Worker burned in workshop fire

Possible control measures to prevent similar incidents

A Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) must manage the risk to health and safety associated with a hazardous atmosphere or an ignition source in a hazardous atmosphere at the workplace. The Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 requires specific controls for prevention of fire and explosion risks associated with hazardous chemicals including but not limited to:

• s52 - A PCBU at a workplace must manage risks to health and safety associated with an ignition source in a hazardous atmosphere at the workplace
• s355 – A PCBU at a workplace must, if there is a possibility of fire or explosion in a hazardous area being caused by an ignition source being introduced into the area, ensure that the ignition source is not introduced into the area

Fire and explosion can have catastrophic consequences. You must control ignition sources such as naked lights, sparks and mobile phones where hazardous atmospheres may exist. Effective controls for fire and explosion risks are often made up of a combination of controls.

Elimination is the most effective control measure and must always be considered before other control measures. If this is not reasonably practicable, the risk must be minimised by using one or more of the following control measures.

Examples can include but are not limited to:

• choosing not to use a hazardous chemical (for example using a water-based cleaner instead of flammable solvent-based cleaner)
• using ventilation systems to control vapours during both normal and abnormal conditions (e.g. leak or spill). The aim of ventilation is to disperse flammable vapours and avoid creation of a hazardous atmosphere. It can be achieved using natural or mechanical ventilation systems
• eliminating potential ignition sources from the area
• substituting a highly flammable product with a less-flammable product

Safe system of work

Risks can be further minimised by implementing a safe system of work to manage fire and explosion risks.

This can include, but is not limited to, the following:

• conducting a hazardous area classification wherever flammable liquids, vapours, gases and combustible dusts are generated, used, stored or handled to determine the extent of applicable exclusion zones for potential ignition sources.
• obtaining the current safety data sheet (SDS) from the manufacturer, importer or supplier of the chemical and making the SDS readily available to workers.
• ensuring you keep a hazardous chemicals register for use by workers. A hazardous chemicals register is a list of hazardous chemicals stored, handled or used at a workplace (subject to any exclusions).
• developing safe work procedures for the use, handling, storage, clean up and disposal of hazardous chemicals. This includes any arrangements to deal with emergencies, including evacuation procedures and first aid instructions.
• providing workers with information, training and instruction on:
• the nature of the hazardous chemical, the risks while considering the health and safety information located within the product’s SDS
• the availability of SDS for all hazardous chemicals, how to access the SDS, and the information that each part of the SDS provides
• arrangements to deal with emergencies, including evacuation procedures, containing and cleaning up spills and first aid instructions.
• ensuring containers of hazardous chemicals are used, handled and stored away from ignition sources (e.g. electrical or gas heating appliances).
• ensuring equipment used in handling flammable hazardous chemicals is maintained in accordance with manufacturer's instructions.
• ensuring worker training, experience, and competency aligns with the requirements and complexity of the task (workers must be trained and have the appropriate skills to carry out a particular task safely).
• the proper use, storage, and maintenance of suitable personal protective equipment (PPE).

Emergency plans

A PCBU must prepare an emergency plan to reduce the effects of an emergency involving hazardous chemicals at their place of work. When preparing an emergency plan, you must consider all relevant matters including:

• the nature of the work being carried out at the workplace
• the nature of the hazards at the workplace
• the size and location of the workplace
• the number and composition of the workers and other persons at the workplace.

A PCBU must also ensure the workplace is provided with fire protection and firefighting equipment that is designed and built for the types of hazardous chemicals at the workplace.

The control measures you put in place should be reviewed regularly to ensure they are effective.