Occupational Health And Safety Reps. Information, Advice, Support...Speaking Up Together

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1 - Unions with coverage in the education sector with OHS information on their websites:

• AEU, the Australian Education Union, has coverage of teaching staff and teacher aids in mainly public schools, has an OHS webpage on its site - it also has information for AEU members who are OHS reps.
• NTEU, the National Tertiary Education Union, has coverage of academic, research staff, and general staff of universities and Student Unions.  In Victoria - also TAFE and Adult Education staff.  Its OHS webpage has some resources on current OHS issuest, and is currently being expanded.
• VIEU, the Victorian Independent Education Union, has coverage of education workers in primary and secondary non-government schools and education workplaces.  The union has an OHS section on its website with information for OHS reps, some hazards and also information on WorkCover
• CPSU/SPSF, Community & Public Sector Union (State Public Services Federation) , has coverage of office, library and laboratory staff, has an OHS page with resources and fact sheets
• AMWU (Australian Manufacturing Workers Union) covers maintenance workers.  On the union's OHS webpage you will find Alerts, OHS news, the OHS Manual for OHS Reps, and more. 
• LHMU, Liquor Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union, has coverage of catering and property service staff, staff in childcare centres, teacher aides. The union's OHS page has information on a number of issues related to its members. 

2 - The Victorian Department of Education and Training has some information and guidance on a range of OHS issues (from Hazardous substances to building safety) in the Victorian Government Schools Reference Guide.

• The Western Region has an OHS page - but information on this page is relevant to all other regions.
  
• a useful science department website put together by a past OHS Rep of the Year, Jan Stevenson from Gisborne Secondary College
• Safety, Health & Wellbeing website, and
• not a DE&T site, but useful is the Better Health Channel website for health topics

The department's Employee Health Unit, which covers OHS, can also be contacted: call 1300 074 715.

3 - The consulting firm Marsh provides advice to the Department and assistance to principals, OHS Reps and others in schools.  The company has set up an Advisory Service for schools: 1300 074 715.  Email enquiries can be sent in at safety@edumail.vic.gov.au

4 - WorkSafe Victoria has an Education Sector webpage where more information can be accessed, including:

• OHS in schools - A practical guide for school leaders   A 24-page handbook that details common safety issues for schools and provides simple and helpful suggestions on how to manage safety within a school setting.
• Guide to challenging behaviour risk prevention in specialist schools  This 17-page document was developed in consultation with employer organisations and unions and is designed to assist WorkSafe inspectors assess whether a specialist school is controlling risks from student initiated challenging behaviour.  The document provides useful information that can be used in schools generally.
  

See also:

• From WHS Queensland: Workplace health and safety in schools -  a practical guide for school leaders [pdf] - designed for people with management responsibility for workplace health and safety in schools, such as principals and assistant principals, and leadership team members responsible for budgets, facilities and purchasing.
  
• From the European Agency for Safety and Health at work:
  • Minimising the risk of violence and health hazards in education: new advice to help teachers and other staff in Europe's education sector: three new factsheets (Nos. 45, 46, & 47) with clear and simple advice to alleviate risks such as abusive pupils and parents, musculoskeletal disorders induced by lifting children and other dangers.
  • Also, an accompanying education web feature provides more in-depth guidance, and highlights case studies of good practice. As well as English, Agency factsheets are can be downloaded in a number of European languages.
• From the Northern Territory Government: a code of behaviour for schools, to ensure the safety of staff and students.
• From the Australian Pesticide and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA): an advisory booklet Pest Management in Schools [pdf] The booklet provides guidance and information on the safe and effective use of pesticides in this environment and discusses: Integrated pest management including physical and biological controls as well as the use of chemical pesticides; Pesticide labels including information on toxicity, hazard, exposure and risk; hazard minimisation; Poisons Scheduling; Material Safety Data Sheets; Exposure minimization.
  
  

On Work Experience

• A webpage on the WorkSafe website: Educating the Next Generation - has links to the program, teaching resources, etc
  
• The Victorian Department of Education and Training and WorkCover have developed a Resource Kit for career guidance teachers for students who undertake work experience as part of the school curriculum. The kit consists of a CD-Rom, work sheets and lesson plans. Also available, is an on-line program for students called safe at work with modules covering different industries, teachers guide and more.   WorkSafe Alert on Work Experience Students
  
  
•  WorkSafe Western Australia has a guide for teachers for students undertaking work experience that is part of the school curriculum.
  
  
• From the NT WorkSafe: Safe Start Education Resources [pdf] for secondary school teachers. The Resources are designed to raise "students' awareness of occupational health and safety issues before they enter into vocational training and their careers". Further information on the Safe Start Kit for Schools is available from NT WorkSafe

• a five page leaflet: Asbestos An important message for schools [pdf]
• an 11 page guidance for duty holders on asbestos in schools [pdf]

• DE&T page on Dust
• From WorkSafe Victoria, a Guidance Note: Wood dust - Health hazards and control
• sheet from Monash University on Wood Dust Exposure

• From the Health and Safety Executive:
  • Slips and trips in the education sector [pdf 55KB] an information sheet aimed at head teachers and school managers to reduce the risk of slips and trips.
  • Getting it Right - a website on school trips aimed at anyone connected with educational visits, particularly those involving adventure activities. 
    
  •  Staying Safe Action Plan - UK cross-Government strategy on improving children and young people's safety  
  • Work at height guidance for schools Best practice guidance - practical solutions to common tasks, such as hanging displays.
    
• From the UK teaching union, the NUT:
  • News releases and guides on newly qualified teachers and health and safety and checklist on young people on work experience
  • Guide on animals in education - explores the context in which animals may be encountered by students in schools - whether in the classroom, the school grounds or on a farm visit. The union warns of safety considerations. The guide covers: the law; animal welfare and handling; hygiene, diseases, parasites and allergies; physical injuries; and 'unexpected' animal visitors that may wander on to school premises. It includes a checklist for union reps on introducing and updating a school animals policy. Animals in education, NUT briefing [pdf].

• Hazards Magazine and website has an Occupational Voice Loss webpage - the November 2010 edition of the magazine contains a special report and the resources include the 'Work Hoarse' Guide, and a checklist for health and safety reps.
  

• an interesting US website "Be Ready Utah" has a section 'Ready Your School' which focuses on preparing students and schools for potential emergencies and disasters. This preparation includes the most essential elements including a plan and emergency supplies.
  

Important Education Information