VOLUNTEERS HEALTH & SAFETY INDUCTION

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INTRODUCTION
Hi, we just want to welcome you and thank you for your willingness to serve the Lord.  Our desire is that you are fully equipped to do all that God has called you to do.  
By completing this induction, you are helping us to ensure that we comply with our legal requirements as a church, and more importantly that we exercise our duty of care as an expression of God’s love.  Most of the material you are about to be presented with is taken directly from the Australian Christian Churches (ACC) Safer Churches Guidelines.  

This induction training covers two main areas:  (1) Safer Churches policy and practices and;  (2) Health and Safety policy and practices.  At the end of this induction, could you please complete a short quiz, and nominate that you have read through the content.

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ACC Guideline 2 - OUR MOTIVE FOR MINISTRY – GOD’S LOVE
God is love (1 John 4:16). This is the starting place for Safer Churches for all people.  It is into this love that God invites us.  He created us in His image as a relational being.  We are created in love - for love.  As a self governing church in the ACC movement, we have the responsibility to love people and care for each other in a way that reflects God’s love.  Our primary motive for this kind of care is God’s love for us.  

It’s important that you as a volunteer or leader in the church knows that the reason why we serve and minister to the people in our care is because of God’s amazing love for every person. 

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ACC Guideline 3 - MAINTAINING APPROPRIATE BOUNDARIES
Boundaries are a gift that gives shape to our relationships.  God’s Word provides us with God given boundaries.  If you are volunteering or serving in some way, it is important that you are familiar with the Volunteers Code of conduct and complete and return the Volunteer Church Workers Declaration as soon as possible.

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ACC Guideline 4 - TEAM MINISTRY
Ministry is safe when we view it as "body" or "our" ministry, rather than "my" ministry.  We protect each other, and those to whom we minister when we minister in teams.  Teams share in the ministry together.  Healthy, loving, respectful teams nurture each other, entering into relationships with each other and receiving ministry from one another.  Some important things to remember when serving is:  Duty of Care, Transparency, Accountability, Meeting Legal Requirements.

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ACC Guideline 5 & 6 - SELF PROTECTION & CHILD ABUSE INDICATORS
Abuse is a serious and complex problem, that sadly still goes on.  Abuse often occurs in situations where trust is involved, and it is often perpetrated by a person who is known to the person suffering the abuse.  Abuse occurs when one person misuses the power they have in a relationship. 
For those who have direct contact with children or young people, it is important that you assist them to: Trust their feelings, say "no" when they feel unsafe, understand when to be confidential and when to talk to others about concerns, find safe people to talk to, know when they feel vulnerable, and have a say in the activities and programs in which they participate (as far as is practical.)
 
Our prayer is that no child would suffer a form of abuse ... especially someone under our care.  However, it’s important to be aware that there are four main areas of abuse.  (1) Neglect abuse (2) Emotional abuse (3) Physical abuse (4) Sexual abuse

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DUTY OF CARE PERSONNEL
Senior Pastor:  Ps Tony Peak
Associate Pastor: Ps Michelle Peak
Safer Churches Person: Ps Michelle Peak
Child Protection Officer: Ps Michelle Peak
Qualified First Aiders: (See Health & Safety Notice Boards)
WHS Officer: Ps Tony Peak

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ACC Guideline 7 - ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION
The use of electronic media for communication is part of our everyday life, however we must be very careful with how we use it.  As a volunteer or leader, you are in a position of trust.  It’s important to uphold this trust by:
(1)  being transparent and accountable in the use of electronic communications, especially with children or young people as far as is practical.  Good practice is to send group emails where possible – and not to individuals.  When communicating with children under 16, it is highly recommended that it be done with the full knowledge of the parents or carers of the child or young person. 
(2)  Not transmitting, downloading or storing any communication that is: discriminatory or harassing, derogatory, obscene, sexually explicit or pornographic, defamatory, threatening, for any purpose that is illegal or contrary to the Code of Conduct. (In the case where you receive such communication, you should report this to your Safer Churches Person/Team.)
(3)  Not sending any electronic communication that attempts to hide your identity, or that you pretend to be someone else

