The significance of fire safety cannot be overstated, regardless of your profession. It can essentially mean the distinction between survival and fatality.
Fire Prevention Week is observed in the U.S. and Canada during the first week of October. Shockingly, almost 4,000 lives are claimed by fires each year in the U.S., translating to eleven deaths every day.
In any work environment, fire safety is crucial. It might quite literally determine whether one lives or dies. Allow us to guide you through the essentials of fire safety training in the workplace.
How to Operate a Fire Extinguisher Correctly
Basic fire safety training for all employees is an invaluable asset in workplace safety. One aspect of this training is understanding how to operate a fire extinguisher correctly. To ensure effectiveness and safety during its use, most people use PASS for correct fire extinguisher operation. PASS, stands for Pull, Aim, Squeeze, and Sweep
- P (Pull): The first step involves pulling out the safety pin located on the extinguisher. This pin prevents accidental discharge of the device. It’s crucial not to pull this pin until you’re ready to aim the extinguisher at the fire.
- A (Aim): Aim at the bottom of the fire, which is the source of the flames. This is where the fire is being fueled by oxygen and heat, and aiming at this point will be most effective in extinguishing the fire.
- S (Squeeze): Squeeze the handle from which the pin was removed. This action will release the extinguishing agent. For optimal effectiveness, squeeze the handle slowly and evenly.
- S (Sweep): Make a sweeping motion with the extinguisher hose, moving from side to side while keeping the nozzle aimed at the base of the fire. Continue this sweeping motion until the fire is completely extinguished, ensuring that all potential areas to which the fire could spread are covered.
Adherence to the PASS protocol is vital for fire extinguishers’ safe and effective use. Ensuring all employees know these steps can foster a safer working environment.
Reasons Why Everyone Needs to Have Basic Fire Safety Training
Life-long Skills
Fire safety is a skill that provides lifelong benefits to employees. It’s a versatile ability that not only offers advantages in the professional environment but also boosts their confidence in domestic and everyday situations.
While the competence to use fire safety equipment is a significant and valuable part of fire safety, it’s frequently the self-confidence and the capability to stay composed under the stress of an emergency that facilitates a safer handling of such situations.
Employee Safety
Employee protection is Undoubtedly the most compelling reason to conduct fire safety training in the workplace. Your employees are the ceaseless gears that keep your business in motion; neglecting their safety is akin to ignoring your enterprise’s foundation.
Employees lacking confidence in fire safety protocols tend to be less productive due to distraction and unease. A sense of safety should always be prevalent in the workplace, which also extends to visitors and customers. Fire safety training significantly enhances this feeling of security.
Importantly, fire safety involves more than just firefighting and evacuation—it also encompasses fire prevention, protection, and hazard identification. Fire safety training lessens the chances of fire outbreaks and empowers employees to handle emergencies effectively. Those trained in fire safety will know how to respond appropriately to ensure their own safety and the safety of others.
Cost Savings
Imparting basic fire safety training to every employee can bring about substantial cost savings and is therefore, highly beneficial for organisations. When all staff members are proficient in fire safety measures and prevention techniques, the organisation stands to gain significantly. Efficient equipment utilisation by well-trained employees can cut down expenses linked to servicing and repair.
Online training allows employers to further reduce costs while enhancing employee engagement. It’s been observed that fire safety training conducted through eLearning not only boosts knowledge retention but also fosters active participation from a wider employee base.
Regulatory Compliance
TheRegulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 stipulates that the designated Responsible Person of any non-residential premises has an obligation to undertake a fire risk assessment. This involves the incorporation of measures aimed at reducing or eradicating fire hazards and pinpointing individuals who are at risk.
Within the scope of a fire risk assessment, fire safety training often emerges as a critical element. By equipping employees with this training and maintaining a record of the safety training procedure, you are demonstrating a strong commitment to protecting your team and reducing fire risks.
Fire safety training should be scheduled within an employee’s typical working hours and pertinent to the specific fire precautions of their working environment. It is important to provide fire safety training and information to employees at the commencement of their employment and periodically throughout their time with you. If there are significant alterations to the workplace arrangement or configuration, a refresher course in fire safety training is required.
The Best Approach
If a fire occurs in the workplace, unprepared employees can worsen an already hazardous situation. Training in fire safety is vital to ensure that staff can carry out evacuation procedures with tranquillity and professionalism.
A well-structured training programme should inform employees about the origins of fires, how to mitigate risks, and the most suitable practices during an emergency. It should also provide them with the appropriate evacuation procedures tailored to their specific organisation.
Endnote
Fire safety training can save lives, protect property, and reduce lost profits due to damages caused by fires. While regulations and code requirements require certain levels of fire safety training in some industries, all employers should provide basic fire safety training for all employees regardless of industry.
