These firefighter safety and health standards were adopted by the department of labor and industries in accordance with the provisions of the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA) of 1973 (chapter 49.17 RCW), with recommendations from the fire service advisory committee.

The purpose of this chapter is to assist employers and employees in the reduction of work related injuries and illnesses. In addition to providing an enforceable set of safety and health standards for the fire protection services, it is the intent of the department that the provisions of this chapter be used to assist both employers and employees in achieving the safest workplace reasonably attainable under the conditions to which employees are or will be exposed.