If you have a position of responsibility for staff, you have probably installed fire extinguishers in your workplace or meeting place. There are rules and regulations which force us to have fire extinguishers, but how many business owners talk over with their staff, the issues of fire safety and fire safety equipment.
In a workplace where there are numerous people in a small space, panic can set in very quickly when there is a fire. Fear drives people to forget what they have been told and panic sets in.
Have you ever taken the time to show your staff individually, or in small groups, exactly how to use a fire extinguisher and what fire extinguisher to use under what circumstances? Not all fire extinguishers are for the same purpose, and many people do not realise this.
A WATER FIRE EXTINGUISHER
Just as it says, there is a water fire extinguisher, and this is used for putting out fires with paper, cloth, wood or cardboard. Almost gone are the days of cigarette butts causing fires in office rubbish bins, but other paper fires do happen and it pays to be prepared.
CO2 FIRE EXTINGUISHER
A 2Kg weight CO2 fire extinguisher is idea for most situations where are fire may start near electrical wiring. This could be in a kitchen, a work station with technological equipment, a meeting room, and also great for a home environment. These are very suitable for shops and warehouses.
You can see how your staff may not know which extinguisher to use, especially younger staff coming into the workforce who may not have been exposed to this knowledge. Showing these to new staff should be part of new staff initiation.
It is pointless having an extinguisher if you are not going to have the Instructions near by. Situate your fire extinguisher in an obvious place, and have the Instruction Sign right beside it. Near the exit door always seems to be a good place because people will see it as they start to leave the building, or will be passing it every time they go outside.
Every couple of months bring the attention of the staff to your fire safety strategy and make sure that your extinguishers are checked within their due date.
Experiencing a fire is something we all tend to believe will not happen to me. But a fire is just like drowning, you know the problem is there, you know you should be aware of it, and you know you need to know how to prevent it.
Everyone should have this knowledge of fire safety, and it is each and every persons responsibility to know how to use fire extinguishers before there is a fire.
In a workplace where there are numerous people in a small space, panic can set in very quickly when there is a fire. Fear drives people to forget what they have been told and panic sets in.
Have you ever taken the time to show your staff individually, or in small groups, exactly how to use a fire extinguisher and what fire extinguisher to use under what circumstances? Not all fire extinguishers are for the same purpose, and many people do not realise this.
A WATER FIRE EXTINGUISHER
Just as it says, there is a water fire extinguisher, and this is used for putting out fires with paper, cloth, wood or cardboard. Almost gone are the days of cigarette butts causing fires in office rubbish bins, but other paper fires do happen and it pays to be prepared.
CO2 FIRE EXTINGUISHER
A 2Kg weight CO2 fire extinguisher is idea for most situations where are fire may start near electrical wiring. This could be in a kitchen, a work station with technological equipment, a meeting room, and also great for a home environment. These are very suitable for shops and warehouses.
You can see how your staff may not know which extinguisher to use, especially younger staff coming into the workforce who may not have been exposed to this knowledge. Showing these to new staff should be part of new staff initiation.
It is pointless having an extinguisher if you are not going to have the Instructions near by. Situate your fire extinguisher in an obvious place, and have the Instruction Sign right beside it. Near the exit door always seems to be a good place because people will see it as they start to leave the building, or will be passing it every time they go outside.
Every couple of months bring the attention of the staff to your fire safety strategy and make sure that your extinguishers are checked within their due date.
Experiencing a fire is something we all tend to believe will not happen to me. But a fire is just like drowning, you know the problem is there, you know you should be aware of it, and you know you need to know how to prevent it.
Everyone should have this knowledge of fire safety, and it is each and every persons responsibility to know how to use fire extinguishers before there is a fire.
About the Author:
Fire safety is much more than only taking precautions, it is about knowledge and education and have the correct fire equiment. Do read much more about fire extinguishers here
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