TAS Kindy Workplace Health & Safety

Trinity Anglican School management and staff recognise their obligations under the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995, Workplace Health & Safety Regulations 1997 and associated Advisory Standards and Codes of Practice.

Workplace Health and Safety in the workplace is extremely important. TAS Early Learning Centre aligns with the Trinity Anglican School Workplace Health and Safety Policies and Procedures. TAS Early Learning Centre and Trinity Anglican School have obligations to ensure the safety and welfare of its staff and students.

These obligations include providing and maintaining:

• A safe working environment.
• Safe systems of work.
• Equipment in a safe condition.
• Information, training, instruction and supervision to ensure that each employee and student is safe from injury and risks to health.

It is recognised that all employees and students are to:

• Use equipment provided for health and safety purposes.
• Follow instructions and training relating to health and safety provided by Trinity Anglican School management.
• Comply with the health and safety policies of the workplace.
• Report any situation at the workplace which they believe is hazardous.

Simple Guidelines in Workplace Health & Safety

Trinity Anglican School (TAS) is committed to providing a workplace environment that ensures the health and safety of all employees and individuals related to the business of schooling at TAS. To create such an environment the school is engaged in a health and safety program of continuous assessment, monitoring and review of work at TAS.
In accordance with the Queensland Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995, everyone has obligations to ensure the health and safety of themselves and others. In order to exercise these obligations the following form procedures for Workplace Health and Safety.

1. All visitors to the school are to register their arrival and departure at the relevant campus Student Reception.
2. All new workers are to receive a general and specific workplace induction before the commencement of any work.
3. Whilst at the workplace, everyone is required to wear the approved school/work uniform or identification tag.
4. Any absence from campuses during hours of duty needs to be entered into the Sign Out Book at the relevant campus Student Reception upon your departure.
5. Emergency procedures must be known to all and practiced.
6. Any workplace hazards are to be identified and reported to the school Workplace Health and Safety Committee.
7. All work injuries are to be reported electronically to the Centre Director and Head of the Junior School.
8. Risk Assessments are to be compiled on the appropriate form (the "Workplace Health and Safety Risk Assessment Form").
9. Staff are required to follow health and safety instruction directed by the school Principal or Workplace Health and Safety Officer.

Relevant Laws and other Provisions

The laws and other provisions affecting this policy include:

• Child Care Act 2002
• Child Care Regulations 2003 Division 7
• Quality Improvement and Accreditation System Quality Practices Guide Principle Five
• Staying Healthy in Child Care Fourth Edition

Procedures:

Manual Handling Guidelines

• Staff should endeavour to go down to a child's level to speak to/comfort them. Staff should squat down through their legs and not bend over too much.
• Staff should avoid taking or accepting any children from a parent who has the child in their arms.
• Staff should to avoid sitting in small child size chairs during the day, especially at group times and for long periods of time.
• Staff must use the steps provided when changing children on the change table.
• Staff should safely guide the children up and down the steps, keeping very close so they do not fall.
• Large and heavy outdoor equipment is to be carried by two staff members. ie. A Frames, Portable Forts, Water Troughs.
• Large and heavy equipment is to be carried by two staff members, eg. Tables (children's and adults), heavy furniture.
• Mop buckets should be filled on the floor, or only filled to a manageable level and weight.
• Rubbish bags will need to be taken to the large bin twice a day to ensure they do not become too heavy.

Safety Precautions Policy for Indoors and Outdoors

Indoors:

• Children are to be supervised at all times.
• Staff are to interact with children at all times during the day.
• Private discussions are to be kept to a minimum and left for lunch breaks etc.
• Any spills are to be wiped/mopped up immediately to avoid children, staff or parents from slipping.
• The Wet Floor sign must be placed near the entrance door when floors have been washed.
• Non slip bathroom floor mats are to be used at all times. These must be hosed off daily.
• Unflushed toilets must be flushed as soon as noticed.
• Children are to be monitored at all times when using the bathroom.
• The kitchen and storeroom doors are to be kept closed at all times so that children do not enter these areas.
• Adult utensils must be used by staff only and returned to their safe place immediately and not left on tables or benches; knives replaced in the kitchen drawer immediately after use.
• Hot drinks are to be made and consumed in the kitchen only.
• Staff handbags etc. must be stored in the TAS Early Learning Centre Office. Any staff medication must be secured away in staff handbags.
• Water must be freely available for children at all times.
• Electrical cords must be safely out of reach of children, including cords from CD players, computers, battery chargers.
• Chairs are not to be stacked on tables. They may fall onto a child.
• Chairs will not be stacked more than two chairs high when children are in attendance at the Centre.
• Tables must be cleared of food items and floors must be swept up immediately after eating times.
• The children's allergies list must be displayed for all staff, relief staff, parents and visitors to see.
• Mops and buckets are not to be left in the rooms at any times, either empty or full.
• Brooms and dust pan and brushes are to be returned to their storage place after use.
• Entrance doors are to be closed at all times and signs advising this must be displayed.
• Cleaning chemicals etc must be returned to childproof locked cupboards.
• If using an extension cord, a safety cover must be used to cover the connection of the two electrical cords.
• Electrical points not in use will be covered with a protective cover at all times.
• Children are required to walk inside, not run.
• Indoor toys and equipment must be in a safe condition.
• Exits will be kept clear at all times for safety and evacuation purposes

Outdoors

• Staff are required to refer to the outdoors supervision charts to see where they should be stationed for supervision.
• Low branches on plats and shrubs are to be removed.
• Hoses must be placed on hose reel and not left on the ground.
• Be aware of weeds, noxious plants, rubbish and splintered wood.
• Check for spiders- red backs especially.
• Storage shed doors must be closed when not in use.
• Spills on the concrete should be mopped up as soon as possible to avoid children, parents or staff from slipping.
• Beware of protruding nails etc in any of the outdoor equipment.
• Make sure that play equipment is in a safe condition.
• Equipment is to be stored neatly and orderly in the storage shed at the end of each day.
• Play equipment must be brought in out of the sun, after each play session.
• Any water play outdoors must be supervised closely at all times.
• Water troughs and any other piece of equipment holding water will be emptied immediately after use.
• Aprons must be hung up immediately after use.
• During outdoor play children must have hats on at all times.
• Whilst outdoors staff hats must be worn at all times.
• Sunscreen will be applied to the children 15minutes before going outdoors.
• Staff will educate children as to the safe ways to enter specific areas of the playground. Eg. The sand pit, the paved amphitheatre and stairs
• Staff will explain the importance of waiting and watching for others as children learn to move around the playground safely.
• Staff will encourage children to use particular ways of moving in specific areas of the playground to ensure safety. Eg. Running only on the grass/soft fall and walking on the paving.

Dated January 2011