The City of Pullman has paid a $2,700 fine after Department of Labor & Industries investigators concluded fire and road crews did not have adequate safety equipment or training to conduct several water-based rescues during the April flooding event.
While no city employees or citizens suffered injury during the rescue, L&I listed the safety violations as “serious” and alleged Pullman officials had not taken adequate steps to ensure city crews had the protection they needed to conduct the rescue.
“All work methods, and operations must be so designed as to promote the safety and health of employees,” the citation states. “The employer must to everything reasonably necessary to protect the safety and health of employees.”
L&I investigators concluded rescuers did not have proper safety gear such as flotation devices, rode unsecured in the bucket of a front end loader and did not all have adequate technical training for water rescue incidents.
Pullman officials stated in a news release Tuesday they would not appeal the decision. The L&I citation warns that future failures to provide safety equipment would result in additional penalties.
Pullman Radio News reports state Rep. Joe Schmick has challenged L&I to overturn the fine.
City officials reported fire crews, with the help of a Road Department employee, rescued 22 people during the April 9 flood. The Daily Evergreen first reported the L&I investigation into the rescue tactics. Read the full citation below: