Fire Safety, Basic First Aid and Occupational Safety
Domain 6 tests three life-safety areas: fire prevention and response, basic first aid, and day-to-day occupational safety.
Fire safety
- Know the fire triangle and the site's fire plan. Use RACE: Rescue anyone in immediate danger, Alarm the alarm, Contain the fire by closing doors, Evacuate or Extinguish only if trained and the fire is small.
- Use PASS on an extinguisher: Pull the pin, Aim at the base, Squeeze the handle, Sweep. Match the extinguisher to the fire: water for ordinary solids, foam for flammable liquids, CO2 or dry powder for electrical, dry powder for gas. Never use water on electrical or cooking-oil fires.
- Keep fire exits, corridors and extinguisher points clear. Know the assembly point and roll-call procedure. Do not lock or block emergency exits.
Basic first aid
- Use DRSABCD: Danger, Response, Send for help, Airway, Breathing, CPR, Defibrillator. Compress at least 100–120 per minute, about 5–6 cm deep, and use an AED as soon as available.
- Control bleeding with direct pressure; cool burns with running water for about 20 minutes; do not burst blisters; place an unconscious breathing casualty in the recovery position; suspect spinal injury after a fall and keep the head still.
Occupational safety
- Report hazards, use PPE, practise safe manual handling, keep walkways dry, and follow electrical and chemical safety rules. The employer has duties under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (Act 514).
Worked example
A small waste-paper bin fire is spotted in an office. Reasoning: the guard raises the alarm, evacuates the room, confirms the fire is small and has a clear exit, then uses a water or ABC extinguisher at the base. If the fire spreads to wiring or curtains, he stops, closes the door and evacuates. He reports the incident and the used extinguisher.
Traps
Fighting a fire behind you; using water on electrical equipment; blocking exits; delaying the alarm; moving a suspected spinal casualty; not recording first-aid actions.