Safety Policy

The Committee’s role is

  • To ensure a safe environment for its Friends and others.
  • To consider and review the safety policy, safety procedures and practices of the group.
  • Systems will include Volunteer Registration Forms, Volunteer Medical Management Forms, Attendance Records, and Hazard Identification Forms.

The Friends of Dry Creek Trail Inc. will adapt the “In Safe Hands” toolkit, prepared by Conservation Volunteers of Australia, to provide systems to ensure a safe environment for its Friends and others.

1. Project Days.

  • The Committee is to delegate the task of identifying safety hazards for the day to the Project Day leader.
  • The Project Day Leader is to identify safety hazards prior to the day, using the Project Day checklist, and mitigate any risks as identified from the checklist. An emergency plan will be prepared.
  • The Project Day Leader will manage the safety of all on the day. Environmental conditions shall be monitored and appropriate action taken if there is a change in weather.
  • The Project Day Leader, as part of the emergency plan, will find out:-
    • who will offer first aid on the day and record that name on the project day sheet,
    • who will offer the use of a mobile phone on the day and record that name on the project day sheet,
    • if no mobile phone, locate the nearest house with a phone,
    • record directions from both sides of the creek for emergency services access to the project site.
  • Distribute safety card to all participants.
  • The Project Day Leader will conduct a safety briefing before the start of the activity.
    • who is the first aid provider for the day,
    • who has a mobile phone,
    • where the first aid kit is,
    • other relevant safety issues for the site, day and activity.
  • During the project day, all new identified risks are to be assessed and continually monitored.

2. The Committee will identify and source training program for Friends, e.g. to develop and update skills in chainsaw/chemicals/small plant.

3. Chemicals only released to trained operators. MSDS, SafeWork SA guidelines and manufacturers application instructions shall be followed. An appropriate MSDS shall be available on site when the chemical is applied. All appropriate P.P.E. is to be used.

4. Small machinery only released to trained operators. SafeWork SA guidelines and manufacturers operating instructions shall be followed. An appropriate MSDS shall be available on site when fuel or chemical product is consumed. All appropriate P.P.E. shall be used.

5. Make new Friends aware of hazards

    • polluted water,
    • sun protection,
    • heat protection,
    • terrain,
      • slope,
      • rocks,
      • steep banks, creek bed / mud / rocky creek bed,
    • working alone, or unseen,
    • soil borne or water borne diseases and infection’s,
    • insect/animal bite/snake bite,
    • manual handling,
    • chemicals, wear P.P.E.
    • small machinery, wear P.P.E.
    • hand tools, wear P.P.E.
    • eye protection, wear P.P.E.

6. Include safety as a regular item on the agenda of Committee meetings. The Committee will review recent project days, and consider any issues that have arisen.

7. The Facebook page and Website will be used to spread information about safety issues. It will also be used to encourage all Friends to consider their own health and safety, the health and safety of others, including any children that may be involved with our activities.

8. During the regular January tool maintenance day, ensure first aid kits are examined, supplies replenished and expired consumables removed. Maintain record of annual review of First Aid Kit in First Aid box note book.

Download the full version PDF version of the Safety Policy here.

These view the PDF file, you will need Adobe Acrobat.