Gary King  is the club's H&S officer.
Documentation on all H&s issues are being prepared.Recommendations from the Centre:

HEALTH AND SAFETY ACT – Board report 9 December 2016 – D Bates
My study of the Health & Safety Act 2015 has been interesting, frustrating and worthwhile.
Interesting, because I have learned a lot that will mean all Bowling Clubs can simplify the whole procedure.  The
H & S Act is not complicated, it is designed to ensure we are safe while playing bowls.
Frustrating. because BowlsNZ advisor could have better explained our responsibilities  and position to the Act.
Worthwhile, because we can simplify what clubs need to do and be assured that if we as members do our best to look after each other, then we cannot be prosecuted.
I have only this week been able to confirm my interpretation of the Act, a huge difference from BowlsNZ info..
Legally if a club does not EMPLOY any person then as ‘VOLUNTEERS’ assisting with ‘SPORTS AND RECREATION’ activities then the club is EXEMPT from the Health & Safety Act 2015.  So legally the Centre does not have to adopt a Health & Safety policy.  Honorariums do not constitute employment.
Definition of VOLUNTEER means a person who is acting on a voluntary basis (wether or not the person receives out- of-pocket expenses). 
A VOLUNTEER cannot be prosecuted.    Except if the volunteer commits ‘Reckless Conduct” OR ‘Exposes a person to serious harm’ OR ‘Breach a duty’.      That situation just should not happen in a Bowling Club if common sense prevails.

Worksafe statement:  The General Duty.  For all other organisers of volunteer labour, the Act provides for a general duty of care.  This duty provides that the person for whom the volunteer is doing the work activity must take all practicable steps to ensure the health and safety of the volunteer.  While the general duty of care is not enforceable, it is the message that is important.  It requires the person or organisation using volunteers to consider hazards when planning and organising their work.  All work activities should be planned and organised with health and safety in mind.  All workers should be safe when performing work activities.
If a club EMPLOYS anyone, e.g. bar person, green keeper, manager etc on wages/salary then that club must have a Health and Safety policy.  The CLUB then becomes the PCBU (Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking)  as per the BowlsNZ  policy  template.  Contractors/Sub-Contractors are not employees but they will need to be inducted if the club has a H & S policy.
Briefly, if the club is the PCBU and a breach occurs, the PCBC e.g. the Club (not an individual) could be prosecuted.  But again please do not worry about that as all Clubs will be paying attention to abiding with the spirit of the Act.  Common sense will prevail.
Clubs that hold a Statutory /Public Liability Insurance will most likely be covered for ‘costs’ in case of the very unlikely breach.    That Insurance will not cover the cost of a fine.    Clubs should check their policies.
The Health and Safety Act is there to help not hinder.
Worksafe statement.
It DOESN’T mean you have to:
·        do everything humanly possible to prevent accidents
·        buy the most expensive equipment on the market
·        spend the bulk of your week on H & S training, compliance and documentation

H & S page 2
It DOES mean you need to:
·        determine what kinds of risks are caused by your work (BNZ have already done that)
·        consider how likely those risks are
·        take appropriate action that is proportionate to the injury or illness that could occur
The upshot is you’re  expected to do what a reasonable person would do in your situation.  It’s about taking responsibility for what you can control.
It will be every clubs individual responsibility to make the decision and decide  as a Volunteer organisation wether or  not to adopt a Health and Safety Policy.    Those clubs with employees do not have that option.    Which of our clubs adopt a H & S policy is not a Board decision.
If a club opts not to have an H & S policy then it would still be very beneficial to be involved in an Induction Policy so that their members do not have to be inducted at clubs that have a policy.  Perhaps more importantly the clubs with a policy will not have the responsibility of inducting them each time they visit.
Aligning ourselves with the same Induction policy (H & S policy or not) will in my opinion be better for everyone.  Here is why!
If every club adopts an identical Induction Policy that is drafted by Thames Valley Bowls then every Thames Valley member will not have to be reminded every tournament/championship they play in of the sunscreen, hydration, tripping on pegs/markers etc.
Bowls NZ in the (RAMS) Risk Analysis and Management System have identified the Risks, Dangers and Management Strategies that are common to all Bowling Clubs.
If say when annual membership fees are paid every member is inducted into the Centre’s Induction policy then they have been inducted into their ‘workplace’.  That induction must include the particular clubs Evacuation Area, placement of the First Aid Kit and availability of the nearest defibrillator.
For Clubs with an H & S policy every club function/tournament involving only that clubs members for the rest of the season, no H & S briefing will be required, EXCEPT any new hazards.    Any visiting team will only have to be told of the Evacuation area, First Aid kit and Defibrillator placement.    If all bowlers present have previously been inducted at that club then only new hazards need to be advised.
All that will be required is:
1.  Each Club will have their Health and Safety Induction policy on display.  Perhaps every club could have it above
      the sign in register
2.  There are some forms necessary to abide by the Act.  Again nothing to fear, they are common sense and easy
    to follow.  More on the forms once we have decided on our H & S actions.
I suggest that the TV Centre prepare an Induction sheet (copy attached) and request all clubs adopt the Induction policy wether or not they adopt a H & S policy.
I do not see the need for the Board to adopt a H & S policy, but do see the need for us to remain in touch with all advice and memo;s received in order to be of assistance to our clubs.
Don Bates
Health & Safety Officer


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PS  The only change I suggest we make to the model BNZ policy is to remove OUR TRAINED FIRST AIDER IS…
In Section 5.0  Accidents and Incidents.

Reason:    Most/all clubs will not have a trained first aider who is present at all times.  Remember this Act is designed for work places with regular hours and attendees.    If an accident/incident occurs at any Club the victim will be well cared for by mature peers.