Forestry: internal combustion engines: industrial operations: fire toolbox.
Should AB 1395 be enacted, it would require a more robust set of firefighting tools than currently prescribed by law. Specifically, all employees engaged in industrial operations across specified terrains must have immediate access to an adequate number of fire extinguishers and additional tools such as axes and shovels for fire control purposes. This marks a significant shift toward an increased level of fire safety diligence within high-risk areas, thereby aiming to mitigate the potential devastation from industrial-related wildfires.
Assembly Bill 1395, introduced by Assembly Member Harabedian, proposes amendments to Section 4428 of the Public Resources Code, focusing on regulations relevant to internal combustion engines used in industrial operations near forested areas. The existing legal framework restricts the use of such machinery from April 1 to December 1 due to fire risks associated with dry vegetation. The bill seeks to enhance firefighting preparedness by mandating that industrial sites within these areas maintain accessible, dedicated firefighting tools accessible at all times when machinery is in operation.
Critics of the bill could argue that the increased provisions for firefighting equipment might impose additional operational costs on businesses engaged in forestry-related industrial operations. Conversely, proponents advocate that the protection of Californian forests justifies the potentially higher costs, given the increasing occurrences of wildfires and the critical necessity for timely and effective fire containment measures.