2: Risks and Safe Working Practices

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Fire Hazards and Precautions
   1. Fire Awareness Tips
   2. Fire Prevention Tips
   3. Fire Extinguishers
   4. Classes of Fire
   5. Extinguisher Maintenance
   6. Types of Extinguisher
   7. Water and Foam
   8. Carbon Dioxide
   9. Wet and Dry Chemical
   10. Powder
   11. Fire Extinguishers Task
   12. Fire Extinguishers SAQ
3. Electrical Hazards
4. Electro Static Discharge (ESD)
5. Anti-Static Precautions and Safety Hazards

Water and Foam

Water extinguishers work by quickly removing the heat from the fire. Water extinguishers are only suitable for fighting Class A fires that involve materials such as wood, paper and textiles. Water should not be used to fight Class B fires because flammable liquids could be spread by the steam from the water, neither should they be used for Class E electrical fires because water conducts electricity there is a risk of electrocution.

Foam extinguishers work by quickly removing heat and oxygen from the fire. Foam extinguishers are suitable for Class A and Class B fires. They are especially suited for controlling Class B flammable liquid fires because the foam has a blanketing effect that smothers the flames without spreading the fire.

Next: Carbon Dioxide