Volunteer OHS Management

2. Inducting volunteers

The principal or their delegate must induct all volunteers using the Volunteer OHS induction checklist (refer to the Resources tab), or equivalent template, in addition to any induction requirements found in the department’s Volunteers in Schools policy and the school’s local volunteer policies.

If an equivalent checklist is used, it must include the following details as a minimum:

• required conduct/behaviour
• security and access
• emergency evacuation plans/exits
• location of amenities
• hazard and incident reporting and point of contact
• first aid and infection control procedures
• links to any policies that may be relevant for volunteer work being undertaken, such as:
  • Health, Safety and Wellbeing policy
  • Volunteers in Schools policy
  • Volunteer OHS Management policy
  • Plant and Equipment Management policy
  • OHS Risk Planning and Management policy
  • Outdoor Activities and Working Outdoors policy.

The Volunteer OHS induction handbook (refer to the Resources tab), can be used to assist in providing guidance on school specific and department OHS requirements to volunteers.

Volunteer OHS inductions are valid for 12 months and must be renewed after that point.

The principal or their delegate must keep records of volunteer OHS inductions per the Records Management policy. Volunteer OHS inductions can be created or uploaded and stored electronically in eduSafe Plus (staff login required). Guidance for uploading OHS inductions can be found in the how to guide (staff login required) in eduSafe Plus.

The statewide OHS services team or the OHS Advisory Service can support schools with the use of eduSafe Plus.

2.1 Sign in and sign out

Volunteers must sign in prior to entering the school premises, as per the Visitors in Schools policy and local visitors procedures.

2.2 Working with children clearances

The principal or their delegate must consider whether or not a Working with Children Clearance and other suitability checks for volunteers are required by referring to the Working with Children Checks and other Suitability Checks for School Volunteers and Visitors policy and by following their local volunteers policy.