Fire Department Company Officer (3rd Edition)
Chapter 22 - Firefighter Safety & Health
"By the Numbers"
§ NFPA 1500, Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program.
§ On April 28, 1971, the Williams-Steiger Occupational Safety and Health Act became federal law in the U.S. and with the law, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was born.
§ Although federal OSHA has no jurisdiction over public-sector firefighters, the 25 states operating OSHA-approved state plans do cover them.
§ The 2-in/2-out rule applies to state and local government fire departments with OSHA-approved plans.
§ Federal regulations are contained in Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), which applies to labor.
§ Chapter XVII of Title 29 CFR contains the occupational safety and health requirements.
§ 29 CFR 1910.120 covers hazardous materials emergency response.
§ 29 CFR 1910.134 covers respiratory protection.
§ 29 CFR 1910.146 covers confined space operations.
§ 29 CFR 1910.156, Subpart L, covers fire brigades.
§ 29 CFR 1910.1030 covers bloodborne pathogens and requires employers to provide employees with immunizations against Hepatitis B.
§ 29 CFR 1910.1200 covers hazard communication (MSDS sheets).
§ 29 CFR 1910.1926, Subpart P "Excavations", covers trench operations.
§ NFPA 1500 was originally approved in 1987.
§ NFPA 1500 contains the minimum requirements for a fire department safety and health program.
§ NFPA 1500 includes requirements for training, education, vehicles, equipment, PPE, emergency operations, facility safety, medical/physical requirements for firefighters and employee assistance programs.
§ A few requirements of NFPA 1500 include inspection, maintenance, and repair of vehicles, PPE maintenance/use, SCBA maintenance/use, PASS maintenance/use, fire station safety, and proper apparatus riding procedures.
§ NFPA 1581, Standard for Fire Department Infection Control Program.
§ The 3 most effective ways of protecting firefighters from communicable diseases are through immunizations, protective barriers, and proper disposal of contaminated materials.
§ More than 100,000 firefighter injuries are reported each year in the U.S.
§ Strains and sprains account for over 30% of all firefighter injuries.
§ NFPA 1500 and 29 CFR 1910.134 state that firefighters must work in teams of 2 or more when in IDLH conditions and another equally equipped 2-person team outside to act as a rapid intervention team in case the entrance team needs rescue or assistance.
§ NFPA 1500 requires fire stations to be inspected for safety at least monthly.
§ Footwear should meet requirements of NFPA 1977.
§ Dr. Hans Selye developed a theory called the General Adaptation Syndrome which breaks stress into 3 stages: 1) alarm reaction, 2) resistance, and 3) exhaustion.
§ If 1 or more members of a crew is suffering from the effects of a especially stressful event, it would be couterproductive and perhaps dangerous to immediately send them out on another call.
§ CISD can be delayed for up to 72 hours after an extraordinarily traumatic incident.
§ Section 8-4.3 of NFPA 1500 recommends that autopsy results of in-the-line-of-duty deaths, if available, be recorded in the health and safety database.
§ A thorough and timely investigation is necessary to determine eligibility under the federal Public Safety Officer Benefit Act of 1976 (PSOB), which provides a benefit of up to $100,000 to survivors.
§ More information on eligibility requirements for PSOB can be obtained in 28 CFR 32 and the USFA publication Firefighter Autopsy Protocol.
§ Company officers are required by NFPA 1021, Standard for Fire Officer Qualifications, to be able to analyze accident/injury reports they receive from others.
§ Wellness programs are typically comprised of 3 subprograms: Medical, Physical Fitness, and Member/Employee Assistance Program (EAP).