By Stewart Hansen, Founder and Principal Instructor at Vital Signs First.
As temperatures drop, portable heaters at work start appearing under desks, in workshops and in shop back rooms. They are convenient, but they are also a common cause of fires and burns. A few minutes of checking before you switch them on can prevent both.
A portable heaters at work checklist
- Choose a safer heater. Look for tip-over and overheat protection, a recognised safety mark, and buy from a reputable supplier.
- Check the heater and cable. Look for scorch marks, cracked casing, a frayed or damaged cable and loose plugs. Take any damaged heater out of use straight away.
- Give it space. Keep heaters well away from paper, cardboard, curtains, furniture and anything else that can burn. Keeping at least a metre clear is a widely used rule of thumb.
- Put it on a flat, stable surface. Never on a chair or the edge of a desk, and never where someone could knock it over or trip on the cable.
- Plug it straight into a wall socket where possible. Heaters draw a lot of current, and extension leads and adaptors can overheat. Check the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Never cover it or dry clothes on it. Covering a heater can cause it to overheat.
- Switch off and unplug when you leave. Don’t leave a heater running unattended, and never overnight.
- Keep escape routes clear. Cables across floors, heaters in corridors and stacked items near exits all slow down an evacuation.
Make it a workplace rule
A simple written rule avoids arguments and accidents. Say who may use portable heaters, where they can be used, who checks them, and when they must be switched off. Then check that your fire risk assessment reflects them.
In England and Wales, the person responsible for the premises must carry out a fire risk assessment and keep it up to date. The government’s guide to fire safety in the workplace explains who is responsible and what is expected. If you’ve added heaters, moved furniture or changed how people use a room, it’s time to review your assessment.
What to do if someone is burned by a heater
Heaters cause burns as well as fires, especially when someone brushes against a hot surface or a child, visitor or pet gets too close. The NHS has clear advice on burns and scalds. In outline:
- Move the person away from the heat and make the area safe.
- Cool the burn under cool or lukewarm running water for 20 minutes.
- Remove jewellery and loose clothing near the burn, unless it is stuck to the skin.
- Cover it loosely with cling film or a clean, non-fluffy material. Don’t use ice, creams or butter, and don’t burst blisters.
- Get medical help for anything more than a minor burn, and call 999 for serious burns.
If a fire starts
Raise the alarm, get everyone out and call 999. Don’t tackle a fire unless you’ve been trained and it is safe to do so, and never put yourself at risk. Everyone should know the escape routes and the assembly point. A trained fire marshal helps make sure that happens calmly.
Portable heater FAQs
Are portable heaters allowed at work?
That depends on your workplace rules and your fire risk assessment. Many employers restrict or ban them. Check your own policy, and check with your landlord or building manager if you share premises.
Can I use an extension lead with a heater?
It is best to plug a heater directly into a wall socket. If you must use an extension, follow the manufacturer’s advice and make sure it is rated for the heater’s power.
Want your team to feel confident about fire safety?
Tell us about your workplace and we’ll help you work out the right training. We deliver fire safety training, including fire awareness and fire marshal courses, at your premises or in a classroom across Milton Keynes and the surrounding counties. Get in touch for a friendly chat.
This article is general guidance and is not a substitute for a fire risk assessment, accredited training or professional advice. In an emergency, always call 999.