Employee Assistance Program

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Safety and Health

Injury Management

Workers' Compensation

Occupational Safety and Health legislation requires all employers to provide a safe system of work, a safe workplace and an environment free of hazards for all who visit the workplace.

The Director General, as the employer of all staff within the Department, must ensure that responsibilities under the legislation are fulfilled by all employees. Where employees are in control of workplaces, people and operations, they will have delegated duties imposed by safety and health legislation.

The Department, together with an outside training agency has devised a training program specifically designed for School Administrators.

The following topics are covered over the two day training course:

• Overview of the Occupational Safety and Health Legislation.
• Hazard identification.
• Risk assessment and control.
• Implementation of Departmental policies.
• Consultation on safety and health issues.
• Chemical management.
• Resolving safety and health issues.
• Risks associated with technology.
• Accident/Incident reporting and investigation.
• Workers' compensation and rehabilitation.
• Planning for implementation at a school level.

Occupational Safety and Health Legislation Back to top

The laws governing occupational safety and health have undergone reforms in recent years and in WA, new style legislation was introduced in September 1988. The current legislation is the Occupational Safety and Health Act (1984) and Occupational Safety and Health Regulations (1996) .

The legislation is based on the common law responsibility to fulfill a duty of care wherever there is foreseeable risk.

Hazard Identification Back to top

Hazard identification is the first step in the management process. Everyone has a duty to report hazards. Safety representatives undertake regular workplace inspections to ensure that hazards are reported.

A hazard, is anything that has the potential to cause injury or harm to health of a person.

Hazards are acute or chronic. Acute hazards include slippery steps, unguarded machinery, or damaged floors. The effects of the hazard could be immediate. Chronic hazards may take longer for the effects to be known. For example asbestos or the prolonged use of poorly designed or arranged furniture.

Risk Assessment and Control Back to top

Risk assessment determines the seriousness of workplace hazards. Its aim is to work out how often an unwanted event could occur, how serious the consequences may be, and then determine the risk. The Occupational Safety and Management Course for School Administrators contains practical advice on this strategy.

The risk assessment process for all safety issues is in the Department's Risk Management Manual.

Consultation on Safety and Health Issues Back to top

Ideally, safety and health should be integrated into all management systems within the school. It should include formal structures for consultation with safety and health representatives and safety and health committees.

Chemical Management Back to top

The range of chemicals used in schools may include cleaning agents, art materials, photocopier toners, gardening and maintenance supplies and chemicals used in laboratories and design and technology areas.

Information on hazards, storage, handling and disposal is provided by the manufacturer on labels and in Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). Suppliers of chemicals must provide a MSDS on request under Occupational Safety and Health legislation.

Resolving Safety and Health Issues Back to top

Every attempt should be made to resolve issues at the school or work site level. The success of resolution relies on good communication between Central Office, District Office, Principal, safety and health representative and staff members. Staff members are encouraged to use this resolution procedure whenever a safety and health issues arises.

Accident/Incident Reporting and Investigation Back to top

All accidents resulting in medical treatment, lost time or injury to staff must be recorded at school.  All situations resulting in injury must be investigated and a completed Accident/Incident Investigation Form sent to the Employee Support Bureau with a workers compensation application form. The Department will forward details of serious accidents to WorkSafe Western Australia.

The term incident is often used where there has been no injury or damage to property. The word accident describes an event that has led to an injury, property loss or damage.

Copies of the Accident/Incident Investigation and Report forms are available.

Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Back to top

Departmental employees may be compensated for an injury that occurred during their employment or for an illness where their employment may have been a contributing factor.

Each District has a nominated Workers' Compensation Officer and an Injury Management Coordinator who can be contacted for information and advice. For general workers' compensation inquiries, email workers comp unit@det.wa.edu.au and for rehabilitation inquiries, contact the appropriate Injury Management Consultant.

Costs of Training

The following costs are all met by the Department:

• Relief for teaching administrators.
• Accommodation and meals - reimbursement of actual expenses within public service rates. Receipts are required.
• Travel - public sector rates paid for use of private vehicle.

If you have a more specific query, please contact the relevant officer at our contacts page.

For further course information, please contact John Heyward on 9264 8633.

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