Safety is everyone’s responsibility.
YUVA is committed to supporting safe and healthy environments for staff, volunteers, interns, programme participants, visitors and others involved in our activities.
A safe environment depends on prevention, awareness and action.
Health and safety are part of responsible organisational practice. YUVA seeks to reduce avoidable risks associated with its workplaces, programmes, events and community activities.
Everyone involved in YUVA’s work has a role to play by following reasonable safety instructions, identifying hazards, reporting concerns and considering how their actions may affect other people.
This policy provides a common framework for workplace and activity-related health and safety decisions across YUVA.
Staff, volunteers and other people involved in YUVA’s activities should raise safety concerns promptly and seek guidance whenever they are unsure whether an activity can be carried out safely.
Scope of this policy
This policy provides guidance for health and safety decisions connected with YUVA’s workplaces, programmes, events, volunteering, internships and community activities.
It is intended to support staff, volunteers, interns and other people carrying out authorised activities on behalf of YUVA.
Visitors, contractors, partners and programme participants may also be required to follow reasonable safety instructions while taking part in YUVA activities or using facilities under YUVA’s control.
YUVA’s commitment
YUVA seeks to provide environments in which foreseeable risks to health and safety are identified and managed responsibly.
This includes taking reasonable steps to:
- identify hazards associated with workplaces, programmes and activities;
- reduce avoidable risks where reasonably practicable;
- provide appropriate safety information and instructions;
- respond to accidents, injuries and safety concerns;
- encourage timely reporting of hazards and incidents;
- provide relevant induction or training where required;
- review safety practices when circumstances or activities change.
Everyone has responsibilities
Health and safety depend on cooperation. People involved in YUVA’s work should take reasonable care of themselves and consider how their actions may affect others.
Staff, volunteers and interns
People carrying out authorised duties for YUVA are expected to work within their role, use appropriate care and seek assistance when they do not have the information, training or competence required to perform an activity safely.
No person should feel required to continue with a task they reasonably believe creates an unnecessary safety risk without first raising the concern with an appropriate YUVA contact.
Identifying and reporting hazards
A hazard is anything that has the potential to cause injury, illness or other harm.
Hazards may arise from physical environments, equipment, electrical systems, unsafe working practices, travel, events, community activities or other circumstances connected with YUVA’s work.
Anyone who identifies a safety or security hazard should report it promptly to their supervisor, activity lead or the YUVA Secretariat.
Where a hazard presents an immediate risk, reasonable steps should be taken to prevent people from being exposed to that risk until the situation can be assessed.
Accidents, injuries and incidents
Accidents, injuries and significant safety incidents occurring in connection with YUVA’s activities should be reported promptly.
Reporting allows YUVA to respond appropriately, understand what occurred and consider whether changes are required to reduce the likelihood of a similar incident happening again.
Where urgent medical assistance is required, obtaining appropriate emergency help should take priority over routine organisational reporting.
Maintaining safe environments
People using YUVA workspaces or activity areas should contribute to maintaining a clean, orderly and safe environment.
- keep access routes and work areas reasonably clear;
- store materials and equipment appropriately;
- maintain reasonable standards of cleanliness and hygiene;
- avoid creating unnecessary trip, fire or electrical hazards;
- follow reasonable security and access procedures;
- report damaged facilities or unsafe conditions.
Equipment and safe working practices
Equipment should be used only for its intended purpose and in accordance with appropriate instructions.
People should not use equipment that they do not know how to operate safely or that appears damaged or unsafe.
Faulty or damaged equipment should be taken out of normal use where appropriate and reported to the relevant YUVA contact.
Protective equipment or other safety measures required for a particular activity should be used as directed.
Health and well-being
People involved in YUVA’s activities should take reasonable care of their physical health and well-being while carrying out their duties.
A person should inform an appropriate supervisor where a health condition, injury or other circumstance may affect their ability to carry out an assigned activity safely.
No person should undertake YUVA duties while impaired by alcohol, illegal drugs or another condition that makes the activity unsafe for themselves or others.
Consideration for colleagues
Everyone should show reasonable consideration for the well-being of colleagues, volunteers, programme participants and other people sharing the working environment.
Information, induction and training
Health and safety information may form part of induction, volunteer onboarding or activity-specific briefings.
Where a role involves particular risks, equipment or responsibilities, YUVA may require additional instruction or training before the person begins the activity.
Staff, volunteers and interns should ask for guidance whenever safety instructions are unclear.
Emergency situations
During an emergency, people should prioritise immediate safety, follow instructions from emergency personnel and use the safest reasonable means of obtaining assistance.
Where an emergency occurs during a YUVA activity, the relevant organisational contact should be informed as soon as reasonably possible after urgent safety needs have been addressed.
Monitoring and review
YUVA may review its health and safety practices as programmes, workplaces, equipment and organisational activities change.
Reports of hazards, incidents and safety concerns may be used to identify areas where procedures, training or working arrangements can be improved.
Updated versions of this policy may be published on this page.
See it. Stop unnecessary risk. Report it.
Prompt communication can prevent a minor hazard from becoming a serious incident.
Need to report a concern?
Contact your YUVA supervisor or the YUVA Secretariat if you need to report a workplace hazard, accident, injury or safety concern, or if you need clarification about this policy.