Workplace Health & Safety - Brisbane Adventist College

Workplace Health & Safety is the responsibility of EVERYONE

Purpose

In accordance with our Christian philosophy of caring for others and to meet our Duty of Care obligations under the related Acts, particularly the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 and the Child Welfare and Safety Act 2005, BAC is committed to fostering a “culture of safety” within its community to ensure the physical and emotional safety of students, parents, staff and visitors. This will include their time at the College; going to and from the College; and away from the College on College business. The purpose of this policy is to define the framework for carrying out Risk Management at BAC.

Scope

This Safety Management System covers all risks impacting on Occupational Health & Safety at BAC at both the strategic and management levels and includes specific areas of assessment in line with guidelines issued by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland.

Brisbane Adventist College will:

Ensure that hazards are identified, risks assessed, control measures are implemented then monitored and reviewed for effectiveness.
Provide and maintain a safe and healthy work environment.
Prevent or reduce exposure to excessive noise.
Ensure that plant and equipment is well maintained and safe for use.
Ensure that electrical risks are identified and controlled.
Identify and control all risk arising from the use, handling and storage of hazardous substances.
Ensure control measures are in place to prevent or minimise musculoskeletal disorders caused by manual tasks, sporting activities and posture.
Provide or make available the necessary information, instruction, training and supervision to ensure health and safety.

Objectives

The objectives of this Safety Management System are:

to ensure that all BAC stakeholders undertake a systematic approach to the identification and management of risks at both the strategic and management levels;
to ensure risks are managed in a way that is consistent with the BAC Purpose statements.
to ensure that the management of risk is part of the safety culture of BAC.
to work in close contact with the Compliance Manager of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (SQ) Ltd to achieve the best outcomes for OH&S at BAC.

Risk Assessment Items.	BAC will give consideration to but not limited to the following items.
1. Hazard identification, risk assessment and control	Implement a plan to keep and maintain records of maintenance and inspection schedules. Allocate responsibility and accountability for identification, assessment and control; Have an assessment methodology with appropriate forms to assist with effective incident reporting, investigation, corrective and preventative action procedures. Assign control priorities, and when controls have been implemented, keep records of effectiveness of controls and monitor and review. Ensure satisfaction of legal requirements to undertake specific activities, perform work or operate equipment including any license, certificate of competency, notification, registration and/or approval; Control risks related to the contracting and subcontracting of plant, equipment, services and labour; Identification of potential health and safety hazards, assess the potential risks and determine appropriate risk control strategies before supplying a service or conducting an activity. Controls risks related to purchasing of goods and services. Identify potential emergency situations and develop emergency procedures for preventing and mitigating the associated illness and injury.
2. Work environment	Risks related to design of the workplace, work processes, materials, plant and equipment; Specific risks such as confined spaces, excavations, fall risks, falling objects; exposure to ultra-violet radiation from sunlight, fatigue, and occupational violence. Work-related psychosocial issues such as harassment and stress and Eating areas, drinking water, toilets, washing facilities, first aid, cleanliness, freedom from obstruction or protrusions, ventilation and lighting.
3. Noise	Work locations where a raised voice is needed to talk to someone one metre away; Work locations where workers notice a reduction in hearing during or after work; Work locations associated with ringing in the ears, blurred hearing or the same sound having a different tone in each ear; Exposure of long term employees who are hard of hearing; Signs indicating hearing protection areas; Noisy equipment; Selection, maintenance and replacement of hearing protectors; Elimination, engineering and administrative controls; Noise assessment.
4. Plant	Primary consideration is the actual condition of the plant. Further evidence that indicates that inspection, maintenance, testing, repair and replacement of plant ensures its safety should be sought e.g. inspection records, daily pre-start checks, maintenance records, test reports, records of repair and evidence that plant is fit for purpose. Consideration should include control devices such as start/stop switches and lock out devices, guarding, alarm systems, release of substances, noise, lighting, and hot or cold plant.
5. Electrical	Risks involving a person coming into direct contact with an electrical part; Testing and tagging; Residual current devices - provision and testing; Documentation of electrical and electronic components within machinery and plant; Prohibition of unsafe electrical practices at the workplace such as repairs being carried out by unlicensed persons or in an unsafe manner (such as unnecessary live work).
6. Hazardous substances	Safe use, handling, storage and transport of substances; Assessment of the risk to health and safety from hazardous substances; Control or prevention of exposure to hazardous substances; Work instructions for the safe handling, transfer and transport of hazardous substances and dangerous goods; Accessibility of health and safety information on all hazardous substances and dangerous goods at the point of use; Identification of contents of containers and transfer systems; and Specific legislated requirements for the health monitoring of employees exposed to hazardous substances.
7. Manual task	Manual lifting, heavy objects, repetitive movements, awkward postures, young workers, uneven surfaces, work flow etc; Problem tasks and work processes; Design, purchase and maintenance of plant, tools, containers, workbenches, furniture, mechanical devices and vehicles.
8. Information, instruction, training and supervisio	Training needs of the organization such as fire safety and first aid. Competence of workers to perform assigned tasks taking into account hazards associated with work activities, Knowledge, skills and experience of trainers, Management training in relation to OHS responsibilities, Training of employee representatives, Training in hazard identification, risk assessment and control, Specific training such as manual tasks, hazardous substances and electrical, Training in emergency procedures such as lock down and evacuation, and Induction of workers, contractors and visitors. That staff students and visitors are supervised according to their capabilities and the degree of risk of the task.

