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.