1 Occupational Health & Safety Purpose To provide: A documented approach to the provision of a healthy and safe environment for employees, visitors, children and families. An approach to educator professionalism and responsible conduct. Objective To ensure that: Children are provided with a safe and healthy environment in which to play and learn. Families are provided with reassurance that health and safety standards are maintained at John Street, and the safety of their children is paramount. Educators are provided with a safe and healthy workplace with clear guidelines about their responsibilities for occupational health and safety. The Board are provided with clear guidelines about their responsibilities for occupational health and safety in the workplace, and the cooperation from educators in following health and safety instructions. Definitions OH&S: refers to occupational health and safety Scope of Policy This policy applies to all educators, volunteers, students, visitors and families at John Street. Policy Statement Safety in all aspects of our daily operations is a policy of John Street. It is the policy of the John
2 Street Board of Management that occupational health, safety and welfare are of primary importance and an integral part of the John Street s commitment to all employees, contractors, visitors and students. John Street protects the health and safety of children, educators, staff, families, students, volunteers and visitors by keeping informed about and complying with Occupational Health & Safety Act (2004) and complying with the Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010 (Vic). All employees, children and families, visitors and contractors within the service have a right to a safe and healthy workplace. B y l a w, the Board is required to provide a safe and healthy workplace. Employees and contractors also have obligations under law to take reasonable care to protect themselves and others in the workplace. Every reasonable effort is made to provide and maintain, as far as practicable, an environment that is safe and without risks to health and safety. Educators must report any damage to equipment or the general work environment to the Director. John Street is committed to implementing occupational health and safety practices to support its duty of care responsibilities that include: Developing and implementing OH&S risk management systems; Regularly evaluating and updating OH&S procedures and practices; Consulting and communicating widely with all stakeholders on OH&S matters; Maintaining OH&S records in accordance with the Occupational Health & Safety Act (2004); Providing orientation and professional development for educators on OH&S; and Ensuring appropriate return to work programs are in place for injured employees. Procedures An Occupational Health & Safety Handbook concerning policies and procedures regarding the Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) of educators, visitors, children and families of John Street will be produced and followed. All educators and the Board will be provided with a copy of the handbook. The Director will ensure that information about OH&S legislation, codes of practice and guidelines are made available to educators and families of children attending the service. Employee and Employer responsibilities for OH&S are included in the Occupational Health & Safety Handbook. These responsibilities are highlighted to new educators and new Board members as part of their induction. Educators must report all incidents leading to risk of injury including those leading to high stress levels, and positive steps will be taken to remove hazards and understand and minimise stress suffered by individual educators.
3 Play areas and equipment will be checked daily by the educators to ensure they are in a hygienic, clean and safe condition and do not pose a hazard to children; and that soft fall surfaces under and around outdoor play equipment are adequate and evenly spread. Educators/staff will notify the Director and the OH&S representative of any equipment and/or area that is not clean or in a safe condition, and will write details on a Hazard Report. Equipment that does not meet Australian Standards will not be purchased. The Director, through consultation with the Board, will ensure that furnishings and equipment used will limit risk of injury or ill health in the workplace i.e. adult size chairs for educators, appropriate storage systems, safe electrical appliances and circuit breakers installed etc. The Board will ensure that health and safety practices comply with OH&S legislation and will allocate sufficient resources in the annual budget to ensure a healthy and safe environment. This will cover direct costs such as provision of safety equipment, maintenance of buildings, fittings and equipment, purchase of safety and health advice, training and resources. All work related injuries and diseases or near misses will be investigated to determine the causes, and action taken to prevent similar events in the future. There will be special consideration of OH&S needs for educators who are pregnant or have particular needs/medical conditions such as epilepsy or asthma, physical or intellectual disabilities, dyslexia or any other condition that means the person is unable to read. John Street will also provide special consideration of OH&S needs to people who are young and inexperienced. This will be achieved through careful consultation with the employee, and documentation, monitoring and review of the strategies established to ensure their specific needs are met and training to enable them to work safely. OH&S issues and incidents will regularly be discussed at educator/staff meetings. John Street is a non- smoking premises. This includes all indoor and outdoor play areas and anywhere that is within sight of the children. Passive smoking harms the lungs of young children and may trigger an asthma attack. Whenever John Street is operating, educators and visitors present will not be affected by alcohol or drugs that adversely affect the person s ability to educate and care for children. John Street s OH&S Officer Educator s self-nominate OH&S Officers to monitor safety and health at the service. The OH&S Officer will be responsible to receive and investigate all hazards and reports of breaches to the safety and health of employees, in consultation with the Board and the Director. The Board and the educators understand their responsibility to consult and cooperate with the OH&S Officer and other educators in regard to OH&S issues, and will actively support and encourage the involvement of educators in these areas.
