Maintain Healthy and Safe

Environment
Importance of Health and Child care-associated infections
Safety Guidelines and injury can have a
considerable impact on
children, caregivers and their
families. As children are more
prone to injury and illness,
practices such as proper
cleaning and sanitizing, are an
important part of daily routines
to keep children safe and
healthy and prevent the spread
of infections.
Importance of Health and Some of the reasons why children in
Safety Guidelines child care programs tend to get
infections are:
• Children play and interact with
many different children and are
introduces to new germs by:
 touching objects
 putting objects in their mouths
 touching other children
• Children have weaker immune
system and therefore are more
likely to get sick
• There are often children in diapers
who easily pass on diarrheal illness
to other children
• Children and caregivers may not
wash their hands properly and the
potentially contaminate surfaces,
objects and foods.
Informing About Child’s Effective communication helps
Health Needs families and educators to build a
trusting partnership and develop
honest and respectful relationships.
When families and staff have a
genuine interest in one another,
people are able to be open about
their thoughts and feelings.
When families communicate
effectively, this allows early childhood
educators to understand what is
happening at home or how they
would like their children’s behavior
managed in the service.
Duty of Care
Early childhood education and care services have a duty of care to
each child to ensure they are healthy and safe at all times. This
means that we have an obligation to support every child to
ensure they receive high standards of care.
•Some of the ways we can ensure this is to:
• Ensure that all children working with each child are aware of
their
• particular health needs
• Undertake specific training in health management
• Develop clear procedures for managing children’s health needs
and allergies
• Have open communication strategies in place

•Can we think of any other ways we are able to do this?

Ensuring a Child Safe Environment
• Having a child safe environment
• means:
– to also take into account the safety
and protection of the Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander children
– to also offer specialised
interventions and a higher level of
care for children with special needs
or disabilities
• To sum up, each child’s abilities and
needs should be carefully and
individually assessed in consultation
with family members.
Minimizing Risk for Children
• A risk is anything that can cause harm or loss to a child.
• In the context of creating safe environments for children, to
minimize risks means to identify and assess risks and to take
steps to prevent harm to children because of the action or
inaction of another person e.g. an employee, volunteer, or
another child.
Minimizing Risk for Children
• Strategies to minimize risk:
– need to be well-understood by everyone in organization
– need to take account of the increased level of risk
associated with the
• specific nature of some activities
– need to take account of the vulnerability of particular
groups e.g. the age and maturity level of children or if
working with children with special needs
Potential Hazards to Children
Subtitle
Furnishing
Young children love to hop and jump and therefore are vulnerable to falls,
bumps and bruises.
• Round the corners and edges of equipment such as cabinets, shelves and
tables to ½ radius
• Keep furniture in good repair and free of sharp edges, splinters and pink or
crush points.
• Use double sided tape so that area rugs lay flat and stay in place
• Bold cubbies and cabinets over 4’ in height to the wall using “L” shaped
brackets
• Store heavy objects on lower shelves. Teach children to sit at tables when
using small or pointed objects such as pencils or scissors.
Windows
Windows in any child care setting can be source of severe injury to
adventurous children.
• Ensure that low sliding windows open no more that 3 ½
• Be certain that windows which open out do not open into walkway or other
path
• Use tempered or laminated glass to avoid sharps if broken
• Keep drapery and blind cords out of children’s reach
• Use Perspex or plexiglass to protect low windows where it is not feasible to
replace them with tempered or laminated glass
• Protect glass in French doors with plexiglass or plywood or replace the
doors
Phones
Phones are a necessary distraction from the care of children
• Install phone connections in strategic locations
• Tape long extension cords along walls or under furnishing to prevent
tripping
• Consider using a cordless phone and taking the handset to areas
where supervision is required
Plants and other materials such as Toy, Medicine
Some common household plants can be poisonous if young children chew on or
eat their leaves. Philodedron, for instance, is highly toxic is swallowed and can
also cause skin irritation. Dieffenbachia or dumb cane and poinsettia can have
similar effects. A leaf of either plan can produce severe mouth pain and swelling of
the tongue
• Remove any hazardous or poisonous plants
• Store plant bulbs and seeds out of children’s reach. Hazardous Materials a wide
variety or materials can pose hazards to young children
• All medications must be
kept in a locked container

