Kindergarten Cluster Page 1 of 8 Occupational Health and Safety Policy 1. Authorisation This policy was adopted by bestchance management and supported by the bestchance Kindergarten Cluster Reference Group in. 2. Scope This policy applies to all persons, paid or unpaid who work at the kindergarten and anyone who enters the kindergarten. The policy contains procedures for: Identifying and dealing with hazards Safe work practices Situations where a workplace incident or accident occurs that threatens the health and safety of Employees or other persons in the workplace 3. Background and Legislation Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and Accident Compensation Act 1985. 4. Policy Statement bestchance places a high priority on the safety of Employees and those attending the workplace and will: Provide and maintain a safe and healthy working environment within the kindergarten. Recognise that the concept and practice of safety involves shared responsibilities and a team approach by the Employer and all Employees. Require that Employees will act in ways which do not endanger the health or safety of anyone at the kindergarten. Require Employees to attend work, free from the influence of alcohol or other nonprescription drugs. When necessary, ensure that Employees can access training on how to perform their tasks safely. Take appropriate action after near miss incidents and accidents causing injuries to prevent a recurrence. 5. Procedures 5.1 Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment 5.1.1 The bestchance Health and Safety Team will:
Kindergarten Cluster Page 2 of 8 Consist of a nominated management representative for bestchance as a whole, and a delegated representative for the cluster program. If employees choose to elect a Health and Safety Representative, this person would also be part of the team. Ensure that the Annual Workplace Hazard Assessment Checklist (See Appendix 1) is completed, review the findings and set in place an action plan as appropriate. Ensure that Annual Safety Audits are undertaken and an Action Plan is compiled and completed. Ensure that Asbestos Audit information is held so that staff can be made aware of which parts of the building require safe maintenance. Ensure that testing and tagging of electrical equipment is completed as required. 5.1.2 The Nominated Supervisor will: Act as a leader, ensuring all staff are aware of their Health and Safety responsibilities. Ensure that the Safety Checklist for Weekly Inspection is completed once a week and that any hazards are rectified promptly. If this is not possible, put in place temporary measures to ensure everyone s safety and contact the Council Maintenance Coordinator as appropriate. Report to bestchance any hazard that cannot be rectified in a timely fashion. Report urgently and before any work is undertaken to bestchance and the centre landlord, any breakage through interior walls, floors or ceilings and external eaves. Discuss Health and Safety during staff meetings and document these discussions in formal minutes or as a diary note. Provide advice to the Cluster prior to the purchase of new equipment to ensure that it not be detrimental to the Health and Safety of Employees. 5.1.3 All staff at each workplace will: Be alert to minor hazards and, whenever possible, take immediate action to eliminate them. Report to the Nominated Supervisor any hazard identified between hazard assessments. Follow Health and Safety procedures and act in a healthy and safe manner at all times. As required under the Act, take reasonable care for their personal health and safety, and the health and safety of other Employees, volunteers, visitors and children. Report health and safety issues or concerns promptly to the Cluster Program Manager.
