Occupational Safety & Health

Detroit Firefighters Sue to Block Bodily Fluid Clean Up Policy

Detroit Firefighters Association IAFF Local 344 has filed suit against the city in an effort to block implementation of a policy requiring firefighters to wash down blood and bodily fluids at accident and medical scenes. The lawsuit filed in Wayne County Circuit Court seeks to block implementation of the “Bodily Fluid Aftermath Cleanup" policy.

Safety, Liability and The 10 Year Service Life for PPE

Today’s burning question: My fire department does a very good job of adhering to NFPA 1851 when it comes to turnout coats and pants. Something we’ve really never paid attention to is the 10-year service life for helmets and boots. Is liability for violating NFPA 1851 purely theoretical?

Fine Against Washington Fire Department For Understaffing Upheld

An OSHA fine against a Washington state fire department for understaffing has been upheld by the state’s Department of Labor and Industries. The Camas-Washougal Fire Department was cited for violating OSHA’s two-in two-out requirement at a house fire last March. The first arriving engine was staffed with two firefighters.

Austin Challenges Comp Benefits for Firefighter with Cancer

An Austin firefighter who was awarded job-related workers compensation benefits for cancer is now facing a court challenge by the city. Lieutenant Carrie Stewart was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. She was awarded comp benefits initially, and that decision was upheld by a three judge workers comp panel.

Virginia Beach Firefighters Complain About Training In Asbestos Containing Structure

A live burn in an asbestos-containing acquired structure in Virginia Beach has prompted the Virginia Beach Professional Firefighters to request state and federal officials to investigate. The April 15 training exercise was in an abandoned home that the owner granted ...

Selectmen Order Maine Fire Department To Stand Down

A Maine fire department has been ordered to “stand down until further notice” as town officials scramble to address outdated turnout gear. The Town of Limington’s Board of Selectmen released a statement yesterday stating they recently were informed that the personal protective equipment issued to the town’s volunteer firefighters was more than ten years old

Washington State OSHA Investigating Contaminants in Spokane Fire’s Air Supply

Investigators from Washington State Department of Labor and Industries have launched an investigation into contaminants found in SCBA cylinders in the Spokane Fire Department. The investigation follows the discovery of lead, oil and other contaminants in air cylinders after firefighters complained about a foul smell in their breathing air.

Family of Honolulu Firefighter Sues Over LODD

The family of a Honolulu firefighter who died last year during a water rescue training exercise, has filed suit against the City and County of Honolulu. Cliff Rigsbee was participating in water rescue training on June 14, 2016 on the southeast shore of Oahu near Diamond Head.

Georgia Firefighter Sues Claiming Whistleblower Retaliation Over LODD Complaints

A Georgia firefighter who was terminated after he complained about the actions of the fire chief at the scene of a fire that killed a fire lieutenant, has filed suit against the chief, the fire department and other local officials. William Jordan claims his termination from the Waycross Fire Department in 2016 was retaliation.

State OSHA Cites Honolulu for Training LODD

The State of Hawaii’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health has cited the Honolulu Fire Department for two OSHA violations following its investigation into the training death of Clifford Riggsbee last June.

Family of Deceased Firefighter Sues Homeowner for Wrongful Death

The family of a firefighter who was killed at a house fire last year in Woodstock, New York, has filed suit against the owner of the house alleging negligence and wrongful death. Jack Rose, 19, a volunteer firefighter with the Mount Marion Fire Department, died on December 19, 2015, at chimney fire in Woodstock. Rose had recently been elected captain.

Court Rules Disabled Missouri Firefighter Entitled to Reduced Benefits

A Jasper County Circuit Court has ruled that a disabled Missouri firefighter is entitled to a pension that is only one-third of his pre-injury income. Joplin firefighter Tom Robertson was forced to leave the fire department in January 2011 due to a work-related lung problem.

Bridgeport Facing Multi-Million Dollar Claim Over Lack of MSDS for Fire

The City of Bridgeport, Connecticut is facing a multi-million dollar claim by the owner of a warehouse that burned in 2014. The owner claims the fire department made the chemical fire worse by applying water, all because firefighters lacked access to MSDS information.

OSHA Considering Additional Regs for the Fire Service

According to BusinessInsurance.com, OSHA is contemplating new regulations aimed specifically at firefighters. The article lists several areas that OSHA is looking at, including mandatory medical examinations to help address the cardiac risk and banning sliding poles due to injuries.

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