create a 1 or 2 page toolbox talk safety meeting around the topic of fire awareness & hot work

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CPWR TOOLBOX THE CENTER FOR CONSTRUCTION RESEARCH AND TRAINING TALK Fires and burns are the fifth most common cause of accidental injury deaths in the United States. Workers need to be aware of potential fire hazards at the worksite and how to protect themselves. ## Tim's Story Tim was painting the walls of an attic in a three-story house. A fire began in the basement due to bad wiring in a light socket near the ceiling. There was no working smoke detector in the house, and because Tim was in the attic, he did not smell the smoke until it was too late. Tim was not able to make it out and he died. - How could this incident have been avoided? - What are possible fire hazards at your worksite? ## Remember This ➤ Make sure you have a ventilation system, especially where paints, solvents, or other flammable materials are being used. # Fire Safety ➤ Before you begin work, make sure there are working smoke alarms in areas under construction. ➤ Make sure fire extinguishers are available that are the right class for the fire hazards on your job: 。 Class A for wood, paper, cardboard, plastic, etc. 。 Class B for combustible liquid such as gasoline, oil, and kerosene; these contain a dry chemical. - o Class C for electrical fires 。 Combination extinguishers for combustible metal; these contain an inert dry material. - Make sure you have at least one extinguisher of the appropriate class for each type of fire hazard. ➤ Make sure you know where the fire extinguishers are and how to use them. ➤ Keep flammable and combustible materials away from portable heaters and keep the area around them clear. How can we stay safe today? What will we do at the worksite to prevent fires? 1. 2. OSHA Regulation: 29 CFR 1926.1000 ©2017, CPWR-The Center for Construction Research and Training. All rights reserved. CPWR is the research and training arm of NABTU. Production of this document was supported by cooperative agreement OH 009762 from the National Institute for Occu…

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Construction Toolbox Talk Arc Welding and Fire Safety NIOSH CPWR [● If properly inspected and used, the arc welder is safe. If used improperly, it can expose welders to fire, explosion, and burns to the retina (lining of the eye). ## Ben's Story Ben was welding angle iron supports to a steel joist. There were magnesium shavings and cuttings on the ground in his work area. Welding sparks and slag from the welding landed in the shavings, causing a violent fire that engulfed Ben. He died from severe burns, fire and smoke inhalation, and lack of oxygen. - What caused this incident? *How could this have been prevented? *Have you ever been injured while welding, or do you know someone who was injured or killed while welding? If so, what happened? ## Remember This Before starting work: • Inspect the arc welder. • Read all warning labels and instruction manuals for the welder. ## How can we stay safe today? What will we do at the worksite to prevent injuries from arc welding and fire hazards? • Insulate your body from the metal you are welding. • Ground the welder case. CD C National Insund Health NIOSH CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION • Avoid fire hazards such as oil, grease, and flammables. • Remove all potential fire hazards from the welding area, for at least 35 feet. ## While working: • Wear dry gloves in good condition and the right footwear and clothes (long sleeves and pants) to protect from hot sparks, molten metal, and slag. • Do not strike an arc without putting on proper eye protection. • Have the proper class of fire extinguisher (employer provided) nearby, ready for use. - For most welding, it is best to use a combination fire extinguisher (Class A, B, C). - For magnesium fires, use a Class D fire extinguisher or cover the fire with sand or magnesium foundry flux. • Have a designated fire watcher when you weld or cut in areas where major fires can develop (such as combustible materials or materials closer than 35 feet to …

