Glass Dust

Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 11:55 pm

we have just got the results of some tests carried out into the effects of glass dust. the test's were carried out by an independant company, using a machine placed in a vehicle, whilst the screen was being cut. the findings were that the dust does pose a risk of eye injury, so keep those visors down, but there is an extremly low risk of any respiritory injury. the reason for this is that the particles are not small enough and if they were, the dust mask's we currently use would be usless, you would need a respirator. although these findings could spell the end of duct tape and foam, and also allow the older FRU crews to continue with the much loved full roof removal, lets see how long it takes for there to be a policy change? i'll bet that the brigade will probably ignore the findings.

Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2008 12:11 am

[quote="Smoke Dodger"]. although these findings could spell the end of duct tape and foam, and also allow the older FRU crews to continue with the much loved full roof removal" Interesting quote . Having done both roof removal and roof flap give me roof removal every time for greater access and more options for a plan b,c,d,etc . Its alright in trainingg guys but its different in the real world. Bit like steering wheel relocation!!!!!

Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2008 12:39 pm

you've got me all wrong, i like you would much prefer to take the roof off, and now if they follow up on the findings of the report, we will hopefully start teaching that as our A plan. however, in training you have to teach what the brigade wants you to teach, if we didn't then within our team alone there would be any number of weird and wonderful techniques taught. personally i have never taught that it must be the roof flap every time, i have spent enough time operational to realize that sometimes you have to work outside of procedure's.

Learner User Online: Joined: 28 Feb 2008 Posts: 49

Is this fact or another rumour?
Where did you hear about this?
Why were the tests carried out?
Who sanctioned it?
Are the results going to be circulated to the watches?

Can you elaborate as these are the sort of questions I would be asked if I pass it on to the rest of the watch.

Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2008 7:17 pm

1.the test was carried out at STC.

2.it was carried out, because as far as we know it hasn't been done before, and we do actually have an interest in what we are doing.

3. it was carried out by Bureau Veritas.

4. it has been passed onto ops planning, who will make the final decision on it.

hope this helps?

Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2008 7:41 pm

Smoke don't get me wrong either. I'm glad that at last someone in training is asking questions about some of the operational practices we carry out. Hence my reference about steering wheel relocation.

Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2008 10:30 am

hey Red, you'd be amazed at the questions we ask and the ideas we have. MOST of them get 'poo pooed' because someone higher than us can't be arsed to get off their back side and actually do some work.

I am in the process of updating a policy document (old op note) from 1994 about the Sachs Dolmar because in the time we have had the Makita on the FRU no officer has seen fit to change this. So it is left to a WM a (in development) who actually cares about the job he does to do it rather than sweeping it back until the carpet like everyone else.

This goes for the student notes as well, which to be honest are a f**king embarrassment to the team and brigade

Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2008 2:19 pm

[ Bit like steering wheel relocation!!!!!

[/quote]

If you are refering to the practice of relocating the steering wheel using the chains and spreaders, then this is another method that personally i still teach. i'm fully aware that not every RTA is a car on its wheels with 360 degree access, so we try to teach many methods. for instance the Z fold on the roof, not a recognized brigade method but still good to have in the locker!

also using the Zip gun to cut through the screen, it takes a bit of practice but when you get it right it really zips through (bad pun

) but seriously it does work very effectively, and that one was suggested by one of the FRU students!

Learner User Online: Joined: 28 Feb 2008 Posts: 49

We still relocate using chains.

Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2008 3:44 pm

When we enquired on what information the brigade were going to stop steering relocation the answer we received " on advice from Fire service college" as someone there was rewritting the new RTA manual. This person had based their opinion on one case in America. A case were it was not even sure that the steering column had already become detached before relocation. Not a very strong research project!