Category: Training

AFAC documentation – Respiratory Protection

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Fire, land management and emergency workers can be exposed to a range of hazards and risks when completing work tasks. These may vary depending on the incident type, the urgency of response and environmental conditions.

Given the nature of emergency response work, it has been acknowledged that established safe work practices and risk management approaches that apply in non-emergency situations may not be appropriate to use while responding to an emergency. Additionally, the practice of prescribed burning gives rise to situations where it is impossible for workers to avoid some exposure to bushfire smoke. Agencies have an obligation to ensure that their responders are protected from hazards, as far as reasonably practicable, regardless of whether they are responding to an emergency or not.

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“Chewing smoke” Are volunteer firefighters getting the protection they need?

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Bushfire smoke is dangerous. It’s full of tiny suspended fine particulate matter, measuring only 2.5 micrometres (written as PM2.5). To get an idea of how small that is, a micrometre is 1000 times smaller than a millimetre. Particles that size easily get into your lungs and cause inflammation, resulting in symptoms like itchiness, coughing, watery eyes and sneezing. They get into your bloodstream and affect your respiratory, cardiovascular and immune systems and change your body’s chemical functions.

Also present in bushfire smoke are toxic contaminants like carbon monoxide, respiratory irritants (particles, formaldehyde, acrolein) and volatile organic compounds (like benzene).

That’s concerning when it’s just for a few days a year, but now that many firefighters have already clocked up over 100 days and the summer’s not yet over, there’s a debate about whether enough is being done to protect them.

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Fighting Fire with Fire – Cultural burning at Bundanon brings life back to the land

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On a day topping 30 degrees in tinder-dry bush at Haunted Point, Indigenous elder Sonny Timbery is showing a group of teenage boys how to light fires.

“The knowledge is held within the landscape. Once we learn how to read that landscape and interpret that knowledge, that’s when we can apply those fire practices.”

Firefighters from the NSW Rural Fire Service watch as the teenagers use firesticks made from bark to ignite leaf litter that has accumulated on a ridge above the Shoalhaven River.

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NSW RFS Code of Conduct and Ethics Training

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The NSW RFS is conducting a number of Code of Conduct and Ethics training workshops in 2018.

The VFFA congratulates the NSW RFS, Professional Standards Unit on this initiative. We encourage members to attend these workshops.

The workshops are interactive and provide an opportunity to discuss the Code and how it applies to brigade life. Learning occurs through instruction, large and small group activities and sharing of member experiences.

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Indigenous Cool Burn a Revelation

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Vegetation Management Officer Phil Hawkey describes himself as “on a journey” as he increases his knowledge of Aboriginal traditional burning.

It began three years ago when Phil attended a traditional burning workshop in Orange, New South Wales.

“That was the lightbulb moment,” says Phil, “I tell people I’ve found something new that’s 30,000 years old. It’s done with method, with science, with great care,”

His knowledge took a giant step forward when he attended a traditional burning workshop in Cape York with Group Officer Len Timmins. Then in its ninth year, each workshop moves location. It means that, for his return to Cape York this month, there will be new lessons to learn amid different topography and vegetation.

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Out-Sourcing of First Aid

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This post raises several concerns, the foremost being the proposal that the cost of attending an outsourced first aid course be borne by the Brigade(s).
The following questions have been posted:
Does the NSW RFS desire to have as many members as possible qualified in first aid?
Is the proposal for Brigades of the NSW RFS to meet costs for outsourced courses approved or sanctioned by the NSW RFS?
Is there a proposal for the costs of other courses such as chainsaw being covered by Brigades and/or individual members?
Was the issue discussed with volunteer training groups and if so what was the outcome?

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The Printed Pocket Book is Back

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We congratulate the RFS as they are planning another print run of the very popular Firefighters Pocketbook.

A limited number of printed copies of the Pocketbook are being distributed to Districts.

Get in early and secure yourself the November 2015 edition of the printed Firefighters Pocketbook.

If your District requires more copies, email the Pocketbook team and they’ll endeavour to assist while stocks last.

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Working in a Hot Environment

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It goes without saying that our firefighters cannot escape some degree of work in elevated / hot conditions. As firefighters we put a range of control measures in place including:

  • PPE / PPC that provides some degree of thermal protection.
  • A supply of drinking water is made available so that we can manage our hydration levels.
  • Training to improve awareness of potential heat injury and fatigue.
  • Training for our Crew Leaders to ensure that crews are provided with appropriate rest and hydration breaks.

What does WorkCover have to say about working in the heat?

Workers urged to stay safe in the heat

13/11/2014

Temperatures are expected to soar into the 40s in many parts of the State tomorrow (14/11/2014) and over the weekend, prompting WorkCover NSW to remind businesses and workers to work safely in the heat.

Acting General Manager of WorkCover’s Work Health and Safety Division, Peter Dunphy said businesses and workers needed to take precautions when working in high temperatures.

“Fatigue and heat stress are major causes of injury in hot conditions,” Mr Dunphy said.

“They can reduce a worker’s performance and productivity, plus increase the chance of injury by reducing the ability to concentrate, recognise risks and communicate effectively”.

“In fact, the three years to July 2011, there were 497 claims for workplace fatigue and heat stroke at a cost of $4.3 million, so it needs to be taken seriously and managed effectively.”

Mr Dunphy said workers and businesses need to work in partnership to protect themselves from the effects of working in heat.

“If possible, businesses should try to re-schedule work to cooler times of the day such as early morning or late afternoon”. (That is a bit difficult for all fire fighting situations but we definitely should take advantage of the cooler parts of the day for fire behaviour and worker safety reasons)

“If this is not possible, ensure workers have access to plain drinking water, at least 200mL every 15-20 minutes, shaded rest areas and frequent rest breaks.”

“Supervision is also important as people can deteriorate quickly if heat affected, so keep an eye out for each other”.

“Businesses should set realistic workloads and work schedules and ensure fair distribution of work”.

“It is important that workers don’t rely on energy or caffeinated drinks which can have a diuretic affect”.

“Workers can be exposed to UV radiation when working in the shade as well as the sun, so it is important to wear sun protection in all outdoor conditions”.

“Workers should be provided clothing with a UPF 50+ rating such as loose shirts with long sleeves, collars and long pants”.

“They should also be provided with broad spectrum sunscreen SPF 30+, broad brimmed hats and sunglasses which meet Australian Standards for UV protection.”

Further information on fatigue management and working safely in the sun is available from www.workcover.nsw.gov.au or by calling 13 10 50. Other sun safety resources are available from the Cancer Council at www.cancercouncil.com.au.

The NSW RFS has produced a great resource titled “Effects of Heat”, we have included it as a download below.

Click HERE or on the image below.

effects-of-heat

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