Violation Detail
Standard Cited: 510001 A Duties of Employers
This violation item has been deleted.
Inspection Nr: 312228794
Citation: 01001
Citation Type: Serious
Abatement Date: 12/27/2008
Initial Penalty: $0.00
Current Penalty: $0.00
Issuance Date: 11/24/2008
Nr Instances: 1
Nr Exposed: 4
Related Event Code (REC): A
Gravity:
Report ID: 0355114
Contest Date: 12/11/2008
Final Order:
Emphasis:
| Type | Latest Event | Event Date | Penalty | Abatement Due Date | Citation Type | Failure to Abate Inspection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penalty | L: State Settlement | 09/17/2018 | $0.00 | 09/17/2018 | Serious | |
| Penalty | Z: Issued | 11/24/2008 | $0.00 | Serious |
Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: BURNS
Title 40.1-51.1(a) Code of Virginia: At this inspection site, the employer did n ot furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to e mployees, in that employees were exposed to fire hazards while engaged in search , rescue and interior structural firefighting activities at a single family resi dence. a. On May 25, 2008, Loudoun County Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergen cy Management firefighters from first arriving Engine Company, Reserve Engine 60 6 and first arriving Truck Company, Tower 606, responded to a two-alarm resident ial structure fire at 43238 Meadowood Court in Leesburg, VA, at approximately 1: 33 p.m.. Search and rescue operations were immediately instituted because a vehi cle was parked in the garage and the potential for trapped occupants could not b e ruled out. Two firefighters from the Engine Crew proceeded into the structure with a hand line. Two firefighters from the Tower Crew followed approximately 10 seconds later to conduct a primary search, carrying a sledge-hammer, a Halligan bar and an Officer's Hook. A second 200-foot hand line had been place d at the front door as well, but was not used. Both crews proceeded to the secon d floor to check bedrooms, but conditions rapidly deteriorated and several May D ay calls were made. Three of the four firefighters were able to exit from B/C co rner of the second story using a ladder that had been placed by later arriving f ire crews. The fourth firefighter had become separated from the rest during an a pparent flash over and was forced to jump out a second story window on the C/D c orner of the structure - no ladder was in place at the window. The four firefigh ters suffered serious injury and were hospitalized, one with extensive burns. Th e investigation revealed that due to staffing limitations, there were only three personnel respectively on Reserve Engine 606, and Tower 606. The investigation further revealed that neither the Engine Crew nor the Tower Crew were able to co nduct a full "360" of the house prior to search and rescue entry, and there were not enough personnel at the time of entry to man the second hose/handline that had been placed at the front door. Feasible and acceptable methods, among others, to correct this hazard is for the employer to develop, implement and train employees on the guidance contained in NFPA 1720, Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Ope rations, Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by V olunteer Fire Departments, 2004 Edition and NFPA 1500, Standard on Fire Departme nt Occupational Safety and Health Programs, 2007 Edition or newer editions of th ese documents. Specifically, not only should the Staffing and Response Time guid ance for personnel on site (contained in Table 4.3.2 of NFPA 1720) be met, but a lso the requirements of NFPA 1500, Section 8.5.12 which states that The assignme nt of any personnel, including the incident commander, the safety officer, or op erators of fire apparatus, shall not be permitted as standby personnel if by aba ndoning their critical task(s) to assist or, if necessary, perform rescue, they clearly jeopardize the safety and health of any firefighter working at the incid ent.
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