The unique WHS issues of instrumental music
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 130 No 6, 5 September 2025, page no 22.
Like all teachers, instrumental music (IM) educators are required to manage risks in their teaching environment. However, this article aims to spotlight the unique WHS factors the QTU’s IM members face.
Hearing Conservation Program
As part of the Hearing Conservation Program (https://education.qld.gov.au/initiativesstrategies/Documents/hearing-conservation-program.pdf), all IM educators must undergo a hearing test and receive healthy hearing education and training every two years. Work with your base school’s business manager (BM) to arrange this test. Educators must also be provided with specialist musician earplugs.
Instrument cleaning
When cleaning instruments, educators must ensure:
- appropriate PPE is used (e.g. gloves, masks)
- the cleaning product is listed on the school’s chemical register
- the safety data sheet (SDS) is available, read, and followed, to prevent misuse or injury
- label instructions are strictly adhered to, and chemicals stored according to DoE guidelines.
- that if they react to a chemical, they stop use immediately, report via MyHR WHS incident report, and notify the BM and school WHS officer
- that PPE and cleaning supplies are sourced through the BM using appropriate school funds — any other approach could expose them to prosecution.
Mould and ventilation
Proper ventilation is key to minimising mould growth, and is essential in music learning spaces because it:
- reduces airborne risks, minimising viruses, and bacteria, especially during singing or wind instrument use
- supports student wellbeing, promoting a healthier environment, reducing illness and absenteeism
- enhances cognitive function, lowering CO₂ levels, improving focus and learning capacity
- maintains engagement, creating a comfortable and productive atmosphere for sustained instruction.
It is important that IM educators do NOT clean mould. If instruments have mould growth on them, notify the BM to arrange professional cleaning. Surface mould on facilities is to be reported to the school for cleaning.
Fatigue management and travel
IM educators often undertake additional duties outside rostered duty time, such as performances and rehearsals. The Instrumental Music Teachers and Instructors Memorandum of Agreement (MOA - https://www.qtu.asn.au/application/files/7117/2342/1614/Signed_-_Instrumental_Music_Teachers_and_Instructors_MOA.pdf) states that schools must consult with IM educators and ensure 10 consecutive off-duty hours between the end of one duty and the start of the next.
As per the certified agreement and MOA, travel between schools and for performances must be planned to minimise risk, considering distance, road conditions, time of day (especially in regional/rural areas), and weather. Travel between locations or beyond the base school must be included in rostered duty time. Circuits should be planned to minimise travel.
Appropriate facilities
Schools must ensure an appropriate and functional workspace in which to provide lessons and ensemble instruction. What is deemed appropriate should be guided by the completion of a curriculum activity risk assessment (CARA) of the IM program being delivered. The WHS Act stipulates that the department must provide and maintain “a work environment without risks to health and safety” (s19 (3) (a)) and provide “adequate facilities for the welfare of workers, including ensuring access to those facilities” (s19 (3) (e)).
Using the curriculum activity risk assessment (CARA)
As per the department’s Managing Risks in School Curriculum Activities procedure (https://ppr.qed.qld.gov.au/pp/managing-risks-in-school-curriculum-activities-procedure), all DoE employees must undertake CARA training. If a CARA activity guideline exists, the teacher/instructor must adhere to it. Active consultation is to occur with all staff involved in delivery and supervision. Should staffing change, new staff must be taken through the risk assessment and excursion planner, so they are familiar with the plan, other staff assigned, and students.
Where a CARA doesn’t exist, teachers must complete required CARA records using the CARA generic template (see QR code). Activity risk management is also a build-in component of the excursion planner