The recent changes in the HSWA have got us thinking about safety precautions and procedures. I think we all want our WWOOFers to be safe and Worksafe has come up with a couple of useful documents. I have attached some sample copies and here are the links so you can fill them in to match your property and requirements.
This link is an example check list for visitors, contractors or casual workers.
This links to a risk register, where you identify risks, mitigate and assess any training needs. I have also attached a sample copy.
Below we will cover wether or not you are required by Worksafe to complete these. However, we strongly recommend that all hosts have look and think about risks that need to be identified, risk controls and any training or information required. You may want to have a copy of these plans in the WWOOFers accommodation or go through it with them when you are organising their work.
Summarised below is the information I received from Worksafe. It is a lot to go through, but again we recommend that you check whether or not you are actually required by Worksafe to complete the information.
1.The first step is to decide whether you are are a PCBU
You know your property and activities best, so you will need to make that decision. Below the definition of a PCBU that was sent to me:
An individual, such as a sole trader, can also be a PCBU. Note that a PCBU doesn’t have to have paid workers to be a PCBU. While the terms ‘business’ and ‘undertaking’ are not defined in the HSWA (), the usual meanings of these terms are:
• ‘business’: an activity carried out with the intention of making a profit or gain • ‘undertaking’: an activity that is non-commercial in nature (e.g. certain activities of a local authority).
Individuals or organisations can be PCBUs if they carry out work, regardless of their legal structure. Examples of PCBUs are:
• A business in the form of an incorporated company.
• A sole trader or self-employed person.
• A general partner in a partnership (if the partnership is a limited partnership).
• A partner in a partnership (if the partnership is not a limited partnership).
• An organisation created by legislation (e.g. government department, university, school or local authority).
The following are not PCBUs:
• volunteer associations
• home occupiers who employ or engage someone to do work around the home • persons to the extent they are solely a work m,,,,,er or an officer in the business or undertaking
• statutory officers to the extent they are officers or workers in the business or undertaking
• other persons declared by regulations not to be PCBUs for the purposes of HSWA or any provision of the Act.
Duties under the HSWA apply if you are a PCBU. You will need to make the decision on whether your club is a PCBU or not.
2. If you are not a PCBU
In this case duties under HSWA do not apply. But you are still responsible for the Health and Safety of visitors and WWOOFers on your property. I found the Safer Farms website very useful http://saferfarms.org.nz It provides information about safety around stock and use of machinery.
Please note that when it comes to the use of chainsaws and log splitters and other potentially dangerous machinery, our advice is to not let WWOOFers use these.
3. If you are a PCBU
If you are a PCBU we imagine that you have already had a look at the new Health and Safety at Work Act and started to work on your Health and Safety documents already.
If not, below are the links Worksafe sent to me. Please go through them and decide what is applicable to you.
Writing Health and Safety documents
We do have detailed information on how to write health & safety documents and we do also have health and safety templates. Please see the links below for further guidance:
http://www.business.govt.nz/worksafe/hswa/hswa-guidance (HSWA Guidance)
http://www.business.govt.nz/worksafe/tools-resources/writing-health-and-safety-documents-for-your-workplace(Writing health and safety documents for your workplace)
http://www.business.govt.nz/worksafe/information-guidance/all-guidance-items/hswa-fact-sheets/how-to-manage-work-risks (How to Manage Work Risks)
http://www.business.govt.nz/worksafe/tools-resources/health-and-safety-templates (Health and safety templates)
http://www.business.govt.nz/worksafe/hswa/working-smarter/risks-by-industry (Knowing the risks in your sector)
If you have any question or need further information please contact Worksafe directly on info@worksafe.govt.nz or 0800 030 040.