Exit Routes, Emergency Action Plans, Fire Prevention Plans, and Fire Protection

1. Exit Routes, Emergency Action Plans, Fire Prevention Plans, and Fire Protection

2. Landscaping Related Structures • Storefronts, Workshops, Storage buildings, Sheds, Barns, Worksite offices and Tool trailers. • All of the above have the potential for fires. • All have the potential to trap the occupants in the event of a fire. • All require proper planning for safe escape in the event of a fire.

3. Hazardous Conditions & Unsafe Acts • Blocked exit routes • Poorly marked exit routes • Locked exit doors • Insufficient number of exits • Poorly maintained fire extinguishers • Smoking while using flammable materials • Storing flammables near ignition sources

4. Potential Outcomes • Inability to exit in an emergency • Confusion in an emergency • Trapped in a fire • Fires from flammable material • Explosions from flammable materials • Loss of life due to poor work practices

5. Exit Route Requirements • Every building or structure, free & unobstructed egress from all parts, when occupied • No locks to prevent free escape • Exits marked by readily visible sign • Means of egress continually maintained

6. Exit Routes Must be Free and Unobstructed

7. Exit Discharge • Each exit discharge must lead directly outside or to a street, walkway, refuge area, public way, or open space with access to the outside.

8. Exit Doors • An exit door must be unlocked • Employees must be able to open an exit route door from the inside at all times without keys, tools, or special knowledge. • A side-hinged exit door must be used • Must swing out in the direction of exit if more than 50 people in the room or if it is a high hazard area

9. Danger: Locked Exit Door

10. Exit Route Lighting and Marking • Each exit route must be adequately lighted • Marked by a sign reading "Exit.“ • If the direction of exit is not apparent, signs must be posted to indicate direction. • Non-exit doors along the exit route should be marked “Not an Exit.”

11. Exit Sign

12. “Not and Exit” Sign

13. Emergency Action Plans • Describes actions that must be taken to ensure employee safety in emergencies. • An emergency action plan must be in writing, kept in the workplace, and available to employees for review. • Exception: Less than 10 employees

14. Elements of an Emergency Action Plan • Procedures for reporting a fire or other emergency; • Procedures for emergency evacuation, including type of evacuation and exit route assignments; • Procedures to be followed by employees who remain to operate critical plant operations before they evacuate;

15. Elements of an Emergency Action Plan • Procedures to account for all employees after evacuation; • Procedures to be followed by employees performing rescue or medical duties; and • The name or job title of every employee who may be contacted by employees who need more information about the plan or an explanation of their duties under the plan.

16. Review of Emergency Action Plan • An employer must review the emergency action plan with each employee covered by the plan: • When the plan is developed or the employee is assigned initially to a job; • When the employee's responsibilities under the plan change; and • When the plan is changed.

17. WORKSITE EMERGENCIES

18. Landscape Worksite Emergency Action • OSHA requires that, in the event of an emergency, a complete head count must be taken in the assigned meeting area. • An assigned a meeting area should be assigned before the job starts. • A method of alarm, such as a constant sounding company vehicle horn, will also be assigned. • When you hear the alarm, you must immediately evacuate to the designated head count location.

19. Landscape Worksite Emergencies • 911 will be used on all sites unless the service does not exist in that area, • Your supervisor will determine availability. 911

20. Elements of a Fire Prevention Plan • A list of all major fire hazards, proper handling and storage procedures for hazardous materials, potential ignition sources and their control, and the type of fire protection equipment necessary to control each major hazard; • Procedures to control accumulations of flammable and combustible waste materials;

21. Elements of a Fire Prevention Plan • Procedures for regular maintenance of safeguards installed on heat-producing equipment to prevent the accidental ignition of combustible materials; • The job title of employees responsible for maintaining equipment to prevent or control sources of ignition or fires; and • The name or job title of employees responsible for the control of fuel source hazards.

