Occupational Health Safety & Welfare

The Draft AISSA OHS&W policies have been prepared for consideration by Independent schools. For some topics, two draft policies have been provided.

It is not necessary for OHS&W policies to be adopted in all areas covered by the AISSA draft policies; it is a matter for each school to determine having regard to the strategic approach adopted at the school.

Before adopting new policies, member schools are strongly advised to consider the DECS OHS&W policies - available at www.decs.sa.gov.au/ohsw

When reviewing OHS&W policies, member schools are advised to:

1. Compare the proposed policy with the OHS&W Act and Regulations to
   • ensure no provisions in the policy are inferior to the OHS&W Act and Regulations; and
   • identify if the policy would impose greater obligations on the school.
2. Consider whether the proposed policy contains procedural matters that may more appropriately be in other documents.
3. Consider whether the policy would improve OHS&W at the school i.e. if the policy is a re-statement of current legal obligations, is it beneficial?

Whilst policies are an important aspect of OHS&W, it is important that time spent on policy formulation does not inhibit the identification, assessment and treatment of risks.