• Check labels to avoid

ingredients when purchasing
art materials
 • Supervise children closely to
ensure they don’t put paint,
brushes, crayons, pencils,
pens or playdough in their
mouths

• Ensure that any toxic

materials such as bleach or
cleaning products remain in
their original labelled
containers, well out of
children’s reach
• Provide safe storage for purses, tote or diaper bags which may contain
hazardous materials such as medications, skin preparations, nail polish,
cigarettes, matches, lighters, pen caps or jewellry
Risk Analysis of Toys and Equipment

• Toy safety means to ensure that

toys are safe for use by children.
• A child hazard that could arise
from playing with toys may often
not be due to faulty design; usage
and chance also result in
incidents.
• This is why toy manufacturers
often display information about
the intended age of children.
Risk Analysis of Toys and Equipment cont.
• Toy manufacturers are required to
run tests and risk assessments for
toys before making them available
in the market.
• It is important to be aware of the
most common risks and hazards
associated with toys.
• Ensure careful supervision when
children are using toys with small
parts or craft objects less that 1 1 ½
in diameter which could lodge in
their throats, noses or ears
5.6 Check toys and equipment are safe for children
and safe to use in their proposed area
Risk Analysis of Toys and Equipment cont.

• Physical risks:
– include choking hazards from small
or broken parts, burns or electrical
hazards from battery or electricity
based toys, or strangulation from
wire, string or cord-based toys or
parts.
• Chemical risks:
– include any unintended chemical
ingestion or contact from the toys
that children play with e.g. teething
and mouthing behaviour in infants
and toddlers.
Hallway and Stairs
There are some positive steps you can take to make hallways and
stairways safe
• Ensure these areas are clear of toys, boxes, furniture or other
items that might limit safe access or pose a tripping hazards
• Keep these passages well lit
• Install handrails on both sides of stairways over 4’ wide
• Use solid plywood or vertical pickets places closer that 4’ apart to
prevent children from falling through open spaces between
handrails and stairs
Gates and Doors
When children are not permitted access to another floor
or area of a home or facility, these areas must be
locked, blocked or gated
• Secure doors with latches places at adult height
• Install safety gates at the top and bottom of all open
stairways
• Avoid safety fates with “V” shape at the top so that
children do not get their necks caught and choke
Wiring, Electric plugs and appliances
Prevention and planning related to anything electrical is critical
• Make certain that children do not have access to pieces of metal
such as tweezers, hairpins or wire that they could push into contacts
of electric plug outlets.
• Check periodically that safety covers for electric plug outlets are
securely in place
• Be very careful when electric plug outlets are located close to
grounding surfaces such as hot air or hot water registers. In these
situations, childproof electric plug outlets are recommended
• Protect children from coming in contact with space heaters and
radiators hotter that 110 F
Wiring, Electric plugs and appliances cont..
• Use ground fault interrupters when electric plug outlets are located in
a bathroom
• Keep electric fans out of children’s reach
• place or tape extension cords behind equipment or furniture to
prevent tripping. Alternately, loop the cord around the back leg of a
piece of furniture or cabinet. Never nail extension cords to the wall.
Teach children safety rules regarding wiring, plugs and
appliances
TOYS
• Toys bring delight, fun and learning to children, but they can also be a
source of injury
Check that tours are in good repair and free of sharp edges, pinch points,
splinters or broken parts
Repair or discard broken toys immediately so that scratches, cuts and
scrapes are avoided
Avoid the possibility of choking by supervising very carefully when children
are using small objects such as crayons, marbles, etc
Teach children to replace toys in baskets, plastic tubs, cupboards or shelves
to eliminate tripping and falling over scattered items.
Teach children safety rules regarding wiring, plugs and
appliances cont..
WALKERS
• While walkers can be fun for children, they present many hazards by
giving infants quick access to things such as:
Tables and table cloths
Stoves and hot ovens
All electrical appliances
electrical cords and plugs
unprotected stairways
Warning: Walkers are too hazardous to use in child care setting as caregivers
cannot provide the extra attention required.
Teach children safety rules regarding wiring, plugs and
appliances cont..
LAUNDRY AREAS
• Every laundry area must be:
Completely separate from food areas
Floors, walls and ceilings in laundry rooms shall be smooth, impervious to
moisture and easily cleanable
Provided with proper venting to the exterior of the building for exhausting the
clothes dryer
Provide adequate space and appropriate containers to keep dirty laundry
from contaminating clean laundry
Teach children safety rules regarding wiring, plugs and
appliances cont..
KITCHEN
• Keep scissors and knives out of children’s reach
• mop up any spills immediately to prevent slipping
• Store plastic bags, which can be cause of suffocation, well away from children’s reach
• Take extra care of using Styrofoam cups and plates or plastic utensils are chewed or
broken off pieces could lodge in child’s throat causing choking
• Be extremely careful while drinking or carrying hot items when children are in the area
• Locate highchairs away from appliances, windows and sharp corners counters
WARNING: Avoid offering children under 4 years of age foods that increase the risk of
chocking, such as peanuts, hard candy, popcorn, seeds or lumps of peanut butter
Be certain that hotdogs, raw fruits or vegetables are cut in pieces too small to lodge in
children’s throats/
Teach children safety rules regarding wiring, plugs and
appliances cont..
SLEEPROOMS
• Be sure all crib parts are in good condition, with no loose or missing slats
• Locate cribs, beds and mats away from windows and blind cords
• Ensure that there is no more that a 1” (12.5 cm) gap between the mattress
and the sides or ends of the crib
• Check that the crib mattress support mechanism is secure
• Prevent infants from falling out by discontinuing the use of bumper pads and
removing any large toys are soon as they can stand.
Teach children safety rules regarding wiring, plugs and
appliances cont..
BATHROOMS
Childproofing the bathroom requires particular care and attention
• Ensure that platforms or stools used by children to reach the water taps are
stable and will not slip
• Store all toxic materials and cleaning products out of children’s reach in a high
closet or cupboards with lock or childproof latch
• Never leave children unattended on the diaper change table or in a bathtub
• Make sure that the containers of skin cream, lotion or powder are will out of
children’s reach to prevent from inhaling or swallowing these items
• Test the temperature of water with your elbow before placing the child in the
tub or bath. Teach children to turn on the cold water tap before turning on the
hot water tap
Assessing Risk in 4 Steps

