Advice Sheets

OHS: Work related violence in schools and other education settings

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Summary: Our public education system is proud to work with a diverse range of students, parents and guardians in the local community. AEU members work with integrity and dedication to provide the best care, educational opportunities and experiences possible to students. AEU members campaign to ensure that adequate resources and support are provided to enable the teaching and learning process in our schools, early childhood settings, disability centres and TAFEs.Principals, managers, teachers, education support staff, instructors, students and clients may encounter or be subjected to…

OHS: Heat – does your workplace have a policy?

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Summary: Every summer heat causes concerns in schools and workplaces across the state.Exposure to heat and/or excessive heat can cause:Skin rashesHeadachesDehydrationHeat crampsHeat exhaustion/stroke.Heat can also aggravate existing medical conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease and skin conditions.In addition, it is accepted that heat exposure can lead to loss of concentration, efficiency, and increase the potential for incidents and accidents.Exposure to heat in the workplace is therefore an OHS issue that must be addressed.The Victorian OHS Act: duties of…

OHS: Reporting incidents to WorkSafe

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Summary: A principal or manager of a workplace must ensure that certain incidents that occur at a workplace are reported to WorkSafe The prescribed incidents include: The death of a person. A person requiring medical treatment within 48 hours of exposure to a substance. A person requiring immediate treatment as an in-patient in a hospital. A person requiring immediate medical treatment for: the amputation of any part of his or her body a serious head injury a serious eye injury the separation of his or her skin from an underlying tissue (such as de-…

OHS: Duties of employees

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Summary: While at work, an employee must: Take reasonable care for his or her own health and safety Take reasonable care for the health and safety of persons who may be affected by the employee’s acts or omissions at a workplace Co-operate with his or her employer with respect to any action taken by the employer to comply with a requirement imposed by or under the OH&S Act 2004 or the regulations Not intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided at the workplace in the interests of health, safety or welfare. NB: in determining whether an…