OHSW Procedures
WHS Representatives
First Aid - Ann Harrison
Fire Warden - Kevin Kennedy
WHS - Ann Harrison
WHS Committee
Kevin Kennedy
Ann Harrison
The WHS Committee meet as required once a term as a minimum.
The WHS noticeboard is located in the hallway outside the staffroom and contains current information related to health and safety.
Identification of a WHS Issue
When a staff member identifies a WHS issue, it is the worker’s responsibility to take immediate action to rectify the issue if they are able and competent to do so.
If it is not possible to rectify the WHS issue, the staff member must:
1. Warn others of the issue and take the necessary steps to prevent harm to others (eg. barricade the area, place warning signs, lock and tag out plant etc).
2. Immediately refer the WHS issue verbally to the site manager.
3. Consult with the work health and safety representative.
4. Report the issue in accordance with the Hazard Management Procedure or Injury Incident Reporting and Investigation Procedure within 12 hours of the event if the issue is a hazard or results in an injury.
Hazardous Chemicals
If considering purchasing chemicals a pre-purchase assessment is to be conducted following the process outlined in Guide to the Purchasing of Chemicals to determine whether the chemical is hazardous.
Consultation must occur with workers and other persons who are required to use the hazardous chemical, the HSR and the HS Committee.
The hazardous chemical under consideration must be approved for use by referring to DECD Approved Chemicals List.
Any potential health and safety issues relating to storage, labelling, use, handling and disposal must be identified and addressed prior to purchase.
Only the minimum quantities of the hazardous chemical required are to be purchased.
When hazardous chemicals are purchased, used, handled or stored at a DECD workplace, it must be recorded on the ‘Hazardous Chemicals Register located in the front office.
Asbestos Management
While the production and use of asbestos in Australia has been banned since 2004, its existence remains a threat to public health where long term exposure to airborne asbestos fibres can cause lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma.
In order to ensure workplace safety all staff must ensure they:
1. Comply with WHS legislation and the requirements of this procedure.
2. Treat all asbestos as hazardous.
3. Do not work on asbestos.
4. Report any unlabelled or suspected asbestos to the principal immediately.
5. Report all damage to asbestos or suspected exposure to airborne asbestos fibres to the site manager immediately.
6. Do not access asbestos roof areas.
Asbestos register located in Ann's office.
The site Asbestos Management Plan and Asbestos Register are available to any contractors prior to the commencement of any maintenance work. The Asbestos Management Plan is accessible to staff via the attachment below.
Plant Management
1. Do not use the plant for a task that it has not been designed for.
2. Assist in the risk assessment processes
3. Report all issues, problems and hazards to the site manager immediately.
4. Use safe systems of work including manufacturer’s instructions and SOPs.
The Plant Pre-Purchase Checklist is to be completed prior to plant being purchased. The Plant Pre-Purchase Checklist will assist in the identification of reasonably foreseeable hazards and determine whether a risk assessment and implementation of control measures are required before approval of the purchase is given.
The Plant Pre-Purchase Checklist is available from the front office apon request.
Reporting Workplace Hazards
All staff are obligated to report any potential workplace hazards.
Hazards generally arise from the:
1. The physical work environment
2. Equipment, materials and substances used
3. Work activity/tasks/processes and how they are performed
Hazards can be identified through:
1. Hazard and injury incident reports.
2. Consultation with workers or others.
3. Complaints from workers or others.
4. Workplace inspections.
Staff who identify are workplace hazard are required to complete the Worker section on the Hazard Report Form as soon as possible and forward the form to the site manager immediately for investigation and resolution.
Reporting Workplace Injury
Where an incident has resulted in an injury to a DECD worker, the worker must report the injury to the site manager as soon as the injury incident has occurred. The ED155 Injury Report Form may be used to facilitate the timely reporting of injury incidents.
The Principal must ensure the injury incident is entered into IRMS as soon as possible but within 12 hours of the event.
The Principal must conduct an investigation of the injury incident and ensure the details of the injury, the results of the investigation, the name of the HSR (if applicable) and any control measures are recorded in IRMS within 24 hours of the event.
ED155 Injury Report Forms are also available upon request from Ann in the front office.
Work Health Safety Internal Audit Process
The ability to monitor the effectiveness of DECD’s WHS & IM System is critical. This will be achieved through the WHS Internal Audit Program.
It provides a systematic review against performance indicators. It also supports compliance with legislative requirements. The audit is undertaken as an open and transparent process that engages senior executives, officers, site managers and workers.
The Audit involves:
1. Interviews with site managers, workers, health and safety representatives (HSRs), union representatives, contractors, volunteers and health and safety committee members.
2. Records of observation of activities and conditions (including electronic recording, photocopying and taking photographs if necessary).
3. Testing and measuring samples and reports.
4. Verification of safe work practices in line with procedural requirements.
5. Observation of the relevance and/or suitability of elements contained within the policy or procedure being audited.
6. Inspection of the site.
Staff are obligated to provide information and assistance, as required to ensure audits can be completed.
Complaint Resolution
The Department for Education and Child Development is responsible for ensuring a safe, harmonious and productive environment for its employees.
The Complaint Resolution for Employees Procedures attached below emphasises:
• resolving issues promptly at the local level where possible
• using resolution approaches that are most likely to support effective working relationships
• clarifying reasons for and expectations about the complaint
• people taking responsibility for their actions
Please access the attached document for further information in relation to Complaint Resolution.
Workers Compensation Information
Information related to Workers Compensation, returning to work and the Workers Compensation Claim Form is available at
or by contacting the Injury Management Unit:
Telephone: 8226 7555
Email: decd.injurymanagementunit@sa.gov.au
Information regarding workers compensation matters is treated sensatively and confidentially and kept securely.