HEALTH MATTERS
Diesel exhaust is easy to manage As the HSE Adviser for West Region, I assisted a contracted occupational hygienist to monitor diesel exhaust gases and particulate matter in motor rooms at a class 1 and class 2 brigade. The testing occurred in the motor room during a scenario of a typical CFA call-out. The aim was to monitor the atmosphere using a gas detector and diesel particulate sensors.
shocked at the difference it made to the real-time diesel gas levels as I watched the gas detector readings drop dramatically for the test at the first brigade. It took less than two minutes for the gases to drop significantly and then plateau, whereas the second station took well over 20 minutes to drop to the same level.
The brigade captain followed the process used for turning out to a job – opening the motor room door, starting the truck, donning PPE/C, driving the truck out of the motor room and closing the motor room door, though not necessarily in that order.
The diesel particulate results mirrored the gas readings – lower particulate levels were found at the first brigade. Getting the motor room door open and the truck out of the station as soon as possible made a significant difference. Keeping the door open to allow air flow through the motor room added to this.
The local process to turn out for each brigade was similar but not the same. The first brigade moved the truck onto the apron, then left the motor room door open while members donned their PPE/C. The second brigade opened the motor room door, started the truck, donned PPE/C, then drove the truck out of the station and closed the door behind them.
The occupational hygienist’s report stated that diesel gases and particulates measured at both locations were well below the guideline figures specified by the NSW Minerals Council. CFA members should not suffer any adverse long-term or short-term health effects because of exposure, and getting the truck out of the motor room early further reduces the risk.
I wondered if the differences between the two brigades would be noticeable when it came to the results of the test. I was
STORY DAVID MACFARLANE
COVID-19 requires effort by all The COVID-19 pandemic has required a bewildering amount of change and CFA continues to adapt. Over the past six months all brigades and supporting directorates have been working hard to learn new ways to deliver essential and emergency services to the community. All this effort has occurred while undergoing the most significant organisational change we are likely to see. The people managing and supporting our response to COVID-19 have had to deal with a wide variety of issues. Through the ongoing efforts in CFA – at brigades, groups and districts, as well as in collaboration with our sector partners – we’ve identified, assessed and controlled risks as best as we can. At the time of writing, the metro area of Melbourne is in Stage 4 restrictions and regional Victoria is in Stage 3 restrictions. Feedback from around the state has shown how complex working under these conditions is. We’ve also been very happy to see that brigades have responded to the challenge by using technology to conduct skills maintenance sessions and check in on the wellbeing of their members. For example, Knox Group runs a fortnightly online meeting for captains to keep up with the changing requirements and local operational issues. As a CFA member, you’re required to comply with the directions and processes provided to you by CFA. But let’s face it, doing this for CFA should not be the key reason. Every day we hear how many new infections and deaths have occurred. It’s easy to dissociate from these numbers if you don’t know someone on a ventilator. It’s easy to forget, if like me, you’re a long way from Melbourne and still have a job. Living with COVID-19 restrictions is hard but doing the right thing can save a life just like responding to an incident. You may not know the person you save, but you don’t work with CFA for reward and recognition Please apply the basic principles of this pandemic and be brave in calling out others:
• Distancing and isolation: if you don’t need to be around others then stay away. • Cleaning and disinfecting: cleaning removes, and disinfecting kills, viruses and other risks. • Personal hygiene: wash your skin and clothes regularly. Scrubbing with soap works. • Health checks: confirm you don’t have symptoms or a temperature when you arrive. • Face masks: help stop the virus leaving your body and entering another’s. CFA provides a range of specific advice and procedures for use by all members. See the COVID-19 page on Members Online for information or contact your local district office for support. STORY JEREMY WATSON
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