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Lesson Plan 4020a

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This training session outline is designed to follow the accompanying booklet, Workplace Fire Safety. The booklet reviews the different causes of fires in the workplace and how to prevent them.

A. Background for Trainer: In the typical workplace, there are dozens of ways fires can start: chemicals, electricity, 200-191 flammable liquids, compressed gases, even poor housekeeping. All fires are dangerous, and even small fires can turn into disasters if employees don’t know how to respond to them properly. Equally important is knowing how to prevent fires from starting in the first place.

B. What OSHA Requires: The Employee Emergency Plans and Fire Prevention Plans sections of OSHA regs (29 CFR 1910.38 (b)(4)(i) and (ii)) require that employees be told about the fire hazards of the materials and processes to which they are exposed, as well as know those parts of the fire prevention plan that employees must know to protect themselves in the event of an emergency. There are also very detailed OSHA training standards when employers establish “fire brigades”— workers assigned to fight small fires (29 CFR 1910.156). These standards include training in the use of fire extinguishers. The general type of training covered in this session is highly recommended because it introduces many of the basic fire prevention and response issues that every employee should know.

C. Training Objectives: By the end of this session, employees should understand: ▲ The different potential causes of fires in the workplace. ▲ How to prevent fires from starting. ▲ How to respond in case of fire. ▲ Those parts of the organization’s fire prevention plan to protect themselves in the event of an emergency.

D. Pre-Quiz: Start off by asking the group some or all of the questions listed below. This tests their general knowledge of the topic and will guide you on what points to emphasize during the session.

1. Name some of the ways fires could start in this workplace. (Answer: Depending on the workplace, fires might be caused by careless smoking, sparks from electrical equipment, ignition of flammable liquids or gases, ignition of sawdust or scraps, etc.)

2. Name some of the ways people can prevent fires from starting. (Answer: No smoking around flammable or combustible materials, clean up flammables or combustibles so they don’t become a fire hazard, be careful with electrical equipment, etc.)

3. True or False: Fire drills aren’t very realistic; they’re just a mickey mouse exercise. (Answer: False. Fire drills should be taken very seriously, because it’s important for everyone to know, in advance, what to do in case of a real fire.) 11006300

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Fire Safety Lesson Plan 4020b

E. Session Outline: General Training Point: This session should emphasize the various ways to prevent fires, as well as the importance of knowing what to do if a fire starts.

1.

Introduction: Fire and Its Hazards

a. Hazards:

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i. Flame and heat ii. Burns, release of toxic vapors, or explosions iii. Suffocation

b. Basic rules of prevention: i. Eliminate fire hazards ii. Know how to respond if a fire breaks out. Training Tip: Describe an actual incident involving fire in your own or a nearby workplace to illustrate the hazards.

2.

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How Fires Happen

a. Combination of:

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i. Fuel (solid combustibles or liquid flammables) ii. Oxygen (the more oxygen, the more intense the blaze) iii. Ignition (sparks, flame, heat)

b. Avoid this combination to prevent fires. Training Tip: Ask workers to name some examples of fuels and ignition sources that are commonly present in your workplace.

3. a. b. c. d.

Responding to Fires

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200-191 Handout: Distribute copies of Handout #1, or use as an overhead slide, especially if you are not using the training booklet. If using the training booklet, either use the Handout here or review it at the end of the session. Know escape routes —know how to get out even if it’s dark or smoky Take fire drills seriously Act quickly —activate an alarm, evacuate immediately if an alarm sounds Take other actions if time permits: give warnings, shut off equipment, etc.

Training Tip: Distribute copies of your company’s emergency evacuation plan or state how employees can obtain it for review.

4.

Fire Extinguishers

a. Know the different types of extinguisher for different classes of fire 11006300

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Lesson Plan 4020c

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b. Only trained employees should use extinguishers c. Know “PASS” —Pull the pin, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep d. Don’t try to fight a large fire. Training Tip: Ask workers how long it takes to empty a typical fire extinguisher (less than a minute). Reviewing this page does not constitute complete fire extinguisher training. Schedule a mandatory or optional training session for using fire extinguishers, including demonstrations.

5.

Fire Prevention: Electrical

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200-191 Handout: Distribute copies of Handout #2, or use as an overhead slide, especially if you are not using the training booklet. If using the training booklet, either use the Handout here or review it at the end of the session. a. Misuse or failure of electrical equipment are major causes of fire:

i. Overloaded or damaged equipment ii. Hot lights or machinery contacting combustibles iii. Sparks from defective power tools

b. In case of electrical fire: i. ii. iii. iv.

Never touch burning person or object Turn off power Never use water on an electrical fire Sound alarm

c. Do’s and Don’ts (review as appropriate). Training Tip: If members of the group are not following along with their own booklets, read the Do’s and

Don’ts list on page 7. If they are using the booklet, have members of the group read the lists. Ask workers if they have had a near-miss or accident by not following any of these rules.

6.

