have fire training and be aware of situations that may increase the chance of fires. For example, oily rags can be very combustible and workers who use them should know to put them in a fireproof container, rather than leave them lying around.

It is also extremely important to educate employees about what to do in the event of a fire. This will help to minimise damage and prevent personal injuries. As soon as a new member of staff joins the company, they should be shown what the procedure is to deal with a fire and any changes to the fire procedure should be well broadcast. Reminder notices should also be on display.

Fires started by carelessness

Employees should be clear on whose job it is to carry out all the fire prevention checks. Many fires are caused when there is confusion about who is in charge of a check, which can lead to nobody doing it. One member of staff should be made responsible for overseeing fire safety and prevention.

In order to prevent or minimise the damage caused by fires started by carelessness, the building should be organised so that the risk is minimised. For example, flammable materials such as cardboard boxes should be kept well away from an area that has sources of ignition.

Accident at work compensation

The expense associated with having a fire at work is extremely high and not only because of the repairs that need to be done to the building and its contents. The chances of employees being present when a fire takes place is quite high, as a study found that 60% of fires at businesses happen during the day.

If safety checks and procedures are inadequate and a fire occurs that injures employees, it is likely that the workers will be able to make costly personal injury claims against the company.

Please see www.london-fire.gov.uk for more information about fire safety at work.