Occupational Health & Safety Life Saving Victoria Workplace Guidelines A Basic Introduction to Guidelines in Lifesaving Clubs for: Emergency Evacuation Plans & Procedures Hot Work & Welding Electrical Safety Fire Protection
Table of Contents Emergency Evacuation Plans & Procedures... 3 Electrical Housekeeping... 8 Hot Work / Welding... 11 Fire Protection... 13 Maintenance... 14 References... 17 Workplace Guideline Page 2
Emergency Evacuation Plans & Procedures The following information is the minimum standard for Evacuation Plans (EP) for Lifesaving facilities. These guidelines are taken from the procedures for buildings structures and workplaces and are detailed in Australian Standards AS 3745 and where applicable AS 4083 Prior to implementing an EP for approval, each of the following will need to be considered and suitably addressed in your plan: Plan requirements Plans must address each of the following requirements: Have a clearly stated purpose and scope; Identify the building, structure or workplace to which they apply; Be presented in a format that can be easily read and understood; Be relevant to the type and size of the area covered by the plan; Take into consideration the hours of occupancy; Be flexible and easy to amend. Plan development When developing the plan, the following matters must be considered: All personnel involved in managing or conducting an evacuation must be identified by position title and have their roles and responsibilities clearly stated; The plan must take into account staffing levels and shift arrangements where applicable; Evacuation routes and exits, as well as normal paths for leaving the building, structure or workplace, must to be assessed for the likely effects that an emergency may have on them; Strategies for helping persons with disabilities in an emergency must be provided. Identification The plan must specify the method used to identify Evacuation Control members (ECM) and may include tabards, helmets, caps etc. Identification equipment must be prominently marked with the wearer s title where appropriate. Workplace Guideline Page 3
The following colours shall be used for ECM identification: White: Chief Warden Yellow: Area/Floor Warden Red: Warden Occupant warning systems The system used to warn the occupants (eg. siren, whistle, PA, installed alarm system etc.) is to be clearly identified in the plan. Floor diagrams/plan Floor diagrams provide information about the building layout, evacuation routes, exits to be used in the event of an emergency and the location of portable fire fighting equipment; however floor diagrams must not be cluttered with irrelevant information. If floor diagrams are used, they should be relevant to the specific area covered by the plan and should include the following details: An appropriate legend that identifies all relevant information on the floor diagrams; Approved exits to be used in the event of an evacuation are to be clearly marked in green with the word exit. It is optional to identify exit routes with directional arrows or other like methods to define the preferred path of travel; Location of portable fire fighting equipment; and location/s of assembly area/s. Emergency action guide An emergency action guide is used as a prompt for occupants who are confronted with fire/smoke in a building or are requested to evacuate. The guide should provide simple instructions to be followed in the event of an evacuation and must be posted in prominent locations. Workplace Guideline Page 4
Alternatives to total evacuation An alternative to a total evacuation in some buildings such as hospitals, aged care facilities and multi story buildings is a partial evacuation and may include lateral/horizontal evacuation into or through smoke and/or fire compartments. Where an alternative is used, it is the responsibility of the owner or occupier of the building, structure or workplace to provide the following evidence: Fire and smoke separation complies with the intent of the Building Code of Australia; and ECMs have been suitably trained and are competent prior to the plan being submitted for approval. Assembly area Where appropriate, designated assembly areas should be identified. All relevant people need to be made aware of the location/s and when selecting a site, the safety of all evacuees should be of prime importance. The assembly area needs to be sufficiently remote from the building, structure or workplace to provide a safe haven for evacuees and to ensure clear access for emergency services. Approval process Once the plan has been suitably formulated, is should be approved by the club s committee of management. Once approved all relevant training and education shall be initiated and plan introduced. For further information on evacuation planning, please contact Life Saving Victoria 03 9537 0000. Workplace Guideline Page 5
