Field Instruction. The purpose of this instruction is to provide the minimum requirements for managing bush fire risk during Bush Fire Season.

Transcription

1 Field Instructin 2.4 Fire Precautins fr Field Wrk Purpse The purpse f this instructin is t prvide the minimum requirements fr managing bush fire risk during Bush Fire Seasn. Safety Befre cmmencement f wrk, a risk assessment must be carried ut using the Risk Analysis Prcedure (OSH ), t identify and dcument the hazards and risks assciated with the task and ensure apprpriate cntrl measures are implemented. It is imprtant that, apprpriate cntrl measures must be identified, dcumented and implemented t lessen r cntrl the identified hazards. Instructin The Fire Danger Rating (FDR) is based n the frecast weather cnditins and gives yu advice abut the level f bushfire threat n a particular day. When the FDR is high, the threat f a bushfire increases. When the FDR is Extreme r Catastrphic fr yur area it means any fires that start are likely t be s fierce that even a well prepared, well-cnstructed and actively defended hme may nt survive a fire. All persns wh wrk in a field envirnment r travel ff rad during Bush Fire Seasn must ascertain the: Current FDR; and Specific requirements frm the Lcal Shire Cuncil fr the district in which the wrk is being undertaken. Infrmatin n Bush Fire Seasn and the fire danger warning can be btained frm, HPCC, DFES, DEC, Lcal Shire Cuncil r the Bureau f Meterlgy (BOM). (See Table 1 fr phne numbers) Reginal ABC radi statins als prvide frecasts n the hur f the FDR and relevant ban n the mvement f vehicles in paddcks as issued by Lcal Shire Cuncils. All persns wh enter bush areas must cntact the Lcal Shire Cuncil and where pssible the prperty wner t infrm them f vehicular mvements when the BOM has frecast an Extreme r Catastrphic FDR r where the Lcal Shire Cuncil has placed a Ttal Ban n the Mvement f Vehicles in paddcks. All persns wh start a fire must immediately cntact 000 r the Lcal Shire fr the district in which the wrk is being undertaken, prir t attempting t extinguish the fire. Any persn wh starts and then extinguishes a fire must advise the Lcal Shire Cuncil fr the district in which the wrk is being undertaken. The Lcal Shire Cuncil will mnitr the area in case f a flare-up f the fire. All persns wh smke in a field envirnment during Bush Fire Seasn must dispse f burning tbacc, cigarette butts, cigars and matches in such a way t avid starting fires. CS10 # FI 2.4 Fire Precautins fr Field Wrk Page 1 f 8 Uncntrlled when Printed

2 Field Instructin Fire flighting Equipment During Bush Fire Seasn, all peratinal vehicles engaged in peratinal wrk in a field envirnment must be fitted with a minimum f: Either tw 16 litre knapsack sprays, r tw 9 litre pressurised, air/water fire extinguisher, r a cmbinatin f bth. All nn-peratinal vehicles engaged in peratinal wrk (includes hire vehicles) in a field envirnment during Bush Fire Seasn must be fitted with a minimum f: Either ne 16 litre knapsack spray r ne 9 litre pressurised, air/water fire extinguisher. A fire suppressin unit cmprising a minimum f 400 litres f water, peratinal pump and a minimum 20 m f hse will be required fr use during certain tasks where an Extreme r Catastrphic FDR has been issued. (See Precautins fr Extreme, Catastrphic and Ttal Fire Ban declared days and Ttal Ban n the Mvement f Vehicles in Paddcks belw) The Fire suppressin unit will be required in fault situatins where lives and prperty are at risk when a Ttal Ban n the Mvement f Vehicles r Ttal Fire Ban is issued. (See Ttal Ban n the Mvement f Vehicles in Paddcks belw fr full details) HV insulatr washing equipment may be used as a fire suppressin unit, s lng as it cmprises a minimum f 400 litres f water, peratinal pump and a minimum 20 m f hse. All fire extinguishers and fire-fighting units must be inspected fr crrect peratin prir t: Bush Fire Seasn; Leaving the dept n Extreme r Catastrphic FDR days. Spark r Flame Prducing Equipment Spark r flame prducing equipment such as welding apparatus, gas equipment, xy acetylene apparatus r angle grinders shall nly be used during Bush Fire Seasn under the fllwing cnditins: Urban Areas A fire extinguisher must be placed n the grund near the immediate wrk area in a readily accessible psitin. Rural Areas Fire suppressin unit must be psitined near the immediate wrk area. All cmbustible material within a radius f 5 metres surrunding the immediate wrk area must be remved prir t cmmencing the task. Where it is nt pssible t remve 5 metres f vegetatin, it must be thrughly damped dwn prir t cmmencing wrks. Fr all undergrund cable wrk, tw fire extinguishers must be placed n the grund near the immediate wrk area in a readily accessible psitin. CS10 # FI 2.4 Fire Precautins fr Field Wrk Page 2 f 8 Uncntrlled when Printed

3 Field Instructin Nte: Fr the specific requirements f wd ple reinfrcing, refer t FI 5.3 Reinfrcement f Wd Ples. An bserver capable f perating the fire suppressin unit, wh is nt directly invlved in the wrks being undertaken, must be psitined t mnitr the immediate wrk area while spark r flame prducing equipment is being used during Bush Fire Seasn. This persn is t remain at the wrksite fr a further 30 minutes after the wrk has been cmpleted t ensure there is n residual ht material remaining n the site that may cause a fire t ignite Explsives Explsives can nly be used during Bush Fire Seasn under all f the fllwing cnditins: All cmbustible material within a radius f 3 metres f a lighted fuse, detnatin crd r explsive must be remved. Tw fire extinguishers must be placed n the grund near the immediate wrk area in a readily accessible psitin. The Lcal Shire Cuncils Bush Fire Cntrl Officer fr the district in which the wrk is being undertaken, must be ntified 24 hurs prir t the use f the explsives. Nte: If explsives are t be used within 3 kilmetres f frestland, DEC must be ntified 24 hurs prir t the task cmmencing. Precautins fr Extreme, Catastrphic and Ttal Fire Ban declared days Where a FDR f Extreme, Catastrphic r TFB is declared fr any f Hrizn Pwer s districts the HPCC Cntrller shall crdinate the disabling f the aut reclse functin n ALL HP and Independent Pwer Prducers (IPP) perated Transmissin lines, Distributin feeder circuit breakers and 3-phase Reclsers lcated in the affected Shire district(s) in accrdance with Field Instructin 6.8 Feeder Reclsing Plicy fr Extreme, Catastrphic & TFB Declared Days. Where instructed by the HPCC cntrller, lcal district staff and cntractrs shall disable, by 7.00 am the fllwing day, the aut reclse functin n ALL 3-phase Reclsers fr a Shire(s) within their district in which the Extreme, Catastrphic r TFB days are declared. Planned wrk must nly be carried ut under the fllwing cnditins. CS10 # FI 2.4 Fire Precautins fr Field Wrk Page 3 f 8 Uncntrlled when Printed

