Department-wide
This procedure provides responsibilities of departmental staff in identifying and managing risks related to manual tasks when assisting students with physical impairments and tools to document decision making at a workplace level.
This procedure interprets the Manual Tasks involving the Handling of People Code of Practice 2001 (People Handling Code of Practice) and addresses risks related to these manual tasks. This procedure does not address issues related to managing aggression or physical restraint.
A ‘minimum lift’ approach is to be adopted at all Department of Education (department) schools. This prohibits the manual handling of all or most of a student’s weight without assistance; for example mechanical aids, assistive devices. Alternative strategies are to be implemented if the student isn't able to support most of their own weight.
Term
Definition
Hazardous manual tasks
Many manual tasks related to assisting students are hazardous manual tasks. A hazardous manual task is a manual task involving any of the following:
Induction, information, instruction and training
Induction and/or refresher training includes:
Manual tasks related to assisting students
This procedure refers to any workplace activity where a student is physically moved, supported or assisted. Specifically, these manual tasks refer to workplace activities requiring the use of force by a person to hold, support, transfer (lift, lower, carry, push, pull, slide) or restrain another person. Students who may require this type of assistance range from a student who has a minor injury (e.g. a sprained ankle) to a student who has a severe physical impairment.
Principals and Managers
A person who has the authority for the management of a departmental workplace, e.g. school principals, and the responsibility for, and decision making authority at, a workplace for a range of issues, such as supervision of staff, budget expenditure, facilities management.
Others
A person other than an employee or contractor as defined as a worker under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld), including:
Restrain and restraint
The Manual Tasks involving the Handling of People Code of Practice 2001 defines 'restraint' in the context of supporting or restricting movement 'needed as an adjunct to a people handling activity such as when transferring or assisting a [student]. It does not refer to handling aggression, where aggression is the major hazard'.
Previous seven years shown. Minor version updates not included.
2.0 HLS-PR-010: Manual handling of students
3.0 Manual tasks – Assisting students with physical impairments
4.0 Manual tasks – Assisting students with physical impairments
Organisational Safety and Wellbeing Unit Email: HSW@qed.qld.gov.au
Uncontrolled copy. Refer to the Department of Education Policy and Procedure Register to ensure you have the most current version of this document.
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