Bushfire Safety SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers bushfire safety activities, including pre-start assessment, access controls, ignition-source management, field work, evacuation, authorised response and recovery. It supports planning work controls and managing hazards from fire, smoke, heat, changing conditions, vehicles and emergency access.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Complete a pre-start bushfire assessment
• Establish site access and evacuation controls
• Inspect plant and vehicles
• Manage fuels and ignition sources
• Manage smoke, visibility, heat and fatigue
• Conduct routine field work
• Detect and report fire
• Evacuate from nearby bushfire conditions
• Undertake authorised response activities
• Account for personnel
• Re-enter and recover the site when appropriate
• Demobilise and review the work

Who is this for?

For contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out work where bushfire conditions may affect the site.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

The template includes references relevant to the documented work, including:

• Applicable Commonwealth, state or territory WHS/OHS legislation and regulations, including duties to manage risks, provide emergency plans, consult workers, manage remote or isolated work, provide PPE and notify notifiable incidents where applicable.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities — guidance on emergency plans, air quality, bushfire smoke, heat and welfare facilities.
• Model Code of Practice: Construction Work — guidance on emergency planning, worker instruction, evacuation, emergency communication and remote or isolated work.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace and Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemicals — guidance on fuels, SDS, fire response and evacuation.
• AS 3745 Planning for emergencies in facilities; AS 2444 Selection and location of portable fire equipment; AS 1851 Routine service of fire protection systems and equipment; AS/NZS 1715 and AS/NZS 1716 Respiratory protective equipment; AS/NZS 1270 Hearing protectors; AS/NZS 2210.3 Protective footwear; AS/NZS 4602.1 High-visibility safety garments.
• Model WHS laws and model Codes of Practice are guidance only and do not automatically have legal effect in every Australian jurisdiction; confirm local fire, emergency-management and WHS/OHS requirements before work starts.

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Standard SWMS Features (Click to Expand)

• Task-specific job steps, hazards and control measures
• Initial and residual risk ratings
• Assigned responsible persons for each job step
• Plant, equipment and PPE requirements where applicable
• Permits, qualifications and high-risk construction work details where applicable
• Worker consultation, sign-off and review sections