Fire Investigator Scene Safety

Recognize Physical Hazard: Chemical, Biological, and Radiological Hazards

Chemical: Common household materials, actual material that makes up contents gives off all kinds of hazards when burning. Get as much fresh air as possible in building when working. Clandestine labs: Dealing with criminals, they do not want us in there. L

Personal protective clothing and equipment

Routes of exposure: ingestion, inhalation, absorption, injection, direct skin contact. PPE is First and last means of defense.

Respiratory Protection

Exposure can have short and long term effects. OSHA requires respiratory protection for sight specific. APR; Air Purifying Respirator. Annual fit test required. Written respiratory protection plan. Dust mask should not be used. Perform a risk assessment t

The 10 Deadly errors of fire scene investigation

1. Poor attitude
2. Working when suffering from fatigue or illness.
3. Failure to note and heed danger signs.
4. Failure to perform a hazard and risk assessment.
5. Lack of proper training and equipment.
6. Poor care and use of equipment.
7. Failure to fo

OSHA Regulations applying to the fire investigation profession are listed in

29 CFR Part 1910 and Part 1926

OSHA Regulation 29 CFR 1910.132

Defines protective equipment, including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head, and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices, and protective shields and barriers.

OSHA Regulation 29 CFR 1910.134

Defines the type of Respiratory Protection required in different situations and sets mandatory fit testing, seal check, cleaning, and evaluation procedures.

OSHA Regulation 29 CFR 1910.146

Contains requirements for practices and procedures to protect employees in general industry from the hazards of entry into permit-required confined spaces.

OSHA Regulation 29 CFR 1910.147

Covers lockout/tagout minimum performance requirements for the servicing and maintenance of machines and equipment in which the unexpected energization or start up of the machines or equipment, or release of stored energy could cause injury.

OSHA Regulation 29 CFR 1910.120 and 40 CFR part 311

Cover emergency response operations for releases of, or substantial threats of releases of, hazardous substances.

OSHA Regulation 29 CFR 1910.1030

Details protocols and safety procedures for occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials.

OSHA Regulation 29 CFR 1910.1200

Requires that all chemical hazards be evaluated and that the potential hazards be communicated to employers and employees. Methods include container labeling, warnings, material safety data sheets and employee training.

NFPA 921 Chapter 12, NFPA 1033, and NFPA 1500

Minimum of two persons to conduct fire scene examinations. If the investigator is working alone, the proper member of the chain of command should be notified and there should be means of communication.

NFPA 921 Chapter 12, NFPA 1033, and NFPA 1500

Investigative activities should be coordinated with the Incident Commander and suppression personnel.

NFPA 921 Chapter 12, NFPA 1033, and NFPA 1500

Proper safety equipment should be worn at all times, including helmet, safety glasses/goggles, steel-toe/boots, gloves, and respirator. Working above or below grade may require lighting, safety harnesses, and other special equipment.

NFPA 921 Chapter 12, NFPA 1033, and NFPA 1500

SCBA should be worn if entering the scene immediately following suppression.

NFPA 921 Chapter 12, NFPA 1033, and NFPA 1500

APR with proper cartridge should be worn at "cold" scenes

NFPA 921 Chapter 12, NFPA 1033, and NFPA 1500

Every location where the investigator is working should have a means of egress in the event conditions deteriorate.

NFPA 921 Chapter 12, NFPA 1033, and NFPA 1500

A Comprehensive Risk Management Program that includes medical surveillance should be in place by the employing agency or company.

NFPA 921 Chapter 12, NFPA 1033, and NFPA 1500

Eye protection should be considered when wearing half-face respirators.

NFPA 921 Chapter 12, NFPA 1033, and NFPA 1500

The appropriate type of gloves should be selected to provide protection against leaching of toxic substances.

NFPA 921 Chapter 12, NFPA 1033, and NFPA 1500

Investigators should consider decontamination and/or disposal of clothing and equipment to prevent contamination and exposure away from the scene.

NFPA 921 Chapter 12, NFPA 1033, and NFPA 1500

Proper safety equipment including shoes, boots, helmets, gloves, and respiratory protection should be worn at all times.

NFPA 921 Chapter 12, NFPA 1033, and NFPA 1500

Periodic rest, fluid replacement and nourishment should be provided in a sage ("clean") atmosphere.

NFPA 921 Chapter 12, NFPA 1033, and NFPA 1500

Any eating or drinking should occur away from the scene after removal of contaminated gear and washing face & hands.

Component 1

Recognize Hazards

Component 2

What hazards are present?

Component 3

Implementation Process

Component 4

Verification. Identified that there is a hazard.

Component 5

Documentation

Do not be afraid to ask for help or resources

...

Agency support

SOP's are written, sight safety plans

Scene hazard and Risk assessment

hazards, lights, look at building, what kind of building construction, Exterior, Interior, Identify and remove hazards if possible, ventilation, shoring, chimney might need to remove. Special features of building. Occupancy of building: intended, has anyt

Sight Safety Plan

Pass on hazards to everyone on scene. Written sight safety plan if possible. PPE, Hazards, Roles, Medical facilities, weather conditions, chain of command and communication.

Respiratory Protection

Use monitoring equipment. Monitor for CO, linked to heart disease. Radioactive screen on scene. O2 levels. Combustible gases present? PPE to remove combustible gases. Photoionization detector on scene.

Recognizing physical hazards: Collapse

Building itself: parapet walls, I-beams, veneers. Spreaders type 1, all the way through structure. Type 2, not all the way through. Wooden Trusses: Light weight, gusset plates, Fire cut Joists: Cantilevered structure: Combustible add ons: Architectural de

Recognizing Physical hazards: Holes

Holes in floors: burnt through or put there by the fire dept, Beams may be burnt away or cut. Firemen might cover holes with a door.

Recognizing Physical Hazard: Standing water

Drains to basement: boiler pits, sump holes. You can not see them could fall in a 8' hole of water. Conceal live wires, trip and fall hazards.

Recognizing Physical Hazard: Debris

Burned debris, pulled down ceiling and walls, broken furniture. Could contain chemicals, fumes. Low hanging wires trips and falls. Nails: puncture problem, chemicals and toxins on nail could be injected in your body.

Recognizing Physical Hazard: Utilities

Usually shut off by utility dept., Call gas company to shut off in the street. Electricity: Might only be shut off at main breaker. Could backfeed or alternate power supplies. Use a no touch AC power detector, have the Electric company shut off power at t

Recognizing Physical Hazard: Inhalation Hazards

O2 deficient, CO, chemical, Biological. Protect by monitor and Ventilation. Wear respiration protection and monitor.

Recognizing Physical Hazard: Weather

Heat and Cold when working. Frost bite in cold. Dress for weather conditions. Dress in layers, Drink lots of water, take breaks.