1. Identifying hazards
– Have a look around you.
– Ask your co-workers. Perhaps
they’ve seen something you
missed, or maybe they know of
something you don’t.
– Consider your own personal
safety needs. You may face
hazards that other people
haven’t even considered.
– Familiarise yourself with the
organisation’s policies and
procedures on safety.
– Make a checklist.
 Assessing Risk in 4 Steps cont.

2. Applying controls
– Eliminate the hazard
– Substitute hazard for a less
hazardous one
– Isolate people from the
hazard
– Engineer new designs
(equipment, safety
features)
– Administration controls (training,
supervision, policies, procedures)
– Use PPE (protective gear)
Assessing Risk in 4 Steps cont.

3. Reviewing effect
– Once a hazard has been
identified and dealt with, we
need to assess how well those
measures have worked.

4. Assessing risks
– We must continually ask
ourselves what new risks we
face, which old risks we still
need to deal with, and whether
there are any risks that we
haven’t considered.
 What To Do In An Emergency?

• Despite reducing risks in the child

care environment, there will be
times when emergencies occur.
• Emergencies include gas leaks,
choking, motor vehicle or
playground accidents, chronic
illnesses and childhood disease.
• Emergency procedures therefore
need to be displayed prominently
across the service centre.
 What To Do In An Emergency? cont.

• Emergency procedures may

include:
– Phone numbers of emergency
medical services.
– Transportation to an
emergency
facility.
– Notification of parents.
– Where to meet if the child care
setting is evacuated.
– Plans for an adult to care for the
children while a caregiver stays
with injured children. This
includes escorting children to
emergency medical care.
 Potential Hazards to Children

• Some common child hazards

involving small toys include:
– Choking on broken pieces or
small parts of the toy
– Ingestion of magnetic toys
– Toy vehicle incidents involving
batteries and chemical
substances
– Cuts by sharp parts of the toy
 How Do We Identify Hazards?

