In every business, fire safety is very important. In the event a fire occurs in a place of business, the property may incur significant damage and put your life and employees’ lives in jeopardy. Fire safety measures like fire warden training can help protect property from damage and reduce the risk to employees. A fire warden in business is an individual delegated the responsibility of leading and managing fire-related crises, ensuring minimal damage and casualties. In most cases, these people undergo OHS training to ensure they are certified and know how to handle fire-related emergencies. Let’s look at a few roles a fire warden performs.
The Roles of a Fire Warden In Business:
Preparing for a fire emergency means having the right equipment, skills, and knowledge to act effectively. The key roles of fire wardens include:
- They ensure everyone is evacuated and accounted for.
- Ensuring all personnel have a general awareness of fire safety about the potential fire hazards within the place of business.
- Practicing regular fire drills.
- Testing and maintaining fire equipment such as alarm systems and extinguishers.
- Are responsible for maintaining and keeping escape routes and fire doors clear; and ensuring they have adequate lighting.
- Assisting the fire manager to put into practice fire safety procedures and to better existing systems
- Also, they must have training on how to prevent fires since having a good understanding of how fires break out and spread will come in handy.
- Lastly, it’s their responsibility to assist everyone in the workplace, including people with special needs, in the event of a fire breakout.
Why is it Important to Hire a Fire Warden in Business?
If a fire breaks out having a fire warden in business could be so helpful in lowering the risks to employees and minimizing property damage. Below are reasons why a business needs to have a fire warden.
1. They monitor the safety of the business place constantly
A fire warden in business helps to protect your business from fire hazards and risks. They also check for possible fire hazards in the business place.
2. To have someone who will take charge in the event of a fire
During a fire emergency, people may experience confusion and disorientation if there is no one to guide them. Fire wardens are swift to react and take charge of evacuating everyone to safety.
3. To ensure businesses meet legal requirements
every business manager needs to ensure they comply with fire safety regulations, which means hiring a fire warden. This can protect the business from facing huge fines and legal consequences if it is sued for neglect.
4. To have someone to conduct Fire Drills and safety training
Fire wardens organize and conduct fire drills, which helps all employees know evacuation routes and procedures. They also provide fire safety training, teaching staff how to use fire extinguishers and other safety equipment effectively.
5. To enhance employee confidence and morale
Knowing that a trained professional is responsible for fire safety reassures staff that their safety is a priority, which can enhance overall productivity and job satisfaction.
In Conclusion
Having a fire warden and providing staff with fire safety training is critical for businesses to ensure they know what to do in an emergency involving a fire. When it comes to how many fire wardens you should hire, the number can vary depending on the size of the business. For example, a business may assign fire wardens for every floor of a four-story structure. Lastly, in addition to hiring fire wardens, teaching employees about occupational health and safety can help provide a safe and secure workplace. This involves teaching staff workers how to use extinguishers, identify fire dangers, and safely exit facilities.
