Fire Extinguisher Safety Toolbox Talk
A small fire can be put out in seconds with the right extinguisher. Use the wrong one and you can make it much worse, or get electrocuted. Today we cover which extinguisher to use, how to use it, and when to walk away.
Takes about 5 minutes.
Key points to read out
- Know where the extinguishers are on this site, and keep them clear and easy to reach.
- Check the gauge is in the green and the service tag is in date.
- Know the label colours: red is water, cream is foam, black is CO2, blue is dry powder, yellow is wet chemical.
- Never use water on electrical fires or burning fuel.
- Use PASS: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, Sweep side to side.
- Only fight a small fire, with a clear exit behind you. If it is spreading or there is a lot of smoke, get out.
- Raise the alarm and call 999 first, even if you think you can put it out.
- Report any extinguisher that has been used, even partly, so it can be replaced.
Questions to ask the crew
- Where is the nearest extinguisher to where you are working?
- Which extinguisher would you use on an electrical fire?
- What does PASS stand for?
- When should you not try to fight a fire?
Reference: CDM 2015 regs 29 to 31 (fire on construction sites). Occupied premises: Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (England and Wales), Fire (Scotland) Act 2005, Fire Safety Regulations (NI) 2010
Sign-in sheet
Print this page or download the sign-in sheet. Or run it in the app and the crew signs on the phone.
| Name | Company | Signature |
|---|---|---|
Get it signed
Run this talk in the app. The crew signs on your phone and you get a dated attendance record as a PDF.