Document Citation: 69A-62.021, F.A.C.

Header:

FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
TITLE 69 DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES
DIVISION 69A DIVISION OF STATE FIRE MARSHAL
CHAPTER 69A-62 FIREFIGHTER EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
PART II WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAMS

Date:
08/31/2009

Document:

69A-62.021 General Guidelines for Firefighter Employer Comprehensive Safety and Health Programs.

The following are the guidelines for a Firefighter Employer Comprehensive Safety and Health Program. These guidelines shall be used by all firefighter employers.

(1) Safety Policy. Each firefighter employer shall issue and make available to all firefighter employees a safety policy containing a clear and concise view of the firefighter employer's determination that safety and health management shall be of primary importance and that all employment and places of employment shall be free of recognizable workplace and environmental hazards. The safety policy shall delegate responsibilities with respect to implementing the safety and health program.

(2) Safety Rules. Each firefighter employer shall develop and implement a set of safety rules which shall be equivalent to or exceed applicable standards found in the Act or in rules adopted pursuant to the Act.

(3) Safety and Health Training Program. Each firefighter employer shall implement a safety and health training program, which shall address or include:

(a) Training, by supervisors or trained instructors, of new firefighter employees and firefighter employees transferring to new jobs, on the operating procedures of vehicles and equipment to be utilized by the firefighter employee.

(b) Instructional training for supervisors.

(c) Specialized training as required by the rules of the division and any OSHA Standards and other applicable laws, rules or regulations.

(d) Each authorized emergency vehicle operator shall possess documentation that he or she has completed at least a 16-hour course of instruction on driving an authorized emergency vehicle, as defined by Section 316.003(1), F.S., which includes, at a minimum, classroom and behind-the-wheel training in a vehicle of the same size, type and class as the emergency vehicle operator will be assigned to operate, as outlined below:

1. Classroom Training.

a. Legal aspects of authorized emergency vehicle operators.

b. Selecting routes and reporting emergency operation.

c. The practice of defensive driving.

d. Accident avoidance.

e. Principles of vehicle control.

f. Routine safety checks of vehicle.

2. Practical.

a. Braking and control braking.

b. Backing; road position, fender judgment and steering technique.

c. Slalom; steering technique and chassis set.

d. Steering technique during a skid; a skid pad is optional.

e. Turn-around-steering technique; fender judgment, road position, controlled braking, controlled acceleration, understeer, oversteer and chassis set.

A list of approved courses/providers is posted on the "Firefighter Safety and Health" webpage at http://www.myfloridacfo.com/sfm/bfst/SafetyHealth/SafetyForms.htm or may be obtained from the Safety Program Office of the Bureau of Fire Standards and Training by calling (352)369-2800. Fire Department or Training Center requests for the approval of other courses must be directed to the same office.

(e) Goals and objectives of the safety training program(s).

(f) Person(s) responsible for safety and the person(s) responsible for the conduct of safety training.

(g) Specific method(s) of presentation.

(h) An analysis of accidents, illnesses and injuries to determine specific additional training that may be needed.

(i) A training program outline.

(j) A comprehensive training program content.

(k) A hazard identification system.

(l) A new firefighter employee indoctrination program.

(m) Training. Each firefighter employer shall provide training and education for all firefighters and supervisory personnel commensurate with those duties and functions that such firefighters and supervisory personnel are expected to perform. Such training and education shall be provided to firefighters and supervisory personnel before they perform any emergency activities or other activities requiring such training. Supervisory personnel shall be provided with training and education which is more comprehensive than that provided to the general firefighters.

(4) Each firefighter employer shall assure that training and education are conducted frequently enough to assure that each firefighter is able to perform the firefighter's assigned duties and functions satisfactorily and in a safe manner so as not to endanger such firefighter or any other firefighter. Training shall be provided on as needed basis and must be provided at least annually. In addition, firefighters who are expected to perform interior structural firefighting shall be provided with an education session or training at least quarterly. All such training shall be documented and a permanent record of attendance shall be kept.

(5) The quality of the training and education programs for firefighters and officers shall be similar to the courses or curriculum of the Florida State Fire College.

(6) Each firefighter employer shall inform each firefighter about known special hazards such as storage and use of flammable liquids and gases, toxic chemicals, radioactive sources, and water reactive substances, to which they may be exposed during fire and other emergencies. The firefighters shall also be advised of any changes that occur in relation to the special hazards. The firefighter employer shall develop and make available for inspection by firefighters written procedures that describe the actions to be taken in situations involving the special hazards and shall include these in the training and education program.

(7) Policy for enforcement of safety rules and regulations.

(a) Accident Investigation Program. Each firefighter employer shall implement an accident investigation program and shall investigate and record all accidents and near misses involving personnel, including medical only injuries, and accidents in which equipment or motor vehicles are damaged. A near miss is an incident in which no property was damaged and no personal injury sustained, but where, given a slight shift in time, position, or other circumstance, damage or injury would or might have occurred. The investigation shall determine all obtainable facts of each accident and cite cause factors and recommend corrective action.

(b) Incident Reporting. Each firefighter employer shall implement the Fire Service Casualty Module (NFIRS-5, effective 7/04), Form DFS-K4-1569, which is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference. Form DFS-K4-1569 may be obtained by writing to the Division of State Fire Marshal, 200 East Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0340.

(c) The Fire Service Casualty Module (NFIRS-5) shall record all injuries, including type of accident, agencies, nature or type of injury, body location, the specific activity at the time of the injury or occurrence, cause of injury, and contributing causes of injury. Such reports shall also contain any event, injury, or occurrence enumerated in Section 112.181, F.S.(2003), to which the presumptions therein are applicable. These reports shall be submitted to the division within seven (7) days of the occurrence.