At Timberline, safety is our #1 priority and the responsibility of our entire team. In recognition of this year’s Construction Safety Week, we held an interactive training session on fire extinguisher safety, giving everyone – both field and office staff – the opportunity to learn a critical life skill that could make all the difference in an emergency.

Prevention as the First Line of Defense

Statistics show that fires pose a serious threat on and off the project site, with an average of 4,300 construction fires and 358,500 house fires occurring each year. Given the risk, we make sure Timberline’s office and field staff are well-prepared and empowered to make safe decisions no matter their environment. We follow strict safety protocols and implement a multitude of preventative measures, some of which include:

  • Regular safety training (All Superintendents are OSHA 30-Hour and FPPM Certified)
  • Prohibiting smoking in certain areas
  • Storing flammable liquids in approved containers
  • Following manufacturing codes for temporary heating systems

Despite these precautions and a vigilant team, fires can still break out. When they do, a quick and effective response is crucial. That’s where fire extinguisher training comes in.

Learning the PASS Method

The training session was held by our General Superintendent / Safety Officer, Keith Pearson, who taught our team about the different types of fires, when it’s appropriate to use an extinguisher and how to properly operate one. A key part of the training included an overview of the PASS method which is an easy-to-remember acronym for using a fire extinguisher effectively:

  • Pull the pin. Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you, and release the locking mechanism.
  • Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.
  • Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.
  • Sweep the nozzle from side to side.

To put these concepts to the test, we staged a ‘live fire’ in a controlled environment – a cleared and flagged section of our office parking lot. After a quick demonstration, each participant practiced the PASS method with a real fire and fire extinguisher under the watchful eye of our Safety Officer. This hands-on approach was a fun way to build confidence and ensure everyone understood the correct technique.

A Thank You

By reinforcing emergency response protocols and providing practical fire extinguisher training, we empowered our team to act quickly and safely in the event of a fire. Thank you to RE Lyons & Sons for the equipment, The Canton Fire Department for their guidance and our team of internal experts for teaching us a valuable skill this Construction Safety Week.

Resources:
NFPA Construction Safety