HA1100 PDF Firefighter Safety - NC
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hazard Hazards Firefighters Face The hazards firefighters face are incredibly dangerous, particularly while on scene. There is an element of unpredictability with the nature of the call (even with adequate size-up by incident command) and then the conditions either get worse or improve, but never stay the same. While the general public is aware of typical firefighting hazards— heat, flame, smoke—there may be a lack of awareness of the hazards that firefighters face as a result of this dynamic work environment. Deteriorating fire conditions can lead to a severe and sudden decrease in visibility and a sharp increase in heat. The intensity can cause the firefighter to become disoriented and unable to concentrate and communicate effectively, resulting in the firefighter getting lost and potentially running out of air before rescue. There are also threats of structural collapse and falls through roofs and floors because the increased heat and flame weaken the structure. Perhaps less obvious hazards firefighters face while on duty are those such as working roadside next to high speed traffic and distracted drivers (as well as struck-by hazards working around the fire apparatus itself), structural instability of older abandoned buildings, and hidden hazards as a result of structures that have been renovated and expanded. There are also modern-day hazards such as those created by green energy (for example, electrical hazards from working on hybrid/ electric vehicles and ventilating a roof on a structure with solar panels). Structural firefighting hazards are also increased by modern-day lightweight construction and increased fuel loads. Being a firefighter today means more than just fighting a fire and extricating people from motor vehicle accidents. It is also rescuing people from trenches, confined spaces, swift water, embankments, towers and collapsed structures. Firefighters respond to medical emergencies, law enforcement activity, and hazardous material spills and leaks. It is an honorable occupation, but a high stressed and highly hazardous one. Line of Duty Death (LODD) Although the U.S. Fire Administration fire fatality and injury data show thatmostcardiacarrestcasesarecausedbystress/overexertion,cardiacarrest can also occur from inhaling hot smoke and gas. This was the case with a line of duty death on July 28, 2011, in Asheville. The fire department responded to a four-alarm structure fire at a five-story commercial building with 60-plus firefighters on scene. The crew was initially assigned to search and clear the floors of occupants. Later the assignment moved to mounting an interior fire attack. Officials said the victim went into cardiac arrest after suffering from exposure to heat and smoke. A fellow firefighter put in a valiant rescue effort and sustained smoke inhalation injuries himself. Early news articles alluded to the standpipe problems and locked doors being contributing factors in the cause of death. However, upon investigation by NCDOL, the evidence suggests that while these factors could have reduced the amount of time to extinguish the fire, they were not the direct cause of death. This line of duty death, like the majority of fatalities incurred while operating at a structure fire, cannot be attributed to one or even two causal factors. The incident commander effectively managed the scene, especially considering the magnitude of this fire, and the resulting dual operation (when the mission changed to include the mayday rescue along with continued fire suppression). The personnel accountability reporting system seemed to be well managed, and a rapid intervention team (RIT) was established and responded accordingly. Recommendations for Prevention While OSHA standards are in place to protect the safety and health of America’s workers and are enforced by NCDOL in North Carolina, protection of firefighters must go beyond the OSHA standards. The fatality described above was not due to any violations of the OSHA standards. However, this does not preclude fire departments from working to improve safety during on-scene operations and training evolutions. There are many recommendations reflecting the multiple factors identified as possible contributing causes to the line of duty deaths and injuries. The following recommendations are not all-inclusive, but have been identified as contributing factors in recent incidents. Air Management (managing the amount of air left in the self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) cylinder) Firefighters and officers are in a continuous risk versus benefit evaluation. Firefighters by nature push themselves to produce maximum benefits while treading as close as possible to the threshold between moderate and high risk. The constant analysis of risk versus benefit is second nature to most firefighters, but becomes more of a deliberate decision when trying to determine how much longer to stay once the low air alarm activates. Most firefighters will make a quick calculation on how long they can stay and fight, or how many more rooms they can search, based on factors like their distance to the exit, the conditions in which they are operating, and the benefit obtained by staying. Some situations where the decision to leave might be pushed back are the conditions are improving, the firefighter is in the middle of a rescue, or is helping a downed firefighter (a mayday situation), or they are thinking knock down can be achieved in quick order. Some situations where the decision to leave might be accelerated are rapidly deteriorating conditions Division of Occupational Safety and Health 1101 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699 - 1101 Cherie Berry, Commissioner of Labor 1 - 800 - 625 - 2267 wwww.nclabor.com Working to Prevent Line of Duty Deaths, Injuries and Illnesses to North Carolina Firefighters Firefighter wearing full turnout gear. SCBAs and firefighting tools. HA1100
Transcript of HA1100 PDF Firefighter Safety - NC
hazard
Hazards Firefi ghters Face The hazards fi refi ghters face are incredibly dangerous, particularlywhile on scene. There is an element of unpredictability with the natureof the call (even with adequate size-up by incident command) and thenthe conditions either get worse or improve, but never stay the same. While the general public is aware of typical fi refi ghting hazards—heat, fl ame, smoke—there may be a lack of awareness of the hazards that fi refi ghters face as a result of this dynamic work environment. Deterioratingfi re conditions can lead to a severe and sudden decrease in visibility and a sharp increase in heat. The intensity can cause the fi refi ghter to becomedisoriented and unable to concentrate and communicate effectively,resulting in the fi refi ghter getting lost and potentially running out ofair before rescue. There are also threats of structural collapse and fallsthrough roofs and fl oors because the increased heat and fl ame weakenthe structure.
