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Safety Vests at MVA's
What do other department's do regarding wearing safety vests at MVA's?
Keep in mind, I am from a Canadian Department (Manitoba):
Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) has decided that we must wear vests meeting CSA Z96-02 standard at all scenes along highways (MVA's, grass fires, etc.). I'm not sure what the equivalent standard would be in the USA.
WHS does make an exception for firefighter's that are directly fighting the fire, since the vests would/could melt at higher temperatures, but once out of the fire, you are expected to put your vest back on.
Do other areas require firefighters to wear vests like this? This is a fairly new requirement and we are still getting vests in for everyone. WHS has decided that the reflective stripes on our turn-out gear are not sufficient to meet this CSA spec, thus the need for the vests. In the future, I can see WHS eventually telling us that we need these vests at all scenes since the scene is a workplace, blah, blah, blah. Hopefully manufacturers of turn-out gear start adding enough striping to the turn-out gear so that we don't need the vests.
Another question: Is there any manufacturer out there that does make turn-out gear meeting this spec?
Captain Andrew Dalgarno
RM of Harrison Fire Department - Station #1
Keep in mind, I am from a Canadian Department (Manitoba):
Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) has decided that we must wear vests meeting CSA Z96-02 standard at all scenes along highways (MVA's, grass fires, etc.). I'm not sure what the equivalent standard would be in the USA.
WHS does make an exception for firefighter's that are directly fighting the fire, since the vests would/could melt at higher temperatures, but once out of the fire, you are expected to put your vest back on.
Do other areas require firefighters to wear vests like this? This is a fairly new requirement and we are still getting vests in for everyone. WHS has decided that the reflective stripes on our turn-out gear are not sufficient to meet this CSA spec, thus the need for the vests. In the future, I can see WHS eventually telling us that we need these vests at all scenes since the scene is a workplace, blah, blah, blah. Hopefully manufacturers of turn-out gear start adding enough striping to the turn-out gear so that we don't need the vests.
Another question: Is there any manufacturer out there that does make turn-out gear meeting this spec?
Captain Andrew Dalgarno
RM of Harrison Fire Department - Station #1
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on
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Hopefully manufacturers of turnout gestart adding enough striping to the turn-out gear so that we don't need the vests
I don't think I'm ready to see turnout gear with chevrons on the back like the fire rigs of today :-)
Pretty much the same thing here, you wear a vest for MVA's etc, we really haven't had any issues regarding this.
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Permalink Reply by Oldman on
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Our policy, wear the vest (ANSI Class II minimum)on any non-fire related operation on the roadway or immediate right of way, period.
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Permalink Reply by Andrew Dalgarno on
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So have you folks (that responded so far) had this policy in place for a while? It's a new thing here. In the past, we had to be in turn-out gear of course and the reflective stripes on those were sufficient, but not anymore.
And of course, the $5 cheapy vests don't cut it...gotta be the pricy ones that meet the spec!
Andrew
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Permalink Reply by Joe Stoltz on
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On November 24, 2008 a federal law went into effect requiring all workers within the right-of-way of a Federal-aid highway to wear an ANSI 107 (2004) Class 2 or 3 high-visibility vest. "Workers" include emergency workers at an accident or fire scene.
Federal-aid highways can be state, county or town highways maintained with federal funds.
So, it has been in place for about a year. In my department, we started by equipping each apparatus riding position with a compliant vest. Now, each member has his/her own vest. We usually keep them on our turnout coats and shed them if responding to a fire scene.
It was subsequently amended to exclude firefighters working at hazardous scenes such as vehicle fires, haz mat or other situations where a vest worn over PPE could reduce the protection afforded by the PPE.
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Permalink Reply by Paul Montpetit on
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EVERYONE on scene has an ANSI class II or classIII vest/jacket on...except....those in airpacks manning a charged line...pretty much the same situation occurred here in the States....it isn't only the reflective stripes...it is the high visability colors as well......Stay safe......Keep the Faith Brother from the Great White North......LOL Paul
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Permalink Reply by Lt. Dan (1508) on
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We were one of the last in our area to go to this as. At first, the vest suppliers were inundated with orders. So, needless to say, our safety on highways was on back order. We should have been more proactive about it though. We have supplied each member their own vest and they are required, when operating on any thoroughfare, to have the vest on unless engaged in fire suppression activity. Andrew, as much as change is something we don't like, this is a good change. Highway safety is something we take very seriously on our department, not necessarily more seriously than safety in other locations, but we make sure we give it the same priority as fire scene safety. We cover 12 miles of Interstate 80 and the bulk of our call volume is out there, from MVA's to fires of all sorts to HazMat and everything in between. While we have been lucky, and when I say lucky I mean just that, that we have not had some serious incidents, we have had alot of close calls. We have used what we learned from those to outfit our rigs with more rear facing lighting, arrow sticks and even traffic control signs that we post well ahead of the scene. Our Utility rig has pretty much been turned into a blocker truck, the truck that stages about a mile in front of the scene and deploys our various signage, cone mounted LED arrows and everything we have in the arsenal to ensure the safety of the guys on the scene. Look around and see what other "changes" you can make to keep yourself and the rest of your brothers safe. Change isn't always welcome, but sometimes is necessary. I was skeptical at first, but I think it has just added another tool to the safety arsenal we can use to ensure our safety and that everyone comes home. Take care and stay safe.
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Permalink Reply by Ron King (Fire Chief) on
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Andrew, Our laws are the same as yours. If you are on the road wear the vest. Exception if directly fighting fire. We also have new vest they are rip away type.
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Yup, the ones we've got are the rip-off type as well.
Andrew
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I agree the safer we can make ourselves the better, but I still think that if the law requires this much reflection, then the manufacturers better get working on turn-out gear that works in all situations.
I do realize that there will be a time delay from a new law coming into play to getting the product out.
There was another discussion talking about highway safety...can't find it right now. We only have 2-lane highways - no interstate-type, but we shut both lanes down - block it with the rigs until the cops or highways department show up to do traffic control. After numerous "conversations", the government has decided that firefighters will not do traffic control. Hey fine with us...shut 'er down!
Andrew
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Permalink Reply by Smoke Eater on
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We wear them. They are the break away type. Check out my pics. I made everyone wear them because we were training roadside.
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In the US it is a Federal mandate as of 24 November of last year...even Lawenforcement is "supposed" to be wearing them.....I believe it is any call withing 50 feet of the roadway.....But check your laws and regs regardless...better to be safe than sorry.....Paul
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Permalink Reply by John Rulli Jr. on
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Our law is about the same as yours
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