The Department of Corrections is committed to protecting and enhancing the health and safety of people in our workplaces. As a volunteer, you are included in this commitment.
 
If you feel as though your health and safety is not being managed properly, then you should let the manager at the site you volunteer at know as soon as possible.

As a prison volunteer, you have the right to:

• Provision of health and safety induction and training relevant to the role you perform. The induction should include, as a minimum, advice on emergency evacuation procedures, the process for reporting accidents, and to whom accidents should be reported
   
• Be advised of any workplace hazard you may encounter while in a Departmental place of work
   
• Be included in the hazard management process
   
• Information on health and workplace monitoring where applicable to your job
   
• Provision of appropriate protective clothing and equipment
   
• Expect the Department to take all practicable steps to ensure your health and safety while on workplaces controlled by the Department
   
• Be advised of the Department’s procedures for reporting hazards, incidents and injuries that occur in places of work controlled by the Department

As a volunteer you also have the obligation to comply with the Department’s procedures for reporting hazards, incidents and injuries that occur in places of work controlled by the Department.

Induction
The content and breadth of site induction training and information will vary depending upon your situation. However, volunteers should receive the following information in some manner:

• Emergency procedures
   
• Incident and injury reporting
   
• Identified hazards associated with your role, and the relevant control mechanisms
   
• Hazard identification
   
• Employer and employee responsibilities
   
• The process for employee participation in health and safety management
   
• Work injury claims process
   
• Site orientation
   
• Use and maintenance of any personal protective clothing and equipment issues
   
• Relevant task specific training

A completed record of induction should be retained by the Department.

The prison environment can be complex and potentially volatile. This is why we have the health and safety procedures that we do. Everybody has the responsibility to ensure they are carrying out their jobs as safely as possible and to communicate any issues to an appropriate person when required. When we take this responsibility seriously, then we are demonstrating that we value the safety of ourselves and others.

Stay safe!

With thanks to Corrections Senior Health and Safety Advisor Bridgette Fennessy

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