WorkSafe inspectors have recently responded to minor and major fires in secure facilities, believed to have been deliberately started, posing an immediate critical threat to employees and occupants.
WorkSafe is reminding employers about controlling risks associated with fires in secure facilities which accommodate high risk individuals.
Fires in secure facilities present significant risks to life and safety. This is due to the vulnerability of the occupants, the challenges associated with emergency response and evacuation in secure environments. Employees present may be exposed to a range of hazards, including fire and smoke. They may also experience psychological harm associated with high job demands and exposure to traumatic events.
Accidental or deliberate misuse of fire ignition sources and fire accelerants within these facilities can increase risk to employees and occupants. These risks include:
- being unable to evacuate independently due to reduced mobility, cognitive impairment or mandatory confinement
- delays in responding to fires due to staffing limitations, particularly overnight
- occupants becoming trapped in sleeping quarters, under beds or in living areas where visibility is significantly reduced by rapidly spreading dense smoke
- vulnerable occupants that are identified as being at risk of engaging in self-harming behaviours may further endanger themselves and others through impulsive use of fire
- employees and emergency response staff being required to enter smoke-filled rooms to rescue trapped and incapacitated high-risk occupants.
Where risks cannot be eliminated, they must be reduced so far as is reasonably practicable, following the hierarchy of controls. Control measures must be reviewed regularly and should be revised as necessary after an incident.
Using administrative controls and PPE to reduce risks does not control the hazard at the source. Administrative controls and PPE rely on human behaviour and supervision and, used on their own, tend to be least effective in minimising risks.
Use administrative controls and PPE only:
- as last resorts when there are no other practical control measures available
- as an interim measure until introducing a more effective way of controlling the risk
- to increase the effectiveness of higher-level control measures
Read more: Prevention of fires in secure facilities | WorkSafe Victoria