Personal Safety and Emergency Procedures
Personal Safety and Emergency Procedures tests burn and cut prevention, slips, fire response, lifting and emergency action. Expect practical questions on extinguisher classes and first response.
Burns, cuts and slips
Use dry cloths for hot pans, keep handles turned inward, and open steamer doors away from the face. Cut away from the body with a sharp knife. Clean spills immediately; wear non-slip shoes. Keep walkways clear and store items safely.
Fire response
Fire classes: A solids, B flammable liquids, C gases, D metals, F/K cooking oils. For a pan fire, cut the heat and cover with a fire blanket or lid; never use water. Use the PASS technique on extinguishers: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep. Know evacuation routes and assembly points.
Lifting and emergency action
Lift with the legs, keep the load close and avoid twisting. Report injuries and near misses. Know first-aid locations, emergency numbers and shutdown points for gas, electricity and water.
Worked example
A pan of oil ignites on the range. The correct response is to turn off the heat, cover the pan with a lid or fire blanket, and back away. Water is never used because it flashes to steam and spreads burning oil. If the fire is not immediately controlled, evacuate and call emergency services.
Traps that cost marks
Water on a grease fire; moving a burning pan; blocking fire exits; using the wrong extinguisher class; and lifting with a twisted back.
Key points
- Never use water on a grease fire; cut heat and cover.
- PASS: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep.
- Fire classes A, B, C, D and F/K.
- Keep exits and walkways clear.
- Lift with the legs and avoid twisting.