Hazards

Possible fires from heat-producing equipment such as burners, ovens, and grills due to:

• Poor housekeeping.
• Unemptied grease traps (possible grease fires).
• Dirty ducts (possible flue fires).
• Improper storage of flammable items.
• Faulty or frayed electrical cords.

Requirements

• Portable fire extinguishers. [29 CFR 1910.157]
  • Where the employer has provided portable fire extinguishers for employee use in the workplace, the employer shall also provide an educational program to familiarize employees with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage firefighting. This program must be provided upon initial employment and at least annually thereafter. [29 CFR 1910.157(g)]. The standard contains requirements on the provision of portable fire extinguishers in the workplace.
• Follow 29 CFR 1910.160, Fixed Extinguishing Systems, General, 29 CFR 1910.161, Fixed Extinguishing System, Dry Chemical, and other applicable OSHA standards, for fixed extinguishing systems using dry chemical as the extinguishing agent. These systems are used to fight grease fires, for example.
• Provide an emergency action plan and a fire prevention plan.
  • Emergency Action Plan (EAP):
    • Am I required to have an emergency action plan (EAP)? OSHA Evacuation Plans and Procedures eTool - Expert System.
    • Fight or Flee? OSHA Evacuation Plans and Procedures eTool.
  • Fire Prevention Plan:
    • The purpose of a fire prevention plan is to prevent a fire from occurring in the workplace. An employer must have a fire prevention plan when an OSHA Standard requires one. [29 CFR 1910.39]
    • [OSHA Fact Sheet: Fire Safety in Workplace].
    • Evacuation Plans and Procedures. OSHA eTool.
      • Fire Prevention Plan (FPP)

Recognized Controls and Work Practices

• Provide appropriate and effective employee training for safe handling of equipment.
• Keep grill and grill duct work free from flammable residues and properly maintained.
• Keep flammable items stored away from heat-producing equipment.
  • Empty grease traps on a routine basis.

Additional Information

• Cal/OSHA Guide to Restaurant Safety
• Also see Hospital-wide Hazards - Fire Hazards.
• Fire Safety. OSHA Safety and Health Topics page.