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ACC Guideline 8 - REPORTING CONCERNS OF CHILDREN OR YOUNG PEOPLE AT RISK OF HARM
It is very common for child protection agencies to receive a report from someone who has identified indicators of abuse, without the child having directly disclosed the abuse.   If you as a volunteer or leader have ANY concerns of abuse to children, young people or anyone in our care, you are expected to report your concerns to the Safer Churches person when:

• a child or young person discloses they have been or are at risk of being abused
• someone else (regardless of age) discloses that they know of a child or young person who has been /is at risk of being abused
• there are concerns that the child or young person may have been or is at risk of being abused based on their physical appearance or behaviour

You are NOT required, as an initial response, to establish or investigate if abuse has occurred, but rather report reasonable suspicions or concerns of abuse, including the grounds for concerns, to the Safer Churches Person/Team. If the Safer Churches Person is not available and the abuse is currently occurring, or there are reasons to believe that a child or young person is at risk, a report should be made immediately to the police and appropriate authorities.
 
WHEN RECEIVING A DISCLOSURE:

1. Listen ... do not add anything to what the child says (you will need to write this down exactly.)
2. Reassure ... the child that they have done the right thing in speaking to you.
3. Inform ... the child that you need to tell people who can help.
4. Ensure ... that the child is not in immediate danger (if so contact police or government agency)

 
PROCESS FOR REPORTING

1. Report to your Safer Churches Person, (and the police if there is immediate danger)
2. Complete an online report by selecting the Report Child Incident from the website (under forms).  (A paper-based report is available if needed).
3. Take the appropriate action with your Safer Churches Person - contacting National Safer Churches Helpline (1800 070 511 Mon-Fri 9.00am-5.00pm AEST) for advice and assistance, and initiate the correct process if it concerns an ACC Leader.

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ACC Guideline 9 & 10 - APPOINTMENT & SUPERVISION OF VOLUNTEER WORKERS
As a volunteer or leader about to serve, (or currently serving) at Abundant Life Centre Busselton, we have a clear pathway for you to take:
 
Prior to Serving: 

• A brief ministry description / invitation will be provided for you.
• Induction Training (what you are doing now) is provided for you so that you can safely and effectively fulfil your role(s).
• A Volunteer Workers Declaration should be completed as soon possible.  This declaration refers to Working with Children Checks (if applicable), and the Volunteer Church Workers Code of Conduct. 
• On the job Training and Feedback will be given to you so you know what to do and how to do it.

 
Regular Ministry Review:  This provides an opportunity for you to say if you will or won’t be available for ministry next year/time, and to provide support or other opportunities if need be.

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ACC Guideline 11 - RESPONDING TO CONFLICTS OR ALLEGATIONS
The WHS ACT 2011, requires accountable and transparent responses to complaints, bullying, harassment and abuse processes available to all workers, including volunteers through the following means:

1. Natural Justice - can be expected to all parties, and conducted without undue delay, or conflict of interest.
2. Local Level Response - will be the preferred way of addressing most issues.  The local church (ALC) shall consider the pastoral, legal and insurance implications of the conflict or allegation and respond with transparency and accountability.
3. Contact with the Media - if you are contacted by the media in relation to a critical incident or serious misconduct matter, refer them to the Safer Churches Person/Team (who will consult the church board and/or State Executive.
4. Appropriate Reporting - as already mentioned, if you receive a disclosure of a child or young person at risk of harm, please use the reporting process.  

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SEXUAL HARASSMENT & BULLYING
Sexual harassment, such as an unwelcome sexual advance or other unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature will not be tolerated and all allegations of sexual harassment should be reported to the Safer Churches Officer, or pastor.  Also the ACC Safer Churches National Helpline can be contacted on 1800 070 511  
 
Bullying can include racist or abusive language, cruel remarks or spreading false and malicious rumours.  Bullying is a conscious and wilful act of manipulation by the bullyer.  It can be physical and/or non physical and should always be reported.

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ACC Guideline 12 - COMPLIANCE WITH WHS LEGISLATION
It is honouring to God to not only have safe spiritual, physical and emotional environments, but as a church we are committed to providing safe environments that comply with current workplace health and safety standards (WHS).
 
