Job Site Fire Prevention



                       A SAFETY TALK FOR

                      DISCUSSION LEADERS



This safety talk is designed for discussion leaders to use in

preparing safety meetings.



Set a specific time and date for your safety meeting.  Publicize

your meeting so everyone involved will be sure to attend.



Review this safety talk before the meeting and become familiar with

its content. Make notes about the points made in this talk that

pertain to your workplace.  You should be able to present the

material in your own words and lead the discussion without reading

it.



Seating space is not absolutely necessary, but arrangements should

be made so that those attending can easily see and hear the

presentation.



Collect whatever materials and props you will need ahead of time. 

Try to use equipment in your workplace to demonstrate your points.





                      DURING THE MEETING



Give the safety talk in your own words.  Use the printed talk

merely as a guide.



The purpose of a safety meeting is to initiate discussion of safety

problems and provide solutions to those problems.  Encourage

employees to discuss hazards or potential hazards the encounter on

the job. Ask them to suggest ways to improve safety in their area.



Don't let the meeting turn into a gripe session about unrelated

topics.  As discussion leader, its your job to make sure the topic

is safety.  Discussing other topics wastes time and can ruin the

effectiveness of your safety meeting.



At the end of the meeting, ask employees to sign a sheet on the

back of this talk as a record that they attended the safety

meeting.  Keep this talk on file for your records.











     Job Site Fire Prevention



Fires are very costly to the construction industry. Each year they

take many lives, cause workers and their families to suffer, and

cost millions of dollars.



Fire control is everyone's business. You can do your part by

observing and complying with fire-control regulations. If you

notice any hazards or conditions that could cause a fire, report

them to your supervisor immediately.



Matches and cigarettes are principal causes of fire. Many fires

have started because of carelessly dropped live ashes, cigarette

butts or burning matches. The temperature of the ash is often as

high as 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit and if it comes in contact with

combustibles, fire can result. Fireproof receptacles should

be used to extinguish smoking materials.



Poor housekeeping is one of the major contributing factors that

cause fires. Oily rags, paper, sawdust, solvents, paints and

cartons should be disposed of properly. Trash should not be allowed

to accumulate in the work area.



Oil or gasoline that is spilled on equipment should be cleaned up

immediately. Make sure that oil-soaked rags are placed in proper

safety containers.



Fires are also caused by the improper use of paints and solvents.

Paint, paint thinner, alcohol, naphtha, lacquer thinner and

gasoline should be used only for their intended purposes. Flammable

liquids of any kind must be kept in approved safety containers.



The improper use of welding equipment can easily destroy our jobs.

Fire-resistant covers, spark shields and a fire watcher standing

by, plus the proper use of the equipment, are the only answers to

prevent damaging fire losses.



Defective wiring has caused many fires. Never try to repair wiring

or equipment.  Report defective items and have the repairs made by

experts.



It's sometimes necessary to have a salamander or other temporary

heating devices on the job site to warm yourself. Extreme caution

should be used when the salamander is burning. Never throw

combustibles into it. The fire should never be large enough to

throw sparks.



Several fire extinguishers should be on the job site. Each of you

should know where they are located and how to use them. You should

also know where the fire alarm is located and how to turn in an

alarm. Never try to extinguish a fire until you have turned in an

alarm, and don't try to fight a fire alone.



NOTE TO DISCUSSION LEADER:



Bring the different types of fire extinguishers that are supplied

in your work area to the meeting and demonstrate proper usage.

Review your company's fire record and discuss it with those

attending. Describe where fire extinguishers are located and

the evacuation procedures for employees.



Always watch for smoke because "where there's smoke there's

(usually) fire."



Do what you can to prevent fires, but always be prepared by knowing

what actions to take should one occur. Know where alarms and fire

extinguishers are located. Fire control is everyone's business.

When you think of fire, think of safety!

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