Elements of a Comprehensive Fire Extinguisher Training Program
Posted by Lori Gicewicz on Thu, Oct 29, 2009 @ 12:29 PM
As many are well aware, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that employees be educated in the use of fire extinguishers every year.
A comprehensive fire extinguisher safety program should include a number of both educational components and hands-on instructional opportunities. Each fire extinguisher training program can be tailored to the specific realities of a given worksite (an office complex versus manufacturing facility, or a hospital facility versus a university dormitory for example). Even within a given workplace, programs should be adjusted for different groups of personnel depending on the threats they face and the emergency response protocols that are established. A complete program should include several core classroom and hands-on elements:
- Discussion of the Sources of Fire
- Discussion of the Classes of Fire and Fire Extinguishers
- Identification of a Fire Extinguisher
- Discussion of the Proper Assessment of a Fire Situation
- Discussion of Fire Emergency Protocols for Your Specific Worksite
- Hands-On, Practical Training
Tips for Hands-on Training
- Keep class sizes small, ideally less than 20 at a time
- Simulate a variety of different fire situations
- Have employees work with varying sizes of extinguishers
- Teach employees to maintain proper distance from fires depending on the size of extinguishers used and the type of fire.
- Teach employees to check the pressure gauges and test extinguishers before approaching a fire
A well executed fire extinguisher training program offers much more than a means of regulatory compliance. A comprehensive program that includes both classroom and hands-on education where employees understand the risks, challenges, and opportunities in facing a fire emergency will truly engage employees in the fire safety policies of the company, creating a safer workplace for all.