4 A sub-committee of the Board, which includes the OH&S Officer, oversees policy development, planning, monitoring programs, emergency procedures, safety and health training, trends in accident and illness reports, accident investigations and the introduction of any new processes or tasks that could affect health and safety in the workplace. John Street s OH&S Officer s duties include: Liaise with work colleagues on OH&S issues. Inspect the workplace and enlist work colleagues assistance in identifying OH&S needs and issues. Accompany any inspectors e.g. WorkSafe investigating OH&S at the John Street premises. Consult with the Board on changes that may affect the health and safety of employees. Attend training on the role of the OH&S Officer. Immediately investigate the scene and details of any accident, dangerous occurrence or risk of imminent and serious harm to any person on the premises. Keep informed on health and safety information provided by the Board about the workplace. Consult and cooperate with the Board on all matters relating to health and safety. Report to the Board, through the Director, on any hazard or potential hazard to which a person is exposed or might be exposed. Professional Development A training program is organised every 12 months to ensure the Board, The Centre Director and all educators at John Street can identify: Key elements of the Occupational Health & Safety Act 2004, including the content in general terms, responsibilities that apply to them, and consequences of failing to comply; John Street s health and safety policies and procedures; Safe and healthy workplace practices, including immunisations, hygiene practices, special requirements for employees with special health needs, pregnancy, young employees, etc; How to report hazards; and How to have a say in safe work practices and procedures.
5 Health & Safety Education The educators at John Street take an active approach in educating the children on health and safety issues. This includes activities ranging from teeth brushing to discussions about matches and what to do in the event of a fire. John Street liaises with other community groups, such as the Metropolitan Fire Brigade, to obtain materials and information on health and safety issues. OH&S Record Keeping Educators will record their daily checks on a Daily Safety Checklist. Educators will record all injuries or illness to children on the service s Accident/Illness/Trauma Report. Details entered will include: date, time, place of incident, injury or condition, brief description of events, adult witnesses, any anticipated treatment or outcome. Injuries or illness to educators and any visitors to the Centre must be recorded on an Educator/Employee Injury/Accident/Illness Report. Educators will record all incidents with the potential to cause injury or illness on a Hazard Report. The Board, through consultation with the Director, will ensure any records required to be kept in compliance with OH&S legislation and regulations will be maintained as appropriate. Manual Handling Manual handling and lifting form an integral part of work at John Street. Manual handling means any activity requiring the use of force exerted by a person to lift, lower, push, pull, carry or otherwise move, hold or restrain any people, animals or objects. Ways to reduce the risk of injury should be followed including: Identifying potential hazards (e.g. heavy or long pieces of equipment, high or low shelves, unpredictable actions of children etc.) and assessing the risk of each hazard (e.g. how often is the equipment used? How awkward is it to carry? Which children may become distressed or angry? etc). Whenever an educator/staff member has to lift they should: Bend knees and tuck in bottom; Keep back straight; Keep load close to the body; Avoid twisting the body as they lift. Heavy or awkward equipment should preferably be moved when children are not around.
