What training must employees receive to operate a fire extinguisher?

OSHA states in 1910.157(g): “(1) 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.

(2) The employer shall provide the education required in paragraph (g)(1) of this section upon initial employment and at least annually thereafter.

(3) The employer shall provide employees who have been designated to use fire fighting equipment as part of an emergency action plan with training in the use of the appropriate equipment.

(4) The employer shall provide the training required in paragraph (g)(3) of this section upon initial assignment to the designated group of employees and at least annually thereafter.”

Based upon the above, if an employer has provided portable fire extinguishers for employee use in the workplace, then OSHA says an educational program to familiarize employees with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage fire fighting must also be provided.

Several options are allowed as follows:

Option 1 – Total evacuation of employees from the workplace immediately when alarm sounds. No one is authorized to use available portable fire extinguishers.

The employer must establish an emergency action plan, fire prevention plan, and train employees to evacuate immediately.

Option 2 – Designated employees are authorized to use portable fire extinguishers to fight fires. All other employees must evacuate workplace immediately when alarm sounds.

The employer must then establish an emergency action plan and annually train designated employees to use fire extinguishers.

Option 3 – All employees are authorized to use portable fire extinguishers.

The employer must establish an emergency action plan and annually train all employees to use fire extinguishers using hands-on training.

Option 4 – Extinguishers are provided but not intended for employee use.

In this case, an emergency action plan and fire prevention plan must be established and employees trained accordingly (hands-on training is not required).

Employers must also satisfy local/state building and fire codes in regard to fire extinguishers.