Common Hazards
Smoking
Obey all "No Smoking" signs. Smoke only in designated areas, and dispose of all butts and ashes properly. Never leave burning cigarettes unattended in ashtrays or on table edges. Poor smoking and match-handling habits cause almost 25% of all fires.
Spontaneous Ignition
Heat slowly builds in piles of trash, oily rags, and damp waste. Put all rags soaked with oil, paint, and grease; shavings; and other highly combustible waste in proper waste receptacles, which should be emptied daily. Never allow empty boxes, cartons, packing materials, or loose paper to accumulate. Recycle or dispose of them immediately.
Electrical Equipment
Inspect all electrical cords for frays or broken wires before using equipment. Repair or replace defective cords. Never overload circuits or bridge fuses. Be on the lookout for electrical maintenance defects in equipment, such as exposed wires, overheating motors, and faulty switches, lamps, or heating elements.
Flammable Liquids & Chemicals
Never use alcohol, gasoline, or other flammable liquids as cleaning agents. Make sure that all flammable liquids are stored away from direct heat and in their original, labeled containers.
Friction & Mechanical Sparks
Watch for overheated bearings, misaligned or broken machine parts, jammed materials, and poor adjustment of moving parts, all of which could cause serious accidents. Be careful when cutting and welding. These operations are highly dangerous in areas where sparks can ignite combustibles.
Static Electricity
Do not expose combustibles to furnaces, hot ducts or flues, static electricity, and electric lamps or heating elements. Static sparks are most often produced in dry, low-humidity areas.
Fire Detection & Suppression Equipment
Working smoke detectors, fire alarms, and automatic sprinkler systems as well as fully-charged fire extinguishers should be in each department. Everyone must know how to use a fire extinguisher as well as how to escape the building during a fire.
For more information about fire prevention, please contact the Fire Department at 219.462.8325.
Obey all "No Smoking" signs. Smoke only in designated areas, and dispose of all butts and ashes properly. Never leave burning cigarettes unattended in ashtrays or on table edges. Poor smoking and match-handling habits cause almost 25% of all fires.
Spontaneous Ignition
Heat slowly builds in piles of trash, oily rags, and damp waste. Put all rags soaked with oil, paint, and grease; shavings; and other highly combustible waste in proper waste receptacles, which should be emptied daily. Never allow empty boxes, cartons, packing materials, or loose paper to accumulate. Recycle or dispose of them immediately.
Electrical Equipment
Inspect all electrical cords for frays or broken wires before using equipment. Repair or replace defective cords. Never overload circuits or bridge fuses. Be on the lookout for electrical maintenance defects in equipment, such as exposed wires, overheating motors, and faulty switches, lamps, or heating elements.
Flammable Liquids & Chemicals
Never use alcohol, gasoline, or other flammable liquids as cleaning agents. Make sure that all flammable liquids are stored away from direct heat and in their original, labeled containers.
Friction & Mechanical Sparks
Watch for overheated bearings, misaligned or broken machine parts, jammed materials, and poor adjustment of moving parts, all of which could cause serious accidents. Be careful when cutting and welding. These operations are highly dangerous in areas where sparks can ignite combustibles.
Static Electricity
Do not expose combustibles to furnaces, hot ducts or flues, static electricity, and electric lamps or heating elements. Static sparks are most often produced in dry, low-humidity areas.
Fire Detection & Suppression Equipment
Working smoke detectors, fire alarms, and automatic sprinkler systems as well as fully-charged fire extinguishers should be in each department. Everyone must know how to use a fire extinguisher as well as how to escape the building during a fire.
For more information about fire prevention, please contact the Fire Department at 219.462.8325.