What qualifications must an individual have to conduct fire extinguisher training?

The fire extinguisher standard states only that an employer provide “the education required ...” without further explaining how that should be done. In a January 28, 1982, letter of interpretation, OSHA says that “where the employer has provided portable fire extinguishers for employee use in the workplace, the employer shall also provide an educational program to familiarize employees with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage fire fighting. Hands on experience using actual fires in a controlled environment is not required in your particular case.” In other words, it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that employees are properly trained for their assigned duties. As a good practice, the person who provides the training should have sufficient knowledge and experience to teach the trainees to properly use the necessary equipment and efficiently perform the anticipated fire fighting procedures.