|
|
OH&S compliance strategies for educational facilities in NSW
Safe Schools provides practical advice and guidance,
for school principals and executives, so that they can understand their legal
and moral responsibilities for the health and safety of their school community.
Safe Schools offers assistance to identify, prioritise
and act on key issues to establish a health and safety culture with effective
policies and procedures to meet Occupational Health & Safety Regulations.
Does your school meet NSW Occupational Health & Safety standards?
The Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Dangerous Goods
Act and the Occupational Health & Safety Regulations set out an
employer’s legal obligations to provide a healthy and safe workplace for their
employees. Schools also have a duty of care to their students.
NSW Occupational Health & Safety Legislation requires that workplaces monitor
the implementation of risk controls, keep risk controls under review and
maintain documentation. Your educational organisation needs to be able to
provide evidence that your community has been actively working to ensure safety.
Large financial penalties apply for non-compliance under OH & S legislation
including possible jail sentences. Managers and Directors can be held personally
liable.
- Do you have an OH & S Committee with a role description and a management
plan?
- Is your school compliant with chemical management (MSDS)?
- Have you developed guidelines, policies and procedures to support the
effective implementation of OH & S practices?
- Is your staff familiar with risk and hazard assessment (excursions,
sporting activities, road safety procedures, fetes, canteens, cleaner,
clothing pool, etc.) to enable them to develop strategies to eliminate or
minimise risk?
- Have you implemented and maintained an injury and accident reporting system
as required by law?
- Do you have a submissions register for OH & S minor works and maintenance
to enable a program of improvement in the safety of school facilities?
- Do you have checklists to regularly assess the classrooms, buildings and
playground for
OH & S compliance?
- Do you have an induction policy and program with procedures for new
employees, contractors, visitors and casual staff?
- Have you developed an information manual for all staff?
- Do you have policies and procedures to ensure the health and well being of
your staff and students?
- Do you have your school’s present and past OH & S documentation available
in case of litigation?
- Do you have regular drills for evacuation, fire and lockdown and the
documentation as evidence?
- Do you have policies and procedures in place to enable a rapid and
effective response to accidents, evacuation and critical incidents?
- Is there a process for identifying risks and hazards in your school?
- Is your staff appropriately qualified in first aid, CPR, etc?
- Are fire equipment and signage checked annually?
- Does your school have hygiene and infection control policies and procedures
in place?
- Does your school have a cash-in-transit policy and procedures?
|
|
