OSHA governs almost everything that has to do with safety in the workplace. It's understandable that OSHA also covers fire extinguishers. OSHA fire extinguisher clearance is necessary to ensure that your workplace is prepared for a potential fire-related crisis. Here's what you need to know.
Training to Operate an Extinguisher
While achieving OSHA fire extinguisher clearance doesn't require any type of formal training, employers do need to direct employees on the proper use of a fire extinguisher. Employees will often first use a fire extinguisher under emergency circumstances, which means they may be panicked and may not have the time to think. Much like "stop, drop, and roll," training before an incident can help them react correctly even under difficult circumstances.
Employer fire extinguisher training should include:
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Different types of fire extinguishers. Water extinguishers stop fires by cooling them, while gas extinguishers stop fires by removing their fuel.
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When to use a fire extinguisher as opposed to evacuate. Once a fire has spread to a certain point, evacuation is better.
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How to properly use a fire extinguisher. Often, a fire extinguisher can kick back. Employees need to know how to operate the extinguisher properly.
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Where the fire extinguishers are. Employees should be taken on a tour of the fire extinguishers in the building, so they know where to access them.
Regular training will cut down on the chances that an employee could panic when confronted by a fire rather than using the extinguisher properly.
Monthly vs Annual Inspections
On a monthly basis, perform a visual inspection of any fire extinguishers. Annual fire extinguisher inspections should also be completed, and these do need to be properly documented.
During inspection:
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Make sure that the tamper seal of the extinguisher hasn't been broken and the locking mechanism is in place.
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Check for any signs of damage or corrosion on the extinguisher itself.
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Make sure that all of the extinguishers are in their proper places and that they are still easily accessible and haven't been blocked off.
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Check the pressure. If you don't know how to do this, you can take the extinguisher to the local fire department to be checked.
If extinguishers have expired, they will need to be immediately replaced. At a random basis, the local fire department may inspect your building for fire safety. During this time, they will also make sure that your fire extinguishers are in good working condition.
Standards for Extinguisher Placement
Fire extinguishers need to be placed two–five feet away from the floor, easy to see, and accessible. They should be placed on brackets or wall cabinets. This makes them easier to access in the event of a fire. Heavier fire extinguishers should be located around 3 feet from the floor, so they don't need to be lifted up.
There should be at least one fire extinguisher per 3,000 square feet of space. At any point, an employee should be no further away than 100 feet from a fire extinguisher. Employees should be able to immediately locate the fire extinguishers in the location and move towards it in the event of a fire.
Now that you know everything about OSHA fire extinguisher requirements, you just need to get the right fire extinguishers. You can source extinguishers from ELEVATE Marketplace today.