Hazard Reporting and Risk Investigation

We appreciate the support of staff, students, parents, and visitors to identify hazards around the College.

If you notice a hazard with the potential to cause harm please notify us immediately. Forms are available at the Administration Reception.

Emergency Evacuation Procedure

Definition: The development of a potentially dangerous situation making it unsafe for staff, students, & visitors to stay in one or more buildings will deem it necessary to activate an emergency evacuation of the Primary Campus, the Secondary Campus, the Student Centre or any combination of these areas and their associated administration areas.

Signal: The “Evacuation” warning bell will be activated at the directive of the Principal, BAC Fire Warden or a member of emergency services. In the absence of the Principal “Chain of Command” should be followed to Deputy Principal, and Assistant Deputy Principal.

Assembly Points: In most cases the Assembly Points will be:

Secondary Campus: Field 1 – as far as practicable away from any danger.
Student Centre: Field 1 Secondary Students Field 2 Primary Students – as far as practicable away from any danger.
Primary/ELC: Field 2 - as far as practicable away from any danger.

Response: Response to the warning bells will be determined by location and time.

Before and After School

During ‘before and after’ school hours the OSHC leaders should evacuate children in their care in the nearest assembly point and advise the Admin reception as soon as possible of their location.

All other staff should assist mustering arriving/departing student away from possible danger.

Buses approaching the College will be advised not to set down and directed to a holding area away from any danger until it is safe to disembark.

Lunch and Recess Times

If an “Emergency Evacuation” warning is given at lunch or recess times, all teachers and students should go immediately to their respective assembly points. Teachers should be attentive to the needs of the students in their charge and alert to the possible dangers.

Class Time

All classrooms are to be immediately evacuated to the designated assembly point. Any class rolls in a teacher’s possession should be taken to the assembly point.

In the case of a fire in the immediate proximity – remain calm – keep low – move to the nearest exit. If possible close any doors and windows, but your priority is to evacuate safely and as quickly as possible to your designated assembly point.

Campus Specific

Primary Campus

Primary staff, students and visitors should make their way to Field 2 via the quickest route as per the evacuation map and starting with prep at the stairs line up in ascending class groups towards the east. ELC should assemble on the most easterly side of Field 2.
Attention should be given to be far enough down onto the field to be away from the danger and to maintain an obstruction free route especially at the foot of the stairs.
If a teacher has a roll in their possession they should proceed to mark the roll. Students should remain standing until their name is called and then sit down. Admin staff will deliver roll books to class teachers if they have already been returned to the office.
Once all students are seated and accounted for the Deputy Principal will collect all rolls and will confirm with the class teacher that all students are accounted for.
The Principal, Deputy Principal or BAC Fire Warden will advise when the danger has passed or will provide further direction.

Areas of Responsibility

Principal	Call emergency services. Authorise all actions. Give further direction as required.
Deputy Principal	Activate/Deactivate alarms. Collect completed rolls and confirm all students are accounted for. Give further direction as required.
Assistant Deputy Principal	Ensure ancillary staff comply with evacuation.
Receptionist	Deliver Rolls to assembly points

Student Centre

Staff, students and visitors should make their way to Field 2 via the quickest route as per the evacuation map and gather in their respective groups near the centre of the field.
Attention should be given to be far enough onto the field to be away from the danger.
If a teacher has a roll in their possession they should proceed to mark the roll. Students should remain standing until their name is called and then sit down. Admin staff will deliver roll books to class teachers if they have already been returned to the office. If a roll is not provided the teacher responsible will note on a piece of paper all students in their care.
Private music teachers should stay with the student in their care. If it happens to be a multi-campus evacuation the private music teacher will take the student in their care to the student’s normal class group.
Once all students are seated and accounted for the Deputy Principal will collect all rolls and will confirm with the class teacher that all students are accounted for.
The Principal, Deputy Principal or BAC Fire Warden will advise when the danger has passed or will provide further direction.

