The Importance of Fire Safety in the Workplace

On March 25, 1911, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in Manhattan caught fire, killing 146 people. At the time, it was the deadliest industrial disaster in New York history, and eventually led to the creation of the workers’ compensation system.

Today the risk of fire in industrial or manufacturing properties is still a serious concern. Each year, U.S. fire departments respond to an average of 37,000 of these fires, with annual losses estimated at 18 civilian deaths, 279 injuries, and $1 billion in property damage. Even though the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire occurred more than 100 years ago, there are many things we can learn from it to prevent future fire accidents.

Reducing Fire Risk in the Workplace

The Shirtwaist fire started when a trash bin filled with hundreds of pounds of excess clothing scraps caught fire. Properly managing flammable materials in your workplace is critical to reducing workplace fires.

  • Identify potential fire hazards and sources of ignition.
  • Set guidelines and train employees on the most effective ways to properly handle and store combustible materials.
  • Maintain good housekeeping in the workplace. Eliminate any excess trash or combustible waste.
  • Maintain equipment and machinery to prevent overheating and sparks.
  • Report electrical hazards such as faulty wiring and malfunctioning equipment right away.
  • Never block electrical panels, sprinklers, fire extinguishers, or emergency exits.

Preparing your People and Workplace

Sixty-two people jumped to their deaths during the Shirtwaist fire, unable to escape through the fire and exit doors, which had been locked to prevent theft. Make sure your employees know what to do when a fire occurs, and there are no obstructions in the evacuation routes. Put together a fire prevention plan for your business, and ensure it includes the following:

  • Implement fire suppression systems and equipment to control a workplace fire.
  • Train employees on the proper use of a fire extinguisher.
  • Train employees in first aid.
  • Identify individual roles and responsibilities.
  • Reinforce training by conducting drills annually.

And, you’ll want to practice evacuation procedures that include:

  • Means of reporting a fire.
  • Notification and communication procedures.
  • Escape route assignments.
  • Procedure to account for employees after an evacuation.
  • Emergency shutdown procedures.

Fire Safety and your IIPP

If you have 10 or more employees, Cal OSHA requires that you have a fire prevention plan as part of your Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP). Employers with less than ten employees may verbally inform workers of the fire prevention plan.

Approximately 85 percent of fires result from human behavior and only 15 percent from catastrophic equipment failure. We can’t travel back in time and prevent the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, but we can learn from it. Be proactive; implement a simple fire protection plan and train your employees to reduce the likelihood of fires.