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Health & Safety
Essential resources for culturally diverse emergency responders in Australia to enhance workplace safety and wellbeing.
All Emergency responder areas in Australia are governed by Codes of Practice, Regulations and Acts of Parliament that dictate the duties and obligations of Employers, businesses and workers whilst undertaking work in the area to ensure the health and safety of workers while they are at work and others who may be affected by the carrying out of work. This page will be further developed to provide information relevant to the requests of members and recommends the list of regulators and contacts located on the SAFE WORK AUSTRALIA Website:
WHS regulators and workers' compensation authorities contact information | Safe Work Australia
Common Workplace hazards by Emergency Service
Policing
Based on the Australian Institute of Criminology report tandi196.pdf
🔴 1. Risk of Death & Homicide
Being killed during arrests, drug raids, domestic disputes, traffic stops
Off‑duty intervention in crimes
Mistaken identity shootings
Unintentional firearm discharges
Fatal vehicle crashes (darkness, high speed, unfamiliar roads, weather)
🟠 2. Risk of Assault
High rates of physical assault (fists, bottles, syringes, body fluids)
Most common during:
Domestic disputes
Public disorder incidents
Traffic stops
Arrests and prisoner handling
Higher risk for junior officers and those working nights/weekends
Assailants often: young males, intoxicated, drug‑affected, with prior convictions
🟡 3. Communicable Disease Exposure
Needlestick injuries from hidden syringes
Exposure to HIV, hepatitis B & C, tuberculosis
Risks from spitting, biting, contaminated bodily fluids
High‑risk roles: drug squads, watchhouse staff, body searches
🔵 4. Stress, Fatigue & Psychological Harm
Chronic stress from danger, trauma, shiftwork, understaffing
Fatigue from irregular hours and circadian disruption
Burnout (“compassion fatigue”)
Post‑Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) from exposure to:
Child abuse cases
Violent deaths
Fatal crashes
Shootings and riots
“Suicide by cop” incidents
Rare but serious risk of police suicide
🟣 5. Other Injuries & Illnesses
Physical injuries during foot pursuits or arrests
Hypertension and long‑term health issues
Exposure to hazardous chemicals during:
Arson investigations
Bomb investigations
Clandestine drug lab raids (toxic vapours, explosions, booby traps)
🟤 6. Risks from Modern Technology
Laser pointers mistaken for firearm laser sights
Potential long‑term exposure risks from radar devices (inconclusive evidence)
⚫ 7. Substance Misuse Among Officers
Elevated rates of alcohol misuse
Some use of illicit drugs (creates safety, ethical, and corruption risks)
Further resources
FIREFIGHTING
13 Common Firefighter Health & Safety Hazards Based on 13 Common Firefighter Health and Safety Hazards
Firefighters face a wide range of physical, environmental, and long‑term health risks. The article outlines 13 major hazards and the PPE/equipment that helps reduce them.
🔥 1. Physical Exertion & Heat Stress
Firefighting requires extreme physical effort while wearing heavy gear, increasing risks of dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke.
🌫️ 2. Smoke & Toxic Substance Exposure
Burning materials release dangerous chemicals (e.g., carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide). Contaminated gear can continue exposing firefighters after the incident.
❤️ 3. Cardiovascular Risks
Sudden cardiac events are a leading cause of firefighter fatalities due to heat, exertion, and dehydration.
🎗️ 4. Cancer & Long‑Term Health Effects
Exposure to carcinogens in smoke, debris, and contaminated gear increases cancer risk.
⚠️ 5. Slips, Trips & Falls
Wet surfaces, debris, ladders, and low visibility contribute to falls and injuries.
⚡ 6. Electrical Hazards
Downed power lines, exposed wiring, and wet environments increase electrocution risk.
🧪 7. Chemical & Hazardous Material Exposure
Industrial fires and hazmat incidents expose firefighters to corrosive, toxic, or explosive chemicals.
🌊 8. Drowning & Water‑Related Risks
Flood rescues, swift water, and ice rescues pose drowning and hypothermia risks.
💥 9. Explosions & Blast Injuries
Gas leaks, pressurized containers, and flammable chemicals can cause sudden explosions and debris injuries.
🌬️ 10. Poor Air Quality & Lung Damage
Smoke, dust, and fine particles can cause long‑term respiratory damage—even after the fire is out.
🔥 11. Burns & Thermal Injuries
Flashovers, steam burns, and contact with hot surfaces can cause severe burns within seconds.
🏚️ 12. Structural Collapse & Falling Debris
Fire‑damaged buildings can collapse suddenly, causing crushing injuries.
🧠 13. Mental Health Struggles & PTSD
Firefighters face high levels of trauma, stress, PTSD, depression, and emotional exhaustion.
