Steps to safety

The
Catholic Weekly
Online

Sydney
1 February 2004

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Steps to safety

Catholic primary schools in the archdiocese of Sydney are taking steps – literally – in the constant battle to reduce classroom accidents, which will hopefully translate into lower premiums for workers’ compensation.

The Return-to-Work co-ordinator for the Sydney Catholic Education Office, Shellee Porter, says 750 special safety steps have been purchased for use in Kindergarten, Years 1 and 2 classrooms in 2004.

“The infants area has been targeted because in these classrooms, teachers commonly hang students’ work on the walls or suspended from the ceiling,” she said. “Safety steps will eliminate the need for teachers to stand on chairs and tables, with the risk that they may fall and injure themselves.

“Each year we have a number of falls resulting in broken wrists and ribs which can become quite costly.”

Shellee said workers’ compensation is one of the costs. Students also lose out when their regular teacher is forced to take leave and is replaced by a casual staff member.

“By reducing the number of falls, we hope to be able to also reduce the (workers’ compensation) premiums,” she added.