Fix

After you have identified the hazards in your workplace, you need to control them to make your workplace safer.

Some examples of common control measures include:

Manual handling

  • use wheeled luggage to move equipment between facilities or when bringing assignments home (e.g. marking)
  • permanently store equipment such as projectors, televisions, stacked chairs and sports equipment on trolleys which are easy to move
  • keep storage areas tidy and well organised, and store frequently used items between hip and shoulder height
  • identify and control any manual handling risks related to assisting clients and students with special needs (e.g. pushing wheelchairs, helping clients and students in and out of vehicles and toileting)

Slips, trips and falls

  • clean up any spills immediately and wash floors after hours 
  • ensure floors, carpets and stairs are slip resistant and well maintained
  • provide ceiling pulley systems for hanging displays in classrooms, and make sure all noticeboards are easily accessible to eliminate standing on tables, chairs and step stools
  • keep outdoor surfaces free of leaves, mud, gravel and moss, and provide doormats at all entry points to prevent floors from becoming wet and slippery
  • ensure lighting is well maintained, especially in stairwells, and that lighting inside and around the building is adequate, particularly if staff work after hours

Work-related stress

  • hold regular team meetings and debriefing sessions for staff to raise potential stress issues and identify solutions
  • put in place the solutions that have been determined to address the work-related hazards and risks, and review these at regular intervals
  • ensure there is an induction system in place for emergency and student teachers, volunteers and other temporary staff
  • train staff to help them identify and diffuse potentially volatile situations
  • provide access to an employee assistance program or other support services, and encourage staff to use them

Occupational violence

  • in consultation with staff, establish and implement clear policies and procedures for preventing and dealing with occupational violence, and ensure that all workers understand the procedures for reporting and responding to incidents
  • if there is a risk of aggressive or violent behaviour, ensure that adequate staff are available to provide the service safely
  • arrange furniture and partitions to enhance visibility and reduce risk of staff being trapped
  • offer assistance and support to employees who report or witness occupational violence as soon as possible (e.g. access to appropriate counselling or employee assistance programs)

Bullying

  • consult with Health and Safety Representatives and employees to develop and implement (or review existing) policy that addresses bullying,
  • train contact officers, supervisors and relevant employees who have a role in managing bullying complaints

Equipment controls

  • when employees sit for long periods of time, provide adjustable chairs such as those approved by the Australian Furniture Research Design Institute (AFRDI)
  • make sure lighting is adequate and computer screens are glare-free
  • schedule rest breaks, and increase the frequency when performing prolonged repetitive work such as operating scanning equipment for long periods of time
  • provide ergonomic training to staff

Working environment

  • ensure all machinery and equipment (e.g. guillotines, sewing machines, tools and printers) are properly guarded, serviced regularly and fitted with emergency stop buttons where possible
  • make sure everyone who uses machinery and equipment are properly trained in how to use the equipment safely and that students are properly supervised
  • store chemicals safely, ensure they are labelled correctly, and display information about the safe use of all chemicals, including their material safety data sheets (MSDS)
  • ensure proper ventilation in science labs, appropriately maintain extraction units and provide staff with appropriate training and personal protective equipment
  • if staff sometimes work outdoors, adhere to sun protection principles
  • ensure that asbestos is removed in accordance with the Regulations
  • provide appropriate supervision, training and induction on the use of plant and machinery

For more information on particular risks, see:

 

Quicklinks

Related Links