Hazard management advice for bushfire-affected areas

WorkSafe Tasmania advises caution when entering a zone recovering from a bushfire.

The table below details typical hazards and provides advice on how to handle them. For further information, see Resources below.

In case of an emergency, call 000.

Hazard	Risk/Risk Level	Where they can be found	What to do
LP gas tanks/cylinders	HIGH RISK Flammable gas	BBQ Petrol stations Shops Houses Farms	Ring your LP Gas supplier if damaged/affected by fire. ELGAS (Swap and Go): 131 161 Kleenheat Gas: 132 180 Origin (Quick swap): 133 574 Supagas: 137 872 BOC: 131 262
Explosives facilities/magazines power gel, detonators, flares, ammunition, det cord, fireworks	HIGH RISK Explosion	Dedicated storage facilities Magazines Quarries Farms Shops	If storage facility affected by fire, assess condition of explosives/facility. Contact WorkSafe Tasmania for further advice
Aerosol cans	LOW RISK Flammable	Houses Shops Farms	Aerosol cans are likely to have been consumed by fire
Diesel tanks, drums, containers	LOW RISK Combustible	Houses Shops Farms	If tanks/containers damaged by fire, contents should have been consumed by fire unless tanks underground
Swimming pool chemicals: for example, chlorine, sodium/calcium hypochloride	LOW RISK Toxic Gas / Oxidizing	Public swimming pools House pools Chemical suppliers	If chemicals not consumed by fire, assess condition of chemicals and containers Contact chemical supplier
Oxygen/acetylene welding sets	LOW RISK Flammable gas	Houses Shops Farms	Contact specific gas supply company if cylinders are damaged by fire
Compressed gas cylinders, for example, beer gas (carbon dioxide), medical oxygen, nitrogen, argon, helium	LOW RISK Flammable gas Toxic gas	Workshops Hotels Hospitals Medical clinics Ambulances	Contact specific gas supply company if cylinders are damaged by fire
Refrigeration systems containing refrigerants, for example ammonia gas	LOW RISK Toxic gas	Farms Shops Houses	Contact specific gas supply company if system damaged by fire
Compressed gas cylinders eg beer gas (carbon dioxide), medical oxygen, nitrogen, argon, helium	LOW RISK Toxic gas	Workshops Hotels Hospitals Medical clinics Ambulances Houses	Contact specific gas supply company if cylinders damaged by fire
Pesticides, herbicides	LOW RISK Highly toxic	Farms Houses Sheds Nurseries	No action, as most of the substances likely consumed by fire
Live electricity, for example live power lines	HIGH RISK Electrocution	Fire-damaged property	Do not enter property unless Emergency Services officers, power authorities or local councils have advised that it is safe to do so
Reticulated (piped) gas leakage	HIGH RISK Flammable gas	Fire-damaged property with piped gas from mains gas supply	Turn gas off at the meter if there is safe access. If not possible, move away from the area and immediately contact the gas supplier. Contact a licensed plumbing practitioner to check installation
Septic or leaking sewerage	MEDIUM RISK Injury LOW RISK Disease	Properties with septic tanks	Look for collapsed or removed septic tank lids. Isolate area where lids are absent. Avoid walking in sewerage contaminated areas. Wear suitable protective clothing and decontaminate if required to work in the area.
Unstable trees and overhanging branches. Many trees already weakened by continuing dry conditions have been further weakened by heat and fires. Trees and large limbs are likely to fall without warning	HIGH RISK Injury or death	Fire damaged property Roads	Suspect trees need to be trimmed / fallen. If required contact your local council for assistance. Unsafe trees and branches should be removed before any work activity or cleanup operation is undertaken.
Unstable/damaged structures, for example walls, chimneys, roofs, water tanks, may be at risk of collapse. Remaining free standing chimneys, in particular, must be regarded as an imminent risk	HIGH RISK Injury or death	Fire damaged property	If unsure about the stability of structures seek advice from your local council. Unstable structures should be knocked down before any work activity or cleanup operation is undertaken.
Asbestos	HIGH RISK Delayed respiratory disease and cancer	Buildings built before 1990 may contain asbestos- containing material such as asbestos cement sheeting in walls, roofs, floor and floor backing, eaves and chimney flues	It is very difficult to identify asbestos just by looking at it. If you are unsure, it is strongly advised that you contact a licensed asbestos removalist. Personal protective equipment should be worn at all times. For more information and for licensed asbestos removalists, see Asbestos Safety for licensed asbestos removalists.
Ash from burnt copper chrome arsenic (CCA) treated timber	MEDIUM RISK Toxic ash (mainly by ingestion)	CCA-treated timber used in decking, pergolas, fencing, landscaping	Keep children, pets and farm animals away from CCA ash until it is cleaned up. Collect ash and dispose of at an EPA- approved landfill site. Do not bury. Do not eat, drink or smoke in areas containing CCA ash. Practice good personal hygiene (wash hands). Moisten ash with water to minimize dust and keep damp. Do not use high pressure water sprays. Personal protective equipment should be worn at all times including P2 face masks.
Ash from burnt structures, furnishings, vegetation	MEDIUM RISK Toxic ash Toxic gas	Fire-damaged structures and properties	Do not eat, drink or smoke in areas containing ash. Practice good personal hygiene (wash hands). Moisten ash with water to minimize dust and keep damp. Do not use high pressure water sprays. Personal protective equipment should be worn at all times including P2 face masks.