Should I always try to put out a fire?

No. Alert others and call it in first. Fight a fire only if it's small, you have a clear way out, you have the right extinguisher and you've been trained. Otherwise, leave.

Is PASS enough training?

No. It's a reminder, not training. Crews should be trained on the extinguishers on their site, per the employer's program. Check the current rule and your procedure.

Toolbox talk, 6 minutes

Fire Extinguisher Use Toolbox Talk

Fire extinguisher use talk: know where they are, know your exit first, and use the PASS steps only on a small fire if you've been trained on that unit.

See the talk All talks

Read it from your phone or print it. Add what’s true on your site today.

Toolbox talk, Procedures, about 6 minutes

Fire extinguisher use

Date

Site or job

Led by

Why this one

A small fire can be put out in seconds by someone who knows where the extinguisher is and how to use it. It can also grow fast. Knowing when to fight it and when to leave is the whole job.

Say this

1.Know where the extinguishers are on this site before you need one. Walk to the nearest one now.
2.Know what type is on your site and what it's rated for. Not every extinguisher works on every fire.
3.Alarm first. Call it in or pull the alarm, then decide whether to fight it.
4.Fight only a small fire, with your back to a clear exit and the right extinguisher. If in doubt, get out.
5.A common reminder is PASS. Pull the pin, aim at the base, squeeze, sweep side to side. Follow your unit's label.
6.Get trained on the extinguishers on your site. If you haven't been shown how to use one, don't guess. Leave.
7.After any use, even a partial one, report it so the extinguisher can be recharged or replaced.

Ask the crew

– Where is the nearest extinguisher to where you work today, and what's in the way of it?
– What would make you decide to leave and not fight a fire?
– Who here has actually held a live extinguisher in training, and what surprised you?

Watch for today

Extinguishers blocked by materials, missing from their spot or with a seal or tag gone.
Hot work, fuel or heaters with no extinguisher within reach.
Escape routes that are blocked or locked.

Close with: Know where it is, know your way out, and leave when it's too big.

Notes and questions raised

Name (print)

Signature

Initials

A starting point. Adapt it to your job, your procedures and the rules that apply to you. portalbaseai.com/toolbox-talks

Keep the sign-in on a phone.

Give the talk, collect signatures on a phone with no signal needed, and keep the record by crew and by date.

Book a walkthrough See training and sign-off

Get a new toolbox talk by email.

A new talk, template or guide when we publish one. No spam, and you can leave any time.

Common questions

Should I always try to put out a fire?: No. Alert others and call it in first. Fight a fire only if it's small, you have a clear way out, you have the right extinguisher and you've been trained. Otherwise, leave.
Is PASS enough training?: No. It's a reminder, not training. Crews should be trained on the extinguishers on their site, per the employer's program. Check the current rule and your procedure.

Related talks, tools and terms

Free tool