22. Fire Protection Elements • Portable fire extinguishers • Fire and employee alarm systems • Controlling sources of ignition • Storage of flammable materials • Disposal of flammable materials

23. Portable Fire Extinguishers • If portable fire extinguishers are provided for employee use, the employer must mount, locate and identify them so workers can access them without subjecting themselves to possible injury. • Access to fire extinguishers should be kept clear and unobstructed

24. Blocked fire extinguisher!

25. Maintaining Portable Fire Extinguishers • Must maintain in a fully charged and operable condition; • Must keep in their designated places at all times except during use; • Visually inspect portable extinguishers or hoses monthly; • Must conduct an annual maintenance check.

26. Extinguisher Locations on Outside Worksite • Near each exit door in an equipment storage building, chemical storage area, greenhouse, shop, outbuildings . • In the cab door of a tractor, car, or truck • At another convenient location

27. Fire Extinguisher Classification • Class A – ordinary combustibles (wood, cloth, paper) • Class B – flammable liquids, gases, greases • Class C – energized electrical equipment • Class D – combustible metals

28. An employer must provide an educational program to familiarize employees with the general principles of fire extinguisher use. Employee Training • Provide this education when employees are first hired and once a year thereafter.

29. Employee Alarm System • The employer shall establish procedures for sounding emergency alarms in the workplace. • For those employers with 10 or fewer employees in a particular workplace, direct voice communication is an acceptable procedure for sounding the alarm provided all employees can hear the alarm.

30. Locating Flammable Liquids • The chemical label will give the materials flammability.

31. Keep Away Sources of Ignition • Open flames • Smoking • Cutting or welding • Static electricity • Hot surfaces • Electrical and mechanical sparks • Lightning

32. Storing Flammable Liquids • Flammable liquids should be stored in a self-closing safety can • Flammables stored in open containers can vaporize • Vapors can ignite or explode if a lit match or spark is present • Use adequate ventilation to reduce the potential for ignition of flammable vapors

33. Storing Flammable Liquids • Gasoline should be stored only in red approved containers.

34. Storing Liquid-Soaked Rags • Store liquid-soaked rags in a metal container with a tight-fitting lid. • Keeps oxygen away and reduces chance of fire • When exposed to air, some rags can produce enough heat to spontaneously ignite

35. Storage Cabinets • No more than 60 gal of class I or class II • Or no more than 120 gal class III • Must be conspicuously labeled • “Flammable- Keep fire away” • Doors on metal cabinets must have a three point lock (top, side, bottom); • Door sill must be raised at least 2 inches above the bottom of the cabinet

37. Clean Up and Disposal • Spills and leftovers become chemical hazardous waste. • Clean up and dispose of hazardous waste according to local, state, and federal regulations Waste drum Safety disposal can Oily waste can

38. Preventing Fires • Never store flammables in open or unapproved containers. • Store flammables in a special storage cabinet that is well marked with warning signs for everyone to see. • Control all ignition sources around flammable liquids. • Never smoke around flammable liquids.

39. Burning Landscaping Debris • From environmental and public health perspectives, burning generally is not the best disposal method. • Certain materials can never be burned such as treated lumber scraps. • Shredding, chipping or hauling to an approved landfill is best.

40. If You Must Burn • Check the local and state burning laws. • Never use gasoline to assist your efforts, charcoal lighter fluid is acceptable and much safer! • Keep a charged garden hose handy. • Fire must be attended at all times. • Area must be cleared down to dirt for a minimum distance of 10 feet around what is being burned.

41. Medical Services • The employer shall insure the availability of medical personnel for advice and consultation on matters of occupational health. • Provisions shall be made prior to commencement of the project for prompt medical attention in case of serious injury.

42. First Aid Kit

43. First Aid – Eye Wash • Where the eyes or body of any person may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body shall be provided within the work area for immediate emergency use. • If you are working outside, a garden hose running at a very modest flow will work.

44. Additional Information • http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/flammable/

45. Summary • Make sure exit routes are clear of debris; • Review the emergency action plans and the fire prevention plans; • Ensure that fire extinguishers are easily accessible; • Control all ignition sources around flammable materials; • Store flammables in special storage cabinet that is well marked with warning signs.