4 Field Instructin Urban Areas Spark r flame prducing equipment such as welding apparatus, gas equipment, xy acetylene apparatus r angle grinders must nt be used. Where wrks are t be cnducted at Urban sites with area/s f cmbustible bush r grassland, f less than 4000 square metres and within a radius f 100 metres, the fllwing shall apply: The prvisin f tw (2) peratinal fire extinguishers (16 litre knapsack sprays r 9 litre pressurised air/water r a cmbinatin f bth) t be placed n the grund near the immediate wrk area in a readily accessible psitin. A fire suppressin unit is t be n site, cmprising a minimum f 400 litres f water, with an peratinal pump and 20 metres f 19 mm diameter hse (minimum), capable f delivering water thrugh an adjustable nzzle. At least ne able bdied persn (trained in extinguisher/unit peratin) and wearing the apprpriate Persnal Prtective Clthing (PPC) is t be in attendance and dedicated slely t the detectin and suppressin f any fire. The site is t be fully inspected fr any ptential fire activity and declared safe prir t their departure. Supervisin f site t remain fr 30 minutes after fire risk activity has ceased. Switching Operatins: Operating verhead spark prducing electrical apparatus (e.g. HV drp ut fuses, HV single blade islatrs), can nly be carried ut under the fllwing cnditins: Tw persns must be present; and Tw fire extinguishers must be placed n the grund near the immediate wrk area in a readily accessible psitin. Nte: Where wrks are t be cnducted at Urban sites free frm any area(s) f cmbustible bush r grassland fr a radius f nt less than 100 metres, nrmal wrk prcedures apply. Rural Areas Spark r flame prducing equipment such as welding apparatus, gas equipment, xy acetylene apparatus r angle grinders must nt be used. All planned wrk where practicable shall be cancelled Where wrks cannt be cancelled and are cnducted at sites free frm any area(s) f cmbustible bush r grassland, fr a radius f nt less than 100 metres, the fllwing shall apply: The prvisin f tw (2) peratinal fire extinguishers (16 litre knapsack sprays r 9 litre pressurised air/water r a cmbinatin f bth) t be placed n the grund near the immediate wrk area in a readily accessible psitin. CS10 # FI 2.4 Fire Precautins fr Field Wrk Page 4 f 8 Uncntrlled when Printed

5 Field Instructin The site is t be fully inspected fr any ptential fire activity and declared safe prir t their departure. Supervisin f site t remain fr 30 minutes after fire risk activity has ceased. Where wrks cannt be cancelled and are cnducted at sites with cmbustible bush r grassland, within a radius f 100 metres, the fllwing shall apply: The prvisin f tw (2) peratinal fire extinguishers (16 litre knapsack sprays r 9 litre pressurised air/water r a cmbinatin f bth) t be placed n the grund near the immediate wrk area in a readily accessible psitin. Nn-Operatinal Vehicles A single r multiple fire suppressin units are t be n site, cmprising a minimum f 800 litres f water, with peratinal pumps and 20 metres f 19 mm diameter hse (minimum), capable f delivering water thrugh an adjustable nzzle. Each Fire unit is t be crewed with at least tw able bdied persns (trained in extinguisher/unit peratin) and wearing the apprpriate Persnal Prtective Clthing (PPC) and dedicated slely t the detectin and suppressin f any fire. At least 2 able bdied peple are t remain at the wrk site fr at least 30 minutes after the wrks have been cmpleted t ensure the site remains safe and the site is t be fully inspected fr any ptential fire activity prir t their departure. Persns driving nn-peratinal vehicles that are required t travel ff rad when a FDR f Extreme, Catastrphic r TFB is declared, must ascertain the Specific Fire Precautin requirements frm the Lcal Shire Cuncil fr the district in which the wrk is undertaken, prir t leaving the rad. Emergency Restratin (Fault Finding) Where Hrizn Pwer and Cntractr emplyees are required t prceed ff rad fr the purpses f undertaking preliminary assessments and emergency repairs (including switching peratins) where lives and prperty are at risk, the fllwing shall apply: A minimum 3 able bdied persns; The prvisin f tw (2) peratinal fire extinguishers (16 litre knapsack sprays r 9 litre pressurised air/water r a cmbinatin f bth) t be placed n the vehicle(s); A fire suppressin unit cmprising a minimum f 400 litres f water, with an peratinal pump and 20 metres f 19 mm diameter hse (minimum), capable f delivering water thrugh an adjustable nzzle; At least ne able bdied persn capable f perating the fire suppressin unit wh is nt directly invlved in the wrks being undertaken; 5m radius surrunding the immediate wrksite is t be free frm flammable material. Where it is nt pssible t remve 5 metres f vegetatin, it must be thrughly damped dwn prir t cmmencing wrks; All vehicles and statinary mtrs are t be inspected prir t leaving any frmed rad t ensure that the exhaust systems are in a sund cnditin; All vehicles and statinary mtrs are t be refuelled n clear grund and in an apprpriate methd t avid the release f static electricity; CS10 # FI 2.4 Fire Precautins fr Field Wrk Page 5 f 8 Uncntrlled when Printed

