Qualifications and Competence Qualifications Any <<Insert Name>> Landcare Person with team leading or field supervision responsibilities should have attained the following qualifications: Construction induction training. Level 2 First Aid Certificate. An approved* course in Occupational Health and Safety to at least Certificate 2 standard. An approved course in defensive driving techniques, if they will be transporting other group Persons or volunteers. As an Employer, the <<Insert Name>> Landcare and Community Chairs need to be satisfied their Landcare Support Person has the necessary skills and competence to complete their assigned duties safely and to a satisfactory standard. This consideration should be part of the risk assessment process that commences prior to project commencement. Where any doubt exists, the <<Insert Name>> Landcare and Community Chair should assess, or arrange an assessment of the level of competence, and arrange further training or practice as necessary. In particular, attention needs to be paid to vehicle operation, including trailer use, fencing, construction, use of power tools or chemicals, work on or near water and work in remote locations and the training and instruction of others i.e. leading group activities. It is critical that all workers participating in group activities have been given sufficient training and instruction in the project tasks to complete them safely. This may take place at the worksite level or in specific skills sessions depending on the project, risks and competencies required. Safety Management Responsibilities <<Insert Name>> Landcare Staff Person and Volunteer has a responsibility for the creation and maintenance of a safe working environment. <<Insert Name>> Landcare and Community Chairs the ultimate responsibility for all Landcare and Community activities they control, including discharging duties under OHS laws. <<Insert Name>> Landcare and Community Chairs also have the responsibility for establishing project management arrangements with their Landcare Support Person. Landcare Support Persons are typically responsible for the planning and delivery of practical projects, associated safety processes and the onsite supervision of all workers/volunteers. Landcare Volunteers should be encouraged to declare pre-existing injuries or medical conditions that may affect their participation, cooperate with the Landcare Support Person in the creation and maintenance of safe work places including through the adherence to policies and procedures and reporting any unsafe situation or practice to their Landcare Support Person. Consultative Arrangements
Health and Safety Representatives The <<Insert Name>> Landcare and Community Chairs should establish a Health and Safety Representative/s (HSR) or seek external OHS professional assistance for the purpose of reviewing safety performance, disseminating safety information, assisting in addressing and representing workers / volunteers on safety issues raised by the individual Landcare Communities. Appointment of a HSR is not mandatory under OHS law but the <<Insert Name>> Landcare Groups must facilitate the election of a HSR if one or more workers/volunteers request that this be done. OHS Committee <<Insert Name>> Landcare and Community Chairs should establish an OHS Committee in accordance with the consultation arrangements of the OHS Act 2004, and develop scheduled Safety meetings using the standard meeting procedures to provide a forum for discussion on how safety is managed and address issues raised: Meeting dates advised well in advance so that participants can plan to be in attendance and/or raise issues for inclusion on the agenda; Agenda circulated in advance of meeting; The meeting is firmly chaired so that discussions remain relevant and solution focused; Participants unable to attend are given the opportunity to participate via a telephone link; Responsibilities for any actions arising from safety meetings are clearly identified in terms of what action will be taken, by whom and when. OHS Committee meetings should generally be held at least quarterly (4-5 times per year). If OHS Committee meetings are not held by the <<Insert Name>> Landcare Groups, alternative consultative arrangements should be established to allow safety information and issues to be communicated. This may include newsletters, notice boards and websites, tool box talks or suggestion boxes. Safety must also be a standing agenda item at <<Insert Name>> Landcare meetings to discuss safety management, performance and incidents. OHS Risk Assessment Process Purpose To and record a process of systematically assessing risks and formulating appropriate risk management strategies. The important thing is the process of documenting and setting safety control measures in place at a worksite. Documenting the risk assessment process is important evidence that the Landcare Support Person managing a project has responsibly assessed risks related to the work to be undertaken.
