Education: Primary schools

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 exists), 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.
   • Use behavioural support in classrooms as required (eg education support).
   • Staff members, parents and students should have clear information about the school’s expectation, including enrolment, discipline, and transfer procedures.
   • See also: Work-related stress, bullying and harassment.
2. Hazard 2 Classroom and office ergonomics

   • Provide appropriate workstations (eg height-adjustable chairs, computers with height-adjustable monitors, adequate lighting, desk and foot space and mouse pad area, docking station for laptops). This includes home offices or off-site work areas.
   • Ensure there is adequate storage, with the heavy and more frequently handled items stored between knee and shoulder height.
   • Provide adult sized chairs that are adjustable for seat height, backrest height and tilt.
3. Hazard 3 Heavy lifting assisting students repetitive awkward postures

   • Ensure supplies and equipment, where appropriate, are delivered directly to the location they will be used (for example, art supplies to art room).
   • Provide appropriate aids and equipment (eg height-adjustable trolleys, wheeled equipment) 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.
   • 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.
   • Ensure regular storage audits are undertaken (eg materials that are not frequently needed are removed to free up space for safer access).
   • Provide adult sized chairs that are adjustable for seat height, backrest height and tilt.
   • Reduce tasks completed at low levels or whilst kneeling.
   • 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.
   • Provide ongoing training to employees in relation to selecting and using appropriate aids and equipment together with safe handling methods (eg repetitive stacking work should be carried out between shoulder and mid-thigh height and with the elbows close to the body, work upright where possible).
4. Hazard 4 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.
5. Hazard 5 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.
   • Provide pulley systems to hang objects or displays (for example, student artwork).
   • Ensure display boards for lightweight objects are easily accessible and that work by students can be displayed within the staff member's arm reach
   • If hanging objects and displays is required, provide a suitable stepladder. Ensure stepladders are used properly and maintained in accordance with manufacturer specifications.
   • Regularly tidy and remove clutter to avoid any trip hazards.
   • Provide adequate lighting for work areas and walkways.
   • Ensure spills are cleaned up immediately.
6. Hazard 6 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 (for example, 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.