• Define the hazard

– The tasks involved in working
with children will dictate the
type of hazards that may occur in
a typical child care environment.
• Ask other staff members
– Staff members carry out a
number of work-tasks every day
and are therefore well-aware of
the risks involved with their
respective duties.
 How do we identify hazards? cont.

• Job safety check

– It is useful to assess each step of
daily tasks for possible hazards.
• Analyse injury history
– This can be done by asking staff
members, monitoring first aid
reports or any compensation
claims that may be on record.
• Conduct safety audits
– Audits include observations of
employee working habits doing a
variety of job tasks.
 Identifying Hazards in the Work
Place
There are probably many things that you are already doing that will help you
identify some of the major hazards in your workplace.
A few examples include:
•Daily safety checks of your indoor and outdoor environment and your
equipment.
•Common patterns that emerge from your accident/incident and illness
forms to identify a common risk indicator for developing a plan of action
to minimise occurrences.
• Knowledge of illnesses and infections prevalent in your local area.
• Regular safety audits tailored to your service.
• Your hazard reporting procedure for educators and families.
• Your food safety plan.
• Your infection control policy and procedures
Sanitation and Hygiene Procedures
• Proper sanitation is crucially
important in child care
settings.
• Children touch and put in their
mouths everything they can
get their hands on – especially
toys.
• Toys frequently trade hands –
and germs – with other
children, and therefore
keeping them clean is
important.
 Arranging Equipment and Furniture Appropriately
• The environment should be
arranged to assure “smooth
traffic flow” i.e. provide
children room to move around
without bumping into one
another.
• When children are able to
move smoothly through the
room, they feel less confined
and the chances of them
tripping and falling over is
minimised.
Immunisation in Early Childhood

•Immunisation records are a necessary requirement for all

early childhood educators and therefore are to also
accompany the completed educators profile.
•It is a recommendation that at early childhood educators,
review their immunisation status with their Doctor and follow
a recommended vaccination programme.

• Influenza
• Whooping cough
• Measles, mumps and rubella
• Chickenpox
• Hepatitis A
Discussion: How do we keep up to
date about current child and adult
immunisation?
 Notifiable Diseases

• A notifiable disease is any disease

that is required by law to be
reported to government authorities.
 Procedures for Notifiable Diseases

• Isolate the infected child from

other children.
• Ensure the child is comfortable and
appropriately supervised.
• Contact the child’s parents or
nominated emergency contact.
• Inform the contact of the child’s
condition and ask for a parent or
other authorised person to pick the
child up as quickly as possible.
 Procedures for Notifiable Diseases cont.

• Inform the child’s parents or

guardian in the child’s home
language.
• Inform all families and
educators of the presence of
an infectious disease.
• Ensure that all bedding, towels
and clothing used by the child
is disinfected. Wash these
items separately and if
possible air-dry them in the
sun.
 Procedures for notifiable diseases cont.

• Ensure all toys used by the

infected child are disinfected.
• Ensure all eating utensils used
by the child are separated and
sterilised.
• Ensure confidentiality of any
personal health related
information obtained by the
service and educators in
Discussion: Refer to legislative
relation to any child or their requirements in your state or
family. territory that affect you, list five
different illnesses that are
notifiable.
 Children’s Requirement for Sleep and Rest

As sleep and rest times are generally a

significant aspect of babies and young
children’s routines, it is essential that we
understand and implement safe sleeping
practices. All children are encouraged to
rest for a minimum of 20 minutes, but no
child is forced to sleep. Rest periods for
young children, routines and
environments also need to be flexible
enough to support children who do not
require sleep and those who seek rest
and relaxation throughout the day.
Quiet activities are provided for children
who do not sleep.
Environments that Promote Rest and Sleep

