Chapter 7: Occupational Safety, Health, and Wellness

Inspections and Maintenance of PPE

• Inspections should be conducted regularly, following a formal schedule, and when the PPE is first accepted by the department and after any repair.
• New equipment is assigned an inspection label when it is delivered to the department.
• Formal, annual, or preventive maintenance inspections are performed by trained mechanics, repair technicians, or the department Health and Safety Officer (HSO).
• Inspections should take place in accordance with NFPA 1851 and AHJ policies and procedures at regularly scheduled intervals.

Importance of Proper Care and Maintenance of PPE

• Equipment that is clean and in serviceable condition continues to perform as it was intended.
• Proper care and maintenance ensures that the original cost/benefit ratio used to select the equipment is met.

Cleaning PPE

• Clean PPE, following each exposure to smoke or contaminated atmospheres.
• Use water and a mild detergent to clean the outer shell of the coat and trousers, including the cuffs and collar, boots, hood, gloves, helmet shell, and neck shroud.
• Clean the helmet headband and chinstrap, as needed, in a similar fashion.
• Advanced or special cleaning will be required to decontaminate PPE that has been exposed to hazardous materials.
• General cleaning and care procedures include:
• Never use bleach or a product containing bleach on PPE.
• Clean PPE in the designated cleaning area.
• Remove liners from shells and wash separately.
• Clean contaminated PPE in a designated decon sink.
• Keep PPE in the assigned storage area and away from diesel exhaust.
• Wash PPE in a designated washer, not one used for sheets and towels.
• Dry PPE in a designated dryer or by hanging it on a drying rack.
• Do not hang PPE in direct sunlight to dry, as ultraviolet light will degrade the fabric.

Storage of PPE

• All PPE must be stored properly in well-ventilated, secure lockers in or adjacent to the apparatus room.
• PPE should never be stored or taken into the living quarters of the station.

Maintenance of PPE

• Simple maintenance, such as the replacement of a helmet chin strap, can easily be performed by the wearer.
• Most maintenance and repairs, however, must be performed by certified or qualified repair technicians with the proper tools and repair parts.
• Never modify any piece of PPE.

Resources for Fire and Emergency Services

• Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives — A blueprint to reducing firefighter injuries and deaths.
• FirefighterCloseCalls.com - An independent newsletter sharing information about “close call” incidents and those that resulted in firefighter injuries and fatalities.
• EVENT (EMS Voluntary Event Notification Tool) - A tool designed to improve the safety, quality and consistent delivery of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) by collecting data from EMS practitioners to develop policies, procedures, and training programs.
• EMS Safety Foundation - A not-for-profit think tank, consortium group with a mission to promote EMS safety innovation, collaboration, research, knowledge transfer, education, and safety information dissemination.
• International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) - Sponsor the Fire/EMS Safety, Health, and Survival Week, encouraging fire departments to focus on safety, health, and wellness-related training and education.
• National Firefighter Near-Miss Reporting System - A voluntary, confidential, non-punitive and secure reporting system to improve firefighter safety, a cooperative effort between the IAFC and the IAFF.

Prevention of Chemical Exposures at Fires

• Always wear SCBA when working in or around fire-damaged structures.
• Remain upwind of fires and smoke plumes, wear SCBA if in the smoke plume or around diesel exhaust.
• Doff contaminated gear before entering the rehab area.
• Do not wear or store contaminated turnouts inside the apparatus cab, in personal vehicle compartments, or in station or home living areas.
• Decontaminate and/or launder turnouts, fire hood, and other equipment that readily contacts the skin after each fire response.
• Wash hands and neck skin immediately after the fire and shower as soon as possible.

Investigation and Review Process

• Accidents, injuries, occupational illnesses, exposures, and near misses must be investigated or reviewed according to NFPA 1500TM.
• Company officers must follow their organizations’ prescribed policies and procedures and accurately complete the appropriate accident investigation forms.
• Investigations should provide general information, employee characteristics, environmental information, and apparatus/equipment information.

Rehabilitation

• Physical stresses of fire fighting and extreme weather conditions can negatively impact the health and safety of emergency responders.
• Company officers must emphasize the importance of rehab to their crews and follow rehab policies and procedures.
• Rehab policies and procedures help establish a safety-oriented culture and ensure members are ready to be reassigned at the incident or returned to duty in a “ready state”.
• NFPA 1584: Rehabilitation Process for Members During Emergency Operations and Training Exercises.
• Company officers should comply with the rehab policies and procedures.
• Company officers should monitor and evaluate environmental and work activities of their personnel.

PPE Selection, Care, and Maintenance

• PPE must be properly selected, cared for, and maintained to ensure personnel safety.
• Equipment should be selected based on the hazard and the type of emergency response.
• Company officers must understand the hazard, donning and doffing techniques, equipment distribution and load carrying, heat, hydration, and stress issues, and heat and moisture retention.
• Determining when to wear PPE is based on a number of factors, including the hazard and education and experience with similar situations and training scenarios.
• Doffing PPE must be done in such a way as to avoid contamination.
• Washing and showering immediately after any fire fighting efforts is recommended.
• Bag all contaminated PPE for transport back to the stations, then clean it as soon as possible, according to NFPA, organizational, and manufacturer standards.
• When selecting the PPE, err on the side of safety.### Safe Driving Practices
• Drive defensively and follow traffic laws
• Use emergency lights and sirens appropriately
• Communicate intentions to other drivers
• Anticipate potential hazards and adjust driving accordingly
• Ensure emergency vehicles are regularly inspected and maintained
• Address any maintenance issues promptly
• Ensure emergency vehicles are equipped with necessary safety equipment

