Fire extinguishing training (FET) is essential for employees and their employers. If you’re an employer looking for information on FET for your employees, be sure to read the information provided below. We’ll discuss various types of fire extinguishers that employees may need training for. Additionally, we’ll explain some of the OSHA requirements for fire extinguisher training.

Types of fire extinguishers employees may need FET for

1. Pressurized water/foam — This type of extinguisher is suitable for burning solids like wood. It’s also suitable for liquids on fire like petrol. Employers may need the training to use this extinguisher because it is not effective for all types of fires. In some cases, it can cause liquid fires to spread.

2. Wet chemical — The wet chemical fire extinguisher is useful for restaurant kitchens. It forms a layer of foam over material on fire and is particularly good for grease and fat fires.

3. Carbon dioxide — Carbon dioxide extinguishers are for separating oxygen from heat. These are good for combating ordinary combustible materials like paper, cloth, wood and plastic.

4 OSHA requirements for FET

OSHA’s website lists a number of standards and requirements for employers dealing with fire extinguishers and training for their employees:

1. 1910.157(g)(1) —If an employer provides portable fire extinguishers in the workplace for employee use, they should also provide education and training for employees on how the fire extinguishers should be properly handled in the event of an emergency.

2. 1910.157(g)(2) —Employers must provide fire extinguisher education and training at the onset of new employment and every year during the new hire’s employment thereafter.

3. 1910.157(g)(3) —Employers must provide employees who have been designated as fit for use of fire extinguishers with training on the equipment that should be used for certain types of fires.

4. 1910.157(g)(4) —Employers must provide fire extinguisher training upon initial designation of fit for use of fire extinguishers and every year of employment thereafter.

Basin Safety can help ensure that your workers receive fire
extinguisher training 

Basin Safety could be a great fit for your business if you’re looking for professional assistance in mitigating risk of injury liability and addressing employee safety. We specifically offer fire extinguisher training, fire safety field services, and a variety of fire extinguishing products so that your employees can be OSHA compliant and prepared to handle a work environment in heavy industry. We’re committed to helping companies build a list of their own safety goals and helping them achieve those goals. We also believe in the power of safety metrics, providing adaptive training, promoting safety culture and supporting our customers’ vision.

Contact our team today to learn more about fire extinguisher training or for more information about all the training programs and field services we offer.