OSHA looks at firefighter safety … and fire poles
Excerpts from BusinessInsurance.com: There's a potential new standard in the works that could significantly impact emergency responders across the U.S., particularly small fire departments and emergency services. According to stakeholders, the proposed rule from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) might force some of these organizations to shut down, and it could even lead to a ban on installing fire poles in new fire stations if passed. OSHA has reached out to the National Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health, asking for recommendations on a new emergency responder preparedness program. The Emergency Response and Preparedness Subcommittee is now working on drafting this standard, which aims to improve safety conditions for those on the front lines. The draft proposal includes several requirements meant to identify and mitigate workplace health and safety risks. These include mandatory medical evaluations for firefighters and other personnel, such as baseline exams, annual check-ups, and lab tests to detect any conditions that could impair their ability to perform critical duties safely. In 2014, 64 firefighters died while on duty in the U.S., with sudden cardiac events accounting for nearly 56% of those deaths, according to the National Fire Protection Association. This highlights the importance of regular health assessments, but the current proposal doesn't clarify who will cover the costs, raising concerns about financial strain on already limited budgets. Phil Stittleburg, chief of the LaFarge Fire Department in Wisconsin—a volunteer department serving a rural community with an annual budget of around $65,000—expressed concern that requiring annual physicals would force difficult choices between medical expenses and replacing essential equipment like helmets. The proposal also suggests that new fire stations should use stairs or slides instead of fire poles to ensure safer access to lower levels. It would prohibit the installation of new poles two years after the final rule is published. This provision targets a known source of injuries and fatalities, such as the case in 2012 when a firefighter in Alameda County, California, broke his leg due to improper positioning on a pole. Bill Hamilton, a fire protection engineer at OSHA, explained that eliminating new fire poles and promoting safer alternatives like stairs or slides is one way to reduce injuries. However, he acknowledged that fire poles are deeply rooted in the culture and traditions of fire departments, which could lead to resistance against the proposal. Ken Willette, from the National Fire Protection Association, noted that the language in the proposal is clear and direct, but it may provoke backlash because it challenges long-standing traditions. “While there’s value in including such regulations, it could become a point of contention that hinders the overall goal,†he said. To better understand the implications, the subcommittee is seeking detailed data on the number of injuries and fatalities related to the use of fire poles compared to stairs and slides before finalizing its recommendations. Fabric cutting machine, Textile cutting machine, Automated cloth cutting machine Zhejiang Lejiang Machine Co., Ltd. , https://www.cnlejiang.com