Most businesses have portable fire extinguishers located around the workplace to aid in the initial response to small fires or fires when they first start. BUT, as a business owner, did you know that OSHA prohibits you from allowing your employees to use one of those fire extinguishers in the event of a fire unless they have received fire extinguisher training to recognize when and how to proper use portable fire extinguishers.
Businesses are required to not only provide this training when employees are first hired but are required to provide continued training on an annual basis thereafter. As part of a business’s portable fire extinguisher training policy, the business should clarify which employees are qualified to use portable fire extinguishers, the situations in which they can and should be used, and the proper procedures for use. The actual wording from OSHA is:: “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.”
Exemptions from OSHA portable fire extinguisher training
In cases where a business establishes and implements a written fire-safety policy that requires the immediate and total evacuation of all employees upon the sounding of a fire alarm and that includes an emergency-action plan and a fire-prevention plan that meet OSHA’s requirements, the business is exempt from OSHA’s portable fire extinguisher training requirements.
Also, when a business has an emergency-action plan that designates only certain trained employees to be the only ones to use the available portable fire extinguishers and requires all other employees to immediately evacuate the affected area after the fire alarm sounds, these businesses are exempt from the requirement that all employees be trained.
OSHA advice
OSHA has two key points of advice for every business regardless of whether or not they install and train on the use of portable fire extinguishers. Before trying to control a fire with a portable extinguisher, the employee who discovers the fire should activate the fire alarm, enabling others to evacuate to a safe area, and the fire department should be called. If your facility has a sprinkler system, evacuate, letting the sprinklers run.
Contact Jasperwood Fire Equipment Company Today
Jasperwood Fire Equipment Company has been providing fire equipment sales and service to the Texas Panhandle since 1953. Jasperwood Fire Equipment Company provides complete fire protection services for restaurants, commercial kitchens and other industries in the Texas Panhandle including Plainview TX, Amarillo TX and Lubbock TX as well as the surrounding areas. Jasperwood Fire Equipment Company is your best solution for all fire protection and fire suppression system products and services. Don’t gamble with the safety of your business, your employees, your valuable assets or your guests.
Request Information, Service, Training Or A Quote or call Jasperwood Fire Equipment Company TODAY. In Amarillo TX call (806) 373-0000, in Lubbock TX call (806) 793-3000 and in Plainview TX call (806) 296-9789.