Volunteer OHS Management

3. Controlling the risks, including supervision

Once volunteer tasks are identified and the risk is assessed, the principal must work together with the volunteer and staff who are or are likely to be affected to reduce the risk by implementing controls. If a risk cannot be eliminated, a mix of controls must be considered to achieve the best possible risk reduction. For further details on this process please refer to the OHS Risk Planning and Management policy.

Some example controls for common volunteer work could include, but is not limited to:

• pairing up volunteers with staff or other volunteers to reduce manual handling risks when setting up school fetes, presentation days, working bees, and so on
• providing gloves, insect repellent or other personal protective equipment for gardening or clean-up activities
• clearly communicating to volunteers the role and tasks being undertaken
  communicating emergency management procedures in place to all volunteers
• food handling courses for staff and volunteers to reduce the possibility of food contamination
• ensuring testing and tagging has occurred for any electrical equipment owned by the volunteer that is to be used on the school site
• other supervision strategies as identified in the school’s Child Safety Risk Register.

3.1 Supervision

The principal or their delegate must determine the level of school staff supervision required for volunteers, depending on the type of work being performed, level of risk, and with a focus on ensuring safety and wellbeing.

The principal has the discretion to make a decision about the ongoing suitability of a volunteer worker and may determine at any time whether or not a person is suitable to volunteer at their school.

For more details on managing volunteers and their work, please refer to the Volunteers in Schools policy.