Introduction

Following the release of the Mansfield Burn-over Report there has been advice and discussion on amending the PPE standard to include gloves, goggles, earmuffs and respiratory protection.

The initial recommendations included reference to:

1.    AS 2161.6:2003 for gloves.

·         Use of this standard has shown to be more than a minimum requirement and also an unnecessary expense given the alternative products available.

2.    NFPA 1977:2005 for goggles.

·         Use of this standard has shown to be limiting in stock available to purchase locally within New Zealand and also an unnecessary expense.

3.    Earmuffs: Minimum of Class 4.

·         Status quo.

4.    Subject to the completion of relevant research by the Bushfire CRC, the NRFA will develop a set of guidelines for the management of smoke exposure to rural firefighters.

·         For interim information see Bushfire CRC Fire Note Issue 12 February 2007.  Available as download at http://bushfirecrc.com/publications/fire_note.html

Amendment

The Version 3 amendment to the PPE NRFA National Minimum Standard for Rural Fire Authorities includes the PPE items; of gloves, goggles and earmuffs of suitable minimum requirements. They are also readily available from local suppliers within New Zealand.

Note 1: When these additional items of PPE are provided to rural firefighters they shall be of at least to this NRFA Standard.

Note 2: The wearing or not wearing of these additional items of PPE is subject to a hazard assessment undertaken by the firefighter or Crew Leader at the time of involvement. 

This Version 3 amendment also has simplified the minimum manufacturing requirements for Rural Fire Incident Management Vests.

See attached amended NRFA Standards - Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Incident Management Vests - Version 3 February 2010.

Implementation

This amendment (Version 3, February 2010) takes effect from 1^st October 2010.

Standards Approved PPE Items

As a guide only, the known PPE items that meet this standard and the suppler contacts will be posted on the NRFA FireNet website under Equipment / PPE.

Murray Dudfield

National Rural Fire Officer

Attached:         NRFA Standards - Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Incident Management Vests - Version 3, February 2010

                        Bushfire CRC Fire Note Issue 12 February 2007

Circular 2010 01 Amendment to NRFA Equipment Standards