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# FIRE SAFETY Date Posted: 05/31/2024 On average, between 2016 and 2020, firefighters responded to more than 11 fires a day at buildings under construction in the U.S. Those fires led to an annual average of five civilian deaths, 62 civilian injuries, and over $376 million in direct property damages. Construction site fires create a significant risk of property damage, personal injury, and even death. Structures with wood framing are particularly susceptible to fires. Although steel-frame buildings are just as vulnerable to fire risk, wood-framed facilities are more likely to collapse when on fire. Construction site fires often happen before sprinkler systems and alarms have been installed so that fires can spread with little warning. Since there are reserves of combustible materials, a stray spark or smoldering debris can lead to a large disaster. ## HOW DO FIRES START? Fire is a chemical reaction that requires three elements to be present for the reaction to take place and continue. The three elements are: • Heat or an ignition source • Fuel Oxygen These three elements are typically referred to as the "fire triangle." Fire results from the chemical reaction between the fuel and oxygen in the air. Heat, fuel, and oxygen must combine precisely for a fire start and continue to burn. If one element of the fire triangle is not present or removed, fire will not start or, if already burning, will extinguish. Ignition sources can include any material, equipment, or operation that emits a spark or flame, including apparent items, such as torches, and less obvious items, such as static electricity and grinding operations. to ## COMMON SOURCES OF CONSTRUCTION FIRES Hot work: Hot work operations pose a significant risk because they can introduce ignition sources into many worksite areas. Even several hours after welding, soldering, grinding, or other hot work has been completed, a spark can smolder and ignite combustibles, sometimes after crews have left for the…

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# FIRE PREVENTION Date Posted: 09/14/2016 When workers think of fire prevention, they often think of fire extinguishers and having them close by to prevent a larger fire. When fire prevention is done right, it eliminates the need of a fire extinguisher. ## STORAGE OF FLAMMABLES Store flammable liquids in a secure storage container Oily or used rags, flammable or hazardous wastes, such as caustics, acids, harmful dusts or similar materials are to be disposed of into flammable storage containers with covers. More than 25 gallons of flammable liquids must be stored in an approved cabinet ## YOU MUST KNOW • The location of the fire extinguisher nearest to your work area • The limitations and proper use of A, B, C, and D type fire extinguishers • Which type of fire extinguisher you should use on each type of fire. Using the wrong extinguisher (e.g., water on burning oil) can cause a fire to spread ## FIRE EXTINGUISHERS • Fire extinguishers are to be accessible and visible within 100 feet • Fire extinguisher, rated not less than 2A, shall be provided for each 3,000 square feet of a combustible building area. • A 2A rated fire extinguisher should be provided for each floor • A 10B rated fire extinguisher shall be provided within 50 feet whenever more than 5 gallons of flammable liquids or 5 pounds of flammable gas are being used on the jobsite. • All fire extinguishers must be visually inspected monthly and must receive an annual maintenance check. Keep records of all annual maintenance reports and make available upon request. Make sure that a hydrostatic test is conducted per WAC 296-24-[redacted postal code]. ## IN CASE OF FIRE • Warn others and yell for help if required. • Use the proper fire extinguisher if the fire is small. • Always call 911 or your local emergency number. Turn on the fire alarm immediately. Post lookouts to direct firefighters to the fire. In the case of electrical, propane, or gas fires, the first step is to shut off the supp…

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# ASBESTOS Last Review: 08/01/2025 Date Posted: 09/24/2016 It is a misconception that most or all asbestos has been eliminated from buildings. It might be surprising that asbestos has been found in buildings built in the 1990's and later. Awareness of asbestos is important. ## ASBESTOS USES • Asbestos was used as a building component for its insulating and fireproofing characteristics. • Asbestos can be found in vinyl flooring, roofing, insulation, popcorn ceilings, window and wallboard systems of older buildings and some not so old. • Asbestos - was used with the Wicked Witch of the West's broom and fake snow in movies. ## PROBLEMS WITH ASBESTOS • Fibers are small enough to lodge in the lung cavities and surrounding organs by inhalation or ingestion. • Asbestos has been classified as a known human carcinogen, a substance that causes cancer. Studies have shown that exposure to asbestos may increase the risk of lung cancer and mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a cancer of the thin membranes that line the chest and abdomen. Mesothelioma has no known cure. • Asbestos exposure may also increase the risk of asbestosis, an inflammatory condition affecting the lungs that can cause shortness of breath, coughing, permanent lung damage, and other nonmalignant lung and pleural disorders. • Asbestos latency period is 10 to 30 years. An exposed worker to asbestos may have no adverse effects for 30 years. ## WORKING WITH ASBESTOS Before any demolition or remodel activities are done, you are required to obtain a written asbestos statement from the building's owner or owner's agent. buildings are very suspect to asbestos as they may have hidden building materials due to remodels. Older If there is any accidental disturbance of asbestos containing material or suspect material, work must be stopped and an assessment made. Surveys can only performed by a certified Asbestos Building Inspector. be Important note: If you are working in conditions where you may encounter…