Education

A snapshot of how people employed in the education 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.

Education

Hazards

Hazard 1
Classroom and office ergonomics
Provide appropriate workstations. This includes home offices or off-site work areas. For example:

height-adjustable chairs

computers with height-adjustable monitors

adequate lighting

desk and foot space

mouse pad area

docking station for laptops.
Hazard 2
Handling people
Room layout and design must support employee safety. For example,

mechanical lifting aids

location of desks

multiple exits.

Implement duress/assistance plans and ensure that staff know how to seek assistance.

Risk (re)assessment of students should occur at least annually and be linked to behaviour management plans.
Hazard 3
Lifting and carrying
Provide appropriate mechanical aids and equipment. For example:

dollies

height-adjustable trolleys

wheeled equipment.

Ensure mechanical aids and equipment are used properly and maintained in accordance with manufacturer specifications.

Develop and implement appropriate policies and procedures to reduce the risks of the industry and communicate them to all staff.

Ensure employees and contractors receive a site induction and ongoing training (for example, about how to use any risk controls).

Train employees and contractors in the selection and use of any mechanical aids and equipment and safe handling methods. For example:

repetitive stacking work should be carried out between shoulder and mid-thigh height

large or awkward objects should be transported on dollies.

Store frequently used heavy objects at waist level.

Design and position shelves for easy access.

School camps and outdoor activities require OHS planning to minimise the risk of injury For example, provide appropriate personal protective equipment and ensure it’s used correctly.
Hazard 4
Psychosocial
Psychosocial hazards are factors in the design or management of work that increase the risk of psychological or physical harm. Examples include:

work-related violence

work-related fatigue

workplace bullying

work-related gendered violence including sexual harassment

violent or traumatic events

remote and isolated work

high and low job demands

low job control

poor support.

Ensure systems are in place to identify, assess and control risks to psychological health in consultation with workers, contractors and any HSRs. Systems should include processes for regularly reviewing and revising risk control measures to ensure effectiveness.

Consider the design and management of work. For example:

Are employee and contractor tasks appropriate for skill level and experience?

Do workers have adequate training, resources and support?

Is workload allocated to ensure it is reasonable and appropriate to skillset?

Do workers have clear roles and reporting lines?

Ensure systems are in place for workers to report psychosocial hazards and risks. Workers should be confident their concerns will be addressed in a fair and timely manner.

Provide workers with adequate support. For example, supervisory support, peer support and Employee Assistance Programs (EAP).
Hazard 5
Slips trips and falls
Ensure flooring is level and in good condition.

Ensure spills are cleaned up immediately.

Regularly tidy and remove clutter so it does not accumulate.

Ensure all stairs and steps have handrails.

Provide adequate lighting for work areas and walkways.
Hazard 6
Working with machinery
Ensure all machinery complies with the Australian Standard for machine guarding.

Use lock-out/tag-out systems when cleaning or maintaining high risk equipment. For example, bench saws and drills in technology rooms.

Ensure students are adequately supervised when working directly with or near machinery.

Information about common injuries

By highlighting the areas on the body where workers in their industry are likely to get injured, users are encouraged to click within the interactive graphic to reveal the most common causes of those injuries.

Injury hotspots then list the leading hazards in each industry or occupation, along with tips to help address those hazards.

Putting injury hotspots into action

Injury hotspots is a quick and easy tool that people can use for:

improving general safety awareness
training and induction materials
promoting occupational health and safety programs
preventing injuries in the workplace.

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.

Education

Injury hotspots pages contain helpful information for

Education

Hazards

Classroom and office ergonomics

Handling people

Lifting and carrying

Psychosocial

Slips trips and falls

Working with machinery

Information about common injuries

Putting injury hotspots into action

Injury hotspots disclaimer

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