OSHA Inspection: CLEARWATER-POTLATCH TIMBER PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION, INC.

Issued

Feb 7, 2013

Abate by

Mar 6, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $2,800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees, in that employees were exposed to the hazards of entrapment, burns and other hazards associated with wild land firefighting:    (a)	On August 10 and 11, 2012, employees of C-PTPA, Forest Service, and others were working to suppress fire in steep terrain that involved timber harvest units and the densely-wooded forest canopy adjacent to the units.  This incident was larger and more complex than most fire suppression activities normally experienced by the employer.  Communication and instructions about tactics, strategies, and safety issues were deficient leading to confusion and potentially hazardous situations.  -Forest Service personnel and leadership on the fire were unsure who the incident commander was, as well as the roles of other key positions on the fire.  -Methods of radio communication were not standardized creating confusion between the personnel on the fire; C-PTPAs personnel and the incident commander were using a numbering system with which the Forest Service personnel were not familiar.  -Gaps were placed in the fireline on the downhill side of the fire in order to avoid identified hazard trees.  There was confusion between crew leaders, supervisors, the deputy (partial) incident commander, and the incident commander about the strategy and tactics to address the large gaps and prevent the fire which was backing down the hill from flanking hand crews which could create an entrapment situation.  -Operations were not controlled to prevent a helicopter bucket drop where crew members were present on the ground.  -Where roll-outs and spot fires were occurring, lookouts were not posted where they could see spot fires in relation to where crews were working.  -Escape routes and safety zones had not been clearly communicated to crews.    NOTE: Among other methods, feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct these hazards are to follow accepted interagency fire operations procedures, such as those in the Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS-461 / NFES-1077, revised January 2010.  Utilizing the simplified LCES (Lookouts, Communications, Escape Routes and Safety Zones) to prevent or mitigate the hazardous conditions in a timely manner.  Ensure clear communication and instructions are provided and understood with the opportunity to receive and consider feedback.  If high-risk hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm are identified, hazard controls will be adhered to according to accepted wildland firefighting safety principles, including those identified in the most current version of the Incident Response Pocket Guide.    ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED FOR THIS ITEM

Issued

Feb 7, 2013

Abate by

Mar 6, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $4,900

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm from falling hazard trees:    (a) On August 11, 2012, employees engaged in fire line construction activities on steep (50 to 75 degrees) and densely-wooded slopes were exposed to being struck-by hazard trees. Crew members were within 1 to 2 tree lengths and downhill of standing hazard trees consisting of burned or burning trees, snags, and old growth cedar with a known propensity for center rot. Helicopter operations were also occurring and there was the potential for trees to domino. Hazard trees were falling or had already fallen in the areas where they were working.    (b) On August 12, 2012, employees engaged in fire line construction activities on steep (50 to 75 degrees) and densely-wooded slopes, including professional contract sawyers assigned to fell hazard trees identified near the fireline, were exposed to being struck-by hazard trees.  Crew members were within 1 to 2 tree lengths and downhill of standing hazard trees consisting of burned or burning trees, snags, and old growth cedar with a known propensity for center rot and a shallow root system, as found in the Steep Creek riparian area. Helicopter operations were also occurring and there was the potential for trees to domino. In the areas where the crews were working a significant number of trees had already fallen during the prior two days of fire activity.      Among other methods, feasible and acceptable means of abatement would be to identify hazard trees and control the hazards including, but not limited to the following: Eliminate the hazards with qualified sawyers or heavy equipment; Avoid hazards by designating No Work Zones; Modify suppression tactics or fire line location to avoid high risk areas; Keep clear of bucket drops near trees/snags; and Provide timely feedback to others regarding any hazard trees.    ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED FOR THIS ITEM

Issued

Feb 7, 2013

Abate by

Mar 20, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,200 · Current $2,800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(a): Protective equipment, including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head, and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices, and protective shields and barriers, were not provided, used, and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever it is necessary by reason of hazards of processes or environment, chemical hazards, radiological hazards, or mechanical irritants encountered in a manner capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body through absorption, inhalation or physical contact.    (a) On or about August 10, 11, and 12, 2012, employees engaged in direct attack fire line construction did not have their employer-provided fire shelter readily available.    (b) On or about August 10, 11, and 12, 2012, employees engaged in direct attack fire line construction were not wearing their employer-provided fire-resistant clothing.  Employees were wearing denim and double-knee work pants not rated as fire resistant.    Note: Abatement certification is required for this item.