• A good sleeping environment

helps children meet their
essential requirement for rest
and sleep.
• Creating a suitable
environment means taking
into account the amount of
light, the temperature and the
amount of noise in the room.
Environments that Promote Rest and Sleep cont.
• Bright lights emulate day-time
and communicate to the body
that it is time to be awake, while
dim lights signal the body it is
time to sleep.
• Room temperature should
essentially be neither too hot
nor too cold. The room should
be well ventilated.
• Childen’s sleeping area should
be located away from the
“traffic center” of the service or
home.
 SIDS

Each year sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and

fatal sleep accidents claim the lives of many babies as a
result of unsafe sleeping practices that could have been
avoided. SIDS has developed a resource kit that
provides practical information to assist services develop
sleeping practices and policies that meet the best
national practice guidelines.
Discussion: Lets look at SIDS Resource Kit and now complete the Safe Baby Sleep
Practice Activity.
 Childhood illnesses and appropriate responses

• Allergies
– Animal fur or dander, mould,
dust mites, pollen, insect bites
and certain foods such as nuts,
eggs, seafood and dairy products
• Most allergies can be managed
by having the child avoid
allergens.
• Treatment with antihistamines
and topical skin treatments
may be suggested by doctors.
 Allergy and Allergens

• An allergy is a natural reaction

of the human immune system
to substances in the
environment called allergens.
• Allergens take the form of dust
mites, pet fur, insect bites or
sting, pollen, and sometimes
even food or medicine.
 Allergy and Allergens cont.

• For many of us allergens are

quite harmless – however
those with a genetic or
inherited tendency to react to
allergens may present with
“allergic inflammation” e.g.
redness or swelling when
exposed to allergens.
• This may cause symptoms in
the nose or eyes, skin or
lungs.
 Symptoms of Allergies in Children
• They seem to always have a
cold.
• Their nose is continually stuffy
or running and they seem to
sneeze a lot.
• The mucus that drains from
their nose is clear and thin.
• Their eyes are itchy, red,
and
watery
• They breathe mostly through
the mouth.
• The skin under their eyes
might look dark purple or blue.
• They may have a persistent dry
cough.
• Their skin is irritated or broken
out in an itchy, red rash.
Can you think of any other
symptoms children may show?
 The 4 Symptoms of Allergy

• The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and

Allergy (ASCIA) has identified 4 specific symptoms of
allergy:
Nose, eyes,
sinuses Lungs and
and throat chest

Stomach
Skin
and bowel
 What is Anaphylaxis?

• Anaphylaxis is a whole-body
allergic reaction to a chemical
that has become an allergen.
• This is a medical emergency
because the symptoms of
anaphylaxis – such as difficulty in
breathing and severe swelling –
can be life threatening!
• It may occur within seconds of
exposure to something a
person is allergic to.
 What Causes Anaphylaxis?

• Some of the more frequent

allergens that cause
anaphylaxis are peanuts,
shellfish, insect stings and
drugs.
• Less common causes include
the use of latex, some
medications used in
anesthesia, and exercise.
• Anaphylaxis triggered by
exercise may vary from person
to person.
 Symptoms of
Anaphylaxis
• Skin reactions, including hives
along with itching, and flushed or
pale skin
• The sensation of a lump in the
throat
• Constriction of the airways and a
swollen tongue or throat, which
can cause wheezing and trouble
breathing
• A weak and rapid pulse
• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
• Dizziness or fainting
 What is Asthma?

• Asthma is a disorder caused by

inflammation in the airways that
lead to the lungs.
• This inflammation causes airways
to tighten and narrow, which
blocks air from flowing freely into
the lungs, making it hard to
breathe.
• Childhood asthma can be
triggered by a cold or other
respiratory infection
 Symptoms of Asthma
• Frequent coughing
• A whistling or wheezing sound
when exhaling
• Shortness of breath
• Chest congestion or tightness
• Chest pain, particularly in
younger children
• Trouble sleeping caused by
shortness of breath, coughing
or wheezing
• Bouts of coughing or wheezing
that get worse with a
respiratory infection, such as a
cold or the flu
• Delayed recovery after a
respiratory infection
• Trouble breathing that may
limit play or exercise
• Fatigue, which can be
caused
by poor sleep
 How to Prevent an Asthma Attack

