Our safety policy

Health and Safety Policy for all activities involving girls and volunteers

Rationale
GirlGuiding New Zealand has a legal requirement to minimise and manage health and safety risks.  Health and Safety is of paramount importance in the planning and participation of every activity (both indoors and outdoors) and all members need to understand their obligations.

Purpose
To provide information and guidelines to leaders.

1. Regarding the management of health and safety for all people involved with activities of GirlGuiding New Zealand.
2. To identify and manage the element of risk in all activities.

Guidelines
Health and safety must be considered at the planning stage of all activities. 

1. All possible risks should be identified and managed effectively using a risk management form where appropriate.
2. The procedures in A Guide to Camping, pages 76-84, should be followed during all outdoor activities.
3. The guidelines in Outdoor Activities: Guidelines for Leaders must be followed when undertaking any adventurous activity (available from regional outdoor teams, resource teams or the National Office).
4. Every member is required to observe all safety rules, laws and regulations, particularly those found in A Guide to Guiding in New Zealand, in order to maintain a safe and healthy environment.
5. GirlGuiding New Zealand leaders must use suitably qualified personnel for all activities, especially those in the outdoors.
6. GirlGuiding New Zealand leaders will ensure compliance with all statutory provisions/requirements and regulations, appropriate to the activity (eg, the wearing of safety helmets).
7. Appropriate instruction must be given to all participants prior to all activities.
8. Any incident/accident sustained during GirlGuiding New Zealand activities and requiring medical intervention must be recorded on a GirlGuiding New Zealand Incident/Accident form.  This form is available from the District Coordinator, Regional Administrator or the National Office and must be returned to the National Office upon completion.

Conclusion
GirlGuiding New Zealand is responsible for the safety and health of its members during all activities.  Leaders must act with all reasonable care so that health and safety is paramount and to ensure that the good safety record of GirlGuiding New Zealand is maintained.

1. Note: For further information on health and safety, refer to:
2. Outdoor Activities: Guidelines for Leaders (published by Sport and Recreation (SPARC) 2005; available from GirlGuiding New Zealand Mail Order Service).
3. Outdoor Safety: Risk Management for Outdoor Leaders (published by New Zealand Mountain Safety Council and available from GirlGuiding New Zealand Mail Order Service).
4. Working Safely for Your Community (published by and available from Department of Labour).