DET trying to pass the buck on OH&S

Two documents reveal the truth about the new DET culture, writes JENNIFER LEETE.

The Department of Education and Training (DET) and the Government continues down the path of handing down its systemic responsibilities as employer onto the shoulders of principals in schools.

Two documents recently distributed by DET provide further evidence of the DET's strategy to shift the blame for the DET's failures in OH&S.

The first document is "OH&S Self Assessment Tool for Schools". While it is said that this document is not mandatory it is stated that "auditors of the Audit Directorate checking OH&S compliance by randomly selecting a limited part of the self-assessment tool [the document]" will use it. There is also a reference to the possibility of a scoring system added to the "tool" sometime in the future. The 24 pages which follow include checklists about training, documents or resources which should be available for access in the school, items to demonstrate risk management compliance, hazard identification, incident investigation, signs and posters, consultative arrangements, evidence of monitoring and reviewing risk management systems, plant and equipment including evidence of induction of staff on its use, maintenance and repairs, regular inspection of fire extinguishers, inspection of electrical equipment, safe use of chemicals, emergency preparedness, personal protective equipment, records of safety instructions, emergency evacuation procedures, first aid and register of injuries.

There is no reference in the document to the provision of resources to assist schools in meeting these requirements. Many of the physical facilities in schools are only able to be managed by principals to the extent that they have the funds available to fix them when required and the expertise to recognise that this is necessary. All this goes beyond the role of the principal and is a draconian imposition.

The second document is a so-called Question and Answer (Q&A) about "New OH&S arrangements in Schools". This document is supposedly designed to allay principal's concerns about the use of the phrase "Principals to become the delegated employer for OH&S" in the Minister's unilateral announcement of June 30. In fact the document exacerbates concerns because it reveals DET's plan to devolve responsibility by policy decree -- (even getting time to find the policy on the intranet and read it will be a challenge in a busy principal's day). Simply by issuing policy documents and saying "you are responsible", DET will devolve the blame to principals for those inevitable occasions when things go wrong.

The document contains implied threats. It tells principals they will be okay as long as DET management systems and procedures are followed. However, in two places the document states: "Principals remain exposed to prosecution for breaches determined as serious misconduct or criminal negligence." While the document includes the question: "In precise terms, what additional support will be available to assist principals?" the answer is anything but precise.

The document makes explicit that "principals are accountable for safety within their schools". This is a huge and unrealistic burden when so many of the potential physical and psychological hazards in schools are beyond the control of the principal.

Federation is working with principal members and principals' professional organisations to ensure there is a strategy and plan to support and protect principals and other teachers in this context. There is no doubt that this will need to include action to "shut down" hazardous facilities, areas, classrooms or even whole schools and to immediately suspend students who pose a risk to others.

These two documents reveal the truth about the new DET culture. It's all about passing the buck through "blame", "accountability", "responsibility" and "compliance".

Jennifer Leete is the Deputy President.

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August 2004 contents