6 Worker s compensation and rehabilitation The Board will ensure that appropriate workers compensation cover is available to all employees of the service, and that employees understand the importance of reporting injuries or illness which occurs during the course of their work. Educators will be informed about the time deadlines for completing workers compensation forms, and be provided with information about what can be compensated. The Director will ensure that injured employees are provided with appropriate rehabilitation and health care services and that a flexible rehabilitation program is implemented in the service until they are fully recovered. Specific Hazards WorkSafe identify the six most common hazardous tasks in the children s services sector as: Lifting children in and out of cots and highchairs, or on and off change tables Working at low levels Moving equipment Storing supplies and equipment Bending, twisting and reaching to lift children due to the design, placements or characteristics of cots, highchairs or change tables. Awkward postures, tripping or falling due to sitting on children s furniture or the floor. Lifting, moving, carrying, pushing or pulling heavy or awkward indoor and outdoor play equipment. Tripping, falling or being hit by falling objects due to overcrowded or poorly designed storage areas. Bending, lifting, twisting and using high or unexpected force to move heavy or awkward objects. Using office areas Maintaining indoor and outdoor areas Awkward body postures due to poorly designed, cluttered or inappropriate office areas. Tripping, falling or being hit by falling objects due to poorly designed office areas. Falling from height while standing on chairs and tables to display artwork. Tripping or falling over toys or on poorly maintained, uneven or wet floor surfaces.
7 The Royal Children s Hospital Child Safety Centre develop guidelines for specific hazards, supported by the Education and Care Services National Regulations: Poisons Glass Power Water Containers Burns/Scalds Secure storage facilities inaccessible to children are provided for cleaning materials; disinfectants; medicines; flammable; poisonous and other dangerous substances; tools; toiletries and first aid equipment. A notice detailing appropriate phone numbers for Poisons Information Centre and other appropriate contacts in case of poisoning is placed next to the phone in each room. Glass panels within 750mm from the floor level are protected on all accessible sides or are safety glass. Power outlets less than 1500mm above floor level are protected with safety mechanisms. Any moveable water container capable of allowing immersion (e.g., nappy bucket, etc.) is stored out of reach of children. Where water play is part of the children's program, strict and constant supervision is maintained at all times. Containers are emptied immediately after supervised use. Two-thirds of burns to children are from hot liquids, commonly cups of tea and coffee. All flammable liquids are stored in a container designed and correctly labelled for such storage and stored out of the reach of children. Children are not allowed unsupervised in the kitchen or the staff room. Children should not be in the Jungle Room kitchen when bottles are being heated. Staff are mindful that boiling water remains capable of burning for half an hour. Children wear sunscreen, sunhats and shirts when playing outdoors. Shade is provided in all outdoor yards for the children. Inhalation/Ingestion hazards Every object that will fit inside the truncated circular right cylinder that is used for ingestion or inhalation hazards in Australia Standard 1647 Part 2-1981, is stored out of reach of children. A film canister (approx. 57mm long and 32mm wide) is a reasonable measure of the standard. Particular care is taken in storing small objects in the room used for family grouping at the start and end of each day. Every object, such as plastic bags, which could possibly smother or suffocate, shall be stored out of the reach of children. Fragments from burst balloons are collected and thrown away immediately. Children are encouraged to remain seated whilst eating. Foods which may present as a choking hazard are not offered to children who cannot manage them (e.g. the babies due to their lack of teeth). Babies are always held when they are being bottle-fed if they are unable to hold the bottle themselves. Exploration of objects within the mouth is a stage of development of