The church has a Health & Safety officer to oversee the implementation of all Workplace Health and Safety practices, and that health and safety policies are in place to ensure a safe environment. (eg privacy, evacuation etc)
 
Also, you will find Health and Safety Notice Boards displaying crucial health and safety information at a glance (evacuation plan / fire orders and fire extinguisher operation; OH&S Policy, Incident / Injury Reporting flowchart and forms; Trained First-Aiders names and First Aid kit locations, Hazard Reporting flowchart and forms, Fire Health and Safety Officer name, Child Abuse & Unusual Behaviour Reporting flowchart and forms, and Child Protection Officer name.)
 
Health & Safety Board Locations:

• Foyer of admin building
• Kitchen of Church Auditorium

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FIRE / EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND EVACUATION
Please familiarise yourself with the location of Emergency Exits (marked with green exit signs).  If you see a fire ... or a Fire Alarm is sounding remain calm – and remember RACE:
RESCUE - Rescue any people in immediate danger - only if it safe to do so
ALARM - Raise the alarm - ring the Fire Brigade on 000 - notify the staff member in charge
CONTAIN - If practicable, close all doors and windows to contain the fire - only if it safe to do so
EXTINGUISH - Try to extinguish the fire using appropriate firefighting equipment only if you are trained and it is safe to do so.  A Dry Powder fire extinguisher is located beside the front door of the main auditorium and by the kitchen bench in the rear building.
After carrying out RACE:  Follow the instructions of your Fire Wardens. Prepare to evacuate if necessary
 
Emergency Assembly Point:  the road verge by the main entrance driveway of the church.

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MANUAL HANDLING
Manual handling can pose a significant risk of personal accident or injury to yourself or others. 

• Ask yourself - Do I really need to lift this?
• Always test the load prior to lifting.
• Bend at the knees and keep the load close to your body.
• Never attempt to lift or carry loads if you think they are too heavy.
• Never lift a heavy object above shoulder level.
• Pushing is generally better than pulling.
• Use a trolley or get help to lift/carry a heavy load whenever possible.
• Organise the work area to reduce the amount of bending, twisting and stretching required. 

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WORKING AT HEIGHT
A fall hazard is a situation where a person is exposed to a risk of a fall from one level to another that is reasonably likely to cause an injury.   Please DO NOT use chairs or tables or any other furniture or equipment not designed for standing on or working at height. 
 
Working with Ladders
If work cannot take place without a ladder, ensure that the ladder is in sound condition and appropriate for the task; it is on a level surface and in a safe working position.

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HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
If you are required to handle hazardous substances ensure that you have read the label and the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).  Also please ensure that you know what Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) to use, such as gloves and eye protection, and that you are familiar with cleaning operations.  Any spills should be cleaned up as you go.
 
ASBESTOS REGISTER
Any asbestos used in buildings on church property must be documented in an Asbestos Register.  You will find the Asbestos Register in the ALC Church policy folder in the admin office.

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SMOKING
In the interests of the health and comfort of others, smoking is not permitted in the church buildings, or around people.

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ACC Guideline 13 - ANNUAL PROGRAM APPROVAL
The church Board is ultimately responsible for any church activities that take place both on or off church premises.  If you are considering starting a ministry event or program, there are a number of things to be mindful of, including health and safety risks and the financial impact (especially if it is related to children or young people.)
 
With this in mind, the church Board would expect that all programs be approved through a formal, written approval process (especially children or young people’s programs and events.)

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ACC Guideline 14 - MANAGING EVENT AND/OR PROGRAM RISKS
Risk management is a crucial consideration in managing the church’s exposure to various kinds of loss – including financial loss, physical damage, injury or delay.
Managing event and program risks involves addressing the likelihood of an incident and the potential consequences. There may be times when you as a volunteer or leader will need to consider a Risk Assessment in order to go ahead with a program or event.  

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ACC Guideline 15 - SAFE SPIRITUAL & EMOTIONAL ENVIRONMENT
Ensuring safe spiritual and emotional environments is fundamentally about putting other people’s needs above our own.  It’s about fostering a welcoming and caring ministry space, where people feel safe to share their ideas without being ridiculed. 
 
In light of the ACC Child Protection Policy you would be expected to:
1.  put the rights of a child or young person to the protection from harm ahead of any cultural and religious practices of families who come to our church.
2.  understand and respond to the special needs of children or young people with developmental delays or disabilities. 
3.  be respectful in general of children or young people. 
 
