Day 3 of our #FirePreventionWeek Q&A!
Q: Is hands-on fire extinguisher training required?
A: According to 1910.157(g)(3), employees who are expected to use portable fire extinguishers must be provided with "hands on" training in the use of the fire extinguishing equipment.
OSHA does not require that fires actually must be started and extinguished to simulate emergency fire conditions during employee training. "Hands-on" training does not necessarily mean "live fire" demonstration. However, when conducted, live-fire demonstrations should be conducted under qualified supervision at a facility appropriate for the purpose. Additionally, the EPA (or the local authority having jurisdiction) should be consulted with regard to regulations governing open burning.
As a minimum, hands-on training should include the actual discharging of fire extinguishers appropriate for the type of fires expected, unracking of standpipe hoses, and test-sounding of fire alarm boxes.
Comments (12)
I remember way back in my Foundry Days (in about 1982) , we always had problems with the neighbors about the soot from out dust collectors all over their property especially their cars. One day went to the Plant Manager and asked if I could have resources to do Fire Extinguisher training. he said that a few years before they had the local fire department come and demonstrate how to use fire extinguishers, the employees loved it, so he thought it was a great idea to do again. I reminded him of the neighbors and he said he wanted it done that way! He told me to get with the Melt Department had have a 12'12' Pig Pan made. That is a big metal plate with four sides compacted inside with "green sand" (it is really the color black). Then I was to get with Maintenance to get some high grade fuel oil with low sulfur. So I contacted the Departments and contacted the local Municipal Fire Department, who were only to happy to play with fire.
The day of the training came. Melt brought the Pig Plate to the middle of the yard and Maintenance filled it with Fuel Oil, which looked like to me regular boiler oil. I asked the Maint. Mgr if it was low sulfur and he said it was. The employees and the fire department came and we started the oil on fire with a torch. The fireman began their pitch and demonstration but I could tell right away there was a lot of soot! I ran over and asked the Maint. Manager to check on the oil and its source but breathed easier that the wind was blowing the soot out away from the neighbors. It turned out the oil was low grade high sulpur oil. But no harm no foul right?
Never heard from the neighbors which was good, but the wind blew the soot one mile away over a large Ford dealership where most of it settled. We ended up having to pay for 50 cars and trucks to be repainted, and Ford was our major customer! $25,000 in 1982 dollars. I did not get blamed for all but I got a share of the butt chewing!
While I was a Fire Inspector in a Hospital, we used the Bullard Fire extinguisher trainer. Lasers were used to be pointed at a box with what was looking like simulated fire. Hi Tech at the time and it met all of the Joint Commissions requirements,
Other places outside we used a propane prop that was able to be controlled to prevent the fires from getting out of control and any sign of problems the release of the switch would shut it off.
DOD went to a lot of Gas operated props.
Used Secure Fire and Safety for our training. They do the same style as in the picture. I think its a great training for all employees. Used Cintas once but don't like that they use a video board for theirs. I think everyone appreciates putting out a real fire.
WHAT??? No live fire??? That's the best part! 😂
Okay, so maybe I'm a bit of a pyro, but I love connecting with our local fire department to set up hands on training JUST like your photo.
But can you imagine what happened when the majority of my coworkers were Japanese nationals - primarily women? I was so proud of them! They all did it (eventually) and did it well.
Maybe it's just a personal opinion, but I feel like the more you get them used to scenarios like these, the less likely they are to freeze should a situation ever actually occur.
Great post (even though I'm late to the game)!
My answer is yes.