8 young children. Objects that are placed in the mouth are gently removed in a non-threatening manner and this behaviour is then redirected. Entrapment Falls Every blind cord, rope, clothes line, item of furniture, toy, play equipment, appliance, structure, tree, shrub or other item which could possibly lead to the entrapment of the head, neck, limb, fingers or clothing of a child is: 1 Stored out of reach of children; or 2 Rendered inoperative with regard to any part which could entrap a young child or its clothing. Falls are the most common single cause of accidents in every age group. Precautions are taken to reduce the seriousness of falls. Children at John Street do not have access to heights over 1.5 metres. Tanbark is provided under playground equipment to a depth of 300mm to provide a softer landing. Mattresses are placed under high pieces of equipment to provide extra cushioning. Play equipment is placed to prevent children falling onto other pieces of nearby equipment. In addition childproof barriers are utilised at the top and bottom of the staircases. Children are never left unattended on the change-table. Responsibility The OH&S officer has responsibility for the maintenance of this procedure. Management s responsibilities are to: Develop, promote and maintain a safe working policy and procedures; Develop and maintain a working environment that is safe and without risk to health; Arrange safe systems of work in connection with the nature of the workplace; Develop safety awareness and promote safe working practices in all employees and in all work environments; Conscientiously observe all applicable legislation, and John Street safety requirements; Ensure that prompt action is taken to eliminate any deficient conditions and practices; and Set personal safety examples. It is the personal responsibility of educators, including students and volunteers to: Comply with the OH&S policy and procedures and follow safe working practices in performing their duties, with due concern for the safety of their fellow employees, themselves, and others and to contribute to a safe working environment;
9 To do everything possible to avoid accident or injury to themselves or to others, and to maintain the property and equipment entrusted to their care; and In addition, employees must not wilfully or recklessly interfere with or misuse safety equipment that is provided and they must not wilfully put at risk the health, safety or welfare of others. Legislative Provisions Education and Care Services National Law Act 210 (Vic) Section 3 (2)(a); 167 & 179 Education and Care services National Regulations 2011: r.77 Health, hygiene and safe food practices r.85 Incident, injury, trauma and illness policies and procedures r.86 Notification to parents of incident, injury, trauma and illness r.87 Incident, injury, trauma and illness record r.88 Infectious diseases r.89 First Aid Kits r.90 Medical conditions policy r.91 Medical conditions policy to be provided to parents r.92 Medication record r.93 Administration of medication r.94 Exception to authorisation requirement anaphylaxis or asthma emergency r.95 Procedures for administration of medication r.96 Self-administration of medication r.97 Emergency and evacuation procedures r.98 Telephone or other communication equipment r.99 Children leaving the education and care service premises r.100 Risk assessment must be conducted before excursion r.101 Conduct of risk assessment for excursion r.102 Authorisation for excursions r.103 Premises, furniture and equipment to be safe, clean and in good repair r.104 Fencing r.105 Furniture, materials and equipment r.106 Laundry and hygiene facilities r.107 Space requirements indoor space r.108 Space requirements outdoor space r.109 Toilet and hygiene facility r.110 Ventilation and natural light r.111 Administrative space r.112 Nappy change facilities r.114 Outdoor space shade r.165 Record of visitors
10 National Quality Standard for Early Childhood Education and Care & School Age Care Element 2.1.3 Element 2.1.4 Standard 2.3 Standard 3.1 Element 7.1.2 Every reasonable precaution is taken to protect children from harm and any hazard likely to cause injury Steps are taken to control the spread of infectious diseases and to manage injuries and illness, in accordance with recognised guidelines. Each child is protected The designs and location of the premises is appropriate for the operation of a service The indication of educators, coordinator and staff members is comprehensive DEEWR Child Care Service Handbook 2011-2012 Section 6.7 What are my services responsibilities to educators? Background Legislation Occupational Health & Safety Act 2004 OH&S Regulations 2007 Victorian WorkCover Authority Risk Management Australian Standards Building Code & Equipment Standards Sources WorkSafe Victoria Children s Services Occupational Health & Safety compliance kit; Victorian Work Cover Authority, October 201 National Professional Support Coordinator Alliance (2012) Getting started with policies for the NQF: Policies in Practice template Occupational Safety & Health. Accessed February 2012 from www.pscalliance.gov.au Business.gov.au