Managing fire safety is vital to protecting people, their homes, and businesses. Managing fire safety can seem overwhelming, especially with so many fire risks to consider. To avoid unnecessary work when looking at fire safety management, a simple solution is to learn about the hierarchy of controls.
Although it may sound complicated, the hierarchy of controls is a straightforward system we can follow daily to ensure fire safety. First, it’s important to learn what the hierarchy of controls entails and how to apply it in everyday life. By understanding this system, fire safety management becomes accessible and attainable for everyone.
What is the Hierarchy of Controls?
The Hierarchy of Controls is a systematic framework used to manage workplace hazards, prioritising control methods from the most effective to the least effective. The hierarchy typically includes five levels: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE). This approach aims to reduce or eliminate hazards to ensure a safer work environment.
These steps prioritise fire safety actions from the most critical to the least. In addition, they rank fire safety risks from the most to the least severe. By following the Hierarchy of Controls, fire safety management can effectively and safely control fire hazards.
Elimination
The first, and biggest step from the Hierarchy of Controls is Elimination. To put it simply, if there is an immediate fire hazard the safest and quickest way to prevent escalation is by eliminating the hazard altogether. Ultimately considering Elimination as the main technique for fire safety management is vital as it can remove the potential fire hazard long before it poses a real fire safety threat
Substitution
The second step down from Elimination is This step is what should be considered when the hazard threat is not imminent but still holds a medium-high fire safety risk. If the hazard cannot be, or does not need to be, removed altogether then people can start to consider Substitution as the method of action. Whilst it may not be as immediately effective as Elimination, some fire safety hazards can be dealt with without permanently removing them altogether. Substitution is about replacing the hazard to minimise the risk.
Engineering Controls
The third step down is Engineering Controls. This step is to consider a physical change in the workplace to reduce the impact of the risk on fire safety management. Essentially ‘Engineering Controls’ is the practice of isolating people from the hazard. This is another preventative measure and applies caution to potential fire hazards that do not require more drastic action.
Administrative Controls
The fourth step down is Administrative Controls. Put simply, this means examining how people work and how this can be changed to manage good fire safety practices. This step again practices proactive prevention. Meaning fire safety management begins away from a hazard altogether. Ultimately this step is more minor than the top three but the impact of changing the way people work has on fire safety management is vital.
PPE
The final step in The Hierarchy of Controls is PPE – supporting worker’s fire safety using Personal Protective Equipment. Whilst PPE may be the last step in The Hierarchy of Controls system it is still a vital step for the ongoing practice of fire safety management. The reason PPE is last is because it is seen as a barrier against fire safety risks rather than full protection. Rather than PPE being a step that can remove fire safety risks it is a way to minimise fire damage. PPE is the last line of defence. Whilst it is crucial to incorporate using PPE in fire safety management it should not be used alone. PPE is most effective when coupled with the other four, more immediate fire risk measures.
OHEAP recognises the vitality of having the right equipment for the job. Fire risk management begins with the tools supplied to workers – PPE that they can rely on and trust to keep them fire safe. A growing example of this would be the Arc Flash PPE sold by OHEAP which provides crucial protection for anyone working with high-voltage equipment.
Whilst PPE is only a barrier providing workers with the correct safety equipment, it prevents injuries and even death. Incorporating PPE in the workplace is key. OHEAP understand this and are dedicated to offering high-quality PPE that can be trusted.
Applying The Hierarchy of Controls to Fire Safety Management
Elimination
In a manufacturing facility, the use of highly flammable solvents in the production process poses a significant fire hazard. By switching to a non-flammable alternative solvent, the facility effectively eliminates the fire hazard. This proactive step ensures that the potential for a fire is removed at the source, greatly enhancing overall fire safety. This example demonstrates how the elimination method from the Hierarchy of Controls can be applied to prevent fire risks before they become serious threats.
Substitution
Potential hazards where substitution could be applied include handling hazardous equipment and working on unsafe sites. By applying substitution in these situations, workers can replace immediate threats with more manageable tasks. For example, instead of operating dangerous machinery or using toxic substances, these can be replaced with safer alternatives, such as less harmful fluids. Additionally, rather than working on unsafe sites, safer methods should be employed to achieve the same result.
Engineering Controls
In an office building, poor ventilation could increase the risk of fire by allowing flammable vapours to accumulate. By installing an advanced ventilation system that effectively removes these vapours and maintains proper air circulation, the building significantly reduces the fire risk. This example illustrates how engineering controls, a key element in the Hierarchy of Controls, can be implemented to mitigate fire hazards through the use of physical modifications and technological solutions.
Administrative Controls
Workers should be given adequate fire safety training of which there is plenty available. This could include ensuring all nominated fire wardens are fully trained to understand their role in evacuation situations. Or online fire safety training so all staff understand the basics in fire safety management such as which extinguisher to use in any given circumstance.
Work methods should be examined through the lens of fire safety management. Fire safety should be an ongoing practice integrated throughout the workplace and incorporated into daily routines. This approach helps mitigate fire safety risks and maintains a safe, risk-free work environment. Workers should be trained to handle minor fire risk situations, such as cooking safely and evacuating areas with open flames promptly.
PPE
Examples of PPE can include anything from boots, helmets, and gloves, but always addresses the specific task risk.
The use of these equipment creates a safe barrier for the worker from the flame. OHEAP offers a range of fire-specific PPE. This includes ARC flash clothing, flame retardant overalls, flame resistant balaclava and leather welding apron and gloves.
How Fire Protection Innovations Apply to The Hierarchy of Controls
Fire safety is an ongoing practice. Fire safety management must constantly be revaluating the safest approaches to fire safety. The impact of The Hierarchy of Controls can be seen in the fire protection innovations that allow workers and fire safety management to work together to keep each other safe.
Examples of such fire safety management innovations include:
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- Smoke and fire detection systems that use cameras to detect flames (in domestic and commercial settings. This innovation is a good example of applying Engineering Controls. It is equipment that protects a worker’s fire safety through adapting how they work around fire hazards. The system enables workers to respond quickly and safely to potential danger and to remove themselves before it can escalate. This equipment also links to Elimination. It allows workers to locate the source of flame quickly. This means it can quickly be eliminated.
- Automatic fire extinguishers that use heat-sensitive pipes/tubes to automatically activate an extinguisher in small or hard to monitor places like server rooms. This can also be seen as Elimination. The heat sensitive nature of the technology means workers have guaranteed protection. Workers can also trust that any developing fire threats will quickly be dealt with without a worker needing to deal with the flame alone.
When to Use The Hierarchy of Controls
A main aspect of using The Hierarchy of Controls is the combination of fire safety protection through fire risk prevention. In fire safety management being able to identify fire safety hazards is critical to avoiding more serious fire risks. Using a Fire Risk Assessment is the first step in the process of assessing a situation for fire safety risks and allows the fire safety management to have greater control over workers protection. A fire risk assessment can break down simple potential fire safety hazards, trip hazards, electrical issues, and equipment dangers.
Once the Fire Risk Assessment has identified all the fire risks within your given working environment, the next step is to use the hierarchy of controls model to apply the most effective risk control measures.
Summary
The Hierarchy of Controls is a system that helps leaders of fire safety management protect workers and the environment. The system clearly breaks down the severity of fire risks and provides a quick solution to deal with fire risk. Through following The Hierarchy of Controls work environments can be kept safe and workers can trust that they have total fire protection.
