DET consults with industrial arts teachers

By Ken Ford

The Department of Education and Training has issued schools with a memorandum, "Prohibition of some items of plant in schools," and the "Equipment Safety in Schools" consultation package.

Under occupational health and safety (OH&S) legislation the Department of Education and Training is required to consult with employees regarding risk assessment.

DET consulted with Federation regarding these documents. No agreement was reached in relation to the specific nature of the documents but a significant number of improvements were made. DET did, however, agree to the union's request for members to be consulted in relation to these documents during term 3 and that there would be further discussion of the outcomes of the process during term 4 to allow for implementation in 2004. This is in line with OH&S requirements.

The memorandum listing equipment prohibited in schools may well cause some concern for members, particularly industrial arts teachers. Some items of plant are to be prohibited immediately, while others are to be retained for teacher use and Vocational Education Training Program courses only until the end of 2003. There may need to be some adjustments made to class programs in line with this advice.

Where members have concerns about prohibited items they should outline the issues to DET's Equipment in Schools Committee by fax (02) 9561 8438 with a copy to Federation. If items are prohibited now, members must comply with the prohibition.

The equipment used in technical and applied studies industrial arts faculties has been the focus of consultation, possibly due to DET being prosecuted by WorkCover. From the outset, Federation argued that it is the employer's responsibility to conduct risk assessments on each item of equipment. With common items of equipment and machinery used in all schools across the state it would not be appropriate for individual teachers to conduct risk assessments. Federation was concerned about the considerable workload involved as well as the fact that individual teachers are not necessarily trained or qualified to conduct such assessments.

DET agreed to conduct what it describes as generic risk assessments and used a machinery expert to conduct the assessments. DET, as the employer, has the right and responsibility to make risk assessments. However, it was acknowledged that although safety consultants external to DET have been used because of the special nature of the learning environment in schools, there would be ongoing consultation with practising industrial arts teachers nominated by Federation.

Industrial arts teachers are likely to have many differing opinions about the recommendations made in the generic assessment advice provided in Appendix A of the "Equipment Safety in Schools" consultation package.

At present, members will be using certain items of machinery with groups of students other than those recommended in the advice. DET usage controls may well lead to a significant change to teaching programs and maybe even projects which can be completed by students.

Safe use and guarding of plant in schools

WorkCover has issued a significant number of improvement notices in this area and has taken action against a teacher. As a result DET issued a memorandum to schools in January without any consultation with Federation. The initial memo raised a number of concerns. It placed unreasonable demands on teachers and dealt inadequately with the matter of supervision.

As a result of Federation's intervention a revised memorandum has been produced and sent to schools. The question and answer appendix to the revised memo provides a much more realistic approach to the complex issue of supervision. Federation has not however, endorsed it.

Ken Ford is a Relief Officer.

What can I do if I don't agree with the DET advice?

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August 2003 contents