Occupational health and safety topics for business Retrieved September 2012 from www.business.gov.au Rowell, P As safe as houses: Occupational Health and Safety in child care extract from Putting Children First, the Newsletter of the National Childcare Accreditation Council Issue 37, March 2011, Retrieved February 2012 from www.acecqa.gov.au WorkSafe Advisory Service phone 1800 136 089, or email info@worksafe.vic.gov.au The following resources are available from WorkSafe Victoria www.worksafe.vic.gov.au Children s Services Occupational Health & Safety compliance kit Injury hotspots for children s services poster A guide to how WorkSafe applies the law in relation to employing or engaging suitably qualified persons to provide health and safety advice A guide to how WorkSafe applies the law in relation to reasonably practicable Health & Safety Solutions; Lifting children in/out of cotes and highchairs or on/off change tables Health & Safety Solutions; Working at low levels in children services Health & Safety Solutions; Storing supplies and equipment in children s services Health & Safety Solutions; Using office areas in children s services Health & Safety Solutions; Maintaining indoor and outdoor areas in children s services
11 Related John Street Policies, Procedures and Guidelines Policies Appendices Guidelines Accident, Injury, Trauma & Administration of First Aid; Delivery & Collection of Children; Immunisation; Establishing a Protective Care Environment; Illness & Infection Control; Nutrition, Special Dietary Requirements, Food Safety & Hygiene; Guiding Children s Behaviour; Providing a Child Safe Environment; Dealing with Medial Conditions & Medication; Sun Smart; Payment of Wages & Conditions; Recruitment & Retention of Educators; Smoke-Free Environment; Supervision of Children; Establishing a Protective Care Environment; Missing Children; Emergency & Evacuation; Excursions; Dealing with Complaints; Independent Toileting & Nappy Changes; Communication with Families; Ongoing Professional Development. Hazard Report; Accident Plan; Accident/Illness/Trauma Report for children, educators & visitors; Action Plans & Risk Minimisation Plans for Anaphylaxis/Asthma/Diabetes; Safety Checklist; Professional Development Plan. John Street s Occupational Health & Safety Handbook available in the administration office. Authorisation & Review The Board, through the Centre Director will review the OH&S policy with the educator team at least annually, or after a major incident has occurred, to ensure that the system in place is working, and to ensure that educators have sufficient time to complete OH&S tasks allocated to them. Outcomes of the review will be presented to the Board for consideration against OH&S responsibilities protected by law. The review will identify who is responsible for various tasks, what resources are required, and when tasks are to be completed. The review and development of policies and procedures will be completed by the Grants and Policy subcommittee of the Board, in collaboration with John Street's Director. Drafts will be circulated to seek input from staff and feedback from families, before final approval from the Board. In accordance with R. 172 of the Education and Care Services National Regulations, John Street will ensure that families of children enrolled at John Street are notified at least 14 days before making any change to a policy or procedure that may have significant impact on: John Street s provision of education and care to any child enrolled at the service; a family s ability to utilise the service; or the fees charged or the way in which fees are collected. To ensure that John Street is compliant, and maintains collaborative approaches with the community, John Street will notify all families of children enrolled at least 14 days before making ANY policy change, unless this time period would pose risk to the safety, health or wellbeing of any child enrolled in the service, in which case John Street will act to adjust any policies and/or procedures to ensure the safety, health and wellbeing of all children at the service, and will notify families as soon as practicable after making the necessary change(s). The Board authorises this policy and welcomes the opportunity to discuss any aspect with stakeholders. We appreciate your support while we strive to provide a quality education and care service for children and families in our community. Date approved:
12 Signed: Date Reviewed Details of Change Date of next Review August 2011 August 2012 March 2013 Complete redevelopment to include legislative provisions pertaining to the national law, OH&S Act 2004, manual handling, role of the OH&S officer, workers compensation and rehabilitation, specific hazards, children s education and professional development. July 2014