Keeping school pools open over summer
November 2016
School pools don’t have to close over summer. The intention of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 is not to curtail the use of school pools or to stop schools from keeping their pools open over summer.
Keeping a school pool open or available outside of core school hours is a decision for the board of trustees. A key point of the legislation is that health and safety is everybody’s responsibility and that the focus needs to be managing the risk and not the liability. Schools have a duty to all ‘others’ in the workplace and this includes people using school pools inside and outside of normal school hours. Any visitors to your workplace also have a duty to look after their own health and safety.
The key is being able to show that your school has taken all reasonable steps. Go to more information on swimming pools and health and safety .
Go to swimming pool in schools for information about managing and running a school pool.
Health and safety waivers
October 2016
We’ve updated EOTC sample form 15 Agreement between school and provider to support schools that may have been asked to sign a liability waiver by a provider. Signing a liability waiver does not absolve a provider of their health and safety duties, including any liability in the event of an incident or near miss under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
The Act clearly states no organisation (including schools, camp providers, government agencies etc) can contract out of its legal responsibilities and asking for waivers which have an unclear purpose or the effect is not appropriate.
We expect all organisations that provide services to the education sector to be responsible and compliant with regard to their own obligations and to work collaboratively where these overlap or are shared. In short where there are overlapping responsibilities this means all groups need to work together – cooperate, coordinate and consult.
Science code of practice video
October 2016
In preparation for the soon to be released guidelines on the Code of Practice for Exempt School Laboratories, the New Zealand Association of Science Educators has produced a short film about the Code. View here. Please share this with your science departments.
Hazardous substances
October 2016
Schools, and particularly their science and physics departments are reminded that they must abide by the Code of Practice for Exempt School Laboratories and must not store or hold prohibited substances.
If a school has a banned substance they can contact their local Council for advice around removal and destruction.
Waiving of duties/obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
September 2016
The Auckland Primary Principals Association has approached the Ministry with concerns about their members being requested to sign waivers when contracting services.
The Health and Safety at Work Act clearly states no organisation (including schools, camp providers, government agencies etc) can contract out of its legal responsibilities, and asking for waivers which have an unclear purpose or effect is not appropriate.
The Ministry of Education expects all organisations which provide services to the education sector to be responsible and compliant with regard to their own obligations and to work collaboratively where these overlap or are shared. In short where there are overlapping responsibilities all groups need to work together – co-operate, co-ordinate and consult.
We continue to work with the Auckland Primary Principals Association and will update you further through the Bulletin.
An update on the development of the refreshed Safety in Technology: A Guidance Manual for Schools
June 2016
The Health and Safety at Work Act is now in force and has created much discussion in schools over the last year.
The New Zealand Association of Science Educators (NZASE) is holding workshops throughout the country over term three. The aim of the workshops is to provide an overview of the key parts of the Act that impact on schools, particularly in the science and technology learning areas. Here you can find more information on dates and locations .
Safety in Technology: A Guidance Manual for Schools.
The New Zealand Association of Science Educators has been contracted by the Ministry of Education to review and update both the Safety in Technology: A Guidance Manual for Schools and the Science Code of Practice. Colin North from NZASE is producing this update in full consultation with a range of technology associations’ representatives.
Colin is in the reviewing stage of this resource following input from the Technology sector and is expecting to send a refreshed copy back to MoE for review by the end of August.
NZASE has been working closely with both Ministry of Education and MBIE to plan for the new regulations and support teachers during their implementation. Workshops are planned following publication of the refreshed Manual – these will be advised via the Ministry’s school Leader’s Bulletin.
The draft Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2016 were up for consultation until February 2016. The regulations are now being written by Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. These are unlikely to be completed in the near future so NZASE are refreshing the Safety in Technology: A Guidance Manual for Schools using the new Health and Safety at Work Act and draft Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2016. When the regulations are published the Manual will be reviewed and amended as necessary.
WorkSafe releases interpretative guidelines on worker representation
June 2016
WorkSafe New Zealand has published guidelines that explain the requirements for worker representation under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and the Health and Safety at Work (Worker Engagement, Participation, and Representation) Regulations 2016 .
The guidelines have two parts. Part A covers Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) and Part B covers Health and Safety Committees (HSCs). They should be read in conjunction with the Act and the Regulations.
The guidelines include links to the relevant clauses and sections (and page numbers for people reading a PDF version of the legislation).
Here you can read the guidelines .
New health and safety guidance
31 March 2016
WorkSafe releases new guidance
WorkSafe New Zealand has released a suite of guidance to help you understand the new health and safety legislation and stay healthy and safe at work. There is more guidance to come, so keep checking WorkSafe’s website for the latest information.
Practical guide for school leaders now available
The health and safety practical guide for school leaders and board chairs is now available. Find out more about the practical guide .
The guide provides useful information to help schools develop their health and safety plans, and complements the Ministry of Education’s already published factsheets .
It includes clear explanations of the requirements, example policies, procedures and checklists.
Guide for early learning organisations coming soon
The draft health and safety guide for early learning organisations is being reviewed by WorkSafe New Zealand. We hope to publish it on the factsheet page in the coming weeks.