Firefighter Prevention Campaign
The WSIB has recently developed and released a series of six posters to increase firefighter safety and awareness. The posters were officially unveiled at the 48th Biennial International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) conference, which ran from Aug. 27 to Sept. 1st, 2006 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Firefighters across the province are encouraged to wear their self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) as well as ensure their masks are properly worn, fitted and cleaned in order to prevent occupational hazards and disease.
The Hon. Steven W. Mahoney P.C., WSIB Chair, appeared at the conference (46k, pdf) on August 29, 2006 to support the Firefighter Safety program between the WSIB, IAFF and the Municipal Health and Safety Association (MHSA) to unveil the posters.
The WSIB also funded a research project that looked at establishing safe work times for firefighters wearing full or gear and SCBA while working at high temperatures.
Based on their research, Dr. McClellan and Mr. Selkirk developed the Heat Stress Wheel (523k, pdf) to assist dispatchers and incident commanders in calculating heat stress conditions for firefighters on the job. The MHSA, The Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM), the WSIB, the Toronto Fire Department and the researchers also worked together to develop resource materials that explain the dangers of heat stress, suggest ways to reduce the adverse effects of heat stress on firefighters, and provide an evaluation and assessment tool centered on the Heat Stress Wheel.
If you would like to order posters or the Heat Stress Wheel and related resource materials, please contact the Municipal Health and Safety Association at 905-890-2040 or by e-mail at info@mhsao.com.
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