6 Field Instructin The access t the wrksite is t be checked t ensure that n vegetatin can cme int cntact with exhaust r catalytic cnverters fitted t any vehicle; Ntificatin The vehicles and plant are t be parked in an area free frm any cmbustible bush r grassland, fr a radius f nt less than 5 metres. Where it is nt pssible t park in an area free f vegetatin, it must be thrughly damped dwn prir t cmmencing wrks. The nearest DFES Reginal Office, and the Lcal Gvernment in which Shire the wrk is being undertaken are t be ntified n the day f and prir t these activities ccurring where a Catastrphic FDR r TFB is declared. If the wrk is t be cnducted within 3 kms f State Frest, the respective District Duty Officer f the Department f Envirnment and Cnservatin (DEC) is t be infrmed n the day and prir t wrks requiring this exemptin cmmencing. Where pssible the landwner n wh s prperty the wrk is t be undertaken is t be advised prir t the activity ccurring. Ttal Ban n the Mvement f Vehicles in Paddcks All planned wrk must be cancelled where Lcal Shire Cuncil has placed a Ttal Ban n the Mvement f Vehicles in paddcks unless permissin and specific cnditins have been btained frm the Lcal Shire Cuncil fr the district in which the wrk is being undertaken. In fault situatins where lives and prperty are at risk during a Vehicle Mvement Ban, wrk can nly be carried ut in accrdance with Emergency Restratin (Fault Finding) and Ntificatin f this instructin and under the directin f the lcal Bush Fire Cntrl Officer. Nte: Tw (2) persns are t remain at the wrksite fr a further 30 minutes after the wrk has been cmpleted t ensure there is n residual ht material remaining n the site that may cause a fire t ignite. Nte: Where there is risk t lives and prperty during a Ttal Ban On The Mvement Of Vehicles and persns are unable t access a Hrizn Pwer Fire Suppressin Unit, assistance may be sught by cntacting the: The prperty wner (lcal farmer) Lcal Shire Cuncil fr the district in which the wrk is being undertaken wh will arrange fr the VBFS t assist; OR Dialling 000. CS10 # FI 2.4 Fire Precautins fr Field Wrk Page 6 f 8 Uncntrlled when Printed

7 Field Instructin Table 1 Cntact Numbers Shire Cuncils Shire Cuncil Tel # A/H # Shire Cuncil Tel # A/H # Ashburtn Brme Carnarvn Cue Mt Magnet Murchisn Nrthamptn Prt Hedland Derby-West Kim Derby Fitzry Crssing Dundas East Pilbara Esperance Exmuth Halls Creek Lavertn Lenra Meekatharra Menzies Ravensthrpe Reburne Sandstne Shark Bay Upper Gascyne Wiluna Wyndham-E/Kim Yalg Yilgarn CS10 # FI 2.4 Fire Precautins fr Field Wrk Page 7 f 8 Uncntrlled when Printed

8 Field Instructin Other Hrizn Pwer Cntrl Centre Bureau f Meterlgy FESA (DFES) ; Emergency: DEC Since July ; A/h: Department f Parks and Wildlife Department f Envirnment Regulatin Native Vegetatin Cnservatin SES References Occupatinal Safety & Heath Act 1984 Occupatinal Safety & Health Regulatins 1996 SHMS OSH Jb Risk Analysis (JRA) Prcedure SHMS OSH Persnal Prtective Equipment Electrical Safety Standards Switching Prcess and Rules Field Instructin 2.5 Other Persnal Prtective Equipment Field Instructin 2.6 Wrksite Clthing / Persnal Prtective Equipment Requirements Field Instructin 2.23 Jb Hazard and Risk management (JRA) Field Instructin 5.3 Reinfrcement f Wd Ples Field Instructin 8.22 Switching Activities CS10 # FI 2.4 Fire Precautins fr Field Wrk Page 8 f 8 Uncntrlled when Printed