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WHS Consultation (refer to page 4 of the handbook for more information)
Consultation involves communication between volunteers and SCC on health and safety matters. This may include talking about the safest way to conduct an activity and completing a risk assessment. Each person should have the opportunity to express any views they may have on health and safety relating to the job.
If you are ever unsure about the safest way to complete an activity or if you believe the activity is not safe, do not proceed with the task. All safety concerns should be discussed with your Supervising Officer.
Work, Health Safety Manual
Council's WHS Manual contains a variety of safety documentation and can be found on Council's website.
Below is an example of some of the documents contained within the manual.
- Safety Management Plan
- Volunteers Programs Safety Policy
- WHS Authorities/Responsibilities/Accountabilities Policy
- WHS Management System Policy
- Work Health and Safety Policy
Keeping the work area safe Risk Management
(refer to page 5 of the handbook for further information)
Detect Hazards
- If you find anything capable of producing adverse effects on the health and safety of persons, please tell your Supervising Officer immediately.
Risk Assessment
- Risk assessment is the process of identifying hazards, assessing the level of risk, prioritising the order in which hazards will be controlled, and determining appropriate control measures. An example of a risk assessment is located at Appendix B of the handbook. Your Supervising Officer will assist you in the risk assessment process.
Site Induction
Before commencing any work activity you must ensure that you have been inducted into the site and you understand the risks associated with being on that site. The Supervising Officer will undertake the site induction.
Changes to a site, new activity procedures, and the introduction of new equipment can bring additional or changed risks to health and safety. When such changes occur, it is important to make sure that you and others are revised in these risks.
In addition to discussing risks at the site, the following information should also be discussed;
- Location of first aid and amenities
- Fire and evacuation procedures
- Any required Personal Protective Equipment
Reporting Incidents and Injuries
If there is an accident, illness or injury at a site, regardless of whether you saw it or not, and regardless of your involvement, you must report any information you have to the Supervising Officer as soon as possible after the event. If your Supervising Officer is not available, contact the Injury and Incident Hotline 4429 3542. In the event of an emergency, call 000.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Volunteers may be required to wear PPE to prevent injury, illness or disease. All volunteers must wear PPE specific to activities undertaken, and as directed. Types of PPE Council issues may include hearing protection, eye protection, gloves, sun screen or insect repellent. Your Supervising Officer will determine required PPE.
Manual Tasks
Manual tasks are any activity requiring a person to use any part of their muscular or skeletal system. Your Supervising Officer will inform you if manual tasks are required as part of your volunteering activities.
You must ensure that you follow safe manual task procedures for all activities. When carrying out manual tasks, consider factors that affect the risk to your body, such as the duration and frequency of manual tasks, weights, your skills and experience, your age and health, clothing, and any other relevant factor. Ways to reduce the risk of manual handling can include using mechanical aids, breaking loads into smaller quantities, using team lifting and keeping active.
The following points will assist you to carry out safe manual tasks safely;
- Plan all manual task activities.
- Lift by bending your knees, not your back.
- If team lifting, plan and select a leader.
- Break bulky loads into smaller loads.
- A bulky shape is often difficult to grip.
- Maintain good balance.
- Lift only what is within your capabilities.
- Use mechanical assistance where possible.
- Avoid lifting heavy loads often.
- Storing height is between knees and chest.
- Get as close to the load as possible.
- Keep your spine within the normal curve.
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