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Safety First
When paddling with the Yakity Yak Kayak Club, safety is of utmost importance.For this reason we have developed a comprehensive Safety Management System (SMS) that is easy to use, effective and transparent.
Tier 1
Safety Management System Policy Manual
March 2016Mission Statement
The Yakity Yak Kayak Club offer support, and opportunities to enjoy safe kayaking.Introduction
This manual sets out the policies that define Yakity Yak Kayak Club’s safety management system. The policy statements in this manual (Tier 1) are supported by operational policy and procedures contained in the Yakity Yak Kayak Club Handbook (Tier 2), and Trip Management Plans (Tier 3), and associated templates and forms. Note that the Handbook sets out operational policy that applies to all centres and activities, while Trip Management Plans are trip-specific.1. Overarching Safety Management Policy
| Policy statement | Implementation and controls (ref) | |
| 1.1 | Yakity Yak will implement a safety management system across all centres compliant with the Health and Safety (Adventure Activities) Regulations 2011. | SMS documentation |
| 1.2 | We will maintain a strong commitment to compliance with health and safety legislation, prevention of serious harm, and continual improvement of our safety management system and safety outcomes. | -- |
| 1.3 | We will monitor compliance with the SMS and that it is achieving its objectives. | SMS management procedures (online) |
| 1.4 | Audits of the SMS will be undertaken every two years. | Audit procedure and schedule |
| 1.5 | From time to time we will establish safety objectives, consistent with the Safety Audit Standard. | -- |
| 1.6 | Leaders will be involved in establishing safety objectives and implementing safety policy and controls. | Operations manager encourages input Staffing manual p. 7. See also 2.3. |
| 1.7 | The SMS is managed by Canoe & Kayak Ltd. Centres may not make changes to the content of Tier 1 or Tier 2 material without the consent of Canoe & Kayak Ltd. | SMS management procedures |
| 1.8 | The SMS must be reviewed and approved annually and whenever there is a significant change. | Sign off pages in key documents SMS management procedures |
2. Members and management
| 2.1 | Members must comply with:
|
Leaders read and sign the SMS, |
| 2.2 | The operations manager in each centre has overall responsibility for ensuring the safety of members through the implementation of the SMS within the centre. | |
| 2.3 | Safety will be discussed regularly at club meetings; decisions and action points will be shared with Canoe & Kayak Ltd and implemented where appropriate. | SMS management procedures |
| 2.4 | Leaders must be inducted into the SMS before they may take responsibility for others in activities and receive ongoing training relating to the safe delivery of activities. | Becoming a leader Leader induction document |
| 2.5 | All activity leaders must have a current first aid certificate. | Becoming a leader Handbook p. 5 |
3. Members
| 3.1 | Yakity Yak Leaders and members must fully disclose to each other and acknowledge information pertaining to risks and factors that could create risk in relation to our activities. | Activity check list, Take 5, Safety terms and customer declaration. |
| 3.2 | Complaints will be addressed swiftly. | On public website yakityyak.co.nz/ complaints |
4. Hazard management
| 4.1 | We will systematically identify hazards and assess them for significance, in accordance with the Safety Audit Standard. A technical advisor will be used in this process. | Handbook p5, planning, 2 minute form & TMP records hazards and mitigation. |
| 4.2 | All practicable steps will be taken in relation to significant hazards to:
|
TMP |
| 4.3 | Yakity Yak will operate an environment free from impairment from drugs and alcohol. | Conditions of Involvement; substance abuse in the workplace doc. & p 12. |
5. Trip Management Plans (TMPs)
| 5.1 | Each activity and ancillary service must have an Trip Management Plan, approved by the technical advisor, which conforms to good practice for the activity or service. The Yakity Yak Handbook forms part of every TMP and references to TMP(s) should be read as ‘TMP(s) and Handbook’. | TMPs (available on website). |
| 5.2 | Each TMP must describe the leader competence required for the trip as determined by a systematic task assessment. | TMP Handbook – Supervision p.3 |
| 5.3 | The clothing and equipment required for each me for the trip, and how such clothing and equipment will be maintained fit for purpose must be specified. | Handbook p 8, TMP |
| 5.4 | Each TMP must specify the communications procedures and equipment to be carried for the activity. | Handbook p 8, TMP |
| 5.5 | Each TMP must specify the appropriate conditions for carrying out the activity, and that the activity must not proceed unless the conditions are appropriate. | Handbook, Activity check list, TMP |
| 5.6 | All TMPs and the Handbook will be reviewed annually. | SMS management procedures |
6. Carrying out trips
| 6.1 | All requirements of the TMP must be met before an activity can proceed. | Activity checklist and activity cover sheet and the forms they refer to |
| 6.2 | A leader leading a trip must have the required competence for the trip, or be supervised by someone who does have the competence. Leader competence must be verified through an appropriate assessment or verification process. No activity will proceed without the prescribed leader. |
Handbook – Supervision p.3 Leader induction programme - online |
| 6.3 | Leaders must continually identify and manage hazards during each activity. | Handbook p 9. |
| 6.4 | Leaders leading activities are authorised to halt an trip if a hazard threatens anyone associated with the trip. | Handbook p 4. |
| 6.5 | Members must receive clear instructions before the activity starts. | Handbook p 5. |
7. Emergency preparedness and response plans
| 7.1 | We will have plans in place to prepare for and respond to emergencies. | Emergency booklet – on website |
| 7.2 | All leaders will know and understand the emergency response plans that relate to activities they are involved in. | Handbook – pages 14 – 17 Emergency Procedures |
| 7.3 | Emergency response plans will be made available to members and other interested parties on request. | |
| 7.4 | Emergencies response plans will be reviewed and tested annually and after incidents. | SMS management procedures |
| 7.5 | All members will have immediate access to a suitable first aid kit. | Activity check list |
| 7.6 | Members will have access to someone with an appropriate and current (less than two year old) first aid qualification. | |
| 7.7 | An emergency contact list will be available to all leaders. | Available from Operations Manager |
8. Incident management
| 8.1 | Incidents and accidents will be investigated and reviewed to identify improvements to the SMS. | Handbook p 13. |