Risk Control Measures

• Use of accountability systems
• Full-protective clothing
• Mandatory respiratory protection plans
• Training and education sessions
• Health and wellness SOPs or SOGs including rehab
• Implementation of NIMS-ICS
• Use of control zones
• Implementation of a preincident planning program for high-hazard occupancies

Importance of Physical Fitness

• Physical fitness is a priority of safety, health, and wellness programs
• IAFF/IAFC/NVFC wellness initiatives may be used for physical fitness guidelines

Company Officer Responsibilities

• Comply, enforce, and educate personnel regarding policies and procedures
• Maintain accountability of personnel while on an emergency scene
• Address both unsafe acts and unsafe conditions to ensure scene safety

Apparatus Design and Maintenance

• Company officers are responsible for reporting the need for repairs and ensuring they are completed
• Company officers are responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of their facilities

Facility Safety

• Proper maintenance is crucial for a safe workplace
• Company officers are responsible for reporting the need for repairs and ensuring they are completed
• Facility inspections should be conducted in accordance with organizational policies

Safety-Related Inspections

• Ensure proper safety-related inspections occur in accordance with organizational policies
• Inspections may include equipment, vehicles, and facilities

Safety, Health, and Wellness Programs

• Company officers are responsible for providing subordinates with information on the organization's safety, health, and wellness programs
• Comprehensive safety, health, and wellness programs reduce accidents, injuries, illnesses, and exposures
• Programs should include information on emergency and nonemergency safety practices, overall wellness and fitness, inspections, and accident investigations

Risk Management

• Risk management is the process of identifying and analyzing the exposure to hazards, selecting appropriate techniques to handle exposures, implementing chosen techniques, and monitoring the results of those techniques
• The risk management plan should have three distinct sections: community risk management, organizational risk management, and operational risk management

Accident, Injury, and Illness Prevention Program

• Provide firefighters with information and training regarding the hazards that exist in their work environments
• Hazards may occur at emergency incident scenes, during training, or while working in the organization's facilities

Hazardous Materials Exposure Control

• Exposure to hazardous materials during emergency operations is common
• Hazmat Branch Safety Officer monitors potential hazards and advises the Incident Commander
• OSHA's CFR 1910.120(c)(7) lists the risks to be considered during a hazardous materials incident### Inspections and Maintenance of PPE
• Inspect PPE regularly, following a formal schedule, and when accepting new equipment or after any repair
• Inspect PPE at the beginning of each work shift, following formal, annual, or preventive maintenance inspections
• Inspect PPE according to NFPA 1851 or the appropriate NFPA standard for a specific type of PPE

Care and Maintenance of PPE

• Clean PPE after each exposure to smoke or contaminated atmospheres using water and mild detergent
• Clean contaminated PPE in a designated decon sink and wash separately following special cleaning procedures
• Keep PPE in a designated storage area, away from diesel exhaust, and dry PPE in a designated dryer or by hanging it on a drying rack
• Never use bleach or products containing bleach on PPE
• Never hang PPE in direct sunlight to dry, as ultraviolet light will degrade the fabric

Storage of PPE

• Store PPE in well-ventilated, secure lockers in or adjacent to the apparatus room
• Never store PPE in living quarters of the station

Maintenance of PPE

• Simple maintenance, such as replacing a helmet chin strap, can be performed by the wearer
• Most maintenance and repairs must be performed by certified or qualified repair technicians with the proper tools and repair parts
• Never modify any piece of PPE

Resources for Fire and Emergency Services

• Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives: A blueprint to reducing firefighter injuries and deaths
• FirefighterCloseCalls.com: Sharing information about close call incidents and those that resulted in firefighter injuries and fatalities
• EVENT (EMS Voluntary Event Notification Tool): A tool designed to improve the safety, quality, and consistent delivery of Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

Safety Regulations, Standards, Policies, and Procedures

• Company officers must be knowledgeable of local, state/provincial, and federal laws and standards relating to firefighter safety and health
• Establish a safety-oriented culture throughout the organization by implementing safety policies and procedures specific to the department's operation
• Safety policies and procedures may reference NFPA 1500, 1521, 1561, 1581, 1582, 1584, 1852, and OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134

Personnel Qualifications

• Ensure personnel qualifications are appropriate and current for each individual's duty assignment
• Examples of personnel qualifications include medical certifications, vehicle and apparatus operation certifications, and professional qualifications

Basic Workplace Safety

• Address safety issues with personnel during each shift
• The workplace can be generally divided into the emergency scene, en route to and from the emergency scene, and facilities

Emergency Operations Safety

• Fire and EMS personnel frequently incur injuries while providing emergency services
• Leading injuries among these responders are sprains and strains, resulting from the physical demands of emergency responses

Safety to and from the Scene

• Address safety issues with personnel during each shift
• Ensure personnel follow safe driving practices and ensure emergency vehicles are properly maintained

Facilities Safety

• Implement policies and procedures and report the need for any maintenance or replacement of unsafe equipment
• Company officers are responsible for implementing policies and procedures

Recommendations for Preventing Chemical Exposures at Fires

• Always wear SCBA when working in or around fire-damaged structures
• Remain upwind of fires and smoke plumes, wear SCBA if in the smoke plume or around diesel exhaust
• Doff contaminated gear before entering the rehab area

Investigation and Review Process

• Accidents, injuries, occupational illnesses, exposures, and near misses must be investigated or reviewed according to NFPA 1500
• Follow the organization's prescribed policies and procedures and accurately complete the appropriate accident investigation forms