Update your Wildfire Risk Mitigation Plan
Over the past few weeks, more and more of our clients have inquired about our Wildfire Risk Mitigation plan. When researching the uptick in requests, we found that this specific plan is becoming quite the staple of requirements for many contractors.
What is a Wildfire Mitigation Plan?
Remember Smokey Bear? That loveable creature was born on August 9, 1944. 78 years into the game and yet he’s still battling forest fires. You could think of this particular program as the Smokey Bear of your HSE Manual. A Wildfire Mitigation Plan is designed to outline a company’s plan and efforts to reduce the risk of wildfires.
Why YOUR company needs a Wildfire Mitigation Plan
As climate conditions change, the risks of causing wildfires is on the rise. If you are a contractor that works outside city limits and has any potential for causing a spark/fire ignition, you need a Wildfire Mitigation Plan.
Anyone can cause a wildfire. As a contractor in nearly any industry, you’re likely carrying around a risk. The following company activities generally pose the greatest risks:
-
live line work
-
digging
-
torch operating
-
chainsaw operations or other gas power tools
-
performing work on jobsites off maintained roads
There are several other activities that have potential of starting wildfires. Take a moment to evaluate your individual risks.
Who requires Wildfire awareness?
It wouldn’t be hard to find the most recent wildfire locale and cause. In recent years, some major companies have literally come under fire. For example, in February of 2022 PG&E released their 1079 page Wildfire Mitigation Plan Update. This document is readily available for the world to read. Due to their high risks and past involvements, they are heavily promoting their approach to prevention of wildfires. As part of their plan, they go to great lengths vetting their suppliers and contractors.
Black Hills Energy is another large company that we continue to hear about. They recently sent out a bulletin through the contractor vetting system Avetta which stated their requirement of a Wildfire Mitigation Plan. If you work with Black Hills Energy and pose risk without having a plan, you will be considered non-compliant and will no longer be able to work for them starting January 1, 2023.
Properly aligning yourself with safety measures deemed important by large hiring clients is an essential foundation for your company’s growth. Large hiring clients will smile on your shared values and your commitment to safety will likely outshine your competition.
Keep Your Plan Current
It’s just as important for you to keep your plan current as it is for PG&E. We suggest an annual review of your company processes. This can be done internally, likely by you as the reader of this blog. Simply evaluate your employees, your jobsites and tools. Make sure your PPE is available and well documented in your plan. Be sure that training is being performed regularly. Make any needed edits to your plan and be sure to add a revision date. Taking just a few moments to keep your Wildfire Mitigation Plan current could ultimately save lives.
How to get your customized Wildfire Risk Mitigation Plan
Developing a good plan and periodically training your employees to ensure awareness is a smart tactic. Not only will adaptation of a Wildfire Mitigation Plan aid in your company’s visibility, it will help safeguard your assets.
Reach out to your Cascade QMS consultant and get your plan in action! Within one business day you can add an extra level of safety.
