The Director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity announces the amendment of the following rules:
GI Part 74. Firefighting – MIOSHA has amended General Industry Safety and Health Standard Part 74. Fire Fighting.
Public Act 291 of 1966, The Fire Fighters Training Council Act, was amended in 2020. Due to this amendment, the Bureau of Fire Services suggested that MIOSHA review and update the Part 74 Fire Fighting Standard and add the reference to the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) 1403 Standard on Live Fire Training Evolutions.
In addition, the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Act, act 154 of 1974, was also amended and required the Director of Labor and Economic Opportunity to promulgate rules regarding a firefighter’s use of firefighting foam concentrate containing intentionally added perfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS).
The new PFAS rules (R 408.17430) require employers must:
- Follow specific manufacturer-provided safety data sheets (SDSs) for all firefighting foam concentrate employees may be exposed to and follow best practices regarding the proper use, handling, and storage of information.
- Establish containment and handling requirements for firefighting foam concentrate containing PFAS.
- Ensure decontamination of a firefighter’s body and equipment following the use of firefighting foam containing PFAS.
- Prohibit the use of firefighting foam concentrate containing intentionally added PFAS by a firefighter for training purposes.
- Prohibit the use of firefighting foam concentrate containing intentionally added PFAS, by a firefighter, for equipment calibration purposes (unless required by law or the facility where the calibration occurs has implemented appropriate measures).
In addition to the PFAS rules, the following rules were amended:
- R 408.17424(2) – Life safety rope, harness, and auxiliary equipment dedicated for the purpose of supporting people during emergency operations shall be used and meet or exceed the requirements of NFPA 1983: “Standard on Life Safety Rope and Equipment for Emergency Services,” 2001 edition.
- R 408.17426 – Portable ground ladders used in structural firefighting or training shall meet or exceed the requirements of NFPA 1931: “Standard for Manufacturer’s Design of Fire Department Ground Ladders,” 1994 edition and NFPA 1932: “Standard on Use, Maintenance, and Service Testing of In-service Fire Department Ground Ladders,” 2015 edition – effective January 1, 2025.
- R 408.17432 – Protective ensemble shall meet or exceed the requirements of NFPA 1971: “Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting,” 2013 edition – effective January 1, 2025.
- R 408.17436 – All self-contained breathing apparatus currently in use shall meet or exceed the requirements of NFPA 1981: “Standard on Open-Circuit Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) for Emergency Services,” 2007 edition – effective January 1, 2025.
- R 408.17440 – “PASS” devices shall meet or exceed the requirements of NFPA 1982: “Standard on Personal Alert Safety Systems (PASS),” 2007 edition – effective January 1, 2025.