A reminder to all members of the need to complete their annual “Application For Permit To Light Fire” prior to season commencement. Application form and explanatory notes are attached.
Application for a ‘Permit to Light Fire’ is made through your local fire warden. If unsure of your fire warden contact details they can be located via the “Fire Warden Finder” by using the following link https://www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au/Pages/fw_finder.aspx. After receipt of your application the fire warden may impose conditions on a permit to reduce unwanted risk or nuisance to other people, property or to the environment. The fire warden may refuse to issue a permit if they believe that appropriate safety measures cannot be reasonably achieved.
It is also a timely reminder of the importance of providing a safe working environment on farms not only for growers but contractors and employees alike. Some, but certainly not limited to, thought provoking questions/safety behaviours that should be given consideration when undertaking such a task as a sugar cane burn could include:
- Who is in charge and will monitor/have overall control during the burn.
- Those involved deemed to be competent, are wearing the appropriate PPE and clearly understand their role during the burn
- Burning start points, location of individuals, wind direction, direction of the burn, designated escape routes in an emergency.
- Method of communication for individuals during the burn eg. mobile phone.
Having in place set procedures, adequate training and rules around tasks undertaken as part of farming operations is critical in any legal defence should someone be maimed or worse, killed and an action taken against a farmer/contractor for a breach of WH & S legislation.
At the end of the day no one wants to experience or be involved in a workplace incident or injury but nevertheless no one can afford to ignore safe work practice
So let’s all stay safe in 2018
