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

§3410.1. Personal Protective Equipment for Wildland Fire Fighting.

(a) Head Protection.

(1) Head protection shall be worn by fire fighters whenever they are exposed to head injury hazard. Head protection shall be provided to each fire fighter and shall be maintained in a location of ready availability to the fire fighter.

(2) In-service Helmets. Head protection shall conform to one of the following:

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

(B) Structural fire fighting helmet in accordance with Section 3402.3.

(3) Each helmet shall be durably and legibly labeled in a manner such that the label can be easily read without removing padding or any other permanent part, and shall include the following information:

(A) Name or designation of manufacturer.

(B) Month and year of manufacture.

(D) Model designation.

(b) In-service Eye Protection. Employees exposed to eye injury hazards shall be protected by using protective goggles, which meet NFPA 1977, Standard on Protective Clothing and Equipment for Wildland Fire Fighting, 2011 Edition or American National Standard Institute/International Safety Equipment Association, American National Standard for Occupational and Educational Personal Eye and Face Protection Devices, ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2015, which are hereby incorporated by reference. Protective googles shall have a means of attachment that is designed to be used with head protection.

(c) In-service Thermal Protection of the Ears and Neck. Protection against burns on the ear and neck shall be provided by one or more of the following means, or other equivalent methods, when fire fighters engaged in wildland fire fighting are exposed to injurious heat and flame: flared neck shield attached to brim of helmet, hood, shroud, or high collar with throat strap. Fabric specified for this purpose shall be constructed and tested in accordance with the provisions of NFPA 1977, Standard on Protective Clothing and Equipment for Wildland Fire Fighting, 2011 Edition, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

(d) Body Protection.

(1) In-Service Body Protection. Body protection shall be provided to each wildland fire fighter exposed to wildland fire fighting. Protective garments used by fire fighters shall meet the requirements of NFPA 1977, Standard on Protective Clothing and Equipment for Wildland Fire Fighting, 2011 Edition, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

(2) In-Service Chainsaw Protectors. Chainsaw protectors shall be provided to and used by fire fighters who operate chainsaws. The chainsaw protectors (chaps) shall meet the requirements of U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Specification, Chaps, Chainsaw, 6170-4G, (September 6, 2011), which is hereby incorporated by reference.

(e) Protective Gloves.

(1) Protective gloves shall be provided to wildland fire fighters. Gloves shall be properly sized and suitable to the hazards encountered in wildland fire fighting activities. Fire fighters shall wear protective gloves whenever exposed to a hazardous environment that may cause injury to the hand or wrist.

(2) In-Service Protective Gloves. Protective gloves shall meet the design and performance requirements of NFPA 1977, Standard on Protective Clothing and Equipment for Wildland Fire Fighting, 2011 Edition, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

(f) Foot Protection.

(1) Protective footwear shall be worn by fire fighters while engaged in wildland fire fighting activities.

(2) In-Service Protective Footwear. Protective footwear shall meet the requirements of NFPA 1977, Standard on Protective Clothing and Equipment for Wildland Fire Fighting, 2011 Edition, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

(g) In-Service Fire Shelters. A fire shelter shall be provided and made immediately available for every fire fighter when engaged in wildland fire fighting activities as defined in these orders. The fire shelter shall meet or exceed U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Specification, Shelter, Fire (M-2002), 5100-606C, August 22, 2011, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

(h) In-Service Load Carrying Equipment. Load carrying equipment for carrying gear shall be provided to wildland fire fighters. Load carrying equipment shall meet the requirements of NFPA 1977, Standard on Protective Clothing and Equipment for Wildland Fire Fighting, 2011 Edition, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Credits

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

History

1. New section 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.

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