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| FIRE
SAFETY - SUMMER FIRE MITIGATION TIPS |
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Hospitality and leisure establishments
are exposed to hazards and potential risk on a
daily basis. Statistics show that exposure is
increased during the months from December through
to May.
Statistics
Countless variables are responsible for these
statistics, however with access to real claims
and case studies, Tourism Risk Managers (TRM),
SATIB's preferred experts, are able identify crucial
areas that CAN be influenced by proactive risk
management.
Education and Training
By educating, training and constantly reminding
both staff and guests, potential hazards are successfully
removed, exposure is lowered and insurance claims
are reduced during this historically risky period. |
| Electrical Fire
Safety |
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| • |
Most electrical
fires result from problems with
"fixed wiring" such
as faulty electrical outlets
and old wiring. Problems with
cords and plugs, such as extension
and appliance cords, also cause
many electrical fires. |
| • |
Many avoidable electrical
fires can be traced to misuse
of electric cords, such as overloading
circuits, poor maintenance and
running the cords under rugs
or in high traffic areas. |
|
Appliances
The appliances most often involved in electrical
fires are electric stoves and ovens, irons,
dryers, central heating units, air conditioners,
televisions, radios and VCR/DVD players.
| Safety Precautions |
| |
| • |
Routinely check
your electrical appliances and
wiring |
| • |
Frayed wires can cause fires.
Replace all worn, old or damaged
appliance cords immediately |
| • |
Use electrical extension
cords wisely and don't overload
them |
| • |
Keep electrical appliances
away from wet floors and counters;
pay special care to electrical
appliances in the bathroom and
kitchen |
| • |
When buying electrical appliances
look for products evaluated
by a nationally recognized laboratory |
| • |
Keep clothes, curtains and
other potentially combustible
items at least 1m from all heaters |
| • |
If an appliance has a three-prong
plug, use it only in a three-slot
outlet. Never force it to fit
into a two-slot outlet or extension
cord |
| • |
Never overload extension cords
or wall sockets. Immediately
shut off, then professionally
replace, light switches that
are hot to the touch and lights
that flicker. Use safety closures
to "child-proof" electrical
outlets |
| • |
Check your electrical tools
regularly for signs of wear.
If the cords are frayed or cracked,
replace them. Replace any tool
if it causes even small electrical
shocks, overheats, shorts out
or gives off smoke or sparks |
|
Thatch (Cabling & Services)
Electrical power supply and telephone cables
should enter the building by means of underground
ducts, and all electrical wiring in the
roof space should be run in screwed metal
conduit, with all junction boxes properly
sealed.
|
| Generators |
| |
| • |
Turn off generators
and let them cool prior to refuelling |
| • |
Be sure that the
main circuit breaker is OFF
and locked out prior to starting
any generator. |
| |
This will prevent
inadvertent energisation of
power lines from back feed electrical
energy from generators and help
protect utility line workers
from possible electrocution |
|
| Extension Cords
|
| |
| • |
Normal wear on
cords can loosen or expose wires.
|
| • |
Cords that are
not 3-wire type, not designed
for hard-usage, or that have
been modified, increase your
risk of contacting electrical
current |
| • |
Use only equipment
that is approved to meet SANS
standards |
| • |
Do not modify
cords or use them incorrectly |
| • |
Use factory-assembled
cord sets and only extension
cords that are wire type |
| • |
Remove cords
from receptacles by pulling
on the plugs, not the cords |
|
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 |
 |
| Portable
Heaters |
| |
| • |
Is
the heater the right
size for the space
you want it to heat? |
| • |
Is there enough
ventilation while
the heater is still
working? |
| • |
Wait until the
heater has cooled
before you move
it |
| • |
Avoid using an
electric heater
in damp or wet areas |
| • |
Use only heavy-duty
extension cords |
|
|
| Electric
related fires: |
| |
| • |
Defective
appliances and overload
circuits are major causes
of fires. |
| • |
Do you check power cords
and have them replaced
if they are damaged? |
| • |
Do you avoid running
electrical cords under
carpeting or hanging them
from nails? |
| • |
Do you have your wiring
checked by an electrician
if circuit breakers frequently
trip? |
| • |
Do you have your air
conditioners serviced
regularly? |
| • |
Establish operational
procedures/checklists
to ensure the above guidelines
are carried out and you
can be confident that
you would have reduced
an element of risk within
your operation |
|
Conclusion
Most accidents can be avoided
so take the necessary steps
to avoid these, and insure your
property for all unavoidable
incidents. |
 |
| For
more information contact
Gavin on +27 (0) 31 562
1880 or +27 (0) 83 463
8452 |
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| PROFILE
ON SATIB RISK SOLUTIONS (SATIB) |
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SATIB Risk Solutions
offer a wide range of insurance solutions
to meet the intrinsic requirements
of the tourism, hospitality, leisure
and wildlife industry.
Offices
With offices in five Provinces within
South Africa and in Botswana, Namibia,
Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe, and
correspondent offices in thirteen
other African countries, SATIB are
ideally located to offer the tourism
trade expert risk management and insurance
advice along with prompt claims settlement
and efficient service. |
Support
Backed by the support of insurers
with high financial security
protocol, including Lloyd’s,
coupled to their extensive knowledge
of their clients businesses,
SATIB have a unique recipe for
success.
Leaders in Hospitality
With over 19 years of dedicated
service, SATIB has become the
pre-eminent Risk Management
Consultants and Insurance Brokers
in this field and their success
boils down to equal parts of
quality, service, and innovation
in risk transfer programs and
credibility as reliable brokers
with outstanding security protocol.
Expertise
In addition, SATIB not only
offers expertise but a deep
sense of knowledge and understanding
of the Tourism, Hospitality,
Leisure Industry and their clients
businesses.
Assessment
Tourism Risk Managers (TRM)
is the risk assessment company
who operate in association with
SATIB and provide their clients
with practical, hands-on assessments
and risk management advise in
dealing with health and safety
compliance issues relating to
fire risks in the hospitality
sector, vehicle risks in the
tourism transport sector and
specialised liability risks
in the general tourism industry.
Crises Management
SATIB24 Crisis Call is a 24
hour incident management service
available to all SATIB clients
as a value-added benefit. While
professional incident management
is the primary role, activation
of onsite support such as paramedic
intervention or medical evacuation
may be needed, which can be
very costly.
To transfer this financial exposure,
insurance cover for clients
guests in South Africa is included
while insurance cover for staff
is available on application.
For clients who own hospitality
establishments outside of South
Africa, MedEvac insurance cover
for guests and Aloe medical
insurance for staff is available
on application.
Because SATIB24 Crisis Call
makes critical decisions on
the client’s behalf, clients
have the added protection of
ZAR100 million medical malpractice
insurance cover.
|
| For
more information
contact Gavin on
+27 (0) 31 562 1880
or +27 (0) 83 463
8452 |
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