Introduction to Occupational Health and Safety for Teachers

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Introduction to Occupational Health and Safety
for Teachers
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Occupational Health and Safety Legislation in the
21st Century

• OHS Act 2000
• Aim to ensure a healthy and safe workplace.
• Places obligations on employers, manufacturers,
  designers, and employees.
• Hi priority to consult with employees.
• OHS Regulation 2001
• Gives specifics for all work areas, hazards
  risk management process.
• Codes of Practice/Australian Standards
• Give information on how to comply with the
  regulations eg. Hazardous Substances, Noise etc.

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Responsibilities under the Law

• Employers
• Ensure a safe workplace (safe plant, safe
  substances, information, instruction, training,
  supervision)
• In consultation with employees
• Risk Management in the workplace.
• Employees
• Take care for health and safety of others in the
  workplace (staff/students)
• Comply cooperate with employers efforts to make
  the workplace safe
• Inform management or OHS Committee of any
  hazards in the workplace.

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Others in the Workplace

• These include
• public/visitors
• students
• children
• contractors
• When any of these others are on the campus,
  they need to be safe from any hazards whether
  these be in a workshop, classroom, or even
  outside.
• May require wearing of Personal Protective
  Equipment (PPE), following safe instructions etc.
• Concerns about contractors? - contact your
  College Operations Staff.

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Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment (PPCE)

• TAFE policy
• Staff have all PPCE provided
• Students must provide their own
• Requirements follow those set out by Curriculum
  Centres
• failure to enforce wearing PPCE could constitute
  an OHS breach
• notify of requirement on enrolment or the first
  day
• Please enforce the wearing of PPCE - apprentices
  - ring employer and send them back for the
  equipment
• no gear - no start

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How we manage Health and Safety in TAFE NSW

• DET / TAFE Policies (see DET Intranet OHS
  Directorate Safe Working and Learning)
• Institute Procedures (on PoD)
• Consultation Procedure
• Injury Management Procedure
• Risk Management Procedure
• OHS Guidelines
• - Managing Hazardous Substances
• - Manual Handling
• OHS Committees
• OHS training
• Workplace Inspections
• etc

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Consultation in the Institutes

• Issues / changes that may affect OHS of staff
  must be consulted on to enable the sharing of
  relevant information and give staff the
  opportunity to express their view, and the views
  must be considered.
• The OHS Committee is the principal form of OHS
  consultation in the workplace.
• Each HT/Unit Manager should also consult with the
  staff on issues at section staff meetings etc.
• Please consider volunteering to be on the
  committee and take a part.

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OHS Committee Chairpersons

• Bankstown - Kieran McCormack
• Campbelltown - David Gray
• Granville - Linda Solomons
• Lidcombe - Glenn Martin
• Liverpool - Bart McGuffin
• Macquarie Fields - Michael Douglas
• Miller - Tony Agius
• Padstow - Kylie Parsons
• Wetherill Park - Richard Meyers

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OHS Issue Resolution

• Step 1. If you have an OHS issue raise it with
  your immediate supervisor.
• Step 2. The immediate supervisor should act on
  the issue, consult with the workgroup or forward
  this to the Manager or the OHS Committee.
• Step 3. If the issue is not resolved, refer the
  issue direct to the OHS Committee (if not
  already done so).
• Step 4. The OHS Committee review all options
  and recommend action (including WorkCover).

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Risk Management Process
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Hazard Reporting

• If you identify a hazard and are unable to remedy
  it directly. Please report the issue to your
  immediate Supervisor.
• Fill in a maintenance requisition or use the
  Hazard Notification Form (attached to handout).
• Report to your OHS Committee Representative who
  will review and resolve the issue.
• BUT YOU MUST TELL SOMEONE

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Risk Assessment
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Risk Control

• HEIRARCHY OF CONTROL
• Eliminate/substitute to a lesser risk
• Isolate the hazard from the person at risk
• Minimise risk by Engineering means
• Reducing risk through Administrative Controls on
  eg safe work practice, training, instruction,
  supervision
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• (NB this should be the last option considered)

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Risk Assessments

• Risk assessments or Safe Work Method Statements
  identifies the steps in the task that have a
  hazard and identifies appropriate methods to fix
  or control the risk.
• Often refer to a Safe Work Procedure SWP safe
  working procedure to ensure the plant or
  substance is used safely and SOP which is beside
  the plant
• Specific training on risk assessment is provided
  for staff conducting the risk assessment.
• Copies must be kept in the section and placed on
  the OHS database.

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First Aid

• Please identify your College First Aiders and
  emergency numbers.
• First Aiders will manage the injury, record it
  and refer person as required.
• Inform supervisor of any injury ASAP.
• Keep emergency numbers on back of roll and direct
  dial in mobile phone.

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Emergency Plans and Evacuation

• Each College has an emergency plan
• Check all college evacuation plans - should be
  in each room.
• Follow warden instructions.
• Assemble all students in designated areas.
• Take a roll call.
• More wardens always needed for evenings.

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Workers Compensation

• Inform your Supervisor if you have been injured
  and are unable to work, ASAP
• Report all OHS incidents and Injuries on
  freecall 1800 811 523 mon-fri 7am 7pm
• Seek advice from your Treating Medical Doctor and
  request a WorkCover Certificate

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Rehabilitation or Return to Work

• Aim a safe return to pre-injury duties
• Trained Rehabilitation Coordinator
• liaises with injured person
• liaises with Treating Doctor to determine
  suitable duties
• liaises with your work supervisor and other
  health professionals
• Rehabilitation occurs at work and duties are
  upgraded to your pre-injury duties

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OHS Resources in the Workplace

• Your Supervisor for OHS issues that require
  action
• Your College OHS Committee who represent your
  concerns and resolve issues
• Institute OHS Coordinator, (9846 8139),
  Granville OHS Officer, (9682 0360)
• Learning and Development with relevant OHS
  Training - check the training program for 2008 eg
  
• Risk Management for Supervisors
• Manual Handling
• Hazardous substances / Noise
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

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Remember OHS Information is available on the
Institute Intranet which is called PoD Policy
and other Documents or On the Website http//swsit
www/swsi_intranet/swsihome.aspx