Mark Talbot-Sykes's newest comments

Iain – I have to totally disagree. To read the instructions before using an extinguisher is something you should ‘always do’ especially when about to use it in anger. Good training will make the point about when to use and when not to use, but in the end it will be down to the operator at the time making a judgement call (risk assessment) as for your species comment, no comment.

Les - I fail to see how pointing out the disadvantages of a DP can be used to justify not to use it, you could apply the same to any extinguisher even water. Surely the point is, if in doubt get out and don’t forget Aunty Mabel , if safe to do so and you have been trained tackle the fire.

Mark

Kevin – sorry my misunderstanding. I was thrown off by the word motivated.
Mark

Geoff – the statement you will hear all the time with Fire Training is ‘if safe to do so’ and that does not change irrespective of the situation you are faced with.

Kevin – I find your comments on ‘motivated’ completely baffling and maybe I am naive but I don’t see how Aunty Mabel figures in any decision to protect yourself, passenger or your vehicle!

You do not need to fight the fire to affect an escape, although in reality you may have to but it’s not a requirement ‘if safe to do so’. Any information (Plan) provided for employees will tell the worker what to do in the case of a fire!

Any good trainer will tell the delegates to read the instruction on an extinguisher before use, in every situation. With the number of extinguishers available and the fact that most are all red the need to read the label/instructions before use is very important. Having said that, training is essential because the instructions on some extinguishers are not very clear or specific of certain types of fires.

One last thing to mention, when arranging training for your staff, make sure the training is suitable and sufficient because the technique of using an extinguisher in an office is completely different to using an extinguisher on a vehicle fire.

Regards,

Mark

For some reasons the ending to my comments were not displayed so here they are - comments that end my reply to Alan --- but of course every situation is different and I am always open to suggestion, opinion and am always willing to learn or try a new approach. Mark

Brian. The benefits of good training will identify that type of situation. Unfortunately a lot of trainers have little experience or practical hands on and only teach from training school procedures or what they have been shown, which is ok in a controlled environment. Also a number of well know companies produce DVD’s for Extinguishers Training and I have (to date) never seen one that teaches the correct way to use extinguishers, in particular the Dry Powder (Dry Chemical as it is referred to). A blanket could be used but again good training will identify when and when not to use, locations you are likely to find them and the advantages and disadvantages, how to use etc, so back to the main question ‘to use or not to use’ Use but make sure the training you are paying for meets your needs and is delivered by experienced trainers. Mark

Alan, Again thanks for the comment and actually I didn’t realise it was my question that sparked the debate! and yes I fully agree, the more people know the better they will feel and more they will understand, as someone that’s been involved in Safety for a lot of years, there is the real problem ‘opinion and interpretation’ and although goal setting legislation is an excellent way of empowering people, it does by the same token cause a lot of problems and opens the door for your more unscrupulous types! I have not really commented on some of the issues discussed but rather enjoyed the debate but I will just say having done a lot of Extinguisher Training and been involved in a number of Risk Assessment, I can see both sides of the argument but I could never foresee a situation where I could justify telling someone not to have FAFA’s, say in a populated work place! So I would say ‘Training and use’

Thanks Alan. I am a little confused (new member) can anyone tell me what the original questions was? I am new member and the first post in this list, but I didn’t ask the question, so who did and what was it?

Chaps, I find the whole topic and your comments interesting, keep it up but in the mean time, I thought Donnington had sprinklers and the Fire Service decided to turn them off – or is this another urban myth???

You have a ‘Duty of Care’ even as a contractor and these types of companies are putting people at risk knowingly – it’s time to be counted! (although that’s easy for me to say)

Jenny – as stated there is no set period but I would say 3 years is too long no matter what the risks. Two years is long enough and in some cases I would recommend one year refreshers, especially in a High Risk Manual Handling environment. Any good providers will tailor the training to meet your needs. Mark 078 33 79 39 40

Try erecting a smoking booth away from the bedrooms and encourage punters to use it

can you email the white paper - use or not to use - I an unable to download the PDF!