Building Owners Fined $17 000 for Fire Safety Violations

After four people died as a result of a fire at a retirement residence in Orillia, Ontario, the two building owners have been found guilty  of violating seven counts of the Ontario Fire Code and charged $17 000. Some of the charges laid by the Orillia Fire Department include:

• Failure to ensure supervisory staff be instructed in the fire emergency procedures as described in the fire safety plan before given any responsibility for fire safety
• Failure to ensure exterior passageway of fire escape in occupied building be maintained
• Failure to implement the fire safety plan provisions for conducting the required monthly tests of the building’s fire alarm system
• Failure to prominently post and maintain on each floor area at least one copy of the fire emergency procedures
• Failure to implement the fire safety plan provisions for conducting fire drills for supervisory staff
• Failure to conduct annual maintenance and testing of portable extinguishers

Ontario Fire Marshal Pat Burke said that “This fire demonstrates the importance of ensuring that these facilities comply with the Ontario Fire Code. The Code  provides the minimum level of fire safety in existing buildings to ensure they are safe in which to live and work.” Hamilton’s Chief Fire Prevention Officer believes these recent fines will send a message to building owners to follow the code.

Did you know that you, as a building owner/manager, could be held personally liable and subject to fines for not following the Fire Code? A Fire Safety Plan is the minimum requirement – a Multi-Hazard Plan/ Emergency Action Plan, covers twelve possible emergencies and demonstrates your dedication to providing a safe work environment.

Source: CNW Group

Concord Steam fined over $100K for Fire Safety Violations

The Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) has proposed fines in the amount of $104 200 for Concord Steam Corp.’s 73 alleged violations of safety standards. This comes after a worker at its steam generating plant in Concord, N.H., was burned in a fire that occurred when pressurized oil ignited after leaking from a boiler.

OSHA’s area director in Concord, Rosemarie Ohar, stated, “The conditions found in this plant expose its employees to the risks of fire, explosion, lacerations, crushing injuries, falls, hazardous chemicals, electrocution, suffocation, lung disease, and being unable to promptly exit the plant in a fire or other emergency. They must be fully and effectively corrected for the safety and health of the workers.”

Among other conditions cited, unmarked emergency exits, lack of an emergency action plan, and an inadequately trained and equipped fire brigade were some of the charges.

Don’t put yourself at risk by not having an up-to-date, effective Fire and Life Safety Plan in place, contact us to set yours up today.

Source: Occupational Health & Safety; http://ohsonline.com/articles/2009/07/23/steam-plant-fined-after-worker-burned.aspx