Fire Prevention Week runs October 4 to 10 this year, and the theme is all about safe charging. Perfect timing for anyone on a jobsite. Think about how many batteries your crew charges in a single day. Drills, saws, radios, phones and tablets. They are everywhere, and most days we barely notice them.
Here is the good news. Solid jobsite fire safety does not need a clipboard marathon. It takes about five minutes, fits right before the lunch break, and can save a whole lot more than a day's work.
This is the quick fire safety checklist the best crews already run.
1. Start at the charging station
Chargers tend to end up wherever there is a free outlet. Use the charger that came with the tool, or one the manufacturer approves. Charge on a hard, clear surface, away from sawdust, rags and fuel. If a battery feels hot, looks swollen, smells strange or took a hard fall, take it out of service. Unplug batteries once they are full, and try not to leave them charging overnight in an empty trailer.
2. Check the fire extinguishers
Every extinguisher should be easy to see, easy to reach and ready to go. Look for a pressure gauge in the green, a pin that is still in place and a current inspection tag. If something is blocking it, move it. Nobody should have to dig for an extinguisher on a bad day.
3. Clear the way out
Walk your exits the way you would in an emergency. Are the doors and stairways clear? Has material slowly piled up in a corner or hallway? Clutter creeps in fast on a busy site.
4. Give flammables a proper home
Oily rags, cardboard, scrap wood and fuel cans are part of the job. They just need the right spot. Keep fuels in approved containers, well away from heat and hot work. Empty the bins before they overflow. A tidy site is a safer site, and a happier one too.
5. Look over the cords
Worn extension cords are an easy one to miss. Check for cracked jackets, exposed wires and missing ground pins. Avoid plugging power bars into each other. If a cord looks tired, retire it.
6. Make it a habit, not a chore
The best part of a five minute check is that anyone can lead it. Rotate who runs it each week. Celebrate the catches, because every loose cord or blocked exit found today is a problem that never happens tomorrow.
If your team would rather skip the paper, Wombat Safety lets crews complete this check right from their phones, snap a photo of anything that needs fixing and assign it to the right person, even without a signal.
Fire Prevention Week is the perfect excuse to start. Five minutes, once a week, right before lunch. Your crew has got this!