Safety tips for coming June & July

Safety tips for coming June & July 

PPE for first responders and recovery workers
When a natural disaster, biological incident or other event occurs, first responders and recovery workers often rush to the scene. That means it’s crucial they have the proper personal protective equipment ready and know how to use it.
To aid in this, employers need to develop a disaster-specific safety and health plan. Part of that plan, according to OSHA, is conducting a hazard assessment to determine what hazards workers could encounter and then reassessing if conditions change.
 
Other parts of the plan:
• Clearly detail the responsibilities of workers
• Follow the Hierarchy of Controls
• Determine what PPE workers will need
• Train each worker required to use PPE in a language they understand
• Provide medical exams and/or fit testing, as required by OSHA standards
• Regularly review and update workers’ PPE needs as job tasks and hazards change
 
Workers play a role as well. They need to:
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using, maintaining, inspecting, cleaning and storing PPE.
• Know which type of PPE is needed.
• Understand the limitations of PPE.
• Know how to put on, adjust, wear and take off PPE.

Drive safely in the rain
Rain can reduce or impair your view of the road, the Nevada Department of Transportation points out. Combined with reduced tire traction on wet roadways, “It’s easy to see that driving in the rain needs to be treated with extra caution.”
Only drive in heavy rain when necessary, advises, and always leave extra time to safely reach your destination. In addition, be sure to dry the soles of your shoes after getting into your vehicle when it’s raining, because they can slide from the pedals while you’re driving.
 
Other recommendations include:
• Turn on your headlights to see and be seen.
• Be aware of and avoid flooded areas – never attempt to cross running or flooded water.
• Reduce your speed. Speed limits are based on normal road and weather conditions, not rainy conditions.
• Defrost windows before and while driving, if necessary.
• Use your wipers. Many states require their use in rain or snow.
• Keep a safe distance from other vehicles, leaving more space on wet roads.
• Turn off your cruise control to reduce the risk of hydroplaning.
• Brake earlier and with less force than you would in normal driving conditions. Also, slow down when turning.
 
Finally, if you have difficulty seeing the roadway and/or other vehicles when it’s raining, pull off the road to a safe location until conditions improve.

Fire audit of Cinema halls & Multiplexes

Fire audit of Cinema halls & Multiplexes 

Fire Safety audit is a systematic and independent evaluation of the fire risks present in the premises and involve recommendations about appropriate measures to control and mitigate the effects of fires. Applicable Standards is National Building Code 2016, IS Standards in Fire Safety and NFPA 72.

Methodology of conducting the Fire Safety Audits involves the following:

·        A walkthrough the concerned premises.

·        Review of the layout and drawings.

·        Review of the existing firefighting systems in the premises.

·        Review of the training and awareness regarding availability and operations of the firefighting systems in and across the organization.

Fire Safety audits enable the organizations to address the issues by identifying the following:

·        Identifying all significant fire hazards.

·        Evaluation of the existing control measures.

·        Determining the additional control measures required.

·        Evaluation of the current fire detection and firefighting facilities.

·        Testing of all fire safety equipment and precautions.

·        Training and instruction to all occupants of premises about fire safety.

Recommendations for corrective and preventive actions include:

·        Updation of the fire safety risk management data base

·        Preparation of additional reports or relevant paperwork on the hazards detected

The Gurugram fire department will conduct an audit of all cinema halls and multiplexes in the city to check whether these commercial establishments are complying with the fire safety norms, said officials.

During a review meeting held by the Haryana government on fire safety audit in Chandigarh on Tuesday, state chief secretary Sanjeev Kaushal directed the officials concerned to conduct the “special audit” for fire safety at all cinema halls and multiplexes across the state.

Gulshan Kalra, deputy director (technical) of Haryana Fire and Emergency Services (HFES), who also heads the Gurugram fire department, on Wednesday issued a letter to all the fire departments across Haryana to start the audit on an immediate basis, and complete it within the next 15 days.

“A letter was issued to all the fire departments in Haryana today for conducting a special audit of all cinema halls and multiplexes in their respective districts. Each of them has been asked to submit a report on their findings within the next three weeks, and required action will be taken at the earliest. The directions have been issued to complete implementation of all measures within a stipulated time period, in a bid to avoid loss of lives and property,” said Kalra, adding that an audit of all state universities and buildings under the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board will also be conducted soon.

According to fire department officials, there are at least 20 multiplexes and cinema halls in Gurugram. The move came, keeping in mind the 25th anniversary of the Uphaar Cinema tragedy, which happened on June 13, 1997, said a senior HFES official, who asked not to be named. A total of 59 people had died after the cinema hall at Delhi’s Green Park caught fire.