Severity Descriptor Outcome Description Negligible Remote possibility Minor On-site first aid treatment Serious Medical treatment required, loss of time Critical Serious injury, hospitalisation Catastrophic Death, permanent disability Likelihood Descriptor Outcome Description Improbable No injuries Remote Unlikely to occur Occasional Occurs occasionally Probable Occurs regularly Frequent Expected to occur Severity Likelihood Frequent Probable Occasional Remote Improbable Catastrophic E E E H M Critical E E H M L Serious H H M L T M M L T T Negligible M L T T T E=Extreme Do not Proceed H= High Risk must consulate with <<Insert Name>> Landcare Employer M=Medium Risk If less than 3 months experience must consult with <<Insert Name>> Landcare Employer L= Low Risk Manage standard onsite risk management processes T=Tolerable Proceed and monitor site process/activity Adding Extra Risks Controls When a new risk is identified, appropriate control strategies must be determined and a new cell on the risk assessment form must be completed and This way the project risk assessment can just continue to grow as a project proceeds. Different task – same site: Just add any risks associated with the new task. Different site – same task: Add locational risks in additional cells. Also complete the location reference points and emergency contacts with the dates applicable. Emergency Contact Details the “000” emergency number should be the first number called, this should be backed up by the local emergency service numbers and the ‘112’ emergency number for mobile phones. Additional Risk Control Measures – High Risk Construction Work What is Construction Work? The OHS Regulations 2007 for construction work means any work performed in connection with the construction, alteration, conversion, fitting out, commissioning, renovation, refurbishment, decommissioning, or demolition of any building or structure, or any similar activity. What is High Risk Construction Work Examples of activities the <<Insert Name>> Landcare Group need to consider would be:
during periods of high fire danger; including days of Total Fire Ban. No outdoor Field Activity/s is to be undertaken on Days Declared as Code Red Site Safety Rules Site Safety rules resulting from the project risk assessment are advised to the participants during the induction process and will be documented and displayed/made available to all <<Insert Name>> Landcare Support Persons, contractors, volunteers and visitors. Safety Equipment & Protective Clothing The <<Insert Name>> Landcare and Group has a duty of care to protect employees and volunteers from work place hazards including harmful UV radiation, insect, spider and snakebites, chemical contamination and tool use injuries. OHS legislation also requires that workers, including volunteers must cooperate with their Landcare Group and must therefore be supervised to ensure compliance. All volunteers / workers should be encouraged to wear appropriate clothing based on the project tasks. The Landcare Support Person must also ensure that any specialised pieces of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) e.g. Safety glasses or chemical gloves, are provided to workers where these are identified in the Risk Assessment. This PPE must be in good working condition and instruction provided on its use. Use of Chemicals Low Risk Chemicals and Application Methods. Landcare support Persons may approve chemical use projects, provided that:- The Chemical to be used does not have a Dangerous Goods classification (DG Class) and is rated no higher than S5 on the Poisons Schedule. All Precautions and Safe Handling Instructions described in the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and on the product label are complied with, and that all team volunteers have access to the MSDS. This includes the provision of at least 40 litres of clean water to allow First Aid to be administered in the event of a splash to the eye. All necessary PPE is provided and worn. Project participants are adequate instruction concerning safe chemical use, associated health hazards and emergency treatment, and the reasons for use and their competency is assessed. The Landcare support Person has qualifications and experience suitable for the task to be undertaken and in compliance with state/territory requirements. Higher Toxicity Chemicals The use of classified Dangerous Goods, or chemicals with a Poisons Schedule rating above S5, must be approved by the << Insert Name>> Landcare Network Chair. Persons using 1080 pest animal bait products in their workplace are required to assess occupational health and safety risk and implement control options in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004,
Injury when in close proximity to Keep sharp blades sheathed when not in use & ensure operator safety. Strains and sprains up repetitive work with alternative activities Do not try to carry too much at one time Walk with care and avoid slippery areas Practice correct manual handling, by legs to lift and lift with 2 people when moving, loading and unloading seed stock. TASKS INVOLVING HAZARDS RISK LEVEL* (prior to mitigation) MITIGATION (CONTROL) STRATEGIES RISK (after mitigation) PROCEED Yes / No Slips, trips and falls Twisting ankles and knees, impact injures Avoid obvious hazards such as slippery logs, loose rocks, steep embankments etc. Remove hazards when possible: filling in etc. carrying heavy or awkward sized objects on uneven ground Wear sturdy boots firmly laced Exercise additional caution when walking downhill Carry equipment in backpack to free hands Snake Habitat. Wear long pants and long sleeves to minimise insect attack, Be aware of potential habitat for snakes and insects such as bees, wasps, spiders. Carry snake bite kit Wear gators if applicable on lower legs and avoid long grass. Public may enter work area without notice. Be of any person entering site and notify them of site dangers Vehicle Towing Direct Seeder on road Maximum speed whilst towing direct seeder 90 km/h. Ensure direct seeder is correctly attached to vehicle with safety chians connected if two chains both to be connected to form a cradle under hitch. Ensure all lights on trailer unit are in working order before driving away. Ensure all loads are securely tied. Check trailer for loose wheel bearings etc. before use. Take all care while travelling over steep terrain. Do not travel over excessively steep terrain if surface is slippery nor travel over such terrain if it is unsafe to do so.
