Dear SAFER friends and family,
Hoping this message finds everyone healthy and well. Due to the restrictions of COVID 19, the SAFER monthly meeting for February is canceled .The SAFER Board is looking into options for a socially distant and/or online process for these meetings in the future. Until that time please remain safe and healthy.
For the vendors and fire service leaders, CalOSHA is continuing to be very active and is refining and adjusting several key areas that will impact us:
AB 685 COVID 19 Emergency Order
(make sure your Aerolisized Transmittal Disease Program is up-to-date)
Access and information availability to employees regarding your Injury and Illness Prevention ProgramSection 3203(a)
Protection of Workers from Wildfire Smoke, new Section 5141.1
Respirator Fit Test / Section 5144 (Federal level at this point)
Modifying Requirements to Produce Citations on Appeal and Modifying Discovery Rules, Sections 347, 359.1, 361.3, 372.2 and 373, and
AB 2146- Firefighter PPE is in development and is essentially the State adopting NFPA Standards: 1971, 1977, 1981, 1982, 1851, 1852 and 1854. This has been in development for many years and is finally in the adoption process. AB 2146 is a wide reaching standard and my impact your budgets, staff positions (to manage the requirements) and administrative requirements (i.e. Department specific written programs)
Lastly, watch your members who have tested positive for COVID 19; as research continues we are noticing that the "long-hauler" issues are real and typically challenge the members with latent health concerns in the following areas:
Respiratory
Cardiopulmonary
Neurological
Psychological
The return to work process can be lengthy for some and the long term health effects are not completely known. Access to specialists in the above areas is critical as is claim documentation. I hope to provide more information on the "Long-hauler" syndrome in coming weeks.
Be safe,
Scott P. Quinn
Battalion Chief
Risk Management Section
Los Angeles City Fire Department