Department Cited for Safety Violations
The Santa Clara County Fire Department has been cited for safety violations by the California Division of OSHA. This from CBS5.com:
The citations allege that at the scene of a four-alarm fire in Los Gatos on Feb. 13, the fire department failed to set up "enclosures, fences, partitions or other effective methods to prevent accidental contact with downed 12,000 volt energized power lines."According to Cal/OSHA, the department also failed to prevent firefighters from working around the live wire, as they should have been safeguarded from the line until it was clear.
A third citation alleges that the department failed to maintain an effective injury and illness prevention program in accordance with state standards.
Cal/OSHA claims that the department's failure to implement updated written procedures for dealing with downed power lines resulted in the electrocution of Capt. Mark McCormack.
Here are some questions to ask regarding your own fire department:
Are your safety procedures in place?
Do you have SOPs/SOGs in place?
Do the firefighters and officers follow the SOPs/SOGs?
Does your department put safety as the first priority?
