Subchapter 7. General Industry Safety Orders
Group 2. Safe Practices and Personal Protection
Article 10.1. Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment for Fire Fighters

§3410. Selection, Inspection, and Maintenance of Protective Ensembles for Wildland Fire Fighting.

(a) The employer shall perform a risk assessment prior to the selection of PPE. The risk assessment shall be in writing and shall include, but not be limited to, the hazards that can be encountered by wildland fire fighters based on the following:

(1) Type of duties performed while wearing wildland fire fighting PPE;

(2) Identification and characterization of hazards of the duties while wearing wildland fire fighting PPE;

(3) Geographic location, elevation, and climate;

(4) Seasonal effect;

(5) Garment configurations of the wildland fire fighting PPE (single-layer or multi-layer garment);

(6) Organizational experience and lessons learned with current wildland fire fighting PPE; and

(7) Proximity and location of private residences and other habitable structures in relation to wildland vegetation and areas of refuge.

(b) Selection. The employer shall determine the operational requirements for wildland fire fighting PPE in relation to their risk assessment. The operational requirements shall be documented in writing and consist of the following:

(1) Identify the garment configuration and garment component that comprise the wildland fire fighting PPE system.

(2) Specify performance criteria for each wildland fire fighting PPE garment and its components.

(A) The employer shall consider the following:

1. Compliance with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1977, Standard on Protective Clothing and Equipment for Wildland Fire Fighting, 2011 Edition, which is hereby incorporated by reference;

2. Radiant Protection Performance (RPP);

3. Total Heat Loss (THL); and

4. Thermal Protective Performance (TPP).

(3) Identify other selection factors. For example design features, comfort, compatibility, and sizing.

(c) Inspection.

(1) Routine Inspection. PPE shall be inspected before and after every use.

(2) Annual Inspection. PPE shall be inspected annually by a qualified person other than the user.

(3) PPE shall be inspected for the following:

(A) Contamination and soiling.

1. If the garment is contaminated by blood or other potentially infectious material, the garment shall be handled in accordance with Section 5193.

(B) Rips, tears, holes and any other irregularities.

(C) Damage to pockets.

(D) Fabric damage.

(E) Discoloration.

(F) Embrittlement.

(G) Burns or char.

(H) Seam integrity.

(I) Shrinkage.

(J) Closures.

(K) Hardware.

(L) Reinforcements.

(M) Loss of reflectivity.

(N) Proper fit or sizing of PPE.

(4) Defective PPE shall be repaired in accordance with the manufacturer's specification or removed from service and replaced.

(d) Cleaning. The employer shall implement cleaning procedures according to manufacturer's recommendations for cleaning PPE. The procedures shall include the following:

(1) Frequency. The end user shall determine if the garment shall be spot cleaned or machine washed after every use.

(A) Protective garments shall be completely washed in a washing machine as often as necessary to remove soiling.

(2) Cleaning agents. The employer shall identify the type of cleaning agents appropriate for the garments and other PPE according to manufacturer's recommendations.

(3) Spot cleaning and machine washing procedures.

(4) Drying procedures.

(e) Training. Employees shall be trained on the following:

(1) Proper fit or sizing of the PPE.

(2) Limitations of the PPE.

(3) Proper use of the PPE.

(4) Donning and doffing of the PPE.

(5) Cleaning procedures.

(6) Inspection procedures and frequencies.

(7) Storage of the PPE.

(f) Retirement.

(1) Protective garments shall be retired 10 years from the date of manufacture.

(2) PPE that do not meet the requirements of NFPA 1977, Standard on Protective Clothing and Equipment for Wildland Fire Fighting, 2011 Edition, which is hereby incorporated by reference, shall be retired by July 1, 2023.

(3) Retired PPE shall be destroyed or disposed of in a manner that ensures it will not be used for any fire fighting.

(g) Recordkeeping.

(1) Training records demonstrating the implementation of subsection (e) shall be maintained for 3 years. Records shall include employee name or other identifier, training dates, type(s) of training; make (manufacturer), model, and serial number of assigned PPE.

(2) Records of retired PPE shall be maintained for 3 years.

Credits

Note: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Sections 142.3 and 147.4, Labor Code.

History

1. New section filed 10-4-78; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 78, No. 40).

2. Amendment of subsection (d)(1)(A) filed 9-6-79; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 79, No. 36).

3. Amendment of subsection (a)(2) filed 6-13-80; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 80, No. 24).

4. Amendment of subsections (c) and (f)(1)-(2) and repealer and new subsection (d)(1)(B) filed 9-11-80; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 80, No. 37).

5. New subsection (g) filed 1-27-82; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 82, No. 5).

6. Amendment filed 4-29-85; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 85, No. 18).

7. Amendment of subsections (e) and (e)(1)(A), new subsections (e)(2)-(e)(2)(B) and subsection renumbering filed 3-5-97; operative 4-4-97 (Register 97, No. 10).

8. Repealer and new section heading and section and amendment of Note filed 11-7-2022; operative 1-1-2023 (Register 2022, No. 45). Transmission deadline specified in Government Code section 11349.3(b) extended 60 calendar days pursuant to Executive Order N-40-20 and an additional 60 calendar days pursuant to Executive Order N-71-20. Filing deadline specified in Government Code section 11349.3(a) extended 60 calendar days pursuant to Executive Order N-40-20 and an additional 60 calendar days pursuant to Executive Order N-71-20.