It is a system that includes organizational structure, planning activities, responsibilities, procedures, processes and resources for developing, implementing, and maintaining an organization’s Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) process. Fire and Rescue Departments are obligated to have an Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Program in place, and audited, as directed by:
• WorkSafe BC Occupational Health and Safety Regulations
• British Columbia Office of the Fire Commissioner
• NFPA 1500 – Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program
• NFPA 1720 – Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Volunteer Fire Departments

It is recognized that good management systems are all fundamentally similar.
However, compliance with laws and regulations usually do not require a particular standard or format to be used, but utilizing a proven standard assists by providing a solid foundation for an OH&S Program. It should be noted that many organizations have now expanded their programs to include ‘Security’.
Terra Marique Risk Management Ltd. (TMRM Ltd.) has developed and revised Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Programs for a variety of clients, and can advise on the best way forward for your Department. Too often organizations create volumes of prescriptive occupational health and safety procedures that are cumbersome and almost impossible to fully comply with.

TMRM Ltd. adheres to the adage “Refine. Don’t proliferate!”. We deliver OH&SH programs that are truly functional and user friendly.

Contact us at [email protected] for your Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Program development and on-going maintenance.

Fire and Rescue Departments are obligated to have an Occupational Safety and Health Program (OS&H) in place and audited, as referenced by:
• WorkSafe BC Occupational Safety & Health Regulations
• British Columbia’s Fire Department Inspection and Audit Checklist
• Resulting to the Office of the Fire Commissioner’s response to the Coroner’s Judgement of Inquiry recommendations regarding the death of Fire Fighter Chad Schapansky; May 2008
• NFPA Standard 1500 – Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program
• NFPA Standard 1720 – Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Volunteer Fire Departments

Occupational Health and Safety audits and inspections are to measure existing levels of compliance and identify improvement opportunities; and have to be completed within specified time periods. Additionally, they should be done by auditors independent of the Department being assessed.

(1) NFPA 1500; Section A.4.3.3
(2) NFPA 1720; Section A.5.1.1

TMRM Ltd’s personnel are accredited in auditing Occupational Safety & Health programs, and have developed audit protocols specifically for Fire and Rescue Departments OS&H programs, and tailored to meet WorkSafe BC and NFPA requirements.

Utilizing TMRM Ltd.’s auditing protocol and expertise provides an impartial assessment of your operations, pinpoints improvement subjects, and delivers solutions to identified issues.

Contact us at [email protected] for an audit of your department so it remains compliant with regulations and standards.