Louis iana S tat e F i r e M a r s h al UPDA TE
FIRE SAFETY IN THE CONSTRUCTION ENVIRONMENT
BY: ASHLEY RODRIGUE, STATE FIRE MARSHAL PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIRECTOR Whether putting a building up, taking it down, or making improvements, fire hazards exist. Following a recent reminder of this with a highly publicized construction site fire in New Orleans, the State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFM) wants to make sure the construction industry makes fire safety a top priority. Fire safety starts with efforts toward fire prevention. To prevent fires, you have to know what are the most common causes of fires in your environment. In the construction environment, we know this to typically be when hot work is active, when cordless tools and other battery-run equipment are in use, when temporary electrical and lighting are utilized and when sites are left unsecured and open to arsonists. When hot work is underway, ensure flammable and combustible materials are far from the location of that hot work. That goes for above and below the hot work as well. Designate safe storage locations for these types of materials so they don’t get loose and end up in a hot work area. This last tip is especially important for incidents that could occur after everyone has left the work site for the day. Rechargeable equipment may reduce the hazards from hot work, but they create another hazard of overheating. Ensure charging stations are outside of the construction site and contained in a safe space. 49 www.abcpelican.org/newsletter
Any temporary lighting setups should be installed and inspected by electrical professionals and disconnected at the end of each work day. Also at the end of each work day, ensure the entire site is secured, which includes equipment and materials. Properly cleaned up and locked up construction sites prevent the area from being targeted by criminals for unauthorized entry and theft and potentially arson to cover up that theft. Having fire extinguishers available throughout your site is important to help limit any threat to life or damage to property in the event a hazard does become a fire emergency. It is critical for everyone on site to constantly be aware of these fire hazards and how to address them when discovered. That goes for the environment around you and the environments of others around you. The SFM wants to help you ensure your construction sites are as safe as possible. We know many company mottos involve everyone going home safely, every day. We believe these simple fire safety practices can help guarantee that goal. Thank you for being a fantastic partner in safety!
