Why Employees Need Fire Extinguisher Training
Fires pose a real threat to the existence of any building. In light of this fact, employers should be alive to the danger posed by fires on their operations. Even though they might insure their valuables against fire damage, they also need to take essential precautionary measures, key among them being having fire extinguishers at designated spots in the facility.
There are different types of fire extinguishers, each designed to neutralize different types of fires. Whether you have class b fire extinguishers for fires caused by flammable or combustible liquids or any other extinguisher, make sure you have employees who can use them. That said, here are some reasons why fire extinguisher training at the workplace.
To Meet OSH Requirements
Operation safety and health requirements dictate that all employers are expected to provide a safe working environment. Besides having an emergency evacuation plan, you are also required to have fire extinguishers and employees who can use them. Therefore, if you have some designated employees who are expected to use extinguishers in case of a fire, ensure they have a specific level of training.
To Promote Correct Usage of Extinguishers
Providing fire extinguisher training is essential in ensuring that employees can correctly use fire extinguishers and select the right one to use. As with most things, it takes more than reading or talking about a fire extinguisher. You need hands-on training to perform a task. This is especially important during emergencies when the adrenalin kicks in. If an employee has hands-on experience, the likelihood of using a fire extinguisher correctly increases significantly.
To Prevent Injuries
The risk of bodily injuries is considerably reduced when an employee can handle a fire extinguisher correctly. Training reduces the likelihood of incorrect usage of extinguishers and is critical in reducing the risk of burns and smoke inhalation when responding to a fire emergency. Another thing about training is that it helps employees assess the condition objectively to recognize when to flee or save the situation.
To Prevent Property Loss and Damage
As mentioned above, hands-on training in firefighting equipment is essential in effectively using extinguishers by employees. In addition, if employees can arrest fire emergencies before things get worse, they might prevent significant damages to your valuables. Early response also helps in avoiding unnecessary downtime, which also translates to loos of revenue.
