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Prescribed Burns

SWMS · SWMS-10155

  • 13 job steps
  • Version 9
  • Fire Services
  • Reads on any phone

This Prescribed Burns Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) guides operations and safety during prescribed burning activities, setting out the potential hazards and the control measures for them.

It covers 13 job steps, from training, planning and checking the weather to obtaining water from a hydrant or another source, arriving on site, setting up the work area, drip torch use, conducting burn operations, completing the burn and emergency response.

It includes controls for high-risk construction work beside roads and traffic corridors and in flammable atmospheres, and for hazardous trees, smoke, burns, manual tasks and environmental impact.

It suits businesses and professionals involved in prescribed burning, including environmental management companies, forestry services and fire control agencies.

Preview of the Prescribed Burns SWMS

Prescribed Burns

SWMSVersion 9
Company doing the work
[Company]
Business contact
—
Phone #
—
Responsible person (for monitoring SWMS and work)
—
Signature
—
Date
—
Contact phone #
—
Principal contractor (PC)
[Principal contractor]
PC address
—
PC phone #
[PC phone]
Date SWMS provided to PC
—
Job site address
[Site address]
Part of a construction project
—

Site management plan

If the work is part of a construction project, this SWMS must align with requirements of the Site Management Plan in place for the Construction Project.

High-risk construction work

This work activity involves the following “High-Risk Construction Work” (HRCW - identified in the Job Task column)

  • Hazardous AtmosphereWork in an area that may have a contaminated or flammable atmosphere
  • Traffic CorridorsWork carried out adjacent to a road, railway or shipping lane, traffic corridor

Planning and preparation

Planning/preparation

  • Liaise with Principal Contractor to identify on-site safety systems and procedures

  • Establish supervisory and communication arrangements

  • Principal contractor to confirm emergency response procedures are in place.

Hold points

  • Hold points identified and signed off before continuing work. (specify the hold points)

Training/licence

  • All workers to have a General Construction Induction Card

  • Relevant workers have relevant certificates of competency, licenses, and training. Specify on the SWMS Sign-off for each worker.

  • Trained First Aider on site

  • All workers trained in site-specific emergency and evacuation procedures, SWMS, safe work procedures, and safety data sheets.

Worker duties and responsibilities

  • Fit condition for work, i.e., no signs of fatigue, alcohol or drugs

  • Attend all site inductions/briefings

  • Comply with all site requirements, e.g. PPE, Traffic Management Plans (TMP)

  • Only carry out work related to the contract

  • Inspect completed work and report possible safety, environmental and quality matters to the supervisor.

Monitor/review

  • All people involved in the task must have this SWMS communicated to them before work commences

  • SWMS to be reviewed and amended if necessary, in consultation with relevant people after any near miss or incident

  • If additional site hazards identified, review this SWMS and amend control measures to suit

  • People, including workers, contractors and sub-contractors, affected by the revisions to this SWMS, must be informed ASAP

  • Give the principal contractor a copy of the revised SWMS

  • The site supervisor to monitor works against the controls stated in this SWMS

  • SWMS must be kept on-site and made available for inspection or review

  • Keep a record of this SWMS until the job is complete or for two years if involved in a notifiable incident

  • Regardless of any other factor, the person in control of the workplace must review this SWMS at least annually.

Site-specific notes

Legislation and codes of practice

None listed.

Personal protective equipment

  • Foot Protection
  • Hearing Protection
  • High Visibility
  • Head Protection
  • Eye Protection
  • Hand Protection
  • Protective Clothing
  • Breathing Protection
  • Sun Protection

Do not wear rings, watches or jewellery that may become entangled. Long and loose hair must be tied back.

Job steps, hazards and controls

  • Work activity

    Training

    • Hazard

      Lack of training or the assessment of capability may lead to personal injury, property damage &/or environmental incident

      Before controls3 High
      Controls

      • No person to be involved in any fire control work unless they have received training

      • Training of operators must include:

        • Supervisor – Nominated Competent Person:

          • Must have received appropriate formal training in prescribed burns and fire control

        • Other workers:

          • Trained to assist with preparations for the burn, support undertaking of the burn and participate in post-burn clean-up activities

          • Confirmation of a workers’ training to be sighted before the commencement of work

        • Additional Training and accreditation - All people working adjacent to traffic appropriately trained in traffic control measures.

      After controls2 Moderate
      Responsible
      • Supervisor

IR before controls · RR after controls1 LLow2 MModerate3 HHigh4 AAcute

Overall risk after controls2 MModeratethe highest rating after controls

12 more job steps, from Planning to Emergency response

Each with its hazards, risk ratings and controls, plus your crew's sign-on.

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What it covers

13 job steps

  1. TrainingTrain every worker in fire control and sight their training
  2. PlanningObtain consents and permits, and mark hazardous trees before the burn
  3. Check weather conditions & prepareCheck the weather and prepare for heat, cold, bites, stings and hazardous plants
  4. Obtaining water from a hydrant or another water source, e.g. creek/damFill the tank safely from a hydrant or other water source
  5. Arrival on-site & assess onsite conditionsPark safely, report to the site supervisor and complete a JSA
  6. Work area set-upSet up traffic management and barricades around the work area
  7. EnvironmentPut a burn plan in place and protect the environment
  8. House keepingKeep paths clear of tools and spills
  9. Manual tasksLift, shovel and rake without strain
  10. Drip torch useFill, carry and use drip torches safely
  11. Conduct burn operationsConduct the burn with experienced crews, watching fire travel, smoke and hazardous trees
  12. On completionDebrief, black out hot areas and make the site safe
  13. Emergency responseCall 000, follow emergency procedures and give first aid

Hazards it covers

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