Some of the more general ways you can promote a safe spiritual and emotional environment is by:
1.  Servant Leadership - serving others, just as Christ served (Philippians 2:1-8)
2.  Handling Private Information - with great care, sensitivity and confidentiality.
3.  Respecting Diversity – valuing different cultural traditions and heritages.    
4.  Being a Good Role Model – and being respectful to others, especially children and young people, and treating them with respect.
5.  Careful use of non-verbal communication – which includes body language, physical characteristics and appearances etc

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ACC Guideline 16 - SAFE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENTS
Providing safe physical environments is important if everyone is to participate freely in church activities.  In order for our church programs and events to be safely run, please be aware of the following:
 
HAZARD REPORTING - a hazard is anything which has the potential to cause harm or injury. Hazards should be reported in order to prevent people from being injured.  Please report all hazards and even consider reporting near misses. 
FIRST AID – (covered below)
TRANSPORTATION – If you are asked to transport others in a car, it is expected that you will be responsible, and obey the road rules.  Never be alone in a car with a child or young person.  At no time should there be more passengers in a car than the number of seat belts that are in working order and available for use. 
FOOD SAFETY – for those who will be involved with serving food and/or beverages, specific training is provided. 
SUPERVISION NUMBERS – for those who will be working with children and young people, specific training will be provided to ensure that adequate numbers of leaders are present to supervise the program.  
MANAGEMENT OF HIGH RISK ACTIVITIES - Only those with specific and certified training  are permitted to run the activity.
In addition:  active supervision is required at all times. All participants involved in high risk activities should have a signed liability release from each parent/guardian.  The church’s insurance broker/company should be contacted for advice before running high risk activities.

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FIRST AID
Knowing how to respond to someone who is injured, or ill is a key aspect to our culture of safety and care.  There will usually be at least one person on the church premises who will have current first aid training.  Also we have suitable, up to date and accessible First Aid kits available at all times.
First Aid kit locations:  

• Admin building - In the passage way near the toilets.   
• Church Auditorium – Wall mounted in the kitchen area next to the sink.

(Please ensure you are familiar with where the First Aid kits are located).
It is the First Aid Officer’s role to arrange for emergency response (ambulance etc) in conjunction with the Safer Churches Person.

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ACC Guideline 17 - RESPONDING TO INCIDENTS
While we all hope it will never happen, people do have accidents and sometimes there are emergencies.  At these times the health and safety of the person involved is of paramount concern, and it may be necessary for a leader to administer first aid to the person.  Incidents are more likely to occur when unsafe conditions combine with unsafe actions and errors of judgement.  It is important that when incidents do occur to manage the incident in accountable and transparent ways as a team.
 
A critical incident is as event or set of circumstances that has the potential to lead to a fatality for one or more people. 
Every incident will require: 

• Immediate response, in the given moment
• Follow up over the next 12-24 hours or longer including pastoral care for those involved
• review of the reason for the incident and changes made so as to minimise the same incident occurring again.

As a volunteer or leader, you would be expected to:

• respond to incidents appropriately and promptly and take adequate follow-up action. 
• Use appropriate report forms: Injuries or accidents requiring secondary medical attention, e.g. visit to a doctor or medical centre, are to be written up on an incident report. 
• Incidents of a serious nature need to be reported to the local church insurer.
• Report all incidents to parents and/or care-givers of children or young people, and in instances where the impact has been felt by a wider group, report, with the permission of those involved in the incident, to the wider concerned group.

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FOOD SAFETY STANDARDS - There are a number of hazards in any kitchen, and whenever food is being prepared.  Unless you are specifically working with food, this will not usually apply to you, however for those who are involved – please see below for the standards we expect volunteers to uphold in order to minimise risk of injury or sickness.

• If you are unwell (especially with a viral illness) don’t participate in food preparation or other kitchen activities, and inform your Team Leader.
• Ensure all food preparation surfaces and utensils are clean prior to starting.
• Wash hands before commencing or re-commencing to work with food.
• Wear appropriate footwear, long hair tied back and ensure any cuts or abrasions are covered.
• Use appropriate utensils for serving food.
• Wear food preparation gloves (but only when handling food).
• No children are allowed in church kitchens/food preparation areas.
• Inform others working in the area of stoves turned on/hot equipment left resting, or anything that could be accidentally touched or moved and cause burns.
• Ensure spills are immediately cleaned up.
• Be aware of foods that could contain nuts / peanuts etc. that could cause Anaphylactic reactions.

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