TOOL BOX TALKS

1
TOOL BOX TALKS

• Health and Safety Hazards in Childrens Services

2
OHS Legislation

• Sections 8 (12) requires an employer to ensure
  the health, safety and wellbeing of employees and
  others in the workplace. All places where work
  is undertaken by staff is regarded as the
  workplace
• Section 20 of the OHS Act 2000 places a legal
  obligation on all employees to ensure the health
  and safety of others whilst at work.

3
OHS Consultation

• Employer must consult with employees prior to
  making any changes which may affect health and
  safety i.e. when doing risk assessments,
  implementing or changing risk controls, changing
  systems of work, facilities at work etc.
• Consultation should be direct with affected staff
  and via OHS Representative or OHS Committee for
  general OHS issues.

4
Risk Assessment

• Undertaken on equipment, premises and activities
  so that safe work procedures can be developed.
• Also undertaken on individual children/students
  prior to enrolment/admission and regularly or as
  need arises.
• Known hazards include lifting and moving children
  and equipment, storing equipment, materials and
  toys, bending, kneeling and squatting, working in
  the kitchen, fire emergencies, intruders,
  excursions, chemicals, infectious diseases,
  working in the kitchen and bullying, harassment
  and stress.
• Monitor and evaluate effectiveness of controls
  via workplace inspections etc.

5
Lifting and Moving Children and Equipment -
Solutions

• Minimise bending by providing and using equipment
  such as height-adjustable change tables and cots
• Use steps when walking and hold hand
• Ensure large bulky or awkward items easily move
  e.g. fit castors or wheels to sand-pit covers and
  playground equipment, use wheeled trolleys or
  frames for laundry bags and height-adjustable
  trolleys for shifting goods in and out of
  vehicles.

6
Storing equipment, materials and toys - solutions

• Position storage/shelves between shoulder and
  knee height or provide stools or ladders,
  preferably with hand-rails, to access stored
  objects without over-reaching
• Dryers and washing machines should be able to be
  loaded at the best working zone (i.e. between
  shoulder and waist height)

7
Bending, kneeling, squatting - solutions

• Height adjustable change table with steps if
  child walking
• If not able to use change table, kneel on a
  padded surface with childs feet directly in
  front of worker
• Adults should use adult furniture (e.g. height
  adjustable chair which can be lowered to childs
  level) when engaging with children

8
Working in Kitchen - solutions

• Reduce repetitive movements by purchasing
  prepared food, or provide powered aids e.g. food
  processors, electric can openers
• Use job rotation to ensure workers are not
  exposed to repetitive actions for long periods
• Keep area tidy and clean up spills immediately
• Avoid carrying hot food, especially liquids over
  long distances
• Regulate hot water temperature so no scalds

9
Infectious Diseases - solutions

• Use universal precautions when dealing with
  body fluids whether from child or linen etc.
• Consider vaccinations for hepatitis A,
  measles/mumps/rubella or pertussis (whooping
  cough).

10
Chemicals - solutions

• Minimise use of toxic substances without
  compromising hygiene
• Ensure product is labelled and stored out of
  reach of children
• Display warning signs and procedures for safe
  storage of chemicals
• Obtain material safety data sheets from
  manufacturers/suppliers and ensure safe work
  practices followed
• Do not expose children to fumes or sprays

11
Electrical - solutions

• Ensure safety cut-off switch in use
• Keep electrical cords, double adaptors and power
  boards out of childrens reach
• Cover unused power points with protective caps
• Regularly inspect all electrical cords and test
  and tag those in hazardous environments

12
Excursions

• Risk assess suitability of activity for
  individual children
• Undertake venue assessments on regularly used
  venues
• Undertake pre-use checks on day of visit and
  implement any measures required
• Provide staff with authority to cancel or change
  if risk cannot be controlled
• Ensure adequate adult/child ratios

13
Bullying, harassment stress

• Have clear policies communicated to all staff and
  parents
• Encourage effective communication and provide
  clear roles and reasonable control over work
  tasks
• Provide post-incident care, including counselling
  and support

14
Safety/security

• Inspect all areas visually daily
• Practice evacuation drills regularly
• Check all equipment regularly
• Keep records of maintenance and repair
• Have trained first aiders and kits available
• Develop signal and procedure for intruder dangers
• Ensure communication system available if working
  alone in area and if working at external
  environments
• Ensure adequate lighting if work after hours