Working with the Queensland Fire Department in Gatton

Recently, inspectors from the Labour hire licensing compliance unit (LHLCU) and the Queensland Fire Department (QFD) inspected a private residence in Gatton. Information came to light through an application for a labour hire licence that this residence may be being used as budget accommodation for workers, which is subject to additional fire safety requirements. To ensure safety, and to support the main purpose of the Labour Hire Licensing Act 2017 to protect vulnerable workers, a referral was made to QFD to ensure the accommodation was compliant with fire safety laws.

A joint inspection conducted by QFD and LHLCU inspectors at the property identified several issues which resulted in action to ensure the health and safety of workers.

Upon inspection, it was discovered that the property has been converted from five bedrooms into 10 bedrooms. While there were interconnected smoke alarms in the dwelling, the information provided by occupants was that there were more than five unrelated persons residing in the home, therefore the home met the definition of a budget accommodation building as defined in the Building Act 1975.

It is critical for the safety and wellbeing of occupants that owners implement certain fire safety measures as required by law when the building is deemed a budget accommodation building. In this instance, many of these legislated requirements had not been met, including the absence of a fire safety management plan, fire extinguishers, exit lighting, evacuation plan or exit signage.

As a result of this inspection, QFD issued the owner with a Notice by Commissioner to rectify the non-compliant fire safety measures. The address has been flagged with QFD for additional resources to respond should an emergency occur. QFD were appreciative of the referral from LHLCU.

This kind of collaboration between agencies helps to ensure the safety and wellbeing of workers, some often from overseas, coming to work in the agricultural industry. LHLCU welcomes opportunities to engage and work with other relevant authorities where areas of responsibility intersect, including through joint field operations to combat the exploitation of migrant workers.

We look forward to future collaborations with the QFD.