Every office building or business in New Mexico has fire extinguishers. Your local code mandates it. The fact that not every employer uses fire extinguisher training, however, makes it special. Employees who have completed a thorough course on fire extinguisher usage will be able to choose the appropriate fire extinguisher for a fire and use it effectively.
A surprising number of organizations do not provide their staff with fire extinguisher training, despite the fact that it is very helpful. Here are five reasons to include fire extinguisher training into your company’s or business’s fire safety program, both for the health and safety of your workers and the success of your enterprise:
OSHA requirements may apply
OSHA may mandate fire extinguisher training for your business, depending on your industry and your fire evacuation procedures. It’s a good idea to review your emergency response policy if you’re unsure if fire extinguisher training is necessary for your business. If the policy mandates that any workers use a fire extinguisher in the case of a fire, you must provide training and hands-on practice for at least those accountable employees.
workers who are at ease may use fire extinguishers in the case of a lower fire threat provided your emergency plan does not clearly indicate that all workers must immediately leave the facility in the event of a fire. In this case, you may just be needed to provide basic fire and extinguisher training. Having said that, good training doesn’t take much time and may make a big difference in ensuring the safety of your employees and your property.
Verify Employees Are Aware of Fire Extinguisher Use
It’s a good idea to conduct fire extinguisher training even if OSHA training standards aren’t met, simply to ensure that your staff is familiar with how to use a fire extinguisher. Many individuals have never used or even touched a fire extinguisher, despite the fact that they are needed in almost every structure.
Fire extinguishers must be installed in your building, therefore it’s in your best interest to make sure that staff members understand how to use them. Using fire extinguishers incorrectly may result in injury, failure to put out a fire, or even make a fire worse. Employees need to know how to use a fire extinguisher in case there is a fire in your business facility, and just a little training may go a long way.
Train staff to use the appropriate fire extinguisher.
There are several different fire extinguishers available for various business buildings. Each fire extinguisher has a Class A–D fire rating that indicates how well it can put out a particular kind of fire. It is better to use a certain chemical to put out each kind of fire.
Without the necessary training, employees are unlikely to know the difference between them and face the very real danger of trying to use the incorrect kind of fire extinguisher on the fire threat at hand. According on the sort of fire, doing this can even serve to fuel it, endangering your workers and resulting in more extensive property damage.
Protect workers and save lives
You are doing all in your power to ensure everyone’s safety when personnel are properly taught to react to a fire danger. Employees who have undergone fire extinguisher training learn more than just how to use a fire extinguisher; they also learn about potential fire dangers at work and how to react correctly in an emergency.
Fire extinguisher training not only teaches your team how to use fire extinguishers, but also provides them with the knowledge and resources they need to protect themselves and others in the case of a workplace fire.
Minimize Property Losses and Recovery Time
Finally, instruction in the use of fire extinguishers may assist limit the damage to property and the time needed for recovery after a workplace fire. Employees who are trained in the appropriate use of fire extinguishers can put out workplace fires right away. This reduces the total harm done to your property. The time it takes to complete repairs will also be less when the damage is little, allowing you to get swiftly and safely everyone back to work.
The Best Ways to Pick a Good Fire Extinguisher Training Program
The safety of your staff and your company may be greatly improved by implementing fire extinguisher training. Here are a few components you should check to make sure are there in any education program you choose if you’re seeking for a high-quality fire extinguisher training program:
- Classroom instruction
- Practical, outdoor training
- Qualified and experienced instructors
- Course materials specifically designed for your special facility
- Information about the exact fire method you use.
Finding a training program that provides both classroom and outdoor, hands-on training is essential so that employees can truly get a feel for proper fire extinguisher use. The right fire extinguisher training program will cover a variety of topics, such as how to ensure fire safety and the steps on using a fire extinguisher.
Another important thing to look for is specially designed course material. This enables you to make sure that your staff is prepared for the kinds of fires and fire threats that are most likely to occur at your facility and instructs them on how to react in accordance with your workplace fire procedure.
Comprehensive fire extinguisher training has advantages for all businesses. It’s a good idea to plan fire extinguisher training as well, so your staff is aware of precisely how to keep themselves safe, whether you’re establishing a new site or remodelling an old facility to meet new code standards.