Engineering controls

Risk assessments should consider whether engineering controls are suitable and appropriate to reduce risk at operational incidents. Where risk assessments identify that engineering controls are appropriate, fire and rescue services should put in place arrangements to ensure such vehicles and equipment can be made available to personnel. Examples of engineering controls include:

• Lifting straps or slings for casualties or animal rescue
• Aerial appliances, to avoid working from ladders for prolonged periods

Other organisations may have equipment that could prove beneficial at incidents. This equipment would need to be identified and competent personnel required to operate it. The presence of unfamiliar vehicles or equipment can create additional hazards, as other organisations may not be used to working with fire and rescue service personnel. Therefore, close monitoring of their operation, and detailed briefings on what is required, will be necessary from the incident commander or sector commander.

Establishing arrangements and carrying out joint training with other fire and rescue services or agencies, who may provide specialist vehicles or equipment, should help to improve the response at an incident.

Fire and rescue authorities need to ensure that work equipment is constructed or adapted to be suitable for the purpose for which it is used or provided. Vehicles and equipment should be maintained in a safe condition and only operated by people who have received adequate information, instruction and training.

Legislation on this topic is included in:

• Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (commonly referred to as PUWER)
• Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (Northern Ireland)