Tacoma Fire Department Safety Policy

• This document establishes Tacoma Fire Department's (TFD) policy on management’s responsibility for establishing and maintaining the safest workplace possible for TFD employees, within reason.
• No procedures are included in this document.
• The policy applies to all TFD Management personnel.
• This document replaces the previous version of the policy dated November 2001.
• WISHA Poster: WISHA Form F416-081-909 is associated with this document.
• Refer to the stated TFD policies for related TFD-specific information:
  • TFD Policy 5001: Compliance with Safety Regulations
  • TFD Policy 5003: Employee Responsibilities
  • TFD Policy 5004: TFD Safety Officer/Incident Safety Officers
  • TFD Policy 5011: Chemical Hazard Communication

Responsibilities

• The Administrative Battalion Chief for Safety ensures TFD Management fulfills the responsibilities set forth and maintains this document.
• Station Captains and Supervisors of TFD facilities must maintain current TFD policies in station/facility libraries.
• Station Captains and Supervisors of TFD facilities also ensure the WISHA Poster and other safety documents are properly posted.

Definitions

• Health Care Providers include:
  • Doctors of medicine or osteopathy authorized to practice medicine/surgery.
  • State licensed podiatrists, dentists, clinical psychologists, social workers, optometrists, chiropractors, nurse practitioners, and nurse-midwives.
  • Christian Science practitioners listed with the First Church of Christ, Scientist in Boston.
  • Any health care provider recognized by the employer’s group health plan.
• Management includes:
  • Fire Chief, Deputy Chiefs, Assistant Chiefs, Battalion Chiefs, Medical Services Officers, Captains, Lieutenants, Paramedic Supervisors, Facility Supervisors, and the FCC Manager.
• WAC: Washington State Administrative Code.
• WISHA: Washington State Industrial Safety and Health Act.
• Workplace: Any premises where individuals are employed for labor/service over which the employer has control.
• Fire grounds and emergency scenes are considered workplaces.

Rules

• TFD must do everything reasonably possible to protect the safety/health of its employees.
• TFD Management shall design firefighting methods/operations to promote the safety/health of TFD employees.
• TFD Management shall furnish and require the use of safety devices/safeguards for all TFD firefighters and personnel.
• TFD Management shall provide suitable expertise to comply with testing requirements in WAC 296-305.

Working Environment

• TFD Management establishes, supervises, maintains, and enforces a safe/healthful working environment.
• A safe/healthful working environment applies to:
  • Non-combat conditions.
  • Combat conditions at a fire scene.
  • Combat conditions after a fire is extinguished, as determined by the Officer in charge.

Fitness for Duty

• TFD Management ensures employees expected to do interior structural firefighting are physically capable of performing duties assigned.
• TFD Management does not allow employees with known physical limitations to participate in structural firefighting, unless cleared by a physician.

Accident Prevention

• TFD Management must establish and maintain an Accident Prevention Program with:
  • Programs for training employees in accident prevention fundamentals.
  • Procedures for Fire Department Safety Officers and Incident Commanders to ensure emergency medical care.
  • An accident investigation program.

Alcohol and Drugs

• Alcoholic beverages are not allowed in any TFD station or facility.
• TFD Management ensures that employees under the influence of alcohol/drugs do not participate in Fire Department operations.
• This rule does not apply to persons taking prescription drugs as directed by a Health Care Provider (HCP), provided such use does not endanger the worker or others.

Safety Bulletin Board

• TFD Management provides a bulletin board or posting area exclusively for safety/health at each location.
• The bulletin board must be large enough to display the required safety/health posters.
• The WISHA poster and other safety education materials must be posted.

Hazard Communication

• TFD Management maintains a Hazard Communication Program as required by WAC 296-800-170.
• The Hazard Communication Program provides information about hazardous chemicals/substances.

References

• WAC 296-305

• WAC 296-305-01509

• WAC 296-305-01513

• WAC 296-800-170

• The policy is due for update in 12/2013.