WHS Risk Management Plan for Group Name Waterwatch

Location: <Site>
Dateof activity/monitoring event:<Date>
GPS Coordiates:
Longitude: Latitude:
First Aid and Water Safety Qualifications: Coordinator / GroupCoordinator: Group coordinator or contact Number in group: #
Contact Numbers: <Coordinator contact phone>
Accompanying volunteers:<Names>
Any Agency or Councilstaff:<Names & organisation

Hazard/Risk Identification.

Preliminary Site Inspection and Assessment Completed
in(DATE) /

Priority

(see Matrix)

/

Risk management Plan – Elimination or Control Measures

(Elimination Substitution Isolation Engineering Administration PPE)

/ WHO ?
All Emergencies / 2 / Mobile phone to be carried by Volunteer in case of emergency.
Where possible, take someone on-site with you, or alternatively phone someone before you leave home/office with an expected return time. Then call to check-in when you return. / Group Coord
Volunteer(s)
Snakes / 4 / Warnings issued. Check sightings. / Group Coord
Volunteer(s)
Mosquitoes and insect pests. / 3 / Rid, sunscreen and water available for use / Group Coord
Volunteer(s)
Plant allergies eg nettles / 4 / Rid, sunscreen and water available for use. Get expert advice if reaction does occur. / Group Coord
Volunteer(s)
Needles, Broken Glass, Slippery, rough or uneven terrain – slipping, tripping grazes and sprains / 4 / Preliminary site check. Explicit instructions prior to activities according to W&HS instructions. / Group Coord
Volunteer(s)
Falling or fallen trees and branches in windy conditions / 5 / Warnings and Avoidance - Checking trees above site for dead branches or wood. Avoid area if present and move up or downstream where possible. / Group Coord
Volunteer(s)
Measurement Activities: Use of equipment / 4 / Explicit instructions as per instructions provided during training, on laminated safety and procedure sheets. / Group Coord
Volunteer(s)
Waterwatch activities-proximity to river, water, mud and sediment.
Dirty water / 4 / Explicit instructions at training and each time volunteer monitors at this site. Wash hands after contact with water. Gloves on request. No need to access water unless flow and depth are checked. Access restricted to essential purpose and appropriate footwear worn. / Group Coord
Volunteer(s)
Road safety / 2 / Sites monitored near roads – Warning provided during training. Avoidance of traffic by volunteer to test away from road, and have awareness of traffic conditions near site. / Group Coord
Volunteer(s)
General: Weather: Heat; extreme wind; storms / 3 / Checking, Warning, Avoidance. Protection and shelter.
Explicit instructions prior to activity - Rid, sunscreen and water at site. / Group Coord
Volunteer(s)
Flash flooding or dam water release / 4 / Checking, Warning, Avoidance, Explicit instructions prior to activity.
Also check for weather warnings prior to monitoring.. / Group Coord
Volunteer(s)
Existing medical conditions / 4 / Volunteer responsible for alerting Coordinator of any existing and potential conditions that may affect ability to monitor through Waterwatch program.
Appropriate preparation and action to provide safe testing conditions for volunteer where possible. / Group Coord
Volunteer(s)
Waterwatch activity coordination (including WH&S) provided by(signature):
Name (printed):
Date: / Other activity coordinator & WHS supervisors:

Risk Assessment Matrix

1. How severely could it hurt someone?
or
How ill could it make someone? / 2. How likely is it to be that bad?
Very likely
could happen at any time / Likely
could happen at some time / Unlikely
Could happen
But very rarely / Very unlikely
Could happen, but probably never will
Kill or cause permanent disability or ill health / 1 / 1 / 2 / 3
Long term illness or serious injury / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4
Medical attention and several days of work / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
First aid needed / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6
The numbers show you how important it is to do something:
1. top priority: do something immediately
6. low priority: do something when possible

Source: WorkCover NSW HazPak Publication