Safety & PPE — Protecting Our People on Every Site
Rigorous Safety Standards on Every Site
Disaster recovery sites are inherently dangerous. Structural instability, contaminated water, airborne mould spores, asbestos fibres, chemical residues, and biological hazards are daily realities for our technicians. That is why Disaster Recovery enforces safety standards that exceed minimum WHS requirements on every single job.
Every technician in our network completes mandatory safety induction before they step onto their first site. Ongoing refresher training, site-specific risk assessments, and real-time safety alerts through our command ecosystem ensure that safety is never an afterthought — it is the foundation of every operation.
Purpose-Built Protective Equipment
Our PPE inventory is not off-the-shelf consumer gear. Every piece of protective equipment is selected for the specific hazards encountered in disaster recovery — and branded to the Disaster Recovery standard. Hard hats rated to AS/NZS 1801, steel-cap boots compliant with AS/NZS 2210, high-visibility vests meeting AS/NZS 4602, and full-face respirators certified to AS/NZS 1716.
For hazmat environments, technicians deploy in full Tyvek suits with sealed seams, chemical-resistant gloves, and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) when required. Every item is inspected before each deployment and replaced on a strict maintenance schedule.
Our chemical and remediation assets complement our PPE programme to create a comprehensive safety system.
Contamination Zone Protocols
When a site involves contamination — whether from mould, sewage, chemical spills, or biohazard materials — our technicians follow strict contamination zone protocols. The site is divided into hot (contaminated), warm (transition), and cold (clean) zones. Movement between zones requires decontamination procedures to prevent cross-contamination.
These protocols align with IICRC S520 containment standards and Australian WHS regulations. Air quality monitoring is continuous in contaminated zones, with real-time particle counts fed back to our command ecosystem for documentation and compliance verification. This systematic approach protects technicians, property occupants, and neighbouring properties.
Respiratory Protection for Mould & Asbestos
Airborne hazards are among the most dangerous risks on disaster recovery sites. Mould spores can cause severe respiratory illness, while asbestos fibres — still present in many Australian buildings constructed before 1990 — cause mesothelioma and asbestosis.
Our respiratory protection programme includes P2/P3 particulate respirators for mould work, half-face and full-face respirators with organic vapour cartridges for chemical environments, and supplied-air respirators for asbestos-adjacent work. Every respirator is fit-tested to AS/NZS 1715 standards, ensuring an effective seal for each individual technician.
Our air scrubbers and negative air machines work alongside PPE to create layered respiratory protection on every site.
Training, Certification & Compliance
Safety equipment is only as effective as the people using it. Every technician in the Disaster Recovery network completes a minimum of 40 hours of safety training annually, covering hazard identification, PPE selection and use, emergency procedures, and incident reporting.
Certifications include IICRC credentials, White Card (construction induction), Working at Heights, Confined Spaces, and Hazardous Materials Handling. Our compliance team audits every contractor's certifications quarterly through our digital management platform.
Our partnership with IICRC, CARSI, and industry bodies ensures our training programmes remain current with evolving Australian WHS legislation and international restoration standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
What safety standards does Disaster Recovery follow?
We follow Australian WHS legislation, AS/NZS safety standards (1715, 1716, 1801, 2210, 4602), and IICRC protocols. Our safety standards exceed minimum regulatory requirements, with mandatory site-specific risk assessments and continuous air quality monitoring on contaminated sites.
What PPE do technicians wear on disaster recovery sites?
PPE varies by hazard type but typically includes hard hats, steel-cap boots, high-visibility vests, safety glasses, and gloves. For contaminated environments, technicians deploy in full Tyvek hazmat suits, chemical-resistant gloves, and respirators rated to AS/NZS 1716.
How are contamination zones managed on-site?
Sites are divided into hot (contaminated), warm (transition), and cold (clean) zones. Movement between zones requires decontamination procedures. Air quality is continuously monitored and all data is documented through our digital command ecosystem.
What respiratory protection is used for mould remediation?
P2/P3 particulate respirators are standard for mould work. Full-face respirators with organic vapour cartridges are used in chemical environments. Every respirator is individually fit-tested to AS/NZS 1715 standards to ensure an effective seal.
How much safety training do technicians receive?
Every technician completes a minimum of 40 hours of safety training annually, covering hazard identification, PPE use, emergency procedures, and incident reporting. Additional certifications include White Card, Working at Heights, Confined Spaces, and Hazardous Materials Handling.
Are Disaster Recovery technicians certified for asbestos work?
Technicians working near asbestos-containing materials hold appropriate licences and use supplied-air respirators and sealed Tyvek suits. We follow Safe Work Australia guidelines and state-specific asbestos regulations for all work involving or adjacent to asbestos.
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