Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 002 Hazard:

29 CFR 1910.156(b)(1): The employer did not prepare and maintain a statement or written policy that established the existence of a fire brigade; the basic organizational structure; the type, amount and frequency of training to be provided to fire brigade: The employer is failing to protect employees from fire hazards during firefighting activities. On or about April 14, 2019, employees used 5/8 inch and 1 1/2 inch water lines in an attempt to extinguish a fire that had engulfed the furnace room and spread to the roof via exhaust fan #4. While the employer expected employees to fight fires, the employer did not develop and maintain a written policy on the basic organizational structure of a fire brigade, including training, the type, amount and frequency of training, the expected number of members in the fire brigade, and the functions to be performed by the fire brigade members. The written policy would be expected to address, training in firefighting techniques, fire fighting equipment to be used, and how and when to use it, personal protective equipment to be worn, and evaluation of fire hazard events, including when to call for professional assistance and when to evacuate. The employer had not made clear when to evacuate and when to fight fires, even though the company Fire Emergency Procedure in the Emergency Preparedness Plan stated that evacuation was mandatory when a fire spread beyond "small and confined." Abatement documentation is required for this violation.