This fact sheet is designed to help you carry out successful voluntary activities on public or private land.

It’s also intended to set out why you are required to ensure the safety of yourself and volunteers. We want you to enjoy your activity but also ensure it’s successful and safe.

The Health and Safety Act 2002 for volunteers

Volunteers are protected either via ‘an enforceable duty’ documented in the Health and Safety Employment Amendment Act 2002, or as a ‘duty of care’. This guide is aimed at groups who have a ‘duty of care’.

‘Duty of care’ means that although you do not legally have to produce formal health and safety plans for your activity, you still have a responsibility to ensure both you and your volunteers are working safely in a safe and healthy environment.

You can do this by making sure you are familiar with the following guidelines. (For further information refer to Working Safely for your Community from www.workinfo.govt.nz or phone 0800 20 90 20).

Keeping yourself safe

While working on any area there are some basic requirements to follow before starting:

• Make sure you are briefed properly for the task ahead.
• Make sure you have read a hazard plan. If there isn’t one, make sure you identify the hazards in the area.
• If you don’t feel safe, stop what you are doing.
• Know where a first aid kit is, who is trained to use it and how to raise the alarm if needed.
• Not sure what to wear? Think about what you will be doing and dress appropriately (eg. do you need to cover up to avoid scratches from weeds?). It’s always a good idea to have a sunhat, warm hat and jacket. Think about hot and cold, rain, wind chill and rough terrain.
• Be sunsmart - ‘slip, slop, slap’. Wear sunscreen (and remember to reapply it often throughout the day), wear a sun hat and appropriate clothing.
• Make sure you wear comfortable and practical covered footwear. Don’t expect to turn up in bare feet or open footwear and be given a spade to plant a tree!
• Bring something to eat and drink with you (no alcohol!). Working outside can be hard work and require an extra intake of water, but remember not to share drinks.
• Don’t overdo it. Take plenty of breaks and ensure that you work as a team. Avoid heavy lifting and strains.
• If you suffer from allergies, asthma, or have a medical condition make sure you have any medication you require with you. Let the first-aider in your group know what the condition is, how it can be treated and where your medication is.
• Don’t work alone.
• Let someone know if you are going to leave your site, don’t just wander off.
• If a site is out of bounds for safety reasons, stay well away from it.

Safety equipment

• Safety equipment should always be checked before you begin work.
• Make sure that all the things you require are available, operational and that you know how to use them.
• Only use power or mechanically driven tools if you have the proper training, experience and safety equipment and have discussed this aspect of your project thoroughly with your project contact person.

Keeping volunteers safe

The key to excellent health and safety management is good planning and communication.

• Take care of yourself as well as other group members.
• Have an appropriate first aid kit available onsite and where possible someone trained in first aid. Ensure you have the means to contact emergency services if necessary.

Be a safe and happy team

Teamwork is the key to any volunteer operation - work together.

• At break times and at the end of the day make sure all group members – and all your equipment - is together. A sign in and out sheet is a good idea if you are worried about accountability, that way you know everyone has left a site safely.
• Don’t work alone - try a buddy system within your group - it’s a great way to meet people and helps ensure safety.
• Make sure all volunteers are aware of any hazards in the area where they are working.
• If you are working across a large area, wearing high visibility vests can be a good idea and make volunteers easier to locate.

Volunteer work is supposed to be fun and rewarding for everyone. Sensible planning is essential so that everything runs smoothly and safely. Remember, checking weather conditions, personal preparedness, and project goals is the responsibility of everyone in the group.

Safety plans

If you will be working on public land or with a local government organisation discuss your plans thoroughly with an appropriate Council or Department of Conservation (DOC) staff member before starting work. (The staff member you should talk to will vary depending on the project will depend on the project and the land where the project will be undertaken, for example DOC or District Council Reserve, coastal land, public street etc).

Your group will be asked to complete a safety plan detailing emergency response (how you will raise an alarm, where the closest medical help is etc), identification and control of any hazards. In some cases your safety plan will include a map of the area that you will be working in. The staff member may be able to help identify dangerous and ‘no go’ areas.

If you are working on or near a road, extra temporary road management plans may be required. Check with your local District Council as it may be able to supply you with traffic plans or special safety.

If planning to work on private land, check first that the landowner is happy for you to proceed and whether they require a health and safety / hazard plan.

Your safety plan should be shown to all members of your group to ensure that they know where they should be on-site and what they should be doing. In some cases your safety plan may have conditions attached which you and other volunteers may be required to read and sign as an acknowledgment that you have understood those conditions.

Safety equipment guidelines

• Always ensure volunteers are adequately briefed.
• Be careful to use machinery only for its intended purpose.

Other safety issues

There will be projects where special safety conditions will apply, such as working at height or on roadsides. Contact Department of Labour for advice on this. If you are working with a Council or DOC then the staff member you are planning your project with will advise you on the correct materials you will require for such tasks.

Public survey work where volunteers are dealing with people will also have some conditions and material provided to ensure individual and group safety.

Incident reporting

If someone is seriously hurt, the project should be stopped and the injury reported immediately. If you are working with a Council or DOC then report to the staff member and organisation you are dealing with. Minor injuries also need to be reported and your group should consider how these sorts of injuries could be avoided in the future.

If you are not working with a Council or DOC then we suggest you report serious injury to the Department of Labour. (Minor injuries do not need to be reported to the Department of Labour.)

These guidelines are for your protection and enjoyment of your chosen project. If you have any questions please contact Northland Regional Council 0800 002 004.

Good luck with any projects you are involved with and thank you for the work and energy you bring to Northland!