Fire Fighters and Workplace Safety and Health
Firefighters come across a wide variety of hazards over the course of their work. Some examples include:
- Compressed gasses
- Confined spaces
- Flammable atmospheres
- Fire, heat, and smoke
- Heights and ladders
- Loud noise
- Overexertion, lifting, awkward postures
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Toxic chemicals, particles, and gasses in the air
- Unstable structures
This webpage provides information about workplace safety and health regulations and resources for fire fighters.
Rules
- Safety Standards for Fire Fighters (Chapter 296-305, WAC)
Associated Rules
- Airborne Contaminants (Chapter 296-841 WAC)
- Bloodborne Pathogens (Chapter 296-823 WAC)
- Confined Spaces (Chapter 296-809 WAC)
- Chemical Hazard Communication (Chapter 296-901 WAC)
- Emergency Response (Chapter 296-824 WAC)
- Hazardous Waste (Chapter 296-843 WAC)
- Fire Brigades (Chapter 296-811 WAC)
- Hearing Loss Prevention (Noise) (Chapter 296-817 WAC)
- Respirators (Chapter 296-842 WAC)
Enforcement Policies
- Diving Operations Involving Search and Rescue (DOSH Directive 32.15)
- Emergency Response to Hazardous Substance Releases (DOSH Directive 12.75)
- Employee Entry Into Worksites Suffering Structural Damage (DOSH Directive 5.45)
- Enforcement and Consultation Guidance for Combustible Dust Hazards (DOSH Directive 12.85)
- Personal Protective Equipment (DOHS Directive 5.15)
- Violence in the Workplace (DOSH Directive 5.05)
Industry Guidelines (when applicable)
- Standard for Fire Department Safety Officer (NFPA 1521).
- Standard on Station / Work Uniforms for Fire and Emergency Services (NFPA 1975)
- Standard on Protective Ensemble for Proximity Firefighting (NFPA 1976)
- Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Firefighting and Proximity Firefighting (NFPA 1971)
- Standard on Personal Alert Safety Systems (PASS) (NFPA 1982)
General Resources
- Fire Fighter Resources (CDC)
- Firefighter Resources – Job Hazards (NIOSH)
- Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program (NIOSH)
- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Hazard Specific Resources
- First Responders Exposure: Fentanyl (Hazard Alert)
- Healthy In, Healthy Out: Best Practices for Reducing Fire Fighter Risk of Exposure to Carcinogens (Video. Washington State Council of Fire Fighters)
- Healthy in, Healthy Out: Best Practices for Reducing Fire Fighter Risk of Exposures to Carcinogens (eBook. Washington State Council of Fire Fighters)
- Precautions for Firefighters to Prevent Dust Explosions (OSHA)