Do You Have the Right Fire Extinguishers?

The National Fire Protection Association notes that portable fire extinguishers can “save lives and property by putting out a small fire or containing it until the fire department arrives, but portable extinguishers have limitations.”
The three most commonly used fire extinguishers are air-pressurized water (APW), carbon dioxide and multi- purpose/dry chemical. According to OSHA:

• Air-pressurized water extinguishers are designed to be used only on Class A fires (wood, paper, cloth, rubber and certain plastics). Never use an APW extinguisher on flammable liquid fires, as it may make the situation worse, or electrical fires, as it may cause electrocution.
• Carbon dioxide extinguishers put out fires by displacing oxygen. Be aware that pieces of dry ice will shoot from the device. Carbon dioxide extinguishers are meant for use only on Class B fires (oils, gasoline, some paints, lacquers, grease, solvents and other flammable liquids) and Class C fires (electrical fires, including fires in wires, fuse boxes and energized electrical equipment).
• Multi-purpose/dry chemical extinguishers coat the fuel element with a thin layer of fire-retardant powder, OSHA notes. Although generally rated for Class B and C fires, they may be marked as multi-purpose for use in Class A, B and C fires. All fire extinguishers will be marked with labeling that identifies what class of fire it can be used on.

To use a fire extinguisher; NFPA recommends remembering to PASS:

• Pull the pin and hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointed away from you, then release the locking mechanism.
• Aim low – point at the base of the fire.
• Squeeze the lever slowly.
• Sweep the nozzle in a side-to-side motion.

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Register for Hazardous Waste Management: The Complete Course and DOT Hazardous Materials Training: The Complete Course in Kansas City, MO, on February 20-22 and save $100 or receive an Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet with electronic versions of both handbooks. To take advantage of this offer, click here or call 800-537-2372.

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Register for California Hazardous Waste Management and DOT Hazardous Materials Training: The Complete Course in San Jose, CA, on February 27 – March 1 and save $100 or receive an Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet with electronic versions of both handbooks. To take advantage of this offer, click here or call 800-537-2372.

CDC’s New WISQARS Data Visualization
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) is an interactive, online database that provides fatal and nonfatal injury, violent death, and cost of injury data from a variety of trusted sources. You can use WISQARS data to learn more about the public health and economic burden associated with unintentional and violence-related injury in the United States.

Occupational Health Internship Program (OHIP) Offers Paid Summer Internships
The Occupational Health Internship Program (OHIP) online application is now open for summer 2018. OHIP is a national summer program dedicated to help students learn about the field of occupational safety and health  from those most at stake: working people. Please help spread the word about this nine-week, paid summer internship opportunity open to undergraduate and graduate students interested in occupational safety and health, and in working with worker organizations like unions and worker centers. The application deadline is February 16, at 11:59 pm PST.

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