Emergency Control Members Roles and Responsibilities Each member of the ECM shall have clearly defined duties and responsibilities relevant to the building, structure or workplace. The following schedule of duties and responsibilities can be varied to suit your specific situation/s: Chief Warden On becoming aware of an emergency, the Chief Warden shall take the following actions: Ascertain the nature of the emergency and determine appropriate action. Ensure that the fire service has been notified (dial 000). Ensure that floor or area wardens are advised of the situation. If necessary, initiate evacuation and control entry to the affected areas. Ensure the progress of the evacuation and any action taken is recorded in an incident log. Brief the emergency services personnel upon arrival on type, scope and location of the emergency and the status of the evacuation and, thereafter, act on the senior officer s instructions. Floor or area wardens On hearing an alarm or on becoming aware of an emergency, the Floor or Area Wardens shall take the following actions: Implement the emergency procedures for their floor or area. Ensure that the fire service has been notified (dial 000). Direct wardens to check the floor or area for any abnormal situation. Commence evacuation if the circumstances on their floor or area warrant this. Communicate with the chief warden by whatever means available and act on instructions. Advise the chief warden as soon as possible of the circumstances and action taken. Co-opt persons as required to assist a warden during an emergency. Confirm that the activities of wardens have been completed and report this to the chief warden. Workplace Guideline Page 6
Life Saving Victoria Wardens Persons selected as Wardens may be required to carry out a number of activities, including the following: Act as floor or area wardens. Ensure that the fire service has been notified (dial 000). Operate the intercommunication system. Check to ensure fire doors and smoke doors are properly closed. Search the floor or area to ensure all persons have evacuated. Ensure orderly flow of persons into protected areas, e.g. stairwells. Assist persons with disabilities. Act as leader of groups moving to nominated assembly areas. Report to the floor or area warden on completion of required activities. Sample Evacuation Plan of Accommodation Facility Workplace Guideline Page 7
Electrical Housekeeping Electrical Safety Mains electrical voltages are a significant hazard. As such, health and safety policies as well as electrical requirements for safety apply. This document details administrative procedures for electrical safety at Life Saving Clubs. Responsibilities for Electrical Safety Fixed Wiring and Equipment All fixed wiring and equipment is to be supervised by a registered electrician. This includes testing of protection devices as required and any alterations to fixed wiring. Relevant Standards that need to be followed include: AS/NZS 3000, Electrical installations and Amendments Electrical Equipment Any repair work with electrical equipment where the voltage in the area being repaired is above 32volts AC or 115volts DC (i.e. prescribed electrical work) must be done by or supervised by a Registered Electrical Worker with a current Practicing Certificate. Examples of work, which can be completed by staff who are not Registered Electrical Workers include: Mechanical repair to radio equipment that does not involve removing covers which allows access to electrical circuits with voltages above 32 volts AC or 115 volts DC. Changing a light bulb where access to the bulb doesn t involve removing fixed covers where access to voltages above 32 volts AC or 115 volts DC occurs. Routine Testing and Inspection of Electrical Equipment Electrical equipment and portable electrical equipment must be tested prior to purchase by the supplier and tagged with the date prior to service. Tests shall be done thereafter as per the table of testing and inspection intervals (from AS/NZS 3760) in section 7 of these guidelines. Workplace Guideline Page 8
Verification of Testing All tested equipment must be tagged following the test as per AS/NZS 3760. The tag must detail the following: Name of the person or company that performed the test. The test, or retest date. Non-compliant equipment must be: Withdrawn from service immediately. Sent for repair, disposal or destruction by a Registered Electrical Worker with a current Practicing Certificate. Scope of Equipment to be Tested All portable equipment. All equipment used in training spaces. All equipment in common rooms and office kitchens. All office equipment where the supply cord is subject to flexing in normal use e.g., extension leads, portable fans, heaters. Where the supply cord to the equipment is not subject to flexing in normal use, a testing regime of five years is acceptable. Such equipment may include faxes, fixed computers and printers that are normally in a stationary location. Requirements for Members Undertaking Testing and Inspection of Electrical Equipment Members undertaking electrical tests must be competent as defined by AS/NZS 3760. Specialised electrical equipment is also required to undertake some tests. Where existing in-house resources do not have appropriate expertise and equipment then arrangements should be made either with other clubs or organisations that can support electrical testing or alternatively sub-contract equipment testing. Organisations that undertake testing are listed in the yellow pages under Electrical Equipment Repairs and Services. Outsourcing of testing should be arranged with the assistance of the club committee. Workplace Guideline Page 9
