The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 provides rules and guidance for people in a workplace. A vehicle is defined as a workplace in Part 1, Division 3, Section 8, when it is used for work purposes.<\/p>\n
As the purchase of the Act is to reduce the risk of injury to people, does it follow that all company vehicles must have a fire extinguisher?<\/p>\n
Goods which come under the Transport of Dangerous Goods legislation will have a mandated number, rating and classification of fire extinguisher to be carried in relation to the volume of goods being carried.<\/p>\n
But there is no specific mandate to carry a fire extinguisher in, for example, a sales rep’s car (unless they’re transporting dangerous goods). In all cases where the extinguisher is not required by law, the person conducting a business or undertaking must treat it as a risk management issue. Employers are required to provide a safe workplace that is suitable for the conditions. Each situation needs to be considered in terms of the overall risk to the driver.<\/p>\n
An extinguisher is a\u00a0dead weight that is carried around (i.e. it does affect fuel economy in a small way), it reduces the space available to carry other items and it needs pressure testing every 5 years. These costs can add up when a company has tens or hundreds of vehicles.<\/p>\n
Look for an extinguisher that meets Australian Standard 2444 which covers the selection and location of portable fire extinguishers in vehicles.<\/p>\n
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The irony of a burning car in the pouring rain. Carrying a fire extinguisher may have prevented this<\/p><\/div>\n
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The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 provides rules and guidance for people in a workplace. A vehicle is defined as a workplace in Part 1, Division 3, Section 8, when it is used for work purposes. As the purchase…<\/span><\/p>\n