# 12-179 Ch. 4: Ch. 4: Occupational Safety and Health Standards for Firefighting in the Public Sector

> Maine · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_CMR_12_179_4

## Section

- **Citation:** 12-179 Ch. 4
- **Heading:** Ch. 4: Occupational Safety and Health Standards for Firefighting in the Public Sector
- **Jurisdiction:** Maine
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Code of Maine Rules / 12-179 Board of Occupational Safety and Health / Ch. 4

## Text

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.

## Nearby sections

- [12-179 Ch. 1 Ch. 1: Procedural Rules](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_CMR_12_179_1.md)
- [12-179 Ch. 2 Ch. 2: Occupational Safety and Health Standards for General Industry Employment in the Public Sector](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_CMR_12_179_2.md)
- [12-179 Ch. 3 Ch. 3: Occupational Safety and Health Standards for Construction Industry Employment in the Public Sector](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_CMR_12_179_3.md)
- [12-179 Ch. 4 Ch. 4: Occupational Safety and Health Standards for Firefighting in the Public Sector](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_CMR_12_179_4.md)
- [12-179 Ch. 5 Ch. 5: Occupational Safety and Health Standards for Public Safety Diving](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_CMR_12_179_5.md)
- [12-179 Ch. 6 Ch. 6: Recording Occupational Injuries and Illnesses in the Public Sector](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_CMR_12_179_6.md)
- [12-179 Ch. 7 Ch. 7: Minimum Driver Training Requirements for Fire Apparatus](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_CMR_12_179_7.md)
- [12-179 Ch. 8 Ch. 8: Occupational Safety and Health Standards for Whistleblower/Discrimination in the Public Sector](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_CMR_12_179_8.md)
- [12-179 Ch. 9 Ch. 9: Occupational Safety and Health Standards for Issuing Variances in the Public Sector](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_CMR_12_179_9.md)
- [12-179 Ch. 10 Ch. 10: Occupational Safety and Health Standards for Section 1908 Consultation Guidelines in the Public Sector](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_CMR_12_179_10.md)
- [12-179 Ch. 11 Ch. 11: Occupational Safety and Health Standards for Worker Walkaround Representative Designation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_CMR_12_179_11.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_CMR_12_179_4. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.