Quick Links
- View CSA Standards referenced in OHS Regulation New!
- WorkSafeBC Store
- Library Services
- Workers Compensation Act
- Hazardous Products Act
- Quick Reference Guide: Hazardous Products Act
- Controlled Products Regulations
- Notice of Project
- Variances to the OHS Regulation
- Research
- Order printed copy of OHS Regulation from Crown Publications
Customer Centres
Policies Part 31
Policies Part 31 Contents
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT
Policies Part 31 - Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment
Policy Item R31.10-1
RE: Firefighting - Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment - General Requirement (Volunteer Firefighters)
BACKGROUND
1. Explanatory Notes
Section 31.10 sets out the general requirements for personal protective clothing and equipment for firefighters.
2. The Regulation
Section 31.10:
Firefighters must wear personal protective clothing and equipment appropriate to the hazards to which they may be exposed.
POLICY
The Board cannot determine in all instances what hazards volunteer firefighters are likely to encounter. The employer in consultation with the chief of the department is in the best position to make this determination.
Section 31.10 requires that the employer make a decision as to what personal protective clothing and equipment are required. Other sections set out the standards for the clothing and equipment.
There will be instances where some volunteer fire departments will experience difficulties in meeting the requirements of Part 31 for personal protective clothing and equipment.
The following guidelines may be used by the fire chief of a volunteer fire department when this occurs:
- assess the hazards the volunteer firefighters are likely to encounter in their operational area;
- decide on the minimum clothing and equipment required to protect the volunteer firefighters in the various situations; and
- develop operating policies and procedures that limit firefighting activities to those for which appropriate protective clothing and equipment are available.
PRACTICE
For any relevant PRACTICE information, readers should consult the Prevention Division's Guidelines available on the WCB website.
| EFFECTIVE DATE: | April 1, 2001 |
| AUTHORITY: | s. 31.10, Occupational Health and Safety Regulation |
| CROSS REFERENCES: | |
| HISTORY: | Replaces Policy No. 68.04 of the Prevention Division Policy and Procedure Manual. A housekeeping change was made on December 14, 2001. |
| APPLICATION: | This Item results from the 2000/2001 "editorial" consolidation of all prevention policies into the Prevention Manual. The POLICY in this Item merely continues the substantive requirements of Policy No. 68.04, as they existed prior to the Effective Date, with any wording changes necessary to reflect legislative and regulatory changes since Policy No. 68.04 was issued. |
You can return to the Top of this page
Disclaimer: This online HTML version of Prevention Policies comes from the Prevention Manual and is not the official version. The Workers' Compensation Board of B.C. ("WorkSafeBC") does not warrant the accuracy or the completeness of this HTML version of the Prevention Manual and neither the WorkSafeBC nor its board of directors, employees or agents shall be liable to any persons for any loss or damage of any nature, whether arising out of negligence or otherwise, which may be occasioned as a result of the use of the online HTML version of the Prevention Manual. The official version of the Prevention Manual is available online in PDF format at www.worksafebc.com/regulation_and_policy/published_policy/default.asp. A printed copy of the Prevention Manual is also available for purchase. See www.worksafebc.com/publications/how_to_order_publications_and_videos/ default.asp.