• A doctor may prescribe drugs

known as controllers
commonly used to prevent
asthma attacks.
• Controllers include inhaled
steroids that help reduce
inflammation and prevent
wheezing fits.
• Again a nebuliser or MDI may
be used to administer the
steroid.
 How to Prevent an Asthma Attack
• Minimise the child’s exposure
to dust. Cover the mattress,
remove carpeting and plush
toys from the room, use blinds
instead of fabric drapes, and
wash the bedding in hot water.
• Avoid cigarette smoke as it
irritates the lungs.
• Be wary of air pollution as it
irritates the lungs and causes
breathing problems.
• Avoid using a fireplace or
wood stove. The smoke may
irritate the child’s respiratory
system.
• To the possible extent, keep
family pets outside of the
living area.
• Keep the indoors humidity
level between 35 and 50
percent in order to stop the
growth of mold – a common
allergen.
 Dealing with an Asthma Attack

• Quick relievers or rescue

inhalers are used to stop an
asthma attack.
• These fast-acting medications
relieve the spasms in the
airway, making breathing
easier.
• Quick-reliever drugs are
administered using either a
nebuliser machine or a
metered-dose inhaler (MDI).
 Dealing with an Asthma Attack

• A nebuliser is an electric or
battery-powered machine that
turns liquid medicine into a
mist that a child can breathe
into his lungs through a mask.
• Nebulised breathing
treatments usually take about
ten minutes.
 Dealing with an Asthma Attack

• An MDI is a small aerosol can that

is inserted into a long tube called a
holding chamber or “spacer”,
which has a small mask attached to
it.
• The prescribed medicine is sprayed
into the holding chamber and then
inhaled by the child who breathes
through the mask.
• This type of breathing treatment
can be given in less than a minute.
 Administration of Paracetamol

Written permission to administer panadol is usually obtained

from parents when completing the enrolment form for their
child. To ensure permission has been granted, educators must
check the permission to administer Panadol section on the
enrolment form when reception gives them the enrolment form
to peruse before children begin care at the centre.
 Child Protection

Early childhood educators have an obligation to monitor the health and

wellbeing of all children in their care. Child abuse or neglect impairs a child’s
physical and emotional health and development.
To provide a safe environment for our children, educators must watch for any
behavioural signs indicating abuse or neglect including, physical, emotional,
psychological or sexual abuse.
In turn, educators have a legal responsibility to report any suspected or
known child abuse or report any suspicion of non-accidental physical injury to
children and/or sexual abuse of children. In a case of suspected abuse, the
interests and dignity of the child must be respected.
 Susie’s
Story
• Susie is a 5 year old girl who is
experiencing maltreatment at
home.
• Susie lives with her mother.
Her father works far away and
visits only once a week.
• Susie doesn’t get to meet her
father too often. He visits very
late at night, but when he
does, she hears her mother
arguing with him rather loudly.
 Susie’s Story
cont.
• During the week Susie’s
mother often screams at her,
calls her degrading names, and
threatens to kill her when
Susie misbehaves.
• Susie doesn’t talk in class
anymore. She doesn't have
any friends in her
neighborhood, and she has
lost a lot of weight.
 Consequences of Child Maltreatment
• Increased risk for adverse
health effects and chronic
diseases e.g. heart disease,
cancer, chronic lung disease,
liver disease, obesity, high
blood pressure and high
cholesterol
• Hyperactivity and sleep
disturbances
• Increased risk for smoking,
alcoholism and drug
abuse
• Likely to use illicit drugs
• Likely to experience problems
such as delinquency, teen
pregnancy and low academic
achievement
• Lack of ability to establish and
maintain healthy intimate
relationships in adulthood
 Child Health and Safety in the Context of Electrical
Safety
• Educators and parents should
create awareness among
children about electricity and
how to be safe around it by:
– Demonstrating
– Informing and warning about
serious hazards particularly
involving water and electrical
appliances
– Discussing electrical safety
over
family meetings
 Basic Home Fire Safety

• Here are some sources that

may lead to the start or
spreading of a fire:
– Open flames e.g. candles,
fireplaces, barbecues, heaters,
welding equipment.
– Cigarettes, cigars, smoking pipes,
match sticks etc.
– Electrical appliances that
generate heat and may overheat
or ignite.
– Ovens, heaters, electric blankets,
refrigerators, television sets, DVD
players or laptops.
 Smoke Alarms

• Smoke alarms help save lives.