A senior official of the Gurugram fire department, meanwhile, said that the “audit of all cinema halls and multiplexes in Gurugram was unlikely to yield major deficiencies or shortcomings, as the department inspects all such commercial establishments every six months”.

“In 2019, the district administration directed the Gurugram fire department to conduct an audit of all places which records a high footfall, including cinema halls and multiplexes on a biannual basis, as a precautionary measure. It has continued to do so since then… So, cinema halls and multiplexes are likely to comply with the fire safety norms,” said the official, requesting anonymity.

According to the 2022 Haryana Fire Safety Act, which was amended in April, all commercial establishments should renew their fire NOC (no objection certificate) every three years. It also allows fire officials to conduct surprise inspections on commercial buildings at any point during the three years. Prior to this, such establishments had to renew their fire NOCs annually.

FIRE SAFETY AUDIT CHECKLIST - Cinema halls & Multiplexes

Name of organisation
Address of premises with multiplex name
Identification of area within the premises
Date of audit (DD-MM-YYYY)
Audit undertaken by (print name)
Fire Safety Management
		Yes	No	N/A	Comments
Has the fire risk assessment been carried out?
Is the fire risk assessment record available?
Have the identified means to reduce or remove the significant hazards been carried out?
Have the means to control the risk and protection of people in the event of fire been carried out?
Have staff been suitably trained for these measures?
Is there suitable monitoring of fire safety measures in place?
Can it be demonstrated that monitoring is regularly carried out?
Is the risk assessment properly reviewed, particularly if the premises or its use significantly changed?
Fire Prevention — General
		Yes	No	N/A	Comments
Is there an effective system for ensuring that the quantities and storage of all types of flammable materials are reasonable and properly controlled?
Are all areas clean and tidy with no inappropriate storage and all combustible waste properly placed in designated containers?

Is all waste regularly collected and placed in a safe place ready for collection?
Are smoking areas properly marked and used?
Are all employees in high risk areas properly informed of the particular risks and the means to control these risks?
Prior to leaving the premises, are all areas inspected for potential fire and unnecessary equipment turned off?
Are there suitable means to control the risk of arson?
Have all staff received basic fire prevention instruction?
Do staff understand the need to report any potential fire hazards?
Do staff understand the role of self-closing and other fire-resisting doors — the need to keep them closed and free of obstruction to ensure that they will control the spread of fire and smoke?
Are all fire-resisting and smoke-stop doors, especially those on hold-open devices, closed at night?
If any permit-to-work systems are in place, are they operated correctly at all times ?
Fire Prevention — Electrical Safety
	Yes	No	N/A	Comments
Is the entire electrical installation in order ?
Have all electrical systems and equipment been tested in accordance with the provisions of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989?
Has all remedial work been carried out or the items withdrawn?
Are records regarding regular testing of installation, equipment and portable appliances up to date?
Is the use of flexible electrical cable and extension leads kept to a minimum and only short lengths used?

Are the electrical circuits free of any evidence of overloading?
Is electrical equipment (eg light bulbs/fittings and any electrical heating appliances) kept well away from combustible materials?
Are staff aware that only trained personnel authorised by management can make repairs or alterations to electrical systems and equipment?
Fire Prevention — Heating and Cooking Appliances
	Yes	No	N/A	Comments
Are all heating appliances securely fixed in position, suitably guarded and with an adequate clear space free of storage of any kind?
Is the entire heating installation in good order?
Are all cooking appliances securely fixed in position, properly maintained and used only for their originally intended purpose?
Are arrangements for liquid or gaseous fuel supplies for heating and cooking equipment easily accessible with well marked shut-off valves?
Are appropriately qualified and registered contractors used to carry out all installation and maintenance of liquid or gaseous fuel supply equipment?
Are staff aware that only trained personnel authorised by management can make repairs or alterations to liquid or gaseous fuel-fired equipment and fuel supply systems?
Fire Prevention — Buildings, Plant and Machinery
	Yes	No	N/A	Comments
Are all fire or smoke barriers in good condition with any openings for pipes ducts, etc properly protected by provision of fire-resisting materials or fire dampers?
Are fire dampers tested regularly for correct operation and results recorded?

