Safety requirements for working with burned vehicles
List of factors to reduce the risk of exposure to inhaled or absorbed contaminants from a burned vehicle.
Potential risk
Workers Compensation Board (WCB) and ICBC requirements include options to reduce the risk of exposure to inhaled or otherwise-absorbed contaminants resulting from a burned vehicle.
Every time a vehicle is partially or totally burned, the fire produces toxic by-products. They create a potential risk to estimators and other staff working in or around the vehicle who may inhale and/or absorb the resulting dusts.
Factors that affect exposure risk
Here are some factors that affect exposure risk:
|
Factor |
How exposure risk is reduced |
|---|---|
|
Lag time |
A longer lag time between the time of the fire and the time the vehicle is estimated, reduces the potential risk. The risk is reduced because the vehicle may be exposed to wind, rain, and/or fire extinguishing materials. These blow or wash away dust, and lower the amount or concentration of the fire residue. |
|
Air circulation/towing |
Air circulation blows away fire dust and odours. The higher the air circulation, such as when the vehicle is being towed, the greater the circulation and the lower the risk. |
|
Time near the vehicle |
Reducing the time spent in or near the vehicle reduces the risk. If the vehicle is an obvious total loss, the estimator and other staff may spend very little time in close proximity to the vehicle. This further reduces the exposure. |
|
Vehicle storage |
The vehicle must not be stored inside any of ICBC’s buildings. |
|
Personal protective equipment |
Wearing personal protective equipment reduces direct exposure to fire residues. |
|
Post-work protocol |
After completing the estimate and/or removing items from the vehicle, risk can be reduced through
|
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Training |
The Employee Wellness Department presentation shows the risks, safe work procedures, and personal protection equipment (PPE) required when working around a burned vehicle. Knowing these risks and using these procedures and PPE help reduce exposure risk. |