Use of Personally Owned Electrical Equipment Where a member uses personally owned electrical equipment for work purposes, the member must arrange for this equipment to be tested prior to use on site and inspected as required by this procedure. The cost of testing is the member s responsibility. Members may bring electrical equipment in to accommodation rooms for personal use. It is strongly recommended for members well being the equipment is tested to confirm its safety. The following is the requirement for testing and tagging of electrical equipment. This schedule has been taken from the Australian Standard AS/NZS 3760 and remains copyright. It has been adopted by WorkSafe Victoria and Life Saving Victoria. Class of Description of Work Work 1 Construction work or work in conjunction with construction work 2 Assembly, fabrication, installation, maintenance, manufacturing, repair or refurbishment work 3 Any work that is not defined as Class 1, 2 or 4. (eg. cleaning and catering services, teaching, research) 4 Office-related work where items are moved while in use. Frequency of Testing See Electrical Safety Regulations section 87 & AS/NZS 3012:2003 If double insulated - every 12 months If not double insulated then every 6 months Switchboards in restricted access areas shall be tested by Facilities Management Portable RCDs shall be tested as per ES Reg s91 & AS/NZS 3760-2003 Test annually OR Connect to RCD at switchboard OR Use portable RCD (for specified electrical equipment) as per ES Regs s 93/94 & AS/NZS 3760-2003 Test every five years OR Connect to RCD at switchboard OR Use portable RCD (RCD tested as per AS/NZS 3760-2003) Workplace Guideline Page 10
Hot Work / Welding Procedures for Hot Work Cutting and welding operations (also known as hot work ) may occasionally take place within lifesaving clubs. This may occur when repairs are being made to propeller guards, trailer etc. If the hot work is being carried out by a club member, that member must have the respective qualifications and follow the following guidelines. Outbreak of fire incidents Precautions should be in place to prevent the possibility of fire or explosion, which can result in harm to either people or property. The following incidents may be caused by hot work procedural failures: oxy cutting, rubber lined pipe, minor Fire oxy cutting, minor fire in waste material, metalliferous treatment plant oxy cutting, fire in conveyor belting and extensive damage to crushing plant loss of production underground for one day, plant down for four days grinding steel pipe, grass fire from on surface of underground mine oxy cutting ignited nearby packing and rubbish, fire in underground workshop brazing a steel fuel tank, fuel ignited and tank exploded - fatality welding, rubber lined pipe, fire in lining, concentrator plant minor equipment damage. Hot Work Permit Incidents associated with hot work (grinding, welding, thermal or oxygen cutting or heating, and other heat-producing operations) can be minimised by the development and implementation of a hot work permit. Cutting and welding in hazardous areas are high risk activities and as such require additional safety precautions. Guidance for the development and implementation of hot work permits are contained in Australian Standard AS 1674.1-1997 Safety in welding and allied processes, Part 1: Fire precautions. Workplace Guideline Page 11
Guidelines for Hot Work Precautions fire equipment available and within 10m of work area hot work equipment in good repair Within 15m of work The area within a radius of 15 metres from hot work, including the space above and below that area, should be cleared entirely of hazards. The following precautions within 15m of hot work can essentially isolate any fuel from spark: good housekeeping flammable liquids removed from work area combustibles that cannot be removed protected with fire-resistant covering explosive atmospheres eliminated or hot work not performed wall and floor openings covered combustibles removed from opposite side of walls Work near/on walls/ceilings combustibles moved from both sides no combustible coverings or insulation Confined space/enclosed equipment cleaned of all combustibles purged of flammable liquids/vapours Hot work monitoring monitor area during work monitor for at least 1 hour after For more information please contact Life Saving Victoria on 9567 0000. Workplace Guideline Page 12
Fire Protection Fire Protection Equipment The following information is to act as a guide for fire protection for your life saving facility. This is no substitute for professional advice and it is recommended that each club has a regular fire safety audit conducted on their premises by a licensed group such as the Country Fire Authority. Fire Extinguishers Portable fire extinguishers must be installed within every lifesaving building, as necessary to allow effective initial attack on a fire by occupants. The distribution of portable fire extinguishers shall be in accordance with the hazard classification of the area or risk to be protected. Extinguishers shall be located in a conspicuous and readily accessible position, adjacent to the risk, in the path of exit travel or near exits and mounted at the appropriate height. Definition Of Rating and Classification of Fire Extinguishers Fire extinguishers complying with Australian Standards are marked with a classification and rating, determined in accordance with AS 1850. Extinguishers are rated by their performance and suitability for a particular class of fire, i.e. 2A:40B:E. The classes of fire are: Class A: Class B: Class C: Class D: Class E: Class F: Fires in ordinary combustible materials, such as wood, cloth, paper, rubber and many plastics. Fires in flammable and combustible liquids, greases, and oils. Fires in combustible gases. Fires in combustible metals. Fires which involve energised electrical equipment (where the electrical non-conductivity of the extinguisher is of importance). Fires for cooking oils and fats. Workplace Guideline Page 13
