Children's services

A snapshot of how people employed in the children's services sector get injured at work, and tips to help prevent these types of injuries from occurring.

Injury hotspots pages contain helpful information for

training and induction materials
occupational health and safety content
preventing injuries in the workplace.

Children's services

Hazards

Hazard 1
Bending kneeling and squatting
Provide height-adjustable change tables with steps for children able to walk up stairs.

In the absence of change table, provide a padded surface for employees to kneel on.

Provide appropriate furniture for adults (eg a height-adjustable office chair that can be lowered to engage with children).

7 per cent of the injuries were to a persons forearm/wrist.

11 per cent of the injuries were to a persons Knee.

7 per cent of the injuries were to a persons Leg.
Hazard 2
Disease
Develop and implement appropriate policies and procedures to ensure good hygiene (eg hand-washing).

Seek medical advice in vaccinations if applicable.
Hazard 3
Lifting and moving children and equipment
Provide appropriate aids and equipment (eg height-adjustable change tables, cots with a higher working base, height-adjustable highchairs with removable trays, height-adjustable trolleys for shifting goods in and out of vehicles, wheeled trolleys or frames for laundry bags) and ensure they are used properly and maintained in accordance with manufacturer specifications.

Ensure large, bulky or awkward objects can be easily moved (eg fit sandpit covers and playground equipment with large castors or wheels, use wheeled trolleys or frames for laundry bags, and height-adjustable trolleys for shifting goods in and out of vehicles).

Provide appropriate steps that are scaled appropriately for children and designed to Australian Standards (eg steps feature hand-holds, runners, rollers and stops, and have fall protection for the child).

Develop and implement appropriate policies and procedures for lifting and moving children and equipment (eg only non-walking children should be lifted).

Train employees in the selection and use of any aids and equipment and safe handling methods (eg hold child's hand when ascending steps).

26 per cent of the injuries were to a persons back.

7 per cent of the injuries were to a persons forearm/wrist.

9 per cent of the injuries were to a persons shoulder.
Hazard 4
Storing equipment materials and toys
Position storage / shelves between shoulder and knee height or provide step stools or ladders, preferably with hand-rails, to access stored objects without over-reaching.

Position dryers and washing machines so they can be loaded between shoulder and mid-thigh height.

26 per cent of the injuries were to a persons back.

7 per cent of the injuries were to a persons forearm/wrist.

9 per cent of the injuries were to a persons shoulder.
Hazard 5
Work-related stress bullying and harassment
Develop and implement appropriate policies and procedures for workplace bullying and harassment.

Encourage a positive workplace culture, including reporting of bullying and harassment.

Ensure all employees understand what bullying and harassment is, and the procedures for reporting incidents (eg policies and procedures should be promoted during employee induction and workplace bullying prevention or training).

Provide access and encourage employees to use employee counselling / support services, where possible.

Encourage employees to report any workplace stress factors (eg work demand, low control, poor support, lack of role clarity, organisational culture) and control appropriately.

16 per cent of the injuries were to a persons Psychological system.
Hazard 6
Working in the kitchen
Provide appropriate mechanical aids (eg food processors and electric can openers) and ensure they are used properly and maintained in accordance with manufacturer specifications.

Consider purchasing prepared food (eg sliced cheese and diced meat).

Ensure employees are not exposed to repetitive work for long periods (eg by using job rotation, work variation) or work that requires a significant amount of high force.

26 per cent of the injuries were to a persons back.

7 per cent of the injuries were to a persons forearm/wrist.

11 per cent of the injuries were to a persons Knee.

9 per cent of the injuries were to a persons shoulder.

Injury hotspots disclaimer

This information does not give rise to any liability of, or claim against, WorkSafe Victoria. It does not give rise to any right, expectation, duty or obligation that a person may not otherwise have. It does not give rise to any defence that would not otherwise be available to a person.

This information does not affect the operation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 or the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017.

Please note these injuries and hazards are based on historical claims data. There may also be new common injuries and hazards emerging at your workplace which will need to be addressed.

Children's services

Injury hotspots pages contain helpful information for

Children's services

Hazards

Bending kneeling and squatting

Disease

Lifting and moving children and equipment

Storing equipment materials and toys

Work-related stress bullying and harassment

Working in the kitchen

Injury hotspots disclaimer

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