meeting OH&S standards

I took Michael Shorter OH&S auditor around the school this morning. He's a tall guy in a smart suit & shiny shoes. He recently audited all the catholic schools in the state. He's familiar with all the non-gov schools. Nice guy. Basically common sense and Australian Standards cover everything. Said Tarama had some issues with play equipment - suspension points where kids necks get stuck. Ouch.

In the interest of a shared brain I'll list all the issues we discussed.

Keep in mind this is the guy who would audit us.

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All compliance to Australian Standards in building.

Steps - ornamental stones steps or sleepers (he mentioned a  hand rail, i think as a  req.). Sleepers can get very slippery in the cold/wet. Cover in chicken wire? Building code requires a particular ratio of step height/depth.

Fencing - he said there is no requirement however he would be concerned about the possibility of kids wandering into the bush! He "recommends" a fence between the council road and the school to "keep them in".

Windows - Safety glass (a cheeper alternative is some kind of coating to existent glass). All glass below 1 meter and any glass in doors or within 300 ml either side of a door. (This means all the low windows in the octagon, the windows in the mezzanine, the rear door, and either side of it. Possibly the kitchen and the library, tho he thinks the kitchen already has it.)

Hand Rails - narrow enough that kids cant get their heads stuck between the palings (who would do a thing like that?) he'll send a info sheet to us. Check building codes.

Decking - Obvious stuff like smooth surface, watch the gaps where hands/fingers can get stuck/broken.

Stone walls - demonstrate they're secure. Something like chicken wire - in my opinion a mesh that we can grow stuff up would be good. Note: Kids will climb. 

Paved areas - must be level, smooth, no sharp edges.

Toilets - must be hygienic and provide sanitary disposal for staff.

Kitchen - a mater switch for the stove or a plate to completely cover it safely. If re-wiring consider an isolation switch where all gas/power can be shut off in an emergency. Cage for gas bottles.

Electrical - just replace all light fittings. Old fluorescents can leak a brownish carcinogen. recommend replacing old fuse board with modern switches. Check all wiring incl. octagon. All portable devices must be tested and tagged.

Play areas, garden. - Check AS4685 series and specify compliance on any purchase orders. Rocks removed from play areas. If using wood and sleepers for garden beds and steps all bolts &c. must be countersunk

To do:

I would suggest spending a bit of time making an action plan for each area and then getting budgets organised.

"L" Pres.