NSW Department of Education and Communities

In the absence of any medical certificate, the PPE requirement is not negotiable. A parent signing a disclaimer provides no protection for the Department. The student and parent need to re-evaluate participating in the subject.

Basically the PPE requirement is a condition of entry into the workshop or laboratory and was developed by undertaking a risk management exercise.

A teacher or principal who knowingly permits persons to enter without the necessary PPE could open themselves and the Department to fines and prosecution by WorkCover.

It is unacceptable to allow students in workshops without the prerequisite PPE as documented in

Chemical Safety in Schools (CSIS)

Section 1: General information for all staff

Footwear is an important safety item. Good soles provide a sound grip on the floor preventing accidents from occurring. Footwear can also protect feet from mechanical or chemical damage.

It is mandatory that students carrying out practical activities using chemicals or equipment in schools wear enclosed leather footwear. Sandals, open footwear or high heeled shoes must not be worn in workshop areas or laboratories.

Australian Standard, AS2210 provides information on the suitability of footwear, sole designs and materials for different types of surfaces.

In some cases, safety footwear is necessary. Where impact, cuts or chemical spills are possible, the footwear should comply with Australian Standard AS2210 Parts 1 and 2.

Section 3: Curriculum support documents, section 3.3 Technological and Applied Studies (TAS)

Substantial footwear appropriate to a practical activity should be worn. Footwear such as thongs, open weave type shoes, or shoes with openings at toes or heels, platforms or high-heel shoes should not be worn in areas which present hazardous situations. Where indicated by a risk assessment, the wearing of safety footwear is mandatory.

Yes, the evacuation plan for each room must be displayed clearly.

Source: Chemical Safety in Schools (1999). Department of Education and Training, Volume 2, section 3.3.3.5, page 8. Management of Serious Incidents section 1.5.2

Yes, these may be found in the source referenced below.

Source: Chemical Safety in Schools (1999). Department of Education and Training, Volume 2, section 3.3.3.7 Safe practices in food preparation areas, page 10.

Yes, but the item must not be powered, or sold.

Advice from the DET Legal branch and DET OHS Directorate is that the risks attached to such items increase substantially if these items are powered. Therefore, whilst they can be made, they are not to be powered. Students are to be instructed that if they take the item home they are not suitable for powering.

Powering refers to internal combustion and electric power.

If items are sold, or given away by the school, Section 11 of the OHS Act may apply. This section of the Act outlines the duties of designers, manufacturers and suppliers of plant and substances for use at work and includes significant penalties for breaches could apply to the individual teachers, Principal, School and the Department

These types of items should not be used at all unless teachers judge that the welding, and construction is of sufficient standard. The device should be designed by a competent person or organisation and every effort should be taken to follow the specifications of the designer.

Source: Advice to Senior Curriculum Advisor, Technology, Curriculum Support Directorate from DET Legal branch and DET OHS Directorate.

Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 No. 40, Part 2, Division 1, sections 11 and 12, pages 8-9.

The new staffing agreement Agreement between the NSW Department of Education and Training and the NSW Teachers Federation on the staffing of NSW Public Schools 2009 - 2012 outlines the class sizes for technology subjects.

The first task is to assess the risk associated with the hazard, that is, to determine how dangerous the hazard is. This process is known as risk assessment.

Risk assessment allows hazards to be prioritised according to the likelihood that an accident will occur, and the severity of any injury that might occur. Once prioritised you should take action to;

• Eliminate the hazard
• Change the equipment or materials
• Change the work method
• Use personal protective equipment (PPE)

A sample hazard reporting form is provided in the publication Occupational Health, Safety, & Injury Management. A Guide for the Principal or Manager. Department of Education and Training, 2000, appendix 4D, page 23.

Download a copy of the sample hazard reporting form. 

Source: Occupational Health, Safety, & Injury Management. A Guide for the Principal or Manager. Department of Education and Training, 2000. Chapter 4.8, page 7.

Equipment Safety in Schools - Interim advice - TAS Workshops. DET Properties Directorate 2003, pages 3-14.

A hazard is any person, thing or action in the work environment that could lead to someone developing an illness or sustaining an injury.

Hazards in the workplace can be classified as;

• Physical - such as inadequate lighting on stairs, obstructions, moving objects, spilled liquids, exposure to arc welding radiation, exposed trenches,
• Chemical - such as cleaners, thinners, wood dust, agricultural sprays, adhesives,
• Biological - such as fungi, micro-organisms or pests,
• Mechanical - such as unguarded machinery, using a drill or sewing machine,
• Electrical - such as bared electrical wiring, broken switches,
• Psychological - such as interpersonal conflict, verbal abuse, rejection and bullying.

The OHS Act requires that hazards be identified, assessed and controlled.

Hazards need to be assessed in terms of the severity of any likely injury and the likelihood that an injury might occur. The process of identifying the likelihood and severity of an injury related to any particular hazard is known as risk assessment.

All hazards need to be controlled. Hazards with a high likelihood of occurring, and a high potential for causing serious injury must be controlled as a matter of absolute priority.

A sample hazard reporting form is provided in the publication Occupational Health, Safety, & Injury Management. A Guide for the Principal or Manager. Department of Education and Training, 2000, Appendix 4D, page 23.

Source: Occupational Health, Safety, & Injury Management. A Guide for the Principal or Manager. Department of Education and Training, 2000, Chapter 4.3, page 2. Chapter 8.4, page 6. Appendix 4C, section 4, pages 19-21.

Hazpak - Making your workplace safer: A practical guide to basic risk management. Workcover NSW.