This week is Fire Prevention Week, an annual event to raise awareness of fire safety planning in the home.  The Workers Compensation Board (WCB) would like to remind Islanders that fire hazards exist in the workplace as well.  Being aware of the potential risks and ensuring that adequate precautions are taken to address all hazards can prevent devastating injuries that may result from uncontrolled workplace fires.

For some occupations, such as welding and cutting, flames, sparks and molten metal are hazards that are encountered regularly on the job.  Adequate training and equipment is particularly important in these high risk industries, but it is important for Islanders to realize that fire can occur in any workplace.

Prince Edward Island’s Occupational Health and Safety Regulations set out the requirements for fire safety in a variety of work settings.  The Regulations cover topics such as:

• Requirements for fire extinguishers
• Housekeeping requirements to attend to spills that can become fire hazards
• Safe use of portable heaters
• Proper use of explosives
• Safe storage of fuel and other flammable liquids
• Requirements for bulk storage of combustible dry materials
• Precautions related to flammable vapours and gases in confined spaces
• Requirements for the use of flame retardant clothing

The WCB has also developed a new guide, Fire Retardant Clothing Requirements for Welders and Cutters, to assist employers and workers in using adequate protection in this type of work. 

“We all have the right to be safe at work and the responsibility to protect each other on the job,” said Nancy Guptill, Workers Compensation Board Chair. “The WCB is here to help workers and employers to promote safety in every workplace.”

For more information about workplace safety, visit www.wcb.pe.ca or contact the Workers Compensation Board at 902-368-5680 or 1-800-237-5049.