The number before the letter is a measure of the relative performance within that class range, between 0 and 10 for Class A, 20 and 80 for Class B and 1 and 4 for Class F. A greater rating reflects an increased effectiveness of the extinguisher for the nominated class of fire. When a fire extinguisher is rated for more than one class of fire, it is expressed in alphabetical order, e.g. 2A:40B:E. There is no one type of fire extinguisher that will universally cover all fires. For this reason, careful consideration needs to be given to all the factors involved in selecting the most suitable fire extinguisher, or combination of fire extinguishers. The Rating and Classes listed in the attached appendix are minimum recommendations only. Individual companies may not manufacture exact Ratings as listed, therefore, the next highest rating should be utilised. i.e. in the instance of a 1A:5B: E Dry Powder not being available then 1A:10B: E Dry Powder would be considered appropriate. All extinguishers must be signed in accordance with AS 2444:2001. Maintenance The relevant maintenance standard for portable fire extinguishers is AS 1851.1-1995 Maintenance of fire protection equipment - Portable fire extinguishers and fire blankets. The current maintenance schedule adopted by this standard is summarised below. Classification Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5 Inspection Frequency Six-monthly intervals Yearly intervals Three-yearly intervals Six-yearly intervals After use Immediately following each inspection, the maintenance tags are required to be indented and a written inspection report submitted to the club s representative. The club is then responsible for keeping a copy of that maintenance report on site at all times and where an essential services logbook is required by Part 11 Division 1 of the Building Regulations 1994, preferably within that logbook. Workplace Guideline Page 14
Fire Extinguisher Placement and Size Guide The following table lists the requirements for placement and size of fire extinguishers. The information is taken from the Building Code of Australia 1996. It is highly recommended that the club seeks professional advice on this area from a licensed provider. Risk Extinguisher Rating & Type Preferred Location Building with NO hose reel 2A:Water Type (1 per 200m 2 or part thereof) Adjacent to exit Kitchens (inc. oil cooking) 40B:E Dry Chem. Adjacent to door Kiosks (inc. oil cooking) 40B:E Dry Chem. Adjacent to door Electrical Switchboards 2A:20B:E Dry Chem. B/w 2 m & 20m from board Access to Fire Protection Equipment The club committee must ensure that reasonable access by fire fighters to any fire protection equipment or essential services is available within the club facility or the surrounds. Exits, Exit Signs and Lighting The club committee must ensure; Locking devices are not fitted on a door forming part of any required exit unless they comply with the Building Code of Australia (BCA); Access to doors, corridors or fire escapes that form part of an emergency exit or exit route are not blocked, restricted or made narrow; Workplace Guideline Page 15
Exit signs and emergency lighting operate effectively and are clearly visible at all times; and Ceilings, walls, floors and stairs of a fire exit, or path of travel to an exit, are only covered with materials that comply with the Building Code of Australia. All designated exits are to be marked with an Exit sign that conforms with Australian Standard 2293. The signs must meet the following; o All exit signs need to be supplied with an approved battery backup system which will illuminate signs in the advent of power failure. o The legend and the directional arrow(s) where incorporated shall be white and the background shall be green. o Exit signs and directional arrow(s) shall be illuminated at all times when the premises are in use. o Exit signs shall be mounted between 2m and 2.7m above floor level immediately above the door if higher than 2.7m, unless otherwise approved. o Exit signs should be provided at the following locations: Above or adjacent to every doorway affording direct access from a storey to - an enclosed stairway or ramp serving as an exit; an external stairway serving as an exit; or an external access balcony leading to an exit. On or near every doorway discharging from an enclosed stair way or ramp at every level of access to a public place or open space leading directly to a public place. Most local councils will offer consultation at a local level on issues relating emergency evacuation or Building Code issues. Workplace Guideline Page 16
References AS 2444:2001 Portable fire extinguishers and fire blankets - Selection and location. AS1851.1:1995 Maintenance of fire protection equipment - Portable fire extinguishers and fire blankets. AS 1850:1997 Portable fire extinguishers - Classification, rating and performance testing. AS 1940:1993 The Storage and Handling of Flammable and Combustible Liquids AS 3745:2002 Emergency control organisation and procedures for buildings, structures and workplaces. AS 4083:1997 Planning for Emergencies - Health Care Facilities AS 3000:2000 Electrical installations and Amendments AS 3760:2003 In-Service Safety Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment AS 1674.1:197 Safety in Welding and Allied Processes - Fire Precautions AS 1674.2:197 Safety in Welding and Allied Processes - Electrical Building Code of Australia 1996 MFESB Selection, Installation & Maintenance of Portable Fire Extinguishers Fire Safety in Buildings - Obligations of Owners & occupiers : Tasmanian Fire Service A Guide to Evacuation Plans - Queensland Fire Service Workplace Guideline Page 17