Hazard Knowledge

For known below ground risks, hazards should be assessed, mitigated or eliminated as part of the pre-planning process, and relevant control measures identified. However, the pre-planned response may not be sufficient and additional control measures may need to be considered to achieve the tactical plan.

The intervention strategy will normally include hazard control by providing fire and rescue service facilities and one or more of the following methods:

• Activation of local or area-wide automated fire or smoke ventilation or suppression systems, normally by the responsible person, on discovery of an incident
• Liaison with on-site representatives and specialist fire and rescue service advisers to identify community impact
• Knowledge of the evacuation strategy and information on its progress
• Discussion with the responsible person confirming the extent to which any control has been implemented; this will assist the incident commander to identify the safe working area for operations to take place
• Use of established procedures for the type of infrastructure to establish appropriate safety measures such as a road traffic or railway incident procedure and to control traffic or machinery