Further Resources
Further Services to be added soon,, any suggestions or references are welcome
HAZARDS AFFECTING SES MEMBERS
🛑 Summary of Hazards Affecting SES Members
(Based on “Hazard Note 4 – SES Fit for Task”)
SES members face a range of physical, operational, and environmental hazards due to the demanding nature of their work. The document highlights the following key hazard areas:
💪 1. Physically Demanding Tasks
SES roles require significant physical effort, which can create risks such as fatigue, strain, and injury. Examples include:
Lifting and shifting heavy equipment
Carrying stretchers
Climbing and lifting ladders
Dragging or hauling objects
Prolonged walking or hiking with loads
These tasks were identified through job task analysis involving over 1,000 SES members.
🚨 2. Operational Hazards
Members often work in high‑risk emergency environments, including:
Storms
Floods
Search and rescue
Road crash rescue
Building damage
Traffic hazards
These environments involve unpredictable conditions, time pressure, and exposure to dangerous situations.
🌊 3. Water‑Related Hazards
For water‑based operations, hazards include:
Swift‑water rescue risks
In‑water safety challenges
Swimming and tow‑rescue exertion
Potential for drowning or fatigue in water environments
🧰 4. Equipment‑Related Hazards
Using SES tools and equipment introduces risks such as:
Handling chainsaws
Operating rescue tools
Managing ropes, ladders, and heavy gear
Static holds that strain muscles
🧭 5. Environmental & Terrain Hazards
SES members often work in difficult terrain, including:
Uneven ground
Floodwaters
Confined spaces
Heights
Remote locations
These increase the risk of slips, falls, and environmental exposure.
🧑🤝🧑 6. Role‑Specific Hazards
Different SES skill sets carry unique risks, including:
Vertical rescue
Urban search and rescue
Land search
Off‑road driving
Chainsaw operations
Boat operations
Each requires specific physical capabilities to avoid injury.
🩺 7. Fitness‑Related Injury Risks
A major hazard identified is mismatch between a member’s physical fitness and the demands of their role. This can lead to:
Overexertion
Musculoskeletal injury
Reduced safety during operations
The entire Fit for Task program was created to reduce this hazard.
🧠 8. Organisational & Training Hazards
Without proper, evidence‑based assessments, SES members may:
Be assigned tasks beyond their physical capacity
Lack adequate preparation for operational demands
Face increased injury risk during training or deployment
Hazards affecting surf lifesaving MEMBERS
Surf lifesaving members face various hazards that can impact their health, safety, and well-being. These hazards include:
Drowning: A significant cause of preventable injury-related mortality and morbidity globally, regionally, and in Australia. Estimates suggest 300,000 people died from accidental drowning in 2021, likely a significant underestimate due to the exclusion of drowning caused by boating incidents and disaster events like flooding.
Rip Currents: A common hazard that can lead to drowning, especially when swimming outside the patrol flags.
Increased Coastal Visitation: As more people visit the coast, the risk of drowning and other hazards increases.
Extreme Weather: Severe weather conditions can pose additional risks to surf lifesaving members.
Language Needs: Culturally and linguistically diverse communities may require specific language support to understand beach conditions and surf knowledge.
Low or Poor Understanding of Beach Conditions: Members may lack the necessary knowledge to navigate and respond to various coastal conditions.
Poor Knowledge of Coastal Erosion: Members may not be aware of the erosion patterns and potential hazards associated with coastal changes.
Emergency Response Support
Providing vital health and safety information for diverse emergency responders across Australia.
Health Resources
Access essential health and safety resources tailored for culturally diverse emergency responders in Australia. Contact whs@caldern.org
Recommended Training
Recommending training programs to enhance workplace safety for culturally and linguistically diverse responders. will be located here once appropriate vetting and suitability in the CALD context has been established, Contact whs@caldern.org
Contact Us
Reach out for health and safety information tailored for diverse emergency responders in Australia. Email contact@caldern.org , phone 0432095618 or use the contact form.
My name is Bradley, and I'm an Advocacy Associate at LawFirm.com. I came across Caldern while searching for organizations that support first responders in their community. I am impressed with your dedication to helping firefighters and their loved ones, and I wanted to reach out to you with vital information that can help even more people.
We've prepared an informative guide to serve this community, specifically addressing the overlooked issue of asbestos exposure. The guide's content is crafted to empower these heroes with knowledge and resources to confront the risks associated with asbestos. It highlights the importance of regular health screenings, the role of preventive equipment, and access to a network of financial and medical options.
Given your impactful outreach to the firefighting community, your website is the perfect platform for this guide. The guide is ready for your review, and I'm open to any adjustments to ensure it aligns perfectly with your content standards and the needs of your community.
Bradley Fairless - Advocacy Associate
https://www.lawfirm.com/asbestos/occupations/firefighters/