Fire Prevention: Chemical

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200-191 a. Review MSDSs and labels for important fire prevention information b. MSDS tells flash point, flammability, reactivity, how to extinguish c. Label may include red color and a number–the higher the number, the greater the hazard.

Training Tip: Show examples of an MSDS and label for a flammable or combustible chemical used

in your workplace. Ask for volunteers to describe in their own words how flash point, flammability, and reactivity information might affect what they do on the job.

7.

Fire Prevention: Flammable Liquids

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200-191 a. Examples of flammable liquids: oil, gasoline, kerosene, solvents b. Prevention tips (read or review list on Page 10 as appropriate, depending on whether or not the group is using the booklet). 11006300

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Fire Safety Lesson Plan 4020d

Training Tip: Focus on the specific types of flammable liquids and prevention measures that apply to

your workplace.

8. Fire Prevention: Compressed Gases

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200-191 a. Compressed flammable gases have very low flash points and can be very hazardous b. Prevention tips (read or review list on Page 7 as appropriate, depending on whether or not the group is using the booklet).

Training Tip: Ask why compressed cylinders need to be fastened to a wall or other secure object (because if they fall the valve could be damaged, causing a very hazardous leak).

9. Fire Prevention: Welding, Cutting, and Brazing

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200-191 a. These operations can be highly hazardous, may require special authorization b. Prevention tips (read or review list on Page ? as appropriate, depending on whether or not the group is using the booklet).

Training Tip: If these operations are not applicable to your workplace or to this group, you can quickly skip over this material.

10. Fire Prevention: Housekeeping

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200-191 a. Good housekeeping is an important way to prevent fires b. Prevention tips (read or review list as appropriate, depending on whether or not the group is using the booklet).

Training Tip: Get workers to develop a list of examples of poor housekeeping and related fire hazards they have noticed in your workplace.

11. Other Fire Prevention Tips

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a. Smoking: i. Obey No Smoking signs and rules ii. Don’t smoke near flammables or combustibles iii. Extinguish cigarettes and matches in containers labeled for this purpose b. Space heaters: i. Use only approved heaters with proper fuel, where permitted ii. Have good ventilation iii. Heater should be off and cool before refueling iv. Keep away from combustibles and protect from tipping over c. Office safety: i. Don’t overload circuits or outlets ii. Don’t use equipment that is smoking or sparking iii. Don’t put cords under carpets iv. Keep storage areas clean. 11006300

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Lesson Plan 4020e

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Training Tip: Review your company’s smoking policy, especially if it is more restrictive than what is given here.

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Conclusion: Everyone Can Help Prevent Fires

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a. Know causes and how to prevent b. Know how to respond c. Rules apply to home as well as the workplace.

Training Tip: Ask three or four trainees to describe in detail what their escape route would be in a fire. Assuming they were blindfolded to represent dense smoke and a power outage, could they still describe it. Do they have other duties in a fire? Handout: If you have not already used them in the session, distribute copies of Handouts #1 and #2, which summarize the key points. You may also want to use the handouts as overhead slides to review these points.

F. Quiz: Have the group take the Quiz included on the back of the booklet without looking at the correct answers shown at the bottom of the page. After they have finished, review each question.

G. Wrap-up ▲ Ask for any final questions. ▲ Distribute the Training Session Attendance Form, and have the group sign and return it. ▲ Thank the group for their attention.

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Summary/Handout 4020g

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HANDOUT #1

Know How to Respond to Fires in the Workplace Even a small fire can lead to a serious emergency and, if not handled properly, to property damage, explosions, injuries, and death. Know what to do if a fire starts: ▲ Review the company’s Emergency Evacuation Plan. ▲ Take fire drills seriously— —know your escape route from all work stations. Could you make it out safety even when the area is dark or smoky? ▲ Act fast— —If you spot a fire, activate an alarm. —If you hear an alarm, evacuate the area according to plan. ▲ Learn how to use a fire extinguisher— —Know the types of extinguishers used on different types of fires. —Use “PASS”: Pull the pin, Aim, Squeeze the trigger, Sweep back and forth. —Don’t try to fight large fires yourself.

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Summary/Handout 4020i

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HANDOUT #2

Know How to Prevent Fires in the Workplace Fires can start—and be prevented—in many different ways. Type of Fire

How to Prevent

Electrical

Don’t overload circuits Don’t use damaged cords or power tools Don’t use “hot” equipment near combustibles

Chemical

Read the MSDS to know the chemical’s flash point, flammability, and reactivity Read the label to know whether the chemical is a fire hazard

Flammable and combustible liquids

Keep away from sources of ignition (gasoline, solvents) Clean up spills immediately

Compressed gases

Handle cylinders with extreme caution Keep cylinders away from heat Chain to wall

Poor housekeeping

Clean up flammables and combustibles Don’t block fire exits

Smoking

Obey “No Smoking” signs Don’t smoke near flammable or combustible materials

Space heaters

Keep away from combustibles Use only as the manufacturer intended

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