TASKS INVOLVING HAZARDS RISK LEVEL* (prior to mitigation) MITIGATION (CONTROL) STRATEGIES RISK LEVEL* (after mitigation) PROCEED Yes / No Trips and Falls any obvious hazards such as slippery logs, loose rocks, steep embankments etc. Remove trip hazards from the worksite by filling holes, removing unnecessary objects etc. Flag, or cordon off, immovable trip hazards. Allow at least 2 metres ‘visibility space’ between participants when walking along tracks. Ensure that boots are firmly laced. Exercise additional caution when walking downhill, e.g. walk across the slope, and have a strong leader control walking speed. Avoid carrying heavy or awkward sized, objects on uneven ground. Identify, and closely supervise, workers with pre-existing back, knee or ankle injuries. Working in Hot/ Conditions Maintain hydration by providing adequate drinks and regular drink breaks. Take advantage of, or create, shaded work Schedule, or reschedule, work to heavy exertion during the most intense heat of the day. Reinforce the need for long trousers and long sleeves, brimmed hats and sunglasses. Provide and encourage the regular use of a SPF 30 sunscreen on any exposed skin. Closely monitor participants for of fatigue, particularly those who are less fit, inexperienced or not acclimatised. Working in Cold/ Conditions Make ample food and fluids available, including warm drinks if possible. Demonstrate and encourage simple warm up stretches before commencement, and after breaks. Rotate tasks to avoid prolonged exposure. Identify shelter area and use this during periods of inactivity e.g.: breaks or extreme conditions. Structure work to the coldest times of the day. Encourage participants to wear layered clothing that enables them to adjust their body temperature according to weather conditions and activity level. Wear a warm hat (the head is a major heat loss area). TASKS INVOLVING HAZARDS RISK LEVEL* (prior to mitigation) MITIGATION (CONTROL) STRATEGIES RISK (after mitigation) PROCEED Yes / No
Team Persons Signatures Weed Control – Spraying Herbicides - Risk Assessment Form For each project site, a Project Risk Assessment Report must be completed by the Landcare Support Person. If an accident occurs, the Project Risk Assessment may be required for legal proceedings. A sample risk assessment form is below and can be adapted to suit the site conditions and activities. PROJECT RISK ASSESSMENT FORM PROJECT NAME………… Weed Control – Spraying Herbicides……………………………………………………………… GROUP NAME…………………………………………………… PROJECT LOCATION………………………………………………. PROJECT COORDINATOR………………………………………………………………..ASSESSMENT DATE……………………. TASKS INVOLVING HAZARDS RISK LEVEL* (prior to mitigation) MITIGATION (CONTROL) STRATEGIES RISK LEVEL* (after mitigation) PROCEED Yes / No Preparation Herbicides Spillage and Contamination Poisoning of personnel and plants Trips and falls Wear appropriate PPE as advised on the MSDS. Note that the use of certain PPE may accelerate the onset of heat stress. Ensure that the correct herbicide is used for the application. Check the equipment for damage including the hoses. (If damage is found remove the applicator from service and apply a “Do Not Use” tag.) Inspect the work area for hazards. (Example – Tripping hazards caused by excess material, hoses and leads.) Ensure and the MSDS is on hand and the operator is familiar with its recommendations. Ensure the applicator or spray tank is on a stable, even surface. Check the herbicide container for cracks or leaks.
heavy clothing; loss of dexterity and fine motor functioning leading to reduced tool control. Identify shelter area and use this during periods of inactivity e.g.: breaks or extreme conditions. Structure activities to avoid the coldest times of the day. Encourage students to wear layered clothing that enables them to adjust their body temperature according to weather conditions and activity level. Litter Collection Hand laceration or injuries; bites and stings; injuries related to bending or lifting; spike or gastric related infections including hepatitis, AIDS etc. Ensure that adequate washing facilities are available, and are used by students. Look carefully at litter items or piles that might be a refuge for snakes or spiders. Check objects for spikes or sharp edges. Supply the students with gloves when handling litter; eye protection may also be necessary. Use tongs to pick up any objects that are known, or suspected, to be dangerous e.g.: syringes. Ensure that an Adult disposes any found syringes into a proper ‘sharps’ container. Maintain a safe working distance to avoid the inadvertent scratching or spiking of other students. Weeding Spikes and scratches to face and eyes; spike injuries to hands; back and shoulder strains; laceration or impact injuries from cutting tools; hay fever and asthma. Wear eye protection where potential for eye injury is identified. Grass or twig spikes to eyes are common weeding injuries. Wear gloves whenever hands are working at ground level. Demonstrate and encourage warm up stretches. Maintain a safe working space between students. Provide adequate washing facilities. Tree Planting Hand and knee spike injuries; tool impact injuries to feet and hands; soil borne infections; muscle strain from bending, posture; soft tissue overuse injuries. Ensure students wear gloves when handling soil, and additional PPE as necessary. Conduct a visual inspection of the site, and remove potential risks such as broken glass, wire etc. Use kneeling mats or padding if there is a danger of spike injuries from glass, stones etc. Rotate tasks, even if students are not experiencing discomfort. Take regular breaks and encourage gentle stretching. Provide adequate hand washing facilities. Maintain a safe working space between students. *EXPLANATORY NOTE S ON RISK LEVELS (see page 11 of OHS Management Plan) Severity Likelihood Frequent Probable Occasional Remote Improbable Catastrophic E E E H M Critical E E H M L Serious H H M L T Minor M M L T T Negligible M L T T T