Fire extinguishers in work vehicles Hi Janet
What was the risk assessment/decision that vehicles be provided with fire extinguishers in the first place i.e. is it an insurance policy requirement because all the vehicles are petrol-powered or the work that staff will be carrying out or something else? Who decided on the size/type of the extinguisher and what is its intended use i.e. leased vehicle or some other plant/machinery?
As a lease choice, diesel fuel vehicles will generally have a lower risk of engine-related fires.
What planning was put in place i.e. reason for issue, standard location in vehicle/s, size, extinguishing medium, who is responsible for checking them every year, what is the training requirement, has the vehicle safety policy been updated, is the bracket robust so extinguisher does not become a fast-moving object in a prang? If some staff state they would not use them it indicates that training of some sort is missing as there is a level of (anxiety)?
Having said all that, a functional fire extinguisher in a vehicle may one day be very, very useful and is a pro-active safety measure. Rural work location is a good reason for fitting extra safety kit and if a person is competent to drive the vehicle, being able to make a safety assessment prior to then correctly operating a "pull pin and squeeze" fire extinguisher is not a biggy.
Suggest also contact your local FENZ Fire Safety Officer or seek information online via the FENZ website. These people have the expertise and experience to offer sound advice.