Find
There are many potential hazards involved in the education sector and you need to think about how and where the work is done when identifying things that could go wrong.
Common hazards include:
Manual handling
Manual handling covers a wide range of activities, including lifting, pushing, pulling, holding and carrying objects. It also includes repetitive tasks, such as using a keyboard, as well as awkward postures, such as bending down or sitting on children’s chairs.
Certain postures and actions (e.g. lifting things from above shoulder height or reaching to hang something on a wall) can put additional stress on the body. For example, while most books are relatively light, repetitively lifting them overhead or in low areas can cause injuries.
Staff working with clients or students who have special needs may be at increased risk of manual handling injuries.
You should examine all the jobs that involve hazardous manual handling. Look for postures where workers bend their backs for long periods, reach below their hips or above shoulder height (e.g. storage areas), or lift and handle large, heavy or awkward items.
Slips, trips and falls
Polished floor surfaces can be slippery, especially when liquids are spilled on them and not cleaned up properly. Rugs and carpets that are uneven or not secure are also hazardous. Standing on chairs or other furniture to mount displays is another lead to injuries.
Work-related stress
Work-related stress is a growing issue in the education sector - roughly one in every four WorkCover claims in the education sector are related to it.
Sometimes workplace challenge and stress are confused, but the effects are different. Challenge at work can have positive effects on people, while work-related stress is an OHS hazard that can pose risks to physical and psychological health.
Workgroup consultation should be used to identify the potential causes of stress in the workplace. Workplace data or surveys can also help you to identify issues.
Bullying
WorkSafe has defined bullying as repeated, unreasonable behaviour directed toward an employee or group of employees that creates a risk to health and safety. Behaviours that could be considered bullying include verbal abuse, intimidation, excluding or isolating employees, and using work systems to undermine employees. Bullying can have a serious effect on the psychological and physical health of individuals.
Occupational violence
By definition, occupational violence is any incident where an employee is physically attacked or threatened in the workplace. Both physical attacks and threats can seriously affect the person’s physical and psychological well-being.
Equipment and workstation design
Prolonged sitting and operating computers and other equipment can lead to injuries, especially when the equipment is not adjusted to support the worker’s posture. Repetitive and awkward movements such as writing on whiteboards, applying labels and holding scanners can also lead to injury when performed for a long time.
Working environment
There may also be risks associated with the environment in which work is done. For instance, staff and students working in science laboratories may be exposed to dangerous fumes from chemicals if rooms are not properly fitted with extraction systems.
Machinery and equipment, such as clay mills, grinders, bench saws, printers and guillotines, can pose serious risks to staff and students if they are not properly guarded and well maintained.
Another environmental factor that needs to be assessed is lighting. Look at the lighting available in different parts of the workplace and at different times. Is it adequate?