Secondary Campus

Secondary staff, students and visitors should make their way to Field 1 via the quickest route as per the evacuation map. Students should line up with their Form Teachers in descending order from Year 12 on the tennis court side.
Attention should be given to be far enough down onto the field to be away from the danger.
If a teacher has a roll in their possession they should proceed to mark the roll. Students should remain standing until their name is called and then sit down. Admin staff will deliver roll books to class teachers if they have already been returned to the office.
Once all students are seated and accounted for the Deputy Principal will collect all rolls and will confirm with the class teacher that all students are accounted for.
The Principal, Deputy Principal or BAC Fire Warden will advise when the danger has passed or will provide further direction.

Areas of Responsibility

Deputy Principal	Call emergency services. Activate/Deactivate alarm. Collect completed rolls and confirm all students are accounted for. Give further direction as required.
Assistant Deputy Principal	Check sick bay and visitors lounge.
Receptionist	Take rolls to assembly point.
Careers Advisor	Evacuate Year 12 Common Room.
Chaplains	Ensure canteen & ABC staff comply with evacuation.
Year Coordinators	Ensure all areas are evacuated.
Form Teachers	Hurry to assembly point and take charge of students. Be attentive to the needs of the students. Be alert to the possible dangers.

Drills: “Emergency Evacuation” drill must be performed at least twice a year.

System Test: On a regular basis at least 4 times a year the Deputy Principal will conduct the following test.

PA “The following alarm is a test only. Evacuation Alarm”
Activate Evacuation Alarm for 10 seconds.
PA “The following alarm is a test only. Lock Down Alarm”
Activate Lock Down Alarm for 10 seconds.

Emergency “Lock Down” Procedure

Definition: The development of a potentially dangerous situation in an outside location (College Grounds or immediate neighbourhood) or an isolated indoors area where it is considered to be safer for staff and students to remain inside initiates “Lock Down”.

Signal: The “Lock Down” warning bell will be activated at the directive of the Principal or a member of a law enforcing agency. In the absence of the Principal “Chain of Command” should be followed to Deputy Principal, and Assistant Deputy Principal.

(Primary Campus warning system is to be upgraded. In the interim the warning will be continuous – intermittent ringing – at least 20 x 3 second rings for 40 – 60 seconds)

Response: Response to the warning bells will be determined by location and time.

Before and After School	During ‘before and after’ school hours the OSHC leaders should secure children in their care in the nearest available classroom and advise the Admin reception as soon as possible of their location. All other teachers must return to their classrooms and encourage other parents and students into their rooms and secure all doors and windows. Buses approaching the College will be advised not to set down and directed to a holding area until “situation all clear” is received.
Lunch and Recess Times	If a “Lock Down” warning is given at lunch or recess times, all teachers and students should go immediately to their form classrooms unless otherwise directed. Teachers should be attentive to the needs of the students in their charge and alert to the possible dangers. All support staff should rally to the assistance of the teachers to ensure stray students are safe and secure. Students visiting Music Rooms, the Library, the tuckshop, the office or any other location where a prescribed activity is in progress should be retained by the staff responsible for that location and the location secured. The students form teacher should then be notified.
Class Time	All classrooms are to be immediately secured. Doors and Windows. Teachers are to note the names of all students in their care. Students visiting Music Rooms, the Library, the tuckshop, the office or any other location where a prescribed activity is in progress should be retained by the staff responsible for that location and the location secured. The student’s form teacher should then be notified.
Outdoor Education	During outdoor education lessons the teacher is to assess the situation and return students to their form classes if possible. If this is not possible they should be secured in the nearest room possible and the form teacher and receptionist notified.
Support Areas	No one is exempt from a “Lock Down”. When the warning is sounded all support areas including Administration, Tuckshops, Libraries, Maintenance Department, and Music Rooms will lock doors, windows and shutter. Secure all personnel and students in the immediate vicinity, and notify form teachers and reception of who are in their care.

Password: All facilities are to remain in “Lock Down” mode until the all clear is given by the Principal or a member of a law enforcing agency. In the absence of the Principal “Chain of Command” should be followed to Deputy Principal, and Assistant Deputy Principal. These people may direct other staff members to give the all clear, but the password must be used at all times. The Principal must choose a Password (eg Bulimba) at the commencement of each school year and make the staff aware of it.

The password must be recorded and kept in the safe.

The password must be changed each calendar year or after each event.

3 Tips

Say a prayer
Stay calm and reassure others
Let common sense prevail.

Drills: Emergency “Lock Down” drill must be performed at least twice a year.


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