Due to the nature of the activities that bushfire volunteers are engaged in, many of them are already “risk aware”. However, it is important local governments ensure all bushfire volunteers receive adequate education and awareness around the hazards associated with being a volunteer, and how they can fulfil their obligations – and go home safe and well.
It’s important to have a reasonable and practical approach when dealing with volunteers as their time and availability may be limited.
Some fundamental procedures your local government should look to have in place include:
The 2024 WA Local Government Convention over 8 to 10 October was an excellent opportunity to chat with members and talk about the issues that matter to you. Over 650 delegates attended from across the state and we appreciated the effort many made to seek out our team to provide feedback and ask questions.
Members are once again asking questions about fire safety for e-bikes, e-scooters and other light electric vehicles (LEV), alongside the installation of EV charging stations. This is an evolving risk area and members should consider the developing situation.
2023/24 proved an interesting year for the LGIS scheme and our members. There have been inflationary pressures, labour markets have been tight and skilled workers difficult to find, the workforce is ageing, and there has been substantial legislative change including the Local Government Act and a brand-new Workers Compensation and Injury Management Act.
Local governments should have a health and safety policy outlining their commitment to providing a safe workplace. This should extend not only to workers, but volunteers and visitors as well.
Remember! When it comes to safety legislation a volunteer IS a worker.
A person is a worker if the person carries out work in any capacity for a person conducting a business or undertaking, in this case the local government. This includes working as a volunteer.
Local governments, as the Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) should make every effort to make sure that volunteer bushfire fighters (VBF) understand their role and responsibilities when it comes to safety in the workplace.
The Work Health and Safety Act (WA) 2020 (WHS) has expectations, and outlines responsibilities, for PCBUs and individuals. When they’re at work, VBFs must take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions.
Importantly they must also comply, so far as they are reasonably able, with any reasonable instruction, policy or procedure given by the Local government to assist them in meeting their legislative WHS obligations.
In practice this means that it’s important that all VBFs understand their individual roles and responsibilities for a safe workplace. They are expected to:
In addition to the above, providing additional education and awareness on the following topics may be advantageous.
Alcohol and other drugs usage can become a work, health and safety issue if a volunteer’s ability to exercise judgement, motor control, concentration and alertness is impaired, leading to increased risk of injury or incidents. This includes legally prescribed and some over the counter medication. Providing education and awareness on the subject can be invaluable and should be supported with processes and procedures.
When a person has exceeded their physical and mental capabilities, their body begins to decrease in performance.
Volunteer fatigue and burnout are a genuine concern, and volunteers need to be vigilant in self-assessment and identify fatigue-related behaviour in the people they work with. This cooperative approach removes the stigma associated with admitting you may be fatigued and emphasises the shared responsibility of managing fatigue effectively and looking out for each other.
Here in WA we can experience long periods of extreme heat which increases the risks when working on a fire ground. All volunteers need to take care of each other, particularly those with medical conditions.
Key ways to manage this risk include:
Getting enough sleep is the single most important factor for volunteer bushfire shift workers. Encourage your VBF to speak to their BFCO and/or senior brigade officers about any concerns and ensure they have sufficient rest between shifts.
Bushfire volunteers need to understand how to report safety concerns and incidents. This ensures local governments are aware and can address any issues.
It is vital local governments provide bushfire volunteers with guidance on the types of hazards and incidents that should be reported.
Type of incidents and hazards may include:
Encouraging volunteers to report their concerns also promotes positive safety behaviours.
Having a health and safety issue resolution process promotes effective communication and consultation between the local government and the volunteers. The resolution of safety issues at the local level is vital in promoting a safe work environment.
LGIS has developed a range of resources to support members and their valued volunteers in keeping safe, they include:
To find all of LGIS’ resources to manage and support volunteers check out the ‘Managing volunteers’ section of the LGIS website – Risk management > People risk management > managing volunteers
For support and advice on managing volunteer bushfire fighters talk to the LGIS people risk team at [email protected]
The recent WA Local Government Convention was an excellent opportunity to chat with members and talk about the issues that matter to you. LGIS also appreciated the invitation from WALGA to provide members with an update at their AGM on our 2023/24 results and achievements. For more information, our end of financial year reports, A Year in Review and Annual Financial Report, are now available on the LGIS website or you can read the article on page 18.
By their very nature playgrounds have an element of risk, designed to challenge children and deliver development opportunities. They’re valued and sought-after amenities in every local government area across Western Australia. They also come with high levels of expectation from the community that they will be well designed, in appropriate locations and maintained in a condition that ensures safe and enjoyable experiences for children
The claimant (child) was travelling across a bridge in the playground and fell through a confined space causing a broken femur, cuts and bruises. The claimant alleged that the playground was unsafe and had design flaws that didn’t prevent children from injuring themselves.
LGIS is the unifying name for the dedicated suite of risk financing and management services for WA local governments, established by the WA Local Government Association in conjunction with JLT Public Sector (part of the Marsh group of companies). LGIS is managed by JLT Public Sector (ABN 69 009 098 864 AFS Licence 226827).
Risk Matters, via this website, is designed to keep members, their staff and elected members informed on topical risk management and insurance issues and LGIS programs and services.
