Uniform interpretation of LACES
The Rural Land Management (RLM) Group and the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Group are currently considering a discussion paper proposing a uniform interpretation of the safety acronym LACES.
AFAC adopted a position to use LACES as the standard safety guide for wildfire firefighters in April 2008. LACES describes a safe work practice based on using Lookouts, Awareness, Communication, Escape routes and Safety zones to protect firefighters from entrapment situations at bushfires.
The application of the LACES system varies across agencies and jurisdictions in Australia and New Zealand. There is some variation in the hazards identified for treatment using LACES; in most instances the hazards are not identified and the acronym is used as a general safety reminder because it is easy to remember.
There are considerable opportunities for greater cooperation between agencies and jurisdictions on the use of a uniform application of LACES. This will grow in importance as greater sharing of firefighters occurs between agencies and across jurisdictional boundaries.
The RLM Group and OHS Group are now considering how a uniform application and interpretation of LACES can be phased in.
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