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Club policies
Range safety, hunting and environmental standards, incidents, and club insurance arrangements.
Organisation: Sydney Shooters & Hunting Association (SSHA)
Contact: info@ssha.org.au
Phone: 0404 081 818
Emergency: 000
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Document status | Club approved |
| Version | 1.0 |
| Effective date | 8 October 2026 |
| Next review | 8 October 2027 |
| Related framework | NSW WHS laws; venue/range standing orders; club conduct & firearms policies; SSHA Constitution Appendices 3–4 |
| Shooting range | Range Rd, Cecil Park NSW 2178 |
| ABN | 40 388 949 185 |
| Insurance | Precision Underwriting |
| Governing document | SSHA Club Constitution — prevails on conflict |
This policy sets SSHA’s approach to work health and safety (WHS) and environmental responsibility for club activities, including target shooting, training, competitions, club days, dealer handling activities, and hunting-related club pathways.
SSHA aims to provide a safe environment so far as reasonably practicable for members, guests, volunteers, officers, and others who may be affected by club activities.
Consistent with the constitutional mission (Appendix 3), SSHA promotes shooting and hunting as safe, ethical, and responsible, and as beneficial to the environment, conservation, and the economy.
Applies to:
Host venue rules apply in addition to this policy. Where venue rules are stricter, venue rules prevail on that site.
4.1 Authority to shoot / participate — Only eligible, checked-in participants under officer control may take part in live-fire activities.
4.2 Briefings — Participants new to a discipline or venue should receive an appropriate safety briefing before shooting.
4.3 PPE — Eye and ear protection (and any other venue-required PPE) must be worn in designated areas. Constitution Appendix 3 also requires proper protective equipment including safety glasses, ear protection, and enclosed shoes.
4.4 Firearms handling — Actions open/safe as required; muzzles in safe directions; load only on the line when authorised; obey cease-fire immediately. Members must also follow the NSW Firearms Safety Awareness Handbook and the constitutional safe-handling guide (treat every firearm as loaded; muzzle safe; finger off trigger until intending to shoot; know the target and beyond; unload when not in use; shoot only where legally allowed; no drugs/alcohol).
4.5 Ammunition — Only permitted ammunition for the firearm, discipline, and venue. Damaged or unsafe ammunition must not be used.
4.6 Malfunctions — Follow RO/MO directions; do not leave the line with a loaded malfunctioning firearm except as directed.
4.7 Movement and housekeeping — Keep firing points tidy; dispose of spent cases and rubbish as directed; no running or horseplay in live-fire areas.
4.8 Weather and environment — Activities may be delayed or cancelled for lightning, extreme heat, smoke, high wind, or other hazards.
4.9 First aid — Know the location of first aid and emergency assembly points at the venue. Call 000 in emergency, then notify range control / officers.
5.1 Novices and Try Shooting participants must be supervised in accordance with club and venue requirements.
5.2 Required declarations (including P650) must be completed before participation. Sessions end immediately if requirements are not met.
5.3 Instructors/officers may refuse or terminate a session where safety cannot be assured.
6.1 Juniors (minimum age 12 for membership) require compliant supervision. A parent or guardian must be present whenever a person under 18 attends a club activity.
6.2 Equipment must be suitable for the participant’s size and competence.
6.3 Officers may impose additional restrictions for junior participation in specific disciplines. Committee members and club officers must hold a WWCC; other officials only where designated (see Member Conduct & Protection Policies).
6.4 Minor hunters (Constitution Appendix 4): Minors (over 12 and under 18) may apply for a Minors Game Hunting Licence (NSW) and must hunt under the close personal supervision of a licensed person at least 18 years old who holds the same type of licence. If using firearms, the minor must also hold a Minors Firearms Training Permit as well as a Minors Game Hunting Licence.
7.1 Officers should consider rotation, shade, and rest in hot conditions, especially for longer competitions and club days.
7.2 Participants are responsible for hydration and sun protection appropriate to outdoor venues.
8.1 Lead exposure, propellant residues, and noise are inherent hazards of shooting sports. Participants should practise hygiene (e.g. wash hands before eating) and use hearing protection.
8.2 Club cleaning or maintenance involving solvents or lead-contaminated materials must follow safe work practices [TO BE CONFIRMED — site procedures].
9.1 Firearms held under club dealer processes must be stored, transported, and recorded in accordance with licence conditions and law.
9.2 Only authorised persons may access secure storage and acquisition evidence.
9.3 Transfers and Police process steps must follow the current acquisition procedure and acknowledgements.
10.1 Hunting and pest control through club pathways must be:
10.2 Members must minimise environmental harm: no illegal dumping, no unnecessary damage to vegetation/habitat, respect fire bans and landholder rules, and remove rubbish.
10.3 Carcass and waste disposal must follow landholder and legal requirements.
10.4 Members must not present club hunting as authorisation to enter land or take game without proper permission.
10.5 Constitution Appendix 4 — additional hunting / environmental rules:
11.1 Participants must use designated bins and spent-case procedures.
11.2 Avoid unnecessary single-use waste at club events where practical.
11.3 Report fuel, oil, or other spills to venue management / officers.
11.4 Respect flora, fauna, and neighbouring community expectations around noise and access.
12.1 Report immediately to the RO/MO/activity controller:
12.2 After the activity, notify info@ssha.org.au with date, location, people involved, and summary.
12.3 Serious incidents may require Regulator/Police/venue notification. The Committee coordinates external notifications.
12.4 Do not disturb an incident scene where Police or serious investigation may be required, except to provide first aid or prevent further harm.
13.1 Injured persons should seek appropriate medical care.
13.2 Return to shooting after significant injury should be cleared as appropriate by the individual (and medical advice where needed); officers may refuse participation if safety remains in doubt.
14.1 Officers and instructors should be competent for their role (including Hunter Leap trainer competency where relevant).
14.2 Members are expected to understand basic range commands and discipline-specific safety rules before unsupervised participation (noting supervision rules always prevail).
14.3 Formal induction checklist: [TO BE CONFIRMED].
15.1 Optional club insurance products may be offered as a membership add-on; members should understand what is and is not covered.
15.2 Venue or third-party insurance arrangements may also apply. Members should not assume all risks are insured.
15.3 Club insurance is arranged through Precision Underwriting. Current certificates of currency / policy schedules are held by the Treasurer and Secretary. Members should confirm with the club what cover applies to a given activity.
15.4 Constitutional insurance controls (clause 32): The Association may effect and maintain insurance as required by Association needs and legislation. The insurance policy must not be used by anyone outside the Association in the Association’s name. Use of the policy is limited to authorised Association events and functions documented in minutes.
The Committee will review WHS and environmental incidents periodically, update procedures, and align with venue requirements and legislative change.
Owner: The Club
Approver: The Club
Review cycle: At least annually, or after a serious incident
On any inconsistency with the Constitution, the Constitution prevails.
