Safe Work Procedure

Trail Maintenance / Construction-Volunteer

1. Trail Maintenance / Construction-Volunteer

The Alpine Cycling Club (ACC) operates within Mystic Mountain Bike Park. This is a very busy bike park and also in a working pine plantation. As such we need to operate safely for ourselves and others in the park, this document outlines the safety guidelines our volunteers are expected to follow.

2. Scope / Description of Job

Maintenance and Construction of Mystic Mountain Bike Park trails by volunteers. Maintenance includes clearing vegetation around trails and carrying out minor repairs using equipment such as axes, shears, brush cutters, picks, shovels, rake hoes and Chainsaws. Trail Construction includes building trails to IMBA standards using equipment such as axes, shears, brush cutters, picks, shovels, rake hoes and Chainsaws.

3. Critical Safety Issues

Fatigue, dehydration, hazardous trees, mine shafts.

3.1 Reporting
If you do witness or incur an injury or near miss, please report it via https://form.jotform.co/92948031022855

3.2 Trail closures and restricted areas
Our trails are inside an active commercial plantation owned by HVP Plantations, with the management of recreational activities inside the plantation licenced to the community-group Alpine Community Plantation, of which the Alpine Cycling Club is a member. At any time, HVP Plantations, the Alpine Cycling Club or Alpine Community Plantation may close a trail or area for safety and operational reasons. Never enter an area that has been closed by HVP or ACP without permission, and always check with ACC before entering and commencing work on a closed trail.

4. Materials

Materials, Plant, Equipment, Competencies/Licenses

5. PPE

6. Requirements / Procedure

6.1 Preparation (Volunteer Coordinator, Volunteers if solo)

1. Check the weather forecast for date(s) that maintenance\ trail construction is going to be conducted – reschedule work if necessary (ie if high temperatures, high winds, wet or stormy conditions expected) Check HVP’s fire safety notifications.
2. Select and check hand tools/machine tools
3. Inspect equipment handles for splinters and any metal edges for damage and sharpness – arrange repair and/or sharpening as required
4. During transport, store implements safely and securely in-vehicle, cover any sharp surfaces
5. Ensure that an adequate supply of drinking water is available
6. Let someone know where you are going and what you are planning on doing.

6.2 Carry Out Maintenance / Trail Building Works with a group. (Volunteer Coordinator, Leaders, Volunteers)

1. Wear relevant PPE
2. Prior to beginning work program ensure:  Volunteers are competent to undertake their assign tasks (ie assess if they have the ability and are physically fit enough to do the work safely).
3. Conduct briefing covering as a minimum type of work to be done and volunteer roles and responsibilities
4. Instruct volunteers to be polite and professional if required to deal with members of the public
5. Conduct a Site Safety Survey to ensure that the area where the work is to be undertaken is safe
6. Make certain:  At least one method of communication is available at all times  The volunteer coordinator is on-site at all times.
7. Display warning signs at entry points to the trail where maintenance is being carried out
8. Place temporary barriers such as parawebbing, where relevant
9. Regularly look up and around and check the immediate environment for hazards
10. Ensure that bystanders and others are well clear of the area where axe is being used
11. Maintain good manual handling techniques eg seek assistance when lifting or moving large, heavy or awkward items, cut heavy or awkward branches into easy to handle sizes, make several trips carrying smaller loads rather than one large load, use a wheelbarrow to move multiple items where practicable
12. Keep access ways free of tools, equipment and other materials
13. Remain vigilant for the presence of insects, snakes and wildlife
14. Where possible, rotate work tasks at intervals to manage fatigue and strains to the body
15. Drink plenty of water and ensure regular rest/stretch breaks are taken
16. Monitor volunteers for signs of physical fatigue or stress, especially when tasks are arduous
17. Stop work if wind speed becomes excessive or weather/environmental conditions deteriorate significantly

6.3 Carry Out Maintenance / Trail Building Works as a Solo Worker (Volunteer Coordinator, Leaders, Volunteers)

1. Wear relevant PPE
2. Only use non-machine hand tools; rake hoe; shovel; long-handled shears and loppers; fern hook; pulaski axe, etc.
3. Conduct a Site Safety Survey to ensure that the area where the work is to be undertaken is safe
4. Have at least one method of communication is available at all times
5. Display warning signs at entry points to the trail where maintenance is being carried out
6. Place temporary barriers such as parawebbing, where relevant
7. Regularly look up and around and check the immediate environment for hazards
8. Ensure that bystanders and others are well clear of the area where axe is being used
9. Maintain good manual handling techniques eg seek assistance when lifting or moving large, heavy or awkward items, cut heavy or awkward branches into easy to handle sizes, make several trips carrying smaller loads rather than one large load, use a wheelbarrow to move multiple items where practicable
10. Keep access ways free of tools, equipment and other materials
11. Remain vigilant for the presence of insects, snakes and wildlife
12. Where possible, rotate work tasks at intervals to manage fatigue and strains to the body
13. Drink plenty of water and ensure regular rest/stretch breaks are taken
14. Stop work if wind speed becomes excessive or weather/environmental conditions deteriorate significantly

7. Pack Up

(Volunteer Coordinator, Leaders, Volunteers)

1. Pack up equipment and materials
2. Remove signage
3. Conduct review / debrief
4. Report to supervisor
5. Report any incidents, hazards or faulty equipment
6. If working alone; Report work is done on https://www.trailforks.com/region/mystic-park/ against the relevant trail. Include photos of work done and description.

8. Alpine Cycling Club General Release from Liability

I, the undersigned, hereby assume full responsibility for any risk or bodily injury, death, or property damage, including to minor children or animal, arising out of or related to the activities engaged in at or the condition of the Mystic Mountain Bike Park and surrounding areas whether caused by the negligence of the Alpine Cycling Club or otherwise.

I acknowledge that outdoor recreational activities can be very dangerous and involve risk of serious injury and/or death and/or property damage.

I agree to be responsible for my own safety. I agree to follow all rules established by the Forest Preserve District concerning my use of any facility while at or on the premises.

For safety reasons, the Alpine Cycling Club has advised me that I should consider purchasing and wearing properly fitted standard safety equipment for my chosen activity. I am not relying on the Alpine Cycling Club or anyone affiliated with them to provide safety gear for me. If I chose not to wear it or provide it for minor children, it is my decision alone and I hereby accept full responsibility for all injuries, death, or property damage.

I agree to indemnify and hold harmless The Alpine Cycling Club from and against any claims (personal injury, property damage, or other claims of any kind), debts, demands, costs, fees, or expenses, including attorney’s fees, on the part of any person or persons whomsoever out of, or attributable to, my presence on or use of the property and any of the improvements situated thereon during the period of time I am permitted on the property. I further agree to be responsible for the actions of any of my animals or minor children I have invited on the property. I understand that this release is as broad and inclusive as permitted by the laws of Victoria

9. Agreement

I have read the above document and agree to follow all of the guidelines as stated above.

I confirm I have been inducted into trail maintenance by an ACC Member.

I am a current financial ACC Member.

25/08/2020

rmcl21193@gmail.com

0498221824

Rhys McLennan

cluster

Please sign using stylus, mouse or your finger to authorise this contract. By electronically signing this document you agree to the terms established above. After the document is signed you can proceed to print it.

Client Information
Signed on Tue Aug 25 2020 20:21:47 GMT+1000 (Australian Eastern Standard Time)
IP Address: 1.136.108.166