ESTABLISH AND PRACTICE EMER- GENCY SHUTDOWN PROTOCOLS Despite all precautions, the possibility of a fire persists. Having an emergency response plan in place can be the dif- ference between a small flare-up and a large-scale incident. Walter Passmore, State Urban Forester with Cal Fire Re- source Protection and Improvement, reported that one of the most over- looked steps in emergency shutdown “Having those tailgate meetings is important as you enter into seasons with high fire risk,” he ex- plained. “Reiterating fire safety proce- dures, site assessment, shutdown and emergency procedures, and other fire safety reminders.” Another often-overlooked fire safety measure is designating a dedicated in- dividual to monitor fire risk and initiate emergency protocols when needed. procedures is safety meetings and com- munication. “Just like when you’re moving large loads through traffic and you have someone dedicated to watching for safety hazards,” Passmore said. “When you’re in a high-risk zone for wildfires, you need to have a designated role for monitoring fire risk.” He also stressed the importance of notifying the proper authorities when there is an accidental start on the job site — even if the flames are seeming- ly extinguished. This helps to mitigate damage, especially if the fire is caused by a crew mistake. “When there’s an accidental start due to negligence, the company or respon- sible party may be held accountable for the costs of fire suppression,” he stat- ed. “That’s why it’s so important to con- tact the proper authorities as soon as the fire starts and also attempt to safely contain the fire until help arrives. This minimizes spread quickly and limits loss associated with fire damage and suppression efforts.”
While refueling, be sure the equipment is cool and far from any open flames or smoking. If spillage occurs, clean it up immediately.
•Allowing engines to cool before refueling. •Using only approved containers for gasoline and other fuels. •Refraining from smoking or allowing other open flames near fueling areas. •Avoiding spillage while fueling, and cleaning any spills immediately. “And then it’s just reminding the guys to be diligent about it,” Harvey added. “Because we get hot; we get tired.” It may seem rudimentary, but fatigue or rushing can make even seasoned professionals cut corners. Reinforcing fueling protocols during team meetings and safety briefings helps keep this step top-of-mind.
FOLLOW SAFE FUELING PROCEDURES Fueling is one of the riskiest routine tasks on a tree care job site during times of high fire risk. Sparking equip- ment, hot engines, or even a dropped container can start a fire under the right conditions. “I’ve seen fuel ignite just from static electricity, especially if we’re working near power lines, so we don’t fill up in the grass,” Harvey shared. “And we don’t fill up on the tailgate because it’s got this plastic bedliner, and for what- ever reason, you always get zapped with static electricity. We try to fill up on the person’s driveway, or the street, or a dirt road.” Other practices for reducing fire risk include:
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