What should you do if a fire extinguisher is empty?

When faced with an empty fire extinguisher, the proper course of action is to report it for maintenance. An empty extinguisher will not effectively put out a fire, which poses a significant safety risk. Reporting it ensures that it can be refilled, inspected, or replaced, thereby maintaining an adequate level of fire safety equipment in your environment.

This action supports workplace safety protocols by ensuring that all fire extinguishers are functional and ready for use in case of an emergency. Regular maintenance and checks of fire-fighting equipment are crucial in preventing potential hazards, as every safety tool should be operational and reliable when needed.

Leaving the extinguisher in place without action does not resolve the issue and could lead to a dangerous situation if a fire were to occur. Using an empty extinguisher could hinder emergency response efforts and contribute to a more challenging situation during an actual fire event. Discarding the extinguisher improperly could violate safety regulations and result in non-compliance with workplace safety standards. Hence, reporting it for maintenance is the most responsible and effective option.