Bushfires

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Fire services

These are the most common injuries and hazards for people working in fire services, as shown by injury claims.

Safety solutions

WorkSafe expects employers to have safety solutions in place to protect workers from the most common sources of injury.

Hazards and solutions

Hazard 1
Dragging hose
Continually review hose reel equipment and provide regular training in correct hose handling techniques.

Ensure there are sufficient personnel to safely undertake the task.

10 per cent of the injuries were to a persons shoulder.

6 per cent of the injuries were to a persons arm.
Hazard 2
Heavy lifting and pushing / pulling objects
Provide appropriate mechanical aids and equipment (eg equipment that is lightweight, mechanical aids that minimise overexertion) and ensure they are used properly and maintained in accordance with manufacturer specifications.

Position heavier items at accessible heights.

Train employees in the selection and use of any aids and equipment and safe handling methods, including how to use any risk controls. Provide refresher training if any changes are made.

Conduct post-injury follow ups on all reported injuries from hazardous manual handling.

Use registers to identify ongoing maintenance requirements for vehicles and equipment.

10 per cent of the injuries were to a persons shoulder.

18 per cent of the injuries were to a persons back.

6 per cent of the injuries were to a persons arm.
Hazard 3
Noise
Ensure employees are not exposed to noise that exceeds the exposure standard.

Arrange for a noise assessment if employees are exposed to excessive noise (eg workers have to raise their voices to communicate over a distance of one metre) and there is uncertainty as to whether employees exposure may have exceeded the noise exposure standard.

Eliminate or minimise the source of noise. Use noise insulated equipment (eg silence compressors) and separate workers from noisy activities.

Warn other workers nearby that you will be undertaking noisy work and advise them to move away or wear hearing protection.

Provide hearing equipment, ensure it is worn at all times, and provide employees with audiometric testing. Employers should provide a choice of different types of hearing protection appropriate to the noise level in the workplace.

5 per cent of the injuries were to a persons face.
Hazard 4
Physical training / running
Ensure training packages are designed and conducted by accredited fitness personnel, and that programs are tailored for individual requirements (eg staged progression of intensity, match the exercise to the person).

Ensure provision of ongoing medical monitoring and fitness assessments to all operational personnel.

Conduct health / wellbeing sessions to help personnel develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

19 per cent of the injuries were to a persons knee.

18 per cent of the injuries were to a persons back.

6 per cent of the injuries were to a persons arm.

7 per cent of the injuries were to a persons leg.
Hazard 5
Repetitive tasks (including entering / exiting trucks)
Provide appropriate mechanical aids and equipment (eg equipment that is designed and positioned to minimise reaching and awkward postures) and ensure they are used properly and maintained in accordance with manufacturer specifications.

Ensure truck fittings are positioned to eliminate unnecessary climbing and have adequate steps with sufficient footing.

Provide sufficient lighting on the fire ground (eg in cabin, for steps and pump panel).

Ensure employees use three points of contact to access / egress vehicles.

Ensure employees are not exposed to repetitive work for long periods (eg by using job rotation, work variation) or work that requires a significant amount of high force.

19 per cent of the injuries were to a persons knee.

10 per cent of the injuries were to a persons shoulder.

18 per cent of the injuries were to a persons back.

7 per cent of the injuries were to a persons leg.
Hazard 6
Slips trips and falls
Regularly tidy and remove clutter so it does not accumulate.

Ensure floor surfaces in work areas are level, non-slip or slip-resistant and kept dry and clear of clutter and obstructions.

Ensure that all personnel maintain safe movement methods on the fire ground.

Conduct regular workplace inspections and report / remove any identified slip, trip and fall hazards.

5 per cent of the injuries were to a persons face.

19 per cent of the injuries were to a persons knee.

6 per cent of the injuries were to a persons arm.

7 per cent of the injuries were to a persons leg.
Hazard 7
Work-related stress bullying harassment and workload pressures
Develop and implement appropriate policies and procedures for workplace bullying and harassment.

Encourage a positive workplace culture, including reporting of bullying and harassment.

Ensure all employees (including emergency and student teachers, temporary staff) understand what bullying and harassment is, and the procedures for reporting incidents (eg policies and procedures should be promoted during employee induction and workplace bullying prevention or training).

Provide access and encourage employees to use employee counselling / support services, where possible.

Identify and control potential fatigue hazards (eg roster patterns, length of shift).

Encourage employees to report any workplace stress factors (eg work demand, low control, poor support, lack of role clarity, organisational culture) and control appropriately.

8 per cent of the injuries were to a persons psychological system.

Image shows a firefighter checking his equipment.

Information for emergency services

Health and safety information for emergency services industry workers including firefighters, ambulance and police officers.

Emergency services information

Bushfires

Fire services

Safety solutions

Hazards and solutions

Dragging hose

Heavy lifting and pushing / pulling objects

Noise

Physical training / running

Repetitive tasks (including entering / exiting trucks)

Slips trips and falls

Work-related stress bullying harassment and workload pressures

Information for emergency services

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