Education aides

Hazards and Solutions

1. Hazard 1 Challenging behaviour of students or parents

   • Room layout and design should support employee safety (eg location of desks, access to exits), particularly in schools where staff may experience unpredictable and challenging behaviour.
   • Implement duress / assistance plans and ensure that staff know how to seek assistance.
   • Risk assessment of students should occur at least annually and be linked to behaviour management plans.
   • Staff members, parents and students should have clear information about the schools expectation, including enrolment, discipline, and transfer procedures.
   • See also: Work-related stress, bullying and harassment.
2. Hazard 2 Heavy lifting (eg transferring and assisting students moving furniture and equipment)

   • Provide appropriate aids and equipment (eg height-adjustable change tables, height-adjustable highchairs with removable trays, height-adjustable trolleys) and ensure they are used properly and maintained in accordance with manufacturer specifications.
   • Provide lifting or other handling equipment for the task of assisting students with disabilities, including in classroom activities. Ensure the equipment is used properly and maintained in accordance with manufacturer specifications.
   • Develop and implement appropriate policies and procedures for lifting and assisting students in consultation with relevant staff (eg teachers, education aides, middle managers). Document and communicate these policies and ensure they are reviewed periodically.
   • Ensure there is adequate storage. Store heavy and more frequently used objects between mid-thigh and shoulder height. Design and position shelves for easy access.
   • Provide ongoing training to employees in relation to selecting and using appropriate aids and equipment together with safe handling methods (eg lifting work should be carried out between shoulder and mid-thigh height and with the elbows close to the body, work upright where possible). 
3. Hazard 3 PE and sporting activities

   • Provide appropriate aids and equipment to transport sporting equipment (eg height-adjustable trolleys, wheeled equipment) and ensure they are used properly and maintained in accordance with manufacturer specifications.
   • Ensure playing surfaces are fit for purpose, and free of obstructions, loose objects and other tripping hazards.
   • Ensure there is adequate and accessible storage, with the heavy and more frequently handled items stored between mid-thigh and shoulder height.
   • Where appropriate provide personal protective equipment (eg helmets, eye protection, shin padding) and ensure it is worn.
4. Hazard 4 Slips trips and falls

   • Ensure flooring is level and in good condition (eg doormats and carpets remain firmly in place, footpaths and garden edging are properly maintained, surfaces do not have trip hazards such as potholes).
   • Ensure stairs are not slippery (eg non-slip bull-nose finish) and sturdy handrails are provided on all steps and stairs
   • Regularly tidy and remove clutter to avoid trip hazards.
   • Provide adequate lighting for work areas and walkways.
   • Ensure spills are cleaned up immediately.
5. Hazard 5 Work-related stress bullying and harassment

   • Develop and implement a system including appropriate policies and procedures for managing workplace bullying, harassment and violence.
   • Encourage a positive workplace culture, including reporting of bullying and harassment.
   • Hold regular team meetings and debriefing sessions for staff to raise OHS matters that relate to work-related stress, bullying and harassment.
   • Ensure all employees (including emergency and student teachers, temporary staff) understand what bullying and harassment is, and the procedures for reporting incidents (eg policies and procedures should be communicated during employee induction and workplace bullying prevention or training).
   • Provide access and encourage employees to use employee counselling / support services, where possible.
   • Train employees on how to identify and defuse potentially volatile situations.
   • Encourage employees to report any workplace stress factors (eg work demand, low control, poor support, lack of role clarity, change management, relationships, and incivility) and control appropriately.
6. Hazard 6 Working with machinery (eg saws)

   • Ensure relevant machinery complies with Australian Standard AS 4024.1801:2014.
   • Use interlock systems in preference to lock-out / tag-out systems when cleaning or maintaining high risk equipment (eg bench saws and drills in technology rooms).
   • Ensure students are adequately supervised when working directly with or near machinery.
   • Provide personal protective equipment (eg eye protection, hearing protection) and ensure it is worn.
   • Avoid wearing loose fitting clothing that may become tangled in machinery.