Forest Operations > Fire Safety > Risk to Operation & Community

Risk to Operation & Community

The best way to avoid death or injury from bush fire is to be somewhere else when it occurs.

Some of the basic survival methods include:

• Wear suitable clothing with bare skin covered;
• Shelter from radiant heat;
• Try and get to an open area with minimum fuel;
• Do not panic or leave shelter to outrun the fire.

It is important to understand that the consequences of fire in the workplace may not only be deadly, but it may also have significant financial and community impacts as well.

Table 15 highlights the possible impact of a harvesting machine fire that burns the surrounding area.

 

Possible impact of a harvesting machine fire that burns the surrounding area
Machine Destroyed	Loss of production and income. Inability to supply timber. Cost of replacement. Difficulty to get new machine quickly.
Workforce Issues	Operator may be injured. Loss of employment due to loss of machine. Operator feels guilty.
Surrounding Area	Potential for legal liability for damage. Destruction of plantation = significant loss $. Cost of fences or other community assets.

Table 15

Self Help Activity 20, Fire

Download the activity by clicking the icon above. When completed please submit via the LMS or directly to your trainer.