• A functional smoke alarm
increases our chances of
escaping a fire incident by
providing early warning of the
fire.
• The two options for installing a
smoke alarm are:
– Battery-powered smoke alarm
– Smoke alarms connected to 240
volt mains power
 Smoke Alarms cont.

• Ideal smoke alarm placement

locations may include:
– outside bedroom or sleeping area
– outside the room where the primary
carer sleeps
– inside the bedroom, if sleeping with
the door closed
– between kitchen/living areas and
bedroom
– in a common hallway that
connects
bedrooms
– at separate ends of the house if
sleeping areas exist in both areas
 Smoke Alarms cont.

• Smoke alarm maintenance

should be conducted on a
regular basis. This includes:
– Changing the battery at least
once every year
– Testing the smoke alarm at least
once a month
– Cleaning the alarm at least once
in six months
– Replacing a smoke alarm that
has
out-lived its service life

© Copyright CTA CHC50213 & CHC50113 MODULE 1, V: 5.12.13

 Emergency Procedures at the Workplace

• Workplace emergencies can

include:
– Serious injury incidents
– Events requiring evacuation
– Fires and explosions
– Hazardous substance spills
– Explosion and bomb alerts
– Security emergencies, such as
armed robberies, intruders and
disturbed persons
– Internal emergencies, such as loss
of power or water supply and
structural collapse
– Natural disasters
 Emergency Procedures at the Workplace cont.
• Staff members are to follow
emergency procedures as per
organisational procedure.
• Designated staff members
should be prepared to take
initial action to control or
confine the emergency.
• Those responding to
emergencies should only
provide assistance to
the extent of their
personal limitations!
 Consultation

Effective consultation occurs when information on matters which may affect

health, safety and welfare is shared with employees. They must be given the
opportunity to express their views and opinions so that these can be taken
into account when decisions are made about work health and safety. In most
Australian jurisdictions, consultation is a legal requirement, so it is important
to establish mechanisms which suit the workplace and comply with current
legal requirements.
Example of consultation and communication processes:
*Notice boards *Intranet * Emails
*Daily discussion * Staff meetings * Memos
*WHS Committee *WHS Representatives
 Staff Training
Early childhood educators receive ongoing training in the workplace through their day
to day learning and activities, although WHS should be a part of the overall early
childhood service training program.
WHS Training should be included in:
•Any induction training undertaken at the service
•Ongoing supervision and management training
WHS training includes:
• On the job training facilitated by co-workers,
supervisors, managers or employers.
• Instruction on WHS responsibilities and daily
practices.
• Specific hazard training
• Work procedures and skill training
• Emergency procedure training
• First aid training
• WHS representative training
 Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

• Wash hands regularly, especially after contact • Advise workers to discuss CMV risks with their
with urine and saliva and after removing doctor if pregnant or planning to become
disposable gloves. pregnant soon.
• Use disposable gloves (e.g. latex or vinyl) for • Consider relocating workers who are pregnant
activities that involve contact with urine and or who expect to become pregnant to care for
saliva. children aged over two years of age.
• Cover cuts with water resistant dressings.
• Provide information to workers about CMV risks
during pregnancy and work practices to reduce
the risk of infection.
• Regularly clean surfaces and items that are
soiled with urine and saliva, including nappy
change mats, potties and toys.
• Implement hygienic nappy changing and
toileting practices
• Instruct workers to inform their
employer if they
are pregnant or expect to become pregnant.

© Copyright CTA CHC50213 &

CHC50113 MODULE 1: Health and
Safety Tips for Educators Version Date:
 Conclusion

The aim of the Workplace Health and Safety legislation

is for employers and employees of an organisation to
maintain a safe and healthy workplace environment.
Early childhood education and care settings provide a
safe and healthy environment which meets the
physical, emotional, and mental needs of the children,
families and educators.