Most employers are unsure as to whether or not they’re required to provide fire extinguisher training to their employees or not, or what the overall benefits of doing so are. Fire extinguisher training can be the difference between life and death in the most extreme cases, but it’s still an excellent skill to teach your employees in case of a potential emergency. Knowing the in’s and out’s of fire extinguisher is essential. So, here’s the top four reasons you should provide training as well as some extra details about who needs it, when, and which type to consider.
OSHA Might Require It
Unless you’ve clearly stated in an emergency plan in the instance of a fire, all employees have to evacuate the building right away. More comfortable employees are permitted to use fire extinguishers in case of the event of a small fire. In these instances, the employer should provide some form of educational program for employees to inform them about the simple use of fire extinguishers. This training can be as easy as watching a video, reading a handout, or giving a quick talk to your employees.
Helps Ensure the Right Extinguisher is Used
Furthermore, providing fire extinguisher training, primarily hands-on training, will ensure your employees that they can correctly use the fire extinguisher and the right one in the moment. Only reading or talking about something rarely helps a person honestly remember what to do, especially in a high-stress emergency when adrenaline kicks in. If your employees have proper fire extinguisher training, the likelihood that they will use a fire extinguisher the right way to save lives increases drastically.
Prevents Injury
As imagined, when employees can handle fire extinguishers properly, it reduces the chances of physical injuries. Fire extinguisher training means employees will be less likely to use the extinguisher the wrong way, something which in part could put them at serious risk of burns and smoke inhalation.
Prevents Loss and Damages
As mentioned before, regular hands-on training promotes the precise and proper use of fire extinguishers by employees. This means incipient fires have a much higher likelihood of being stopped before they begin and cause any actual property loss or damages. Fire extinguisher training can lead to nothing but positive results and the peace of mind that your employees would know precisely what to do at work in case of a fire emergency.
Learn more about fire extinguisher training from our team!
Fire Protection Services from Fireline
Whether you need smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, or an automatic sprinkler system installed at your commercial property, Fireline has you covered. We have been protecting people and property from fire damage since 1947—and our experience shows in our excellent work! We are known for our superb customer service, our expertise, and our reliability. For more information on how we can help your residential or commercial property, visit us online or give us a call at (800) 553-3405. We are located in Baltimore, MD, with a second office in Leesburg, VA. For more fire safety tips, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.