Safety & Health 29 May 2024 Soft Stretchers in Forest Rescue ›By David Grim, Safety & Health Manager A few questions were recently raised concerning use of soft stretchers, and whether they fulfill the requirements of OR-OSHA Division 7, 437-007-0220(11). On March 14, AOL hosted the quarterly meeting of the Forest Activities Advisory Committee (FAAC), where the FAAC was asked to provide its interpretation of the rule—concerning whether soft stretchers meet rule intention. The discussion included detailed conversation on the merits of using them, OR-OSHA Division 7 requirements, and personal experiences of Committee members using them for rescue operations. This article further explores language of the rule, definition of a stretcher, and should help you determine if a soft stretcher is the right fit for your job site. Legal Requirement The legal requirement to have a stretcher on the job in Forest Activities can be found in OAR 437-007-0220(11) Medical Services and First Aid. The rule states: OR-OSHA, 437-007-0220 Medical Services and First Aid ;(11) Worksite first aid kits must contain the following minimum supplies at all times: › (h) One stretcher or equivalent weatherproof litter at any three or more person worksite, and at all logging sites. Interpretation When looking at the minimum supplies requirement, it appears that a soft stretcher would fulfill the criteria. However, the term “stretcher” is not defined in Division 7, Forest Activities. OR-OSHA staff noted to the Committee that in the absence of a definition, they rely on the definition in the dictionary. Therefore, I looked up “stretcher” in Webster’s Dictionary. According to the dictionary, a stretcher is a device used to carry a sick, injured, or dead person. However, this definition does not specify what constitutes a stretcher. Based on the above definitions, a soft stretcher would meet the requirements in the appropriate setting. But it is important to consider whether it is the right tool for each of your jobsites or crews. To help answer this question, let’s examine other patient-carrying devices. Continued →
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