Kindergarten Cluster Page 3 of 8 Participate in Health and Safety training as appropriate. 5.2 Safe Work Practices All staff and volunteers (Incl. working bees) at the centre will follow these procedures: Ensure that two staff members/volunteers work together when moving outdoor equipment and bulky indoor items. Always bend at the knees. No one except tradespeople trained in the use of work positioning or fall injury prevention systems is authorised to climb ladders to a height above two metres. When ladders are used at heights lower than two metres, ensure that a second staff member is holding the ladder. Also ensure that the person on the ladder does not climb higher than a step at which they can comfortably hold the top of the ladder. Only keep cleaning chemicals on site that are in current use and are stored in their original packaging. All staff will be aware of safe handling procedures and have access to Material Safety Data sheets if the product manufacturer is required to provide them. Utilise storeroom space effectively. Ensure that regularly accessed items are stored between hip and shoulder height. Use a step ladder if necessary to access high shelves. Do not store items on the floor where they may pose a tripping hazard and keep a clear pathway into each storeroom. Ensure items on top shelves are not close to lights. Refrain from smoking anywhere within the Kindergarten including the Playground. Only exit the Centre after dark within the presence of another person. 5.3 Injury / Incident Notification and Investigation 5.3.1 Register of Injury Forms The Nominated Supervisor is responsible for: Ensuring that Register of Injury forms (See Appendix 3) are present in the workplace and readily accessible to all Employees. Ensuring that any injury or near miss to employees, volunteers or visitors is recorded as soon as practical. Ensuring that the Victorian Workcover Authority If You Are Injured poster is on display. 5.3.2 Notification Procedures and Investigation The procedure for the notification and investigation is as follows: (i) Incident/injury not Classified as Serious Notification
Kindergarten Cluster Page 4 of 8 All injuries and incidents where a person was or could have been injured must be reported as soon as possible using the Register of Injury form which is to be completed and sent to bestchance. A member of the Health and Safety team needs to complete and sign the Employment Acknowledgment section within two working days. The original is placed in the register and a copy provided to the Employee. If a person requires immediate medical attention, the employee currently in charge will notify the Cluster Program Manager as soon as possible or delegate someone to notify on their behalf. Investigation of Injuries On receipt of an injury report the Health and Safety team shall arrange for an investigation of the incident/injury and set in place an action plan as appropriate. (ii) Accident or Incidents that Seriously Affect Persons Involved Notification Any workplace incident/injury that seriously affects the safety of Employees or others in the workplace must be reported to the Cluster Program Manager immediately. As soon as possible after the incident/injury occurs, the Employee/adult affected, if able, completes a Register of Injury form located at the workplace and an Employee provides a copy to the Health and Safety team. The same procedure undertaken as listed in (i). Accidents relating to children are to be recorded in the Accident Injury Illness book in compliance with the Children's Services Regulations 1998. Notification to Work Cover Under Occupational Health and Safety legislation, the employer is responsible for advising the Victorian Work Cover Authority of serious incidents/injuries. Notification is required: Where an incident at a workplace or equipment site results in death or serious injury. Of dangerous occurrences which seriously endanger the lives or the health and safety of people in the immediate vicinity. First Deadline It is necessary to notify Work Safe immediately. A member of the Health and Safety team will make telephone contact with Work Safe on 132 360 (after hours 0407 833 370) immediately the incident is reported. Second Deadline A member of the Health and Safety team will then complete the Victorian Work Cover Authority Incident Notification Form and ensure that it is sent to the nearest Work Safe Office within 48 hours. Notification to Other Authorities If deemed to be a reportable incident under the Children's Services Regulations 1998, The Cluster Program Manager will advise DEECD of the incident/injury as soon as practicable after it occurs. Incident Investigation On receipt of an Injury/Incident Report, the Health and Safety team shall arrange for an investigation to commence within two working days of the incident/injury and be completed within two operational days for the centre.
Kindergarten Cluster Page 5 of 8 Summary of key tasks in the interview of Employees or other persons materially involved in an incident or issue: a) Explain at the outset that this is a formal interview in accordance with bestchance procedures. b) Explain they may have a support person present. c) Ask about the incident: Provide each person with an opportunity to present their own version of the incident. Present all details one by one and record the answers. Ask any other relevant questions arising from the statements by other persons, particularly if there is any conflict or contradiction. Give the opportunity to review earlier version/s of events outlined during the interview. Post Investigation Actions Following completion of the investigation of an accident or incident that seriously affected the persons involved, a report will be prepared by the Health and Safety team for the Executive team. The report will also propose any relevant recommendations or actions. The bestchance Executive team will convene as a priority to receive the report and recommendations. An appropriate Action Plan will be determined with relevant timelines. Staff involved in the injury/incident investigation will be advised as soon as possible of: Results of the investigation. The Action Plan. The Action Plan is to be implemented within designated timelines and the Health and Safety is responsible for ensuring that the plan is implemented. 7. Training The Health and Safety Team in consultation with all Employees, will regularly review training needs and liaise with Cluster Staff to ensure that appropriate training is provided.
Kindergarten Cluster Page 6 of 8 Appendix 1: Annual Checklist
Kindergarten Cluster Page 7 of 8
Kindergarten Cluster Page 8 of 8 Appendix 2: SAFETY CHECKLIST FOR WEEKLY INSPECTION