A Moving Experience
At this time of year staff in schools are regularly called upon to take on the role of removalists and often sustain injuries while shuffling furniture and resources between classrooms or offices in preparation for the new year. For teachers, education support staff and volunteers this is not a “normal” part of the role and needs to be planned and considered prior to any work of this type being undertaken.
While undertaking a risk assessment just to move some furniture can seem a little over the top, this is a necessary step to avoid injuries.
If you are a teacher, support staff or a volunteer being asked to move across the hall, move to a different building or relocate an office the first step should be to ensure “genuine consultation” occurs. Is the move necessary? Has a risk assessment been undertaken, if so, what does that assessment look like? Who undertook the assessment? Are they trained? Do you have any existing injury or illness that would be aggravated or exacerbated by lifting or carrying objects?
Too many staff are hurt, some seriously, as a result of a move which is not properly assessed or poorly planned. The result is the potential to suffer an injury which will affect work, family and your health. It is your right to take time to consider the request and as a result of responding to a request, you shall not be subject of recriminations or repercussions.
In accordance with the Workplace Health and Safety Act 2012 consultation is necessary to enable staff to respond and contribute to issues that directly affect them – before decisions are made. It is a two-way process where information and views are shared between staff and management. The Act also stipulates that it is the duty of workers to take “reasonable care of his or her own health and safety”.
Members should contact us if they have any concerns related to what they are being requested to do which sits outside of their normal duties. In the event an injury has already occurred at your workplace please contact us to discuss options available to assist you with the recovery.
