Ch. 4: Occupational Safety and Health Standards for Firefighting in the Public Sector

I. Definitions

A. Fire Department

“Fire Department" refers to a municipal fire department, as defined in Title 30-A, Section 3151(1) or a volunteer fire association, as defined in Title 30-A, Section 3151(3).

B. Firefighter

"Firefighter" refers to a municipal firefighter, as defined in Title 30-A, Section 3151(2) or a volunteer firefighter, as defined in Title 30-A, Section 3151 (4).

C. Full Protective Equipment

"Full Protective Equipment" refers to protective equipment and clothing as listed in the Minimum Safety Standards for Firefighters Statute Title 26, Section 2103 (1) through (9).

D. Records and Training-Records

1. "Records" means records maintained by municipal fire departments and Volunteer fire associations listing:

The date of each inspection and finding for each and every SCBA and the signature or initials of the person making the inspection.

2. "Training records" means the records kept of firefighter training and provided by municipal fire departments and volunteer fire associations pursuant to Title 26 Section 2102. Training records shall be kept on all active firefighters.

E. Standards

"Standards" refers to the standards established by the Maine Board of Occupational Safety and Health, 12-179 CMR Chapters 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 as most recently amended.

II. The Role of the Bureau of Labor Standards

The role of the Bureau of Labor Standards shall include but not be limited to:

Investigating workplace injuries and fatalities (Title 26, Section 2), investigating written employee complaints (Title 26, Section 50), and issuing citations for violations of safety standards. (Title 26, Sections 43, 44, 44-A, 45, 46, 49)

Conducting routine BLS inspections

Reviewing inventories, records and training records kept by municipal fire departments and volunteer fire associations to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Minimum Safety Standards for Firefighters statute and rules of the Board of Occupational Safety and Health

citations for violations of safety standards. (Title 26, Sections 43, 44, 44-A, 45, 46, 49)

Conducting routine BLS inspections

Reviewing inventories, records and training records kept by municipal fire departments and volunteer fire associations to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Minimum Safety Standards for Firefighters statute and rules of the Board of Occupational Safety and Health.

Advising municipal fire departments and volunteer fire associations on procedures for record keeping, inspections of protective equipment and meeting the requirements of various standards for new purchases of protective equipment.

III. Federal OSHA Standards

Federal OSHA Standards, located at 29 CFR Sections 1910 and 1926, as incorporated by the Board of Occupational Safety and Health 12-179CMR all chapters as applicable will also apply to municipal fire departments and volunteer fire associations.

IV. Full Protective Equipment

Full protective equipment is required in firefighting interior structural fires. It is not considered necessary for grass and traditional forest firefighting in most instances, unless determined necessary by local command decision or the Chief on the scene.