DET silent on industrial arts safety

By Joan Lemaire

The Department of Education and Training (DET) has failed to provide any response to Federation concerning equipment and workshop safety issues in industrial arts despite the matters being raised at a number of meetings and in correspondence.

Federation has pursued concerns raised by the Technology and Applied Studies, Industrial Arts Special Interest Group about materials produced by the DET which provide confusing and/or ambiguous advice. This includes the fact there has been no formal advice to schools about the outcomes of the consultation on risk assessments contained in the "Blue Book" (Equipment Safety in Schools Interim Advice, July 2003), other than a revision of advice on some prohibited equipment.

The union called on DET to "provide formal advice to schools which indicates the outcomes of the consultation which took place in 2003 and makes clear Department policy, procedures and how these interrelate with the CD-ROM 'Improving Workshop Safety in Schools'". The Department was also asked to respond to concerns raised by industrial arts teachers about the disclaimer for the CD: "The Data has been formulated with care but the State of NSW does not warrant or represent that the Data is free from errors or omissions or that it is exhaustive, or that reliance on it will necessarily amount to compliance with all occupational health and safety or other legislation. The Data is made available on the condition that the State of NSW and its employees and agents shall have no liability (including but not limited to liability by reason of negligence) to the users for any loss or damage arising from use or reliance on the Data."

It is unclear what weight teachers should give this advice. The interactive section of the CD has a number of problems including ambiguity in the advice provided. There was no training to assist teachers in the use of the CD and how it relates to other Department materials including the rest of prohibited items in the "Blue Book".

Federation pointed out that there have been a number of occupational health and safety (OH&S) prosecutions conducted against the Department by WorkCover in relation to injuries which have occurred in industrial arts rooms.

It would seem prudent that the Department meet its obligation under section 8 (1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act to "provide such information, instruction, training and supervision as may be necessary to ensure employees' health and safety at work" by providing the advice and training requested by Federation.

DET's Occupational Health and Safety policy indicates that the Director-General has given the senior Executive Service Officers responsibility for implementation of the policy and objectives but failed to list these officers under the heading "Contact Person". Federation has directed its correspondence to the General Manager for Industrial Relations and Employment Services and the Acting General Manager Asset Management. No answers were provided to letters dated August 16 or May 29.

Federation urges affected members to write to their School Education Directors indicating that as employees they seek a response to these safety issues from the appropriate delegated officer in line with the Department's OH&S policy. Federation will prepare a pro forma letter for teachers to use.

Joan Lemaire is an Industrial Officer.

For further information

November 2006 contents