SAFETY

Safety Assessment Conditions

A table of situations and considerations when making a risk assessment during response.


SituationIdeal safe working conditions
Walls/buildings showing signs of damageAt least 1.5x height of structure away
Working at heightsAt least 2 metres from the edge
Working in a trenchDepth not exceeding waist height
Driving vehicles around trenchesStay more than 1.5 x depth of the hole away
Suspected but unknown hazmat incidentStay more than 50m away for spills or 500m if large quantity on fire.
Working around/on railway linesStay off tracks/corridors until okayged by rail controler. Use up and down track spotters.
Crossing flood waters by footLess than knee depth and less than walking speed.
Crossing flood waters by vehicleLes sthan 0.3m depth and less than walking speed. Walk and probe the route first.
Electrical Hazards from Damaged Buildings, Vehicle accidents, storm damage.1. Stop >8m away from electrical source and any ajoining conductors for initial hazard assessment.
2. Request power turned off if any danger cannot be mitigated.
3. Keep public >8m from source and ajoining conductors.
4. Responders minimum approach distance is 4m.

Increase distance in wet or smokey conditions. Be aware of potential arching as well as conduction risk.