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Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Second Session (51-2)
2008-03-06 Daily Xml
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FIRE PREVENTION

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (14:55): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Emergency Services a question about fire prevention.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: A number of damaging fires have been reported as a result of the use of mechanical tools, such as angle grinders. Is the minister able to provide any information about the requirements for the use of these tools during the fire danger season?

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Road Safety, Minister Assisting the Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (14:55): This is a serious matter, with two fires in as many days sparked by angle grinders, which certainly has had our firefighters worried. While there is no suggestion that fires which have started as a result of the use of mechanical tools are deliberate, the inappropriate use of such equipment under current conditions clearly can have devastating results. Everyone in this place is aware that the state is experiencing a period of extraordinary fire risk. We have very dry grasses and vegetation and it takes only one spark, and unless appropriate measures are in place fire can spread quickly.

I appreciate that the restrictions we place on the use of these sorts of tools can cause inconvenience for farmers, workers, supervisors, businesses and so on. However, public safety is the primary concern and I assure members that restrictions are in place to protect life and property. A number of items of equipment fall into this category: angle grinders, chainsaws and brush cutters, together with other appliances or items which, under the Fire and Emergency Services Regulations 2005, have restrictions placed on their use during the fire danger season. These include vehicles, aircraft, welders, slashers, bee smokers, rabbit fumigators, bird scarers and blasting using explosive materials.

As general advice, I urge anyone intending to undertake activities using any of the above to contact the CFS hotline to check any restrictions prior to using these items. These restrictions are not overly onerous, and simple precautions can be taken, such as having a water supply available, hoses already attached, portable water if necessary, rakes, shovels, and so on. These precautions take only a moment. The CFS hotline and website are very helpful and can deal with specific requirements for each item of equipment or appliance.

Angle grinders, however, seem to have been of some concern. I remind people that they can be used during the fire danger season, but people must (and this is common sense) have a shield or guard fitted; the area cleared of flammable material or wetted sufficient to prevent the spread of fire to a distance of at least four metres; adequate water on hand to extinguish any fire should a spark escape; and a person present at all times to control the appliance while it is in use. Similar requirements exist for chainsaws, welders, brush cutters and so on.

On a total fire ban day these appliances cannot be operated without the issuing of a schedule 10 permit from local councils. However, it does not have to be a total fire ban day for the fire risk to be high. We are in very dry conditions and, regardless of what the law requires, I urge everyone to err on the side of caution and exercise some common sense. A number of fires this season have a known cause of a mechanical cutting tool or welder.

With the dry and hot conditions that we are expecting over the coming days and in the lead-up to the long weekend, SAFECOM Public Affairs and the fire services will be reinforcing the safety message through the media, aiming to bring home to people the dangers of operating this type of equipment. I urge everyone to take those messages seriously.

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