Violence audit speaks volumes

By Joan Lemaire

Thank you to all of the schools and colleges who participated in the violence audit during August.

The volume of reports received provides evidence that the Department of Education and Training (DET) has failed to establish a risk management approach to violence against teachers as required by the OH&S Regulation 2001.

The process of analysing and assessing the violent incident reports has commenced. The data and analysis will not be used to follow up individual issues for schools, but will be used in negotiations with the Minister, DET and WorkCover.

Federation will prepare recommendations on an appropriate system to ensure DET identifies, records, assesses and controls the risks associated with violence against teachers. The evidence provided by the violent incident reports may point to a need for training, information sharing, additional staffing and other resources.

Federation will also consider the outcomes of the violence audit in terms of a range of legal strategies, including prosecuting DET or lodging disputes around occupational health and safety (OH&S) issues.

While this work on a systemic approach is being undertaken, schools are encouraged to continue to take appropriate action to ensure they are provided with appropriate information, resources and support. Many schools have achieved additional support with aides and resources by taking collective action to make DET take its OH&S obligations seriously.

Federation's Council meeting in September authorised members to take action, including stopwork meetings, in consultation with their Organiser, in cases where DET has failed to take appropriate action in response to incidents of violence against teachers and identified hazards in relation to violence against teachers.

Federation's campaign to protect teachers from workplace violence will continue and updates on the progress of negotiations and legal strategies will be monitored by Council and reported to members.

Joan Lemaire is an Industrial Officer.

For further information

September 2003 contents