Health and Safety
Your club must comply with the Health and Safety Act 2015 which aims to prevent harm to all people. This means that your club has the duty of care to maintain a safe environment and implement sound health and safety practices for all members and guests. If your club does not employ or contract anyone, but relies on a group of volunteers, it is still important that reasonable steps are taken to ensure the health and safety of members, participant, volunteers and guests.
1. Read the Sport New Zealand – Health and Safety Reform Document
This will outline the changes to the legislation clearly for your club. Find out more
2. Check to see what category your club falls in to
This will help you understand your duties under the Act. Find out more
3. Sign up for updates with Work Safe New Zealand
This will allow your club to be continually up to date with the requirements of Health and Safety as it happens. Find out more
4. Appoint a Health and Safety Officer
Download a Health and Safety Officer job description. Click here
5. Ensure your club has developed a Health and Safety Policy
Download a sample Health and Safety Policy and adapt for your club's environment - make sure you complete the risk management process (see 6). Click here
6. Understand how to manage your health and safety risks
This will help you identify, assess, manage and control risks for continuous improvement. Download the risk management process. Click here
7. Train your staff and volunteers
Sport New Zealand have a free online course for all paid employees or volunteers that outlines their rights and requirements under the new Health and Safety legislation. Find out more
There are also many first aid courses available through Red Cross New Zealand and St John New Zealand.
8. Collect and employ the relevant resources
This documentation covers essential requirements for your club, such as:
- Download a Risk Management plan. Click here
- Download a Hazard Observation form. Click here
- Download an Accidents Report form. Click here
- Download an Emergency procedure. Click here
- Download a First Aiders register. Click here
- Download a First Aid register. Click here
9. Display appropriate signage
These will help ensure your members and guests are aware of any potential hazards. Find out more
10. Locate your nearest Automatic External Defibrillator (AED)
These are the difference between life or death in the event of cardiac arrest. Find out more
11. Notify any serious events that occur
This is required under the Act. Find out more
<< Back
