Clarence Landcare Inc

Safety for our Landcare Groups - "The Green Safety Folders"

A collection of Work, Health and Safety information and forms so Landcare groups always have what they need on hand.

Community Participation - LP022-023

The issue

Clarence Landcare are assisting our group members to have the information they need on hand to operate their volunteer working bees in a manner that complies with Work Health and Safety (WHS) standards. Many of our volunteer groups are working on public land so their safety and the public's is paramount. There is always a lot of paperwork and forms to be considering and juggling and lets face it, just getting a group of volunteers together on any given day is enough of a challenge. This folder will always be a work in progress and groups will need to add things that are specifically relevant to their group and worksites.  

The solution

We developed the "Green Safety Folder" which has a collection of safety information and WHS forms relevant to most Landcare groups in our area. It is important to have all the information together and on-site, so if a form needs to be filled out because there is an accident or incident, a minor chemical spill or even if a volunteer arrives not dressed appropriately for the working bee - all the information is at hand. We have produced this in our Landcare Office - printing, labeling and photocopying in-house and using store bought, zip-up bright green folders and plastic document sleeves. In the folders, we have a 'MASTER' and 'COPIES' of each form so the groups can just copy the master when they need to. In the future, we aim to have all forms online for groups. 

The impact

The Green Safety Folder includes:

  • Conservation Volunteers Safety Prompts, Information on tick disease and prevention
  • Covid-19 Landcare Group general advice and Risk Assessment Sheet
  • Worksite Induction and Risk Assessment form (2 Page) - if multiple days are done on the same site under the same conditions, only page 2 needs to be signed each day.
  • Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) - Bush Regeneration and Tree Planting
  • Safe Operating Procedures (SOP)- Examples are included - if the group is using specific equipment such as backpack sprayer, chainsaws*, drills etc. they must contact Clarence Landcare to have a SOP developed.    * Please check that members have relevant qualifications and experience.
  • Protective Clothing for Pesticide Use and Bush regeneration - There is no excuse for not wearing the correct gear - you will not be allowed on-site if you don't comply.
  • Herbicide - example Label directions and Safety Data Sheets (SDS). 
  • Spray Plans and Chemical Application Records & Hazard/ Incident Report Forms.
Author: Debbie Repschlager

Key facts

  • Landcare volunteers have a lot to consider with Work Health and Safety (WHS) requirements.
  • Developing the "Green Safety Folders" is a way of helping our volunteers.
  • Safety Information and forms on hand at each working bee.
  • Arming volunteers with the knowledge and information to protect their workers.
  • If something goes wrong they have the forms to easily record and report.
  • Groups will need to add information that is relevant to their worksites
  • The folders are a template, they are not meant to cover every scenario.

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