Bushfire Response and Readiness Plan

Dr Elizabeth Gibson General Manager provides an excerpt from the CMPA Bushfire Response and Readiness Plan Template 2020.

With the fire danger period fast approaching now is the time to review your Bushfire Response and Readiness Plan.

Objective
The objective of this Bushfire Response and Readiness Plan Template is to assist CMPA members in ensuring that procedures are in place and that responsibilities are defined and understood to prevent the ignition of a bushfire on a quarry site and/or to reduce the impact of an encroaching bushfire.

Relevant Legislation

• Victorian Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act 2004
• Victorian OHS Regulations 2017
• Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990
• Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) (Extractive Industries) Regulations 2010
• Environmental Protection Act 2017
• Dangerous Goods (Storage and Handling) Regulations 2012

References and Guidance Materials

The CMPA acknowledges the publication and provision of the following documents that have provided relevant information and guidance when establishing this Bushfire Response and Readiness Plan Template:

• Preparation of Work Plans and Work Plan Variations, Guideline for Extractive Industry Projects December 2018.
• Earth Resources Regulation Code of Practice for Small Quarries, Department of Primary Industries, Earth Resources Regulation May 2010
• CFA website

Code of Practice for Small Quarries Requirements

The Code of Practice for Small Quarries (2010) section 5.8 Fire Management lists the following requirements (R) with the objective of ensuring that a quarrying activity does not contribute to, or exacerbate fire hazards:

• R28. The Work Authority holder must take all reasonable measures to prevent the ignition and spread of fire
• R29. The Work Authority holder must ensure that all buildings, fixed plant and mobile equipment are fitted with fire-fighting equipment, such as fire extinguishers, fire blankets, knapsack spray pumps and rake-hoes

The Code recommends that Work Authority holders establish
the following practices:

• Develop a fire management plan
• Maintain appropriate fire – fighting equipment at a work site
• Check the undersides of vehicles periodically to ensure they are kept free of vegetation debris that could dry out and ignite
• Store flammable materials such as waste hydrocarbons away from ignition sources

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to the Bushfire Response and Readiness Plan Template
   • Objective
   • Relevant Legislation
   • References and Guidance Materials
   • Code of Practice for Small Quarries Requirements

2. How to use this Bushfire Response and Readiness Plan Template
3. Introduction and Authorisation
4. Site Location
5. Our approach to Prevention & Control
6. Our Objective
7. General Responsibilities
   • Quarry Manager
   • Quarry Workers and Contractors
8. Training & Awareness
   • Understanding Fire Ratings
9. Site and Site Evacuation Assessment
10. Hazard Id – Ignition Sources
11. Bush Fire Management Controls
    • Vegetation
    • General Operations
    • Mobile Equipment
    • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and
    • Communication Devices
    • Hot Works
    • Fuel Storage
    • Power and Water
    • Inspection and Maintenance of Controls
    • Fire Danger Period
    • Fire Danger Ratings and Total Fire Ban Days
12. Active Bushfires
    • Bushfire in Broader Area
    • Bushfire Impacting Quarry Site
13. Bushfire Investigation
14. Internal Communication
15. Bushfire Response and Read

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