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ARNSW Health and Safety Policy

Policy Health & Safety ARNSW

ARNSW Health and Safety Policy

Amateur Radio New South Wales (ARNSW) is committed to providing and maintaining a safe and healthy environment for members, volunteers, employees, contractors, and visitors. Health, safety, and wellbeing are important to the way we operate, whether activities take place at ARNSW premises, club facilities, events, field activities, or online and remote working environments.

1. Purpose

This policy is intended to:

  • set out ARNSW’s commitment to a safe and healthy environment;
  • outline responsibilities for committee members, management, supervisors, employees, volunteers, members, and contractors;
  • provide a framework for identifying, assessing, and controlling hazards and risks; and
  • support compliance with applicable work health and safety legislation, standards, and good practice.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

  • ARNSW employees, directors, officers, and committee members;
  • volunteers, members, contractors, consultants, and agency staff engaged by or working with ARNSW; and
  • visitors attending ARNSW workplaces, meetings, events, sites, or facilities.

It covers activities carried out at ARNSW offices, clubrooms, repeater and technical sites, training locations, field days, public events, remote work locations, and other premises where work or ARNSW-related activities are performed.

3. Policy Statement

ARNSW will:

  • comply with relevant work health and safety legislation, standards, and codes of practice, including the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and applicable state and territory requirements;
  • identify, assess, and manage risks to eliminate hazards where reasonably practicable or, where that is not possible, minimise risks so far as is reasonably practicable;
  • ensure that plant, equipment, facilities, and work systems are safe, fit for purpose, and properly maintained;
  • provide appropriate information, instruction, training, and supervision to support safe work and safe participation in ARNSW activities;
  • consult with workers, volunteers, and other relevant participants on matters that may affect health and safety, and encourage active participation in safety initiatives;
  • promote a culture of continuous improvement in safety performance, reporting, awareness, and learning; and
  • support both physical and psychological wellbeing, including recognising the impact of workload, fatigue, stress, isolation, and remote or volunteer-based work arrangements.

4. Responsibilities

4.1 Management and Leadership

Management, directors, officers, and relevant ARNSW leaders are responsible for:

  • implementing and maintaining this policy;
  • ensuring adequate resources are available to manage health and safety risks;
  • establishing clear safety expectations and monitoring performance;
  • promoting a proactive safety culture through leadership and example; and
  • ensuring incidents, hazards, and concerns are reported, investigated, and addressed promptly.

4.2 Supervisors, Coordinators, and Team Leaders

Those overseeing activities are responsible for:

  • ensuring work and activities are planned and carried out safely;
  • identifying hazards in their area of control and implementing suitable controls;
  • making sure participants are trained, competent, and aware of relevant safety requirements;
  • encouraging open communication about safety concerns and near misses; and
  • reporting incidents, hazards, and safety issues in line with ARNSW processes.

4.3 Employees, Volunteers, Members, and Contractors

All participants are expected to:

  • take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others;
  • follow safety instructions, procedures, and reasonable directions;
  • use equipment, tools, and personal protective equipment correctly where required;
  • report hazards, unsafe conditions, incidents, and near misses as soon as practicable; and
  • not proceed with tasks they believe are unsafe, and raise concerns promptly with the relevant supervisor or organiser.

5. Hazard Management and Safe Work Practices

ARNSW will apply a risk-based approach to managing hazards, including:

  • regular inspection of workplaces, facilities, events, and work activities;
  • assessment of the likelihood and consequence of identified risks;
  • implementation of controls using the hierarchy of control where appropriate; and
  • review of controls following incidents, near misses, or significant changes in conditions or activities.

Particular consideration may be given to risks associated with:

  • radio and technical environments, including electrical hazards and manual handling;
  • field work, site visits, portable installations, towers, masts, and travel;
  • events and public activities, including crowd interaction and temporary setups; and
  • office and remote work, including ergonomics, screen time, and psychosocial risks.

6. Consultation, Training, and Communication

Effective health and safety management relies on clear communication and active participation.

  • Employees, volunteers, and other relevant participants will be consulted on changes that may affect health and safety.
  • Safety information and updates may be shared through meetings, email, notices, inductions, or internal systems.
  • New starters and relevant volunteers will receive an appropriate induction for their role and location.
  • Additional training will be provided where specific risks, equipment, or specialised tasks are involved.

7. Incident Reporting and Emergency Response

All incidents, injuries, hazards, and near misses should be reported promptly using the relevant ARNSW reporting process.

  • Reported incidents will be reviewed or investigated as appropriate to identify causes and corrective actions.
  • Emergency procedures, including evacuation, fire, and medical response arrangements, should be documented and communicated where relevant.
  • Records of incidents, actions, and improvements will be maintained to support monitoring and review.

8. Wellbeing and Remote Work

ARNSW recognises that health and safety includes both physical and psychological wellbeing.

  • Reasonable steps will be taken to support safe and ergonomic work setups, including for remote work where applicable.
  • Workloads, time commitments, and deadlines should be managed to reduce unreasonable stress and fatigue.
  • Employees, volunteers, and members are encouraged to raise wellbeing concerns early so appropriate support can be considered.

9. Policy Review

This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly, and at least annually, or earlier if:

  • there are significant changes to legislation, standards, or codes of practice;
  • a major incident, significant event, or operational change occurs; or
  • improvements are identified through consultation, audits, or incident investigations.

Updates to this policy will be approved through ARNSW’s governance or management processes to ensure it remains relevant, effective, and aligned with the organisation’s values and legal obligations.