This is something that we have heard about since childhood. But when you are working as a fire and safety field technician, this becomes even more important for you.
Fire and life safety field technicians create the foundation of fire suppression teams, playing the role of the sturdy backbone, ensuring high-quality service and frictionless implementation. Responsible for inspecting, servicing, installing, and maintaining fire and life safety equipment, a field technician works every day to ensure their customers’ needs are met.
When it comes to fire prevention and protection, safety is not something we can take for granted. Many people tend to shrug off fire safety and prevention tips. But you have to remember that fires are unpredictable. They can strike anytime and anywhere, especially when you least expect it. Therefore, having basic fire safety measures put in place both at home and at work can one day be the difference between life and death.
Considering the significance of fire safety in our daily lives, one can easily guess how important it is for those who directly deal with fire and life safety systems, i.e., fire and safety technicians. As much as you strive to ensure your clients’ safety, it is far more important for you as a fire technician to take care of yourself while working in the field. Besides, if you are not following the rules, you are endangering yourself and your clients at the same time, not to mention more people around you.
This, however, does not only concern fire and life safety professionals; rather, a wide range of field technicians who deal with electrical gadgets and hazardous items may benefit from remembering these rules. For example, electrical contractors, HVAC technicians, flaggers, elevator technicians, handymen, and many others are directly exposed to fire and life safety issues every day while doing their job. This is as important to them as it is to fire, life, and safety technicians.
Regardless of which industry you are working in, you must have learned the fire and life safety rules and regulations during your training. But there are some common, yet often overlooked, rules that technicians fail to follow. In this blog, we are going to lay out the seven most pressing fire and safety rules that you should always keep in mind. And if you are running a fire and safety service business, this would be even easier for you. Use it to train your technicians, or simply hand it out to them to use as a necessary safety checklist while they are attending an appointment.
Without further ado, let’s jump into the work at hand—just as fire and safety technicians do!
1. Always Wear Proper Safety Gear
Always wear the necessary safety equipment. The proper safety gear in your workplace could be reflective gear, fire-retardant clothing, industrial workwear, or something as simple as nonslip shoes. Be sure to always wear a breathing mask if your space has debris or dust, or if you have to deal with toxic or dangerous chemicals or fumes.
2. Use Equipment, Tools, and Machinery Properly
Proper use of tools and machinery can prevent injuries. Only operate machines you are trained or certified to use, and ensure that they are cleaned and maintained regularly. You should always use machines and equipment for their intended purposes. Use equipment such as a wheelbarrow or a forklift to help you lift and move heavy items to prevent straining or injuring yourself.
3. Be Aware of Your Surroundings
No matter whether you are working in a residential area or taking care of crucial zones such as hospital fire and life safety, treat every job site with equal care and alertness. Being aware of your surroundings is paramount to avoiding workplace injuries. Here are some things to be aware of in your environment:
- Look for spills or items on the floor that could be tripped over.
- Note the appropriate safety equipment and gear for each task you are doing.
- Choose mechanical aids such as a forklift or wheelbarrow to help lift items and encourage others to do the same.
- Keep emergency exits clear and uncluttered so they are accessible in the event of an emergency.
- Use tools and machines properly to avoid injury and encourage other workers to do the same.
- Label hazardous areas and materials with appropriate signage.
- Know where the first aid kits are and which staff members are trained to administer first aid if an injury occurs.
- Know the emergency procedures in the event of a fire, flood, or earthquake.
- Only use secure, steady ladders and never use boxes or anything else as an improvised ladder.
- Test railings first before using them to make sure they are secured properly.
4. Report Any Unsafe Conditions
Fix any unsafe conditions or workplace hazards as soon as you notice them. If it is dangerous for you to remove the risk, notify a supervisor right away.
5. Stay Updated on the Latest Safety Codes
It is important to stay compliant with the fire and life safety America codes. Adherence to outdated codes limits the potential for the prevention of hazards by not leveraging current best practices and technologies. Technology is always evolving, and so are the hazards associated with it. If you are not aware of the issues you might be facing at your job, you are underprepared to save lives, both for your customers and yourself. So, make sure you know the latest updates and are prepared to handle them with the best practices.
Though it is the responsibility of the company to make staff aware of new safety procedures, it is your responsibility to make sure that you fully understand the information. If you’re unsure about a new procedure, ask questions.
6. Be Alert and Ready
Ensuring fire and life safety measures requires technicians to always be at the top of their capabilities. So, make sure you are alert and ready all the time. Remember to stay hydrated. Step out if you ever feel unwell, cramped, or lightheaded. Take a break if necessary. When you return, you will be more focused and have a higher level of concentration.
7. Never Take Shortcuts
Procedures exist to keep workers safe. Though skipping a step or not wearing safety gear may save you time, it isn’t worth getting injured over. Use every tool and machine according to the instructions. Never ignore an alert. Follow every fire and life safety rule to the T. And remember, as we mentioned earlier, that it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
How Field Service Software Helps Maintain Fire and Life Safety Rules
It’s time for a company’s smoke alarm inspection, but the manager doesn’t remember that. With all the other tasks that come with running a business, maintenance checks like that sometimes fall to the bottom because the company has already hired a contractor, one of your employees, to take care of them. But then days go by, and it seems the field service professional has forgotten too. Clients become restless. Angry phone calls are exchanged. Fire and life safety maintenance represents some of the most important tasks for a business to stay up to date on, yet they are also some of the easiest to slide right to the back burner.
This is exactly why you need a smart field service software solution. With systems like Field Promax, you would get automated scheduling and repeat work order management features that would never let them forget a stipulated security inspection and maintenance appointment.
By entrusting your fire and life safety organization to Field Promax’s field service management software, the combination of mobility and convenience will make sure no internal inspection checks go unnoticed.
Originally Published at:- Field Promax ( Fire and Life Safety America )
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