Health and Safety

Your club must comply with the Health and Safety Act 2015 which aims to prevent harm to all people. This means that your club has the duty of care to maintain a safe environment and implement sound health and safety practices for all members and guests. If your club does not employ or contract anyone, but relies on a group of volunteers, it is still important that reasonable steps are taken to ensure the health and safety of members, participant, volunteers and guests.

1. Read the Sport New Zealand – Health and Safety Reform Document

This will outline the changes to the legislation clearly for your club. Find out more

2. Check to see what category your club falls in to

This will help you understand your duties under the Act. Find out more

3. Sign up for updates with Work Safe New Zealand

This will allow your club to be continually up to date with the requirements of Health and Safety as it happens. Find out more

4. Appoint a Health and Safety Officer

Download a Health and Safety Officer job description. Click here

5. Ensure your club has developed a Health and Safety Policy

Download a sample Health and Safety Policy and adapt for your club's environment - make sure you complete the risk management process (see 6). Click here

6. Understand how to manage your health and safety risks

This will help you identify, assess, manage and control risks for continuous improvement. Download the risk management process. Click here

7. Train your staff and volunteers

Sport New Zealand have a free online course for all paid employees or volunteers that outlines their rights and requirements under the new Health and Safety legislation. Find out more

There are also many first aid courses available through Red Cross New Zealand and St John New Zealand.

8. Collect and employ the relevant resources

This documentation covers essential requirements for your club, such as:

9. Display appropriate signage

These will help ensure your members and guests are aware of any potential hazards. Find out more

10. Locate your nearest Automatic External Defibrillator (AED)

These are the difference between life or death in the event of cardiac arrest. Find out more

11. Notify any serious events that occur

This is required under the Act. Find out more

Member Protection

Squash New Zealand actively promotes a safe and inclusive environment that is free from harassment and abuse; and promotes respectful and positive behaviours and values. All administrators, coaches, athletes, referees, support staff and spectators have a responsibility to ensure that every person who wants to be, or is involved, in squash is treated with respect and dignity, and are safe and protected from harm and abuse.

1. Adopt Squash New Zealand's Good Practices

View the Squash New Zealand Member Protection Policy and Code of Conduct. Find out more

2. Adapt and employ relevant club Codes of Conduct by appointing a Protection Officer

These samples outline some of the expected behaviours for administrators, coaches, officials, parents and players involved in the game:

• Download the Administrator's Code of Conduct. Click here
• Download the Coach's Code of Conduct. Click here
• Download the Official's Code of Conduct. Click here
• Download the Parent's Code of Conduct. Click here
• Download the Player's Code of Conduct. Click here

3. Have some basic club rules

This will ensure things run smoothly and everyone enjoys all your club has to offer. Download a club rules poster. Click here

4. Read the Sport New Zealand – Safe Sport for Children guide

This will help your club implement a sound child protection policy and keep them safe. Find out more

5. Sign up for updates with the Privacy Commssion

This will allow your club to be continually up to date with the latest in privacy news as it happens. Find out more

6. Interview, referee check and police vet your coaches and volunteers

This will ensure that society’s most vulnerable members, including children, older people and people with special needs are looked after. Find out more

7. Promote healthy fitness habits (such as warming up and cooling down)

This will ensure your members get the most out of the game and stay injury free. Find out more

8. Highlight the use of eyewear on court

This can prevent injuries and help your members progress their game. Find out more

9. Educate your members around fair play

Sport New Zealand have a free online course for athletes, coaches and officials to understand match-fixing. Find out more

10. Ensure visitors and casual users sign the waiver before using the facilities with you

This will ensure everyone using your club understands the risks. Download a waiver form. Click here

11. Purchase public liability insurance

This will ensure your members are protected against being legally liable to pay compensation in respect of unintended and unexpected personal injury and property damage.