Are there proper systems and procedures in place to control work on new buildings and/or alterations, repairs and decoration of premises, such that no fire hazards are introduced?
Are regular checks undertaken and recorded of the condition of all fire safety measures within the premises?
Fire Prevention — Means of Escape
	Yes	No	N/A	Comments
Are fire exits of a sufficient number and of sufficient width to enable the people present in any and all areas to evacuate safely?
Do all final exits lead to a place of total safety?
Are all fire exits readily available?
Are all final exits and intermediate doors easily operable from the inside without the use of a key?
Are all corridors, gangways and stairways forming part of escape routes free from obstruction and not used for storage?
Are floor and stairway surfaces in good condition and free from tripping and slipping hazards, particularly including any external stairs and paths?
Are fire-resisting and smoke-stop doors in good condition, with fully operating self-closing devices and the doors closing fully onto rebates?
Do all doors on escape routes open in the direction of travel?
Are all escape routes clearly and properly signed throughout their lengths, with internal doors not forming part of a route clearly labelled as such?
Are all escape routes provided with adequate lighting at all times of the day and night?
Is adequate emergency lighting provided and is it fully serviceable?
Have appropriate provisions been made for the safety of persons with special needs, such as the young, old or disabled?
Fire Prevention — Actions in the Event of Fire
	Yes	No	N/A	Comments
Are there clearly defined written fire action and emergency evacuation procedures, including provision for ensuring that everyone is out of the building?
Are all employees fully aware of these procedures and their own particular duties and responsibilities in the event of an evacuation?
Are suitable "Fire Action" notices prominently displayed around the premises?
Have appropriate staff been appointed to take control in the event of a fire (Fire Marshal) and to summon the fire brigade for all fires, no matter how small?
Are there sufficient fire wardens available to provide for all working hours (including lunch and tea breaks), taking into account holidays and sick leave?
Have appropriate arrangements been made for dealing with those who are not normally on the premises such as members of the public, visitors and contractors?
Are the fire evacuation assembly areas in safe locations, clear of the building and away from fire brigade vehicle access and parking?
Are there alternative evacuation areas available in the event that the nominated ones are not available?
Are emergency evacuation routes and procedures checked by carrying out drills at least once per year?
Fire Prevention — Fire Detection and Alarm Systems
	Yes	No	N/A	Comments
Can a fire alarm be raised without placing anyone in danger?
Is the fire alarm system in full working order?
Are there sufficient fire alarm call points and notification appliance located near to every exit from each floor and from each building?

Are all alarm call points and notification appliance unobstructed and clearly visible?
Are the audible signals from the fire alarm operated weekly and clearly audible throughout the premises?
Fire Prevention — Portable Fire-fighting Equipment
	Yes	No	N/A	Comments
Is there adequate provision of portable fire extinguishers which are suitable types for the fire risks where they are positioned?
Are all portable fire extinguishers and fire blankets suitably located, positioned on brackets securely fixed to the wall and available for immediate use — not obstructed or hidden?
Are the locations of all portable fire extinguishers and fire blankets clearly identifiable even without the provision of appropriate signs?
Fire Prevention — Notices and Fire Safety Signs
	Yes	No	N/A	Comments
Are sufficient appropriate fire safety notices and signs used throughout the premises?
Are all fire safety signs throughout the premises present, undamaged and clearly visible?
Do all "panic bar" fire exit doors have suitably positioned "Push Bar to Open" signs?
Fire Prevention — Fire Service Facilities and Liaison
	Yes	No	N/A	Comments
Is there adequate access to the site and all buildings to enable fire brigade vehicles to get close enough for fire-fighting and rescue purposes?
Are all fire hydrants in the vicinity clearly indicated and accessible?
Is the fire brigade familiar with the premises and any particular special hazards relating to the premises or the activities within it?

Fire Prevention — Testing, Maintenance and Records
	Yes	No	N/A	Comments
Are the fire detection and alarm system tests carried out and recorded?
Are the emergency escape lighting systems properly tested, maintained and these recorded?
Are the portable fire extinguishers and fire hoses properly tested, maintained and these recorded?
Is the automatic sprinkler system properly tested, maintained and these recorded?
Are any other fixed fire suppression systems properly tested, maintained and these recorded?
Are any smoke or heat control systems properly tested, maintained and these recorded?
Are all automatically closing doors or shutters and similar properly tested, maintained and these recorded?
Are any emergency generators properly tested, maintained and these recorded?
Are any evacuation or fire-fighting lifts properly tested, maintained and these recorded?
Are their suitable records of the regular fire safety maintenance tests?
Are there suitable records of fire evacuation drills?
Audit Results
If all answers to the questions above are "yes" or "n/a", your fire safety procedures are currently adequate. No further action is required at this time. Simply sign and date the form in the spaces provided below.
If one or more answers to the questions above are "no", your fire safety procedures are currently inadequate. Sign and date the form in the spaces provided below, and record deficiencies and remedial actions in the “Action required following fire safety audit” form.
Audit undertaken by (print name)
Audit undertaken by (print name)