OSHA Inspection: WESTMORELAND FIRE DISTRICT

Issued

Feb 14, 2002

Abate by

May 15, 2002

General-duty citation text

NYSLL Article 2, Section 27 -a.3.a(1): The employer did not furnish to
each of its
employees employment and a place of employment which was free from
recognized hazards
that are causing or were likely to cause death or serious physical harm to
its employees and
which will provide reasonable and adequate protection to the lives, safety
or health of its
employees. In applying this paragraph, fundamental distinctions between
private and public
employment have been recognized.
a) Westmoreland Fire District - During the performance of their assigned
live fire training,
the interior structure firefighters and other Westmoreland Fire District
employees were
exposed to the safety hazard of fire and smoke. The firefighters' exposure
to smoke and fire
resulted in one (1) fatality and two (2) accidents on 09/25/01 during a
live fire training
session.
Reasonable and adequate methods to abate this hazard may include but are
not limited to:
When live fire training evolutions are conducted, a minimum of two
qualified and certified
state fire instructors shall be assigned with the second instructor to
serve as safety officer. If
a second state fire instructor is not available to serve as the safety
officer, a qualified and
verified county fire instructor, municipal training officer or municipal
fire instructor may be
utilized.
All live structural fire evolutions shall be conducted at designated
department, town, or
county training facilities. Such structures shall be of non-combustible or
fire resistive
construction as those terms are defined in the Uniform Fire Prevention and
Building code as
designed for fire training. Acquired buildings shall not be used for live
fire evolutions.
The safety officer has the authority to intervene and control any phase of
the
live fire training
evolution when in his/her judgement, a potential or actual danger,
accident or unsafe
operation exists. The safety officer is responsible for the safety of all
persons on the scene,
including students, instructors, visitors and spectators. He/she will not
undertake any duties
that would interfere with his/her safety responsibilities. His/her general
duties include:
- prevention of unsafe acts; and
- removal of unsafe conditions.
Emergency evacuation of the building shall be planned and provided for.
The signal for
evacuation shall be discussed and demonstrated prior to any evolutions.
Emergency medical services shall be available to treat any injuries.
Written reports shall be
made on all injuries and medical treatment rendered. A copy of such report
should be mailed
to the Office of Fire Prevention and Control as soon as possible. Minimum
on scene medical
levels shall consist of at least one certified first responder equipped to
provide
initial
treatment for burns, trauma, or cardiac related injuries. The proper
method for accessing the
local emergency medical system shall be identified, provided to all
participants and reviewed
during the briefing session.
No person shall be placed inside the structure to play the role of victim.
In order to perform Live Fire Drill, work rules and subsequent training
must include the
following:
1) Lead instructor has reviewed the Office of Fire Prevention and Control
(OFPC) Live Fire
Training Policy immediately prior to planning and conducting the
exercise(s).
2) Safety instructor has reviewed the OFPC Live Fire Training Policy
immediately prior to
planning and conducting the exercise.
3) Establish location of command post.
Establish location of rehabilitation center.
Establish position of all hoselines (including backup lines).
Establish location of emergency evacuation assembly area.
Determine water supply.
Obtain weather report.
Establish operations area and mark perimeter.
Establish communications with operations area and with dispatch center.
4) All participants briefed on the following:
- Building layout.
- Crew and instructor assignments.
- Safety rules and accountability procedures.
- Building evacuation procedures.
5) Proper personal protection equipment in accordance with OSHA
regulations.
6) Proper interior structure fire fighting training.
7) Instructor has verified that adequate EMS is available.
These rules and regulations are per the New York State Department of State
Office of Fire
Prevention and Control, National Fire Protection Association Standards
#1403 and #1500,
and any pertinent guidelines for Live Fire Training.

Issued

Feb 14, 2002

Abate by

Mar 13, 2002

Issued

Feb 14, 2002

Abate by

Mar 6, 2002

Issued

Feb 14, 2002

Abate by

Mar 13, 2002

Issued

Feb 14, 2002

Abate by

Apr 3, 2002

Issued

Feb 14, 2002

Abate by

Apr 3, 2002

Issued

Feb 14, 2002

Abate by

Apr 3, 2002

Issued

Feb 14, 2002

Abate by

Apr 3, 2002

Issued

Feb 14, 2002

Abate by

Apr 3, 2002

Issued

Feb 14, 2002

Abate by

Apr 3, 2002

Issued

Feb 14, 2002

Abate by

Apr 3, 2002

Issued

Feb 14, 2002

Abate by

Apr 3, 2002

Issued

Feb 14, 2002

Abate by

Apr 3, 2002

Issued

Feb 14, 2002

Abate by

Mar 13, 2002

Issued

Feb 14, 2002

Abate by

Mar 13, 2002

Issued

Feb 14, 2002

Abate by

Mar 6, 2002

Issued

Feb 14, 2002

Abate by

Mar 6, 2002

Issued

Feb 14, 2002

Abate by

Mar 20, 2002

Issued

Feb 14, 2002

Abate by

Mar 20, 2002

Issued

Feb 14, 2002

Abate by

Mar 20, 2002

Issued

Jan 4, 2002

Abate by

Feb 6, 2002

Issued

Jan 4, 2002

Abate by

Feb 6, 2002

Issued

Jan 4, 2002

Abate by

Jan 17, 2002