SA Firefighter

Toughen up princess!  A young strapping lad like yourself shouldn't have a problem.

DID !

Sorry to disappoint, but, SA OHS&W Regulations, 1995. states in:

Division 2.13—Prevention of falls

2.13.1—Prevention of falls
(1) The purpose of this regulation is—
(a) to guard against falls that cause injuries due to the distances fallen; and
(b) to guard against persons falling into enclosures or containers that contain a
source of danger; and
(c) to ensure safe access to elevated workplaces; and
(d) to prescribe standards that must be observed in relation to the construction,
maintenance and use of ladders; and
(e) to prescribe standards that must be observed in relation to the performance of
maintenance work carried out above ground level on permanent structures.
(2) If—
(a) a person must work—
(i) in an elevated workplace from which he or she could fall; or
(ii) in the vicinity of an opening through which he or she could fall; or
(iii) in any other place from which he or she could fall,
and it is reasonably foreseeable that the person would be injured in such a fall
due to the distance of the fall; or(b) a person must work in the vicinity of an enclosure or container into which he
or she could fall and there is a reasonable likelihood that the person would be
injured in such a fall,
reasonable protection against a fall must be provided—
(c) by the provision of a safe means of access to the workplace; and
(d) by the provision of secure fences, covers or other forms of safeguarding or, if
that is not reasonably practicable due to the nature of the work, by the
provision and maintenance of safe systems of work.(3) If a person at work must gain access to a place that cannot be reached conveniently
from floor or ground level, and no appropriate means of mechanical access or fixed
stairway is available, a suitable ladder or steps must be provided.
(4) Any safeguarding provided for the purposes of subregulation (2)(d) must be kept in
good condition and must not be removed except so far as may be necessary to allow
the access or egress of any person or the shifting of materials.
(5) In determining the appropriate system of work for the purposes of
subregulation (2)(d), consideration must be given to—
(a) if a safe working platform cannot reasonably be provided, the use of a safety
harness attached to a secure structural
support (either directly or if that is not reasonably practicable, through the use
of an adequate static-line system);
(b) the use of a fall-arresting device (where appropriate);
(c) the undertaking of training in relation to the hazards that may be encounteredin the performance of the work;
(d) the provision of supervision by a competent person;
(e) the provision of assistance by another person.

As you can see from this regulation, even though no stated height is given, from the results of a risk assessment, if it is found that an injury is likely should a fall occur, then protection needs to be provided to prevent a fall from occurring.

My advice, purchase a roof workers kit and do some "safe working at heights training" I found it very usefull.

I have been reading these posts concerning working at heights with some interest. So I though it about time to put forward my 2 cents worth. Firstly I have included the links to the Safework SA site and Workcover Vic where you can download the "working at height" booklets. Bare in mind that SA one is written mainly for the construction industry. The other booklet that Chook referred to is better, although it of course quotes the 1.8m Vic height regulation.

My day job has me playing the role of a Workplace Safety Officer, so I have the joy of dealing with working at height issues on a daily basis. The Regulations are what they are, their is no getting around them if you want to stay compliant. I would be the first to admit the stupidly of different rules for different states that just added to the confusion. But, here in SA there is no stated height before you require fall protection. Having said that, as emergency service workers we are able to work outside the guidelines if we are working in an emergency situation. (the 2nd booklet highlights this quite well) But, we should allways remember to look out for ourselves and fellow firefighters 1st no matter what task we are doing, this includes working at heights.

My brigade has recently purchased two roof kits (plus training) to enable us to work on roofs that much safer. Now obviously if the situation was that to enable a time critical rescue to take place we wouldn't be using precious minutes doning harnesses etc. But for jobs where there is a greater exposure to the risks, eg venting or laying out tarps where you are likely to be spending a longer amount of time at height then if the gear is available and you have been trained in it use, then the task can be carried out with greatly reduced risk.


Links to Safe Working at Height booklets
www.safework.sa.gov.au/show_page.jsp?id=2774
www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/resources/file/ebcdbf435dcb573/prevention_falls_emergency.pdf

I hardly think bolting a telephone box to a truck constitutes a good design [/quote]

  That's right bittenyakka, didn't the BBC use your 14 for a prop when they made Dr Who? Now if your going to start comparing 14's you need to start with an even playing field, and we're part of the lucky minority that still drive the "Mighty Mazda". The rest can only dream of getting a "true" 14 (that realy does carry a 1000lt) into some of the areas we can.

Thanks for all the feedback, appreciate the unbiased views compared to the sales reps blurb.

Lets go right out there and paint them Teal. 

Would that then give the trucks more "POWER" 

On my BA course the instructors went as far as to teach technique in using the hand held mic (speaking directly into it rather than across it as is the norm) whilst wearing BA.

How effective / reliable are these appliances? Do they get much use? First impressions indicate a quite usefull design, being able to back up in both the urban & rural environment.

I have seen only one other simular appliance so far having both a PTO and Aux pump on a 14 size appliance, and that was a NSWRFS Cat7 ( see photo )

Thanks for all the info, one last question, do you know where they were built? as they seem quite different to the NSWRFS Cat 7. Though I have seen a photo of one of theres with a pto pump as well, but it was probably brigade built.

Hi all, has anyone heard anything more about the alledged new "LR" vehicles ? it seems to have gone very quiet.

On the topic of logistics vehicles, I came accross "State Logistics 3" which is a CFS POD carrier complete with emergency beacons and LED's. Also sitting inside the store room was 2 POD's one open tray (fitted) and one pantech.

Guessing that this vehicle is reasonably new, just a pity I didn't have my camera with me.

I had the chance to sit in the back of a new model Navara, it sure has more leg room than my old Hilux, but then I wasn't wearing my PPE at the time.