Exams / HS&E Operatives / Fire prevention and response / Question 7
HS&E Operatives practice question: Fire prevention and response (7 of 7) A. Working environment A free question from our original HS&E Operatives practice exam. Try it, then open the answer to see why each option is right or wrong.
Last verified October 2026 against HSE guidance and the law ·How we write our questions
You find a small fire in a skip. You have never been trained to use a fire extinguisher.
What should you do?
Choose one answer.
A A. Throw a bucket of water on itB B. Carry on working and tell someone at breakC C. Raise the alarm and get outD D. Pick up the nearest extinguisher and try itShow the answer and explanation Answer: C
A. Wrong: Wrong. Water can be dangerous on some fires, such as electrical or flammable liquid fires. Raise the alarm.B. Wrong: Wrong. A small fire can spread fast. Raise the alarm straight away.C. Right: Right. HSE says nominated people should be trained to use extinguishers. If you are not trained, raise the alarm and get out.D. Wrong: Wrong. Using the wrong type, or using it wrongly, could put you in danger or make the fire worse.Explanation If you find a fire, raise the alarm. Only tackle it if you are trained and it is safe to do so.
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