STUDENTS' UNION BOURNEMOUTH UNIVERSITY
VOLUNTEER HEALTH & SAFETY PROCEDURE
NB THIS PROCEDURE REFERS TO INDIVIDUALS PARTICIPATING IN VOLUNTEERING ACTIVITY ON BEHALF OF THE STUDENTS’ UNION. IT DOES NOT REPLACE BUT IS COMPLEMENTARY TO THE EXISTING STUDENTS’ UNION HEALTH & SAFETY PROCEDURES AND POLICY WHICH MUST ALSO BE ADHERED TO AT ALL TIMES.
When a new organisation is engaged in partnership with the Students’ Union on a volunteering activity/project, it will be required to register on thehub (SUBU’s online information service). The Volunteer Support Office will ensure that copies of the organisation’s Health & Safety and other relevant policies are requested, received and filed appropriately.
The placement organisation will be asked to sign a volunteer agreement which includes a declaration of acceptance of its duty of care towards volunteers while on its premises.
The Volunteer Support Office will carry out a risk assessment of the volunteering activity/project in consultation with the placement organisation.NB – if the project has been initiated by a volunteer, it is his/her responsibility to conduct the risk assessment (with support from the Volunteer Support Office if required).
Any identified actions from the risk assessment will be implemented before volunteering activity is allowed to take place.
The Volunteer Support Office will ensure that individuals participating in the volunteering activity/project are adequately insured under the Students’ Union policy and take appropriate action if this is not the case.
New volunteers will be required to register their details on thehub including details of any medical conditions they may have. The Volunteer Support Office will ensure that these conditions are taken into account when placing volunteers on projects.
The volunteer will be given a copy of the Volunteer Support Office’s Duty of Care Policy Statement.
The volunteer will be made aware of and asked to read the Students’ Union Health & Safety policy and, if appropriate, the placement organisation’s policies.
If applicable, the volunteer will be given specific Health & Safety training before participating in the project/activity.
Should an individual be involved in an accident/incident while participating in volunteering activity on behalf of the Students’ Union, the Volunteer Support Office will complete an Accident/Incident Report Form and pass this to the appropriate person. If applicable, an insurance claim will be made on behalf of the volunteer.
If a group of individuals is engaged in a volunteering activity/project which involves the use of a minibus and/or includes overnight accommodation, a Trip Registration Form and/or Overnight Accommodation Details form will be completed and copies passed to the appropriate persons. A first aid kit will be supplied for these activities/projects.
In summary: The Volunteer Support Office will do everything that is ‘reasonably practicable’ to ensure the health & safety of individuals while participating in volunteering activities/projects on behalf of the Students’ Union.
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