Perhaps less obvious hazards fi refi ghters face while on duty are those such as working roadside next to high speed traffi c and distracted drivers (as well as struck-by hazards working around the fi re apparatus itself), structural instability of older abandoned buildings, and hidden hazards asa result of structures that have been renovated and expanded. There are alsomodern-day hazards such as those created by green energy (for example,electrical hazards from working on hybrid/ electric vehicles and ventilatinga roof on a structure with solar panels). Structural fi refi ghting hazardsare also increased by modern-day lightweight construction and increasedfuel loads. Being a fi refi ghter today means more than just fi ghting a fi re andextricating people from motor vehicle accidents. It is also rescuing peoplefrom trenches, confi ned spaces, swift water, embankments, towers andcollapsed structures. Firefi ghters respond to medical emergencies, lawenforcement activity, and hazardous material spills and leaks. It is anhonorable occupation, but a high stressed and highly hazardous one.
Line of Duty Death (LODD) Although the U.S. Fire Administration fi re fatality and injury data show that most cardiac arrest cases are caused by stress/overexertion, cardiac arrestcan also occur from inhaling hot smoke and gas. This was the case with aline of duty death on July 28, 2011, in Asheville. The fi re departmentresponded to a four-alarm structure fi re at a fi ve-story commercial buildingwith 60-plus fi refi ghters on scene. The crew was initially assigned tosearch and clear the fl oors of occupants. Later the assignment moved tomounting an interior fi re attack. Offi cials said the victim went into cardiacarrest after suffering from exposure to heat and smoke. A fellow fi refi ghterput in a valiant rescue effort and sustained smoke inhalation injurieshimself.
Early news articles alluded to the standpipe problems and lockeddoors being contributing factors in the cause of death. However, uponinvestigation by NCDOL, the evidence suggests that while these factorscould have reduced the amount of time to extinguish the fi re, they werenot the direct cause of death. This line of duty death, like the majority of fatalities incurred whileoperating at a structure fi re, cannot be attributed to one or even twocausal factors. The incident commander effectively managed the scene,especially considering the magnitude of this fi re, and the resulting dualoperation (when the mission changed to include the mayday rescuealong with continued fi re suppression). The personnel accountabilityreporting system seemed to be well managed, and a rapid interventionteam (RIT) was established and responded accordingly.
Recommendations for Prevention While OSHA standards are in place to protect the safety and health ofAmerica’s workers and are enforced by NCDOL in North Carolina,protection of fi refi ghters must go beyond the OSHA standards. The fatalitydescribed above was not due to any violations of the OSHA standards.However, this does not preclude fi re departments from working to improvesafety during on-scene operations and training evolutions. There are many recommendations refl ecting the multiple factorsidentifi ed as possible contributing causes to the line of duty deaths andinjuries. The following recommendations are not all-inclusive, but havebeen identifi ed as contributing factors in recent incidents.
Air Management (managing the amount of air left in theself-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) cylinder) Firefi ghters and offi cers are in a continuous risk versus benefi t evaluation.Firefi ghters by nature push themselves to produce maximum benefi tswhile treading as close as possible to the threshold between moderateand high risk. The constant analysis of risk versus benefi t is second nature tomost fi refi ghters, but becomes more of a deliberate decision when trying to determine how much longer to stay once the low air alarm activates. Most fi refi ghters will make a quick calculation on how long they canstay and fi ght, or how many more rooms they can search, based on factorslike their distance to the exit, the conditions in which they are operating,and the benefi t obtained by staying. Some situations where the decision to leave might be pushed backare the conditions are improving, the fi refi ghter is in the middle of a rescue,or is helping a downed fi refi ghter (a mayday situation), or they are thinkingknock down can be achieved in quick order. Some situations where thedecision to leave might be accelerated are rapidly deteriorating conditions
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Division of Occupational Safety and Health1101 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1101
Cherie Berry, Commissioner of Labor
1-800-625-2267 wwww.nclabor.com
Working to Prevent Line of Duty Deaths, Injuries and Illnesses to North Carolina Firefi ghters
Firefi ghter wearing full turnout gear.
SCBAs and fi refi ghting tools.
HA1100
and a fi re attack that is having little effect (both of which are universalindicators of danger that require a change in tactics). The difference between a fi refi ghter’s survival and a line of duty death is the accuracy of that calculation made when the low air alarm fi rst activates. On that one day where conditions deteriorate rapidly, an extra minuteor two of air can get the fi refi ghter home at the end of the shift. Fire operations need to ensure their fi refi ghters and offi cers aretrained on managing their air supply.
When to Call MaydayBelieve it or not, this is a hard call to make. There is a fear of calling
mayday too soon and when not needed. Firefi ghters will wait until thelast minute to make this call (or may not make it at all). Waiting to the lastminute is too late. Even if a RIT has been established and is available forassignment, it will take some time for the rescuers to reach the maydaycaller. Departments should develop operating procedures for when andhow to initiate emergency radio traffi c, and fi refi ghters and offi cersneed to train on mayday calling and responding. The culture of the fi redepartment needs to change to encourage and support the fi refi ghtersin calling mayday earlier.
Other Recommendations and Requirements Training on buddy breathing is essential in helping a fellow fi refi ghter survive in a low air or no air situation. It is also vital to train with mutual aid departments if they use air packs from a different manufacturer.
Communication is always a big hurdle to manage on the fi re ground. It can be especially diffi cult for the incident commander to hear all the radio traffi c on a multiple alarm event.
An extra set of “ears” standing by the incident commander is a good idea, along with an “interior set of ears.” (With all the noise and activity on scene, the interior crews may miss transmissions.)
Status updates must be communicated to the incident commander and to other interior crews (which may be best accomplished by face-to-face communications in addition to radio communications).
The fi re department should have guidelines for proper radio etiquette and standard operating procedures to address fi re ground reporting requirements. For example, the personnel accountability reporting system (“calling PAR”) is more than just checking the numbers (it is not just a roll call), it is also a status report—checking for and responding to problems as well.
Ensure the RIT assignments and responsibilities are specifi c, and be prepared to expand the RIT response at larger scale events.
The radios must be in good working order (no mechanical/ technical issues), so that the communication equipment does not cause interference or a loss in transmission itself.
Ventilation management: Know when and where to ventilate based on exterior conditions, such as wind direction, and interior conditions (fi re location and status). This ties back into communication as well. well. Improper ventilation can lead to a line of duty death. Remember the basics: Refer back to the International Fire Service Training Association’s Essentials of Firefi ghting, training received
in the academy or rookie school, and Firefi ghter I/II classes. For
example, if using a fog nozzle and there is a problem getting water to the line through a standpipe system, try fl ushing the nozzle. Also, if possible, hooking into a standpipe on the fl oor below the fi re fl oor and then fl aking out extra hose to the fl oor above the fi re fl oor.
Keep up with current technology and methods such as using a fold for high-rise packs that allows for quicker and easier deployment. A pack that’s easier to deploy will be easier to fl ake out, reducing the possibility of kinking and knotting of the line.
Develop and implement departmental policies that incorporatethe basics and refl ect current methods, technologies, and leading
recommendations such as a policy on elevator use in mid-rise and high-rise buildings.
Many of the LODDs from motor vehicle accidents are due to the driver or riders not wearing seat belts. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) requires the driver and all people riding in a fi re apparatus to be seated and secured with
seat belts. Develop and implement an effective seat belt use policy.
Fire AdministrationOSHA standards and other applicable consensus standards such as
the NFPA require the employer to develop, maintain and implement a variety of safety and health programs. The standard most frequently cited as serious in North Carolina forfi re departments is the Respiratory Protection Standard, 29 CFR 1910.134.This standard requires a written respiratory protection program, fi t testing,medical evaluations, training, respirator inspections and maintenance, etc. (The “two in/two out” rule of the Respiratory Protection Standard would be handled by fi re operations.) Other standards frequently cited as serious (note that there are manyother standards applicable to the fi re protection industry): 29 CFR 1910.120, HAZWOPER (Hazardous Waste Operations andEmergency Response Standard), particularly with procedures for handlingthe emergency response (the incident command system). Fire operations and fi re administration will both have a hand in meeting these requirements. 29 CFR 1910, Subpart S, Electrical, especially 1910.304 and 1910.305,wiring design, methods and equipment for general use (use of fl exible cords and cables, etc.) These hazards are typically found in the station. 29 CFR 1910.1030, Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, particularly a lack of an exposure control plan. 29 CFR 1910.1200, Hazard Communication Standard, particularly alack of a written hazard communication program and improperly labeledor unlabeled hazardous chemicals. These hazards are typically foundin the station.
Help for Employers
For more information concerning education, training andinterpretations of occupational safety and health standards contact
Education, Training and Technical Assistance Bureau
Fourth Floor, Old Revenue Building, Raleigh, N.C.Telephone: 919-807-2875, Fax: 919-807-2876
For more information concerning occupational safety and health consultative services contact
Consultative Services BureauThird Floor, Old Revenue Building, Raleigh, N.C.
Telephone: 919-807-2899, Fax: 919-807-2902
Mailing Address:1101 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699-1101
1-800-625-2267 www.nclabor.com
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SCBAs and fi refi ghting tools.
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