What's the "law" on extrication wear?

[phyrngn]

Recently, a debate has spurred between members of my volunteer department on protective clothing at accident scenes. My question is, what does NFPA require for PPE at a vehicle accident? What does OSHA require? I've seen pictures in trade magazines of anything from full bunker gear to "coveralls" with a PETZL helmet. What SHOULD we be wearing?

[woody1973]

i dont know exactly what the "laws" say but personally i dont think you should go near an extrication without full turnout gear on. If your wearing coveralls what are you going to do if the vehicle in question suddenly ignites for some reason. I am on a small volunteer department and we require all personnel to wear full ppe to a 10-50. the extra bulk of the gear can be handled better that being burned all over your body.

[NCRSQ751]

We used to require turnout gear and decided it was overkill. We wear wildland fire gear on extrications. It provides flash protection and is lightweight enough were you would be able to work for longer periods of time in hot weather (and can layer in cold).

There knees are reinforced to provide protection where you may kneel on pavement or metal.

We have used this for about 4 years now with great results and no injuries due to a lack of PPE.

We also require steel toe boots, appropriate gloves and safety glasses or goggles along with a helmet.

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Susan Bednar
Captain - Forsyth Rescue
North Carolina Strike Force 1

[pokeyfd12]

My dept's SOG's state that full turnout gear, which includes bunker pants, boots, t/o coat, leather gloves and helmet, must be worn during extrications. It is also recommended that eye protection be worn, whether safety glasses or goggles, for all personnel that may be immediately in contact with hydraulic rescue tools or near the vehicle during extrication. I've done the eyewash thing a couple of times thanks to a leaky or blown hydraulic coupling. Every time we all thought the flip down shield on the helmet afforded us adequate protection from such incidents...

I also run with EMS (seperate volly agency) and I am VERY guilty of climbing into cars with only BDU's, pullover shirt etc.

I think maybe the level of protection should be dictated by the level of work each individual is performing. Personnel working around the car, performing extrication stabilizing, etc. should have some level of flame protection and from sharp metal and glass. This doesn't have to mean full firefighting turnout gear but if that's all you have or that's all your agency issues you, use it. Otherwise, everyone should be aware of the potential of contact with BBP and should have some level of protection for that as well. Even though I have extrication or leather glove on, I usually have on a pair of exam gloves underneath(P2's or the thick blue ones are my fave).

The bottom line is "protection." Scene safety may be a better statement for some.

Stay safe and prosper

Engine/Rescue Lt. Kevin C. (aka Pokey)

[firemedic1979]

The key is what does OSHA require.

Last I checked, there were NO standards covering rescue specifically. The response I got was the "general". Gloves, eye, hearing, head and feet all required protections based on the nature of the work. This in addition to protection from bloodborne pathogens.

If your dept goes specifically under OSHA regs, then time for all to (don't yell at me) petition for a rule making covering rescue. (geeze, that should get someone going!!)

Seriously, dress according to the hazards anticipated. Head, Hands, Feet, Ears and Eyes are basic. Consider edges, turnouts are designed for fire environments but, if you back up into a cut "B" post, the extra protection from turnouts are nice.

[truckie1794]

Thanks forthe post. I was going to ask the same question. The decision right now in my department is to allow firefighters to wear forestry gear instead of full structural bunker gear. Due to the length of and temps in the summer here in the south (SE Texas), the lighter gear makes good sense.

I'm not sold on the forestry coveralls proving an adequate level of safety from jagged metal on a scene. Any other dept, allow forestry gear in lieu of full bunkers?

[Looper]

For us it's full bunkers, although the coats will come off for an extended extrication in the middle of summer. Like truckie 1794 said, the heat in SE Texas can be bad. 95+ degrees and 95% humidity is not uncommon. A few depts in the area have gone to jumpsuits made from Nomex or PBI for their dedicated rescue crews. These are a little heavier than the wildland ones.

Hey Truckie 1794, has Splendora fixed their booster truck yet? The one that went for the unauthorized ride a couple of months ago.

[This message has been edited by Looper (edited June 25, 2000).]

[ElmerA]

We used to use full turn out, but it could get hot and heavy. This is fine if you have others that can jump in and do relief while you catch a water and some shade. Our service provides the extrication in our area and sometimes have only one or two extrication technicians to do the entire extrication.

We decided to go a lighter coverall that we picked up from Circle K Services. Heavier than the wildland fire suits, but lighter than the turnout. With all of the added pockets and lighter weight, I must say it was a good choice, but these are just used for extrication.

We also went to Bullard Advent helmets with chin straps and adjustable head bands. Wrap around safety glasses, steel toes and gloves complete the gear setup.

Elmer "Andy" Anderson, NREMT
Mountain Ambulance Service http://www.rescue70.org

[Carl Avery]

I am from upstate NY and I too endorse Flame retardent coverall or foestry suit type clothing, I am on the Watkins Glen International Fire Rescue Team, I have purchased and use an Extrication Jumpsuit from American Fireware, there are others out there. My question for the nay sayers is this, what is the standard for USAR work? Are you going to tell me they are any less suject to Flash Fires than we are, Are you telling me they can not find them selves in pockets of gas or deep inside a collapse with a prolonged exit. Yes I know about scene stabilization, but as was posted here prior shouldn't that be our concern too. How about the Old addage of haing a charged hand line present for an extrication (Of couse making sure the Line is placed so that possible fire could be "PUSHED OFF" the rescuer, remembering MOST fires begin in the engine compartment) I know none of us want to get or be seriously burned, But what toll is heat stress putting on our bodies too? To me that is an ALL TO SERIOUS Question. Especially when you consider the stats. AND LET us never forget visibilty and scene control, most of us get hit by another vehicle rather than get burned!

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Carl D. Avery

[phyrngn]

Good Post, Mr. Avery...I never thought about it, but the USAR argument is a good one...all we have are blude BDUs and a PETZL helmet.

Anyone know of any research papers or articles on this topic? I know that in Fire/Rescue Magazine, Dwight Clark (I think that's his name) absolutely implores the use of full Structural Firefighting Gear.

[Carl Avery]

As some one that has judged and observed extrication Competitions and seen how rescue personal can be affected by heat stress, I strongly urge more research in that area. AS I said god knows I want NONE of us to be Burned, but as we protect ourselves from a flash fire what price are we paying. I do know that some people that I talk with do express concern over cut resistance and Shock (impact) absorbtion of the Jumpsuit/Wildland Suit versus Turnouts. Bottom line there is no ideal suit yet, But we are getting closer

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Carl D. Avery