Pathfinders Gymnastics Club
HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY
Pathfinders is committed to providing and maintaining an environment that is safe and without undue risk to our members. We will strive to protect members from accidental harm and our property from accidental damage through consultation and a focus on continuous improvement.
It is our intention that people at all levels in our club shall be committed to achieving the highest standards of Health and Safety management throughout the organisation. To this end, all committee members and lead session coaches will be inducted to the Pathfinders standard, and it shall be reinforced to them that health and safety management is an integral part of our club and it’s practices. Members will share in the benefits of maintaining a healthy and safe place. Maintaining safe working practices and reporting any unsafe acts or incidents shall demonstrate their commitment to safety.
Safety is everyone’s responsibility. No one in this organisation should feel compelled to work unsafely.
We shall at all times ensure that:
· Hazard identification and control procedures are operating throughout the club to prevent injury.
· Consultation with GymNZ representatives, coaches and committee members regarding health and safety management is valued and occurs regularly.
· All equipment is maintained in a safe state and any defect or fault reported immediately.
· All coaches are provided with necessary instructions and adequate training required for their level.
· All practicable steps and precautions are taken to ensure the safety of our gymnasts and coaches.
· A comprehensive and up-to-date plan for all emergencies is in place.
Committee members and lead coaches will meet their described obligations in the Pathfinders Code of Ethics and Behaviour and committee role description in the Pathfinders Induction Booklet. They will take all practicable steps to ensure their own and others health and safety and are encouraged to become actively involved in assisting the committee achieve a healthy and safe workplace.
The following documents assist to keep our club operating in a safe environment;
Pathfinders health and safety induction checklist
Pathfinders Risk Identification and Management
Pathfinders Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
Child Protection Reporting FlowchartEquipment checklist (see operational risks and hazards gymNZ)
Pathfinders Accident Investigation Form
Approved By: Sarah Rapsey.
Job Title: Club President.
Date Created: September 2021.
Date Reviewed: 18 October 2023.
Date to be reviewed next: 18 October 2025.
Management Responsibilities
Pathfinders Committee will exercise due diligence to:
· Acquire and keep up-to-date knowledge of work health and safety matters.
· Understand the nature of Pathfinders Club, the general hazards and risks associated.
· Provide appropriate resources and processes to eliminate or minimise the health and safety risks.
· Make sure the club has appropriate processes for receiving information on hazards, risks and incidents, evaluate that information, and respond in a timely way.
· Make sure there are processes in place, so the club complies with its obligations.
· Verify appropriate resources and processes have been provided and are being used.
It is the responsibility of the Committee to ensure health and safety related matters are promoted to lead coaches and Health and Safety officer in a timely manner.
Other responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
· Making sure all new coaches and new committee members are inducted in the relevant health and safety procedures.
· Identifying apparatus or areas which fail to comply with health and safety standards and initiate the appropriate corrective actions.
· Leading hazard management.
· Ensuring all accidents/incidents are accurately reported, recorded, and investigated.
· Ensuring WorkSafe New Zealand is notified of any incidents or accidents involving serious harm in a timely manner.
· Ensuring there is staff training on health and safety matters kept up-to-date and documented.
· Ensure that all accidents and incidents are documented in the Health and Safety booklet and discussed at the next committee meeting.
· Ensure that all health and safety records are kept for a minimum of five years.
· Ensure that any form of document destruction and disposal should be irreversible, secure, and documented.
· Use a secure document destroying service when disposing of records.
All Employees
The Health and Safety in Employment Act places the onus of responsibility for health and safety on employees as much as the employer. It is imperative that all staff actively participate in identifying hazards, reporting accidents and near accidents and avoiding any action which may cause harm to themselves or others. This includes:
· Working in a safe manner to protect themselves, the gymnasts in their care and all equipment.
· Only coaching at a level for which they have been trained and instructed in or have supervision.
· Abiding by all displayed rules, safety regulations, policies, and procedures.
· Ensure training does not start until there is a coach with a current first aid certificate present.
· Ensuring no action or inaction while at the gym causes harm to themselves or any other person.
· Ensure they maintain their coaching qualifications and complete assignments as required in a timely manner.
· Ensure they maintain their first aid certificate if required for their coaching qualifications.
· Being familiar with emergency procedures.
· Not wilfully interfering with or misusing items or facilities provided in the interest of safety.
· Reporting all accidents, injuries and near accidents as soon as possible using the accident reporting form and taking all reasonable action to eliminate their recurrence.
· Reporting any hazardous condition, situation, or event.
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