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Phillip Crisp and Eva Crisp EcoSolve Australia

Risk assessment of science experiments: • the Law • the Logic, and • the Australian Curriculum. Phillip Crisp and Eva Crisp EcoSolve Australia. THE LAW Work Health & Safety Act.

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Phillip Crisp and Eva Crisp EcoSolve Australia

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  1. Risk assessment of science experiments: • the Law • the Logic, and • the Australian Curriculum Phillip Crisp and Eva Crisp EcoSolve Australia

  2. THE LAWWork Health & Safety Act . . . a duty . . . to eliminate/minimise risks to health and safety as far as is reasonably practicable. . . . taking into account and weighing upall relevant matters including:(a) the likelihood of the hazard or the risk concerned occurring; and(b) the degree of harm that might result from the hazard or the risk. . . . Part 2, Sections 17 and 18

  3. all relevant matters includes • facilities available • behaviour of the class • students with special needs • students with allergies, etc (NOT book “risk assessment”, tick sheet, etc) likelihood degree of harm consideration requires proper risk assessment using a risk matrix e.g. Aust/ISO Standard on Risk Management

  4. You should: • identify • assess • control risks Before: Establish the context After: Monitor and review Always: Consult and communicate

  5. Risk identification • history of “accidents” and “near-accidents” at schoolat similar schools • brainstorming, preferably with colleagues • checklists of possible risks

  6. Risk assessment To assess the severity of a risk, you need to consider: • the consequences of the event, and • the chance that it will occur (likelihood) AU ISO 31000:2009 “Risk management” HB 436:2013 “Risk management guidelines”

  7. Risk matrix Code Consequences Minor Severe OK= acceptable risk x Likely Unlikely ? Likelihood ?= doubtful CONSIDER THE OPTIONS ?? OK x= unacceptable risk DON’T DO IT! Risk matrices used in schools are 3 x 3 to 5 x 5

  8. Risk control Hierarchy of options: elimination substitution isolation engineering administration personal protective equipment

  9. Advantages of risk assessments • reduced frequency of injuries to students to school staff • reduced costs for paperwork, litigation and payouts • compliance with the law (c.f. industry) • helps maintain variety of chemicals and equipment • compliance with the Australian Curriculum

  10. Advantages of a formalised system • proper consideration of risks and control measures • standardisation • storage of records for legal purposes • communication between teachers, laboratory technicians and students • useful for new/inexperienced staff • limits spur-of-the-moment experiments • learning experiences for students

  11. RiskAssess “Student RiskAssess” “RiskAssess” for Staff for Students Started 2013to meetAust Curriculum (>100 schools) Started 2008 (>900 schools)

  12. Safety requirements in the Australian Curriculum for Science Years 4-12Students to take increasingly active role in consideration of risk and safety Years 9 &10“Assess risk” (Content description)“identify potential hazards of chemicals and biological materials . . .” (Elaboration) Years 11 & 12“Conducting risk assessments (Inquiry skill)

  13. Student RiskAssess is a • fun • interesting • instructive way to meet the safety requirementsof the Australian Curriculum

  14. Student RiskAssess • web-based risk assessment tool • tailored to the school situation • customised for students • provides electronic templates (AU/ISO) database information on risks (chemical, equipment, biological) equipment ordering lab scheduling • easy for teachers, especially RA users

  15. Logic • separate sections for student, teacher and laboratory technician • initial assessment of inherent riskif low, go to end of form if medium or more, record control measuresif high or extreme, third reviewer required • cross-checking by teacher/labtech/reviewer • scheduling and ordering system to save time • inexpensive ($160 + GST per campus per year)

  16. Details • access from school/home • nothing to install on computer (instant update) • unlimited number of simultaneous users and risk assessments (virtually) • minimal data entry • complements MSDS/SDS • continuing input from science staff • multiple backups of data & backup server • support and advice

  17. Electronic devices • computers • laptops • iPads (and other tablets) • smart phones (iPhones, Android, etc) Digital technologies* are emphasised in Science Inquiry Skills, Years 7-10 *technology systems that handle digital data including hardware and software for specific purposes

  18. Summary of benefits • safer laboratories • better communication • meets legal/curriculum requirements • reduced costs • student engagement • uses newest digital technologies • life skills training for students • happy teachers, lab techs and students!

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