Occupational Health and Safety
Where an interpreter is working without a co-interpreter, she or he will normally require a 10-minute break during every working hour. When planning a program for which an interpreter is required, scheduled breaks need to be incorporated into that program.

1. An interpreter will not work through any scheduled breaks.
2. Two interpreters will be required for assignments that are either in excess of two hours duration or are particularly demanding. In these instances, interpreters will alternate every twenty to thirty minutes. This is necessary to:
1. Ensure continual flow of accurate information
2. Reduce interpreter fatigue
3. Reduce the likelihood of Occupational Overuse Syndrome
3. A minimum of three interpreters will need to be booked for conferences. For conferences with multiple streams interpreter teams may need to be arranged.

Interpreters working in teams are expected to support their colleague/s at all times. Non-interpreting time is to be used to prepare (e.g. to read terminology or lecture papers) and to prompt the interpreter who is interpreting. Interpreters may not use non-interpreting time for personal business unless previously arranged with their co-interpreter and Coordinator, Interpreting or Manager, Sign Language Communications NSW.

Interpreter accreditation and appropriate types of work

• Interpreter Level interpreters (formerly Level 3) are required for court work, conferences and all large group meetings.

• Para-Professional Level interpreters (formerly Level 2) are suitable to be used for smaller groups/meetings and one-to-one appointments. In some situations which would normally require a practitioner of Interpreter standard, a Para-professional interpreter may be contracted, as long as the consent of all parties is sought and received.

• Deaf Relay interpreters work with Deaf clients who:
• Have minimal skills in Auslan, due to educational or linguistic disadvantage, or
• Have minimal skills in Auslan, due to intellectual disability, or
• Have minimal skills in Auslan, having recently migrated to Australia, or
• Are Deafblind

Deaf (Relay) Interpreters work in teams with hearing interpreters in order to facilitate communication.

As with hearing interpreters, Deaf (Relay) Interpreters cannot fulfil other roles (such as community worker or advocate) whilst in their interpreting role.

Preparation for assignments

To assist the interpreter to provide effective communication between Deaf and hearing clients, the person requesting service should provide the interpreter, in advance, and via an Interpreting Services Officer, with any relevant material, such as:

1. Paperwork - agenda of the meeting, minutes of meetings (preceding and current), subject matter to be discussed, names of those attending meeting/interview/conference etc, copies of speeches/papers to be given and scripts of videos to be used (if the video/s is not subtitled)
2. Terminology/specific language, jargon or acronyms commonly used
3. Relevant information regarding the appointment – for example, specialisation of doctor; whether a male or female interpreter is required.

The interpreter will aim to arrive 15 minutes before the booking in order to:

Interpreters will wait for a minimum of 30 minutes for the client(s) to arrive. Should the client(s) fail to appear, the interpreter may leave after having consulted with the employer or their representative and contacted Sign Language Communications NSW (SLC NSW). In this situation, SLC NSW will claim for the time for which the interpreter was booked.

Interpreters are required to abide by a Code of Ethics and to the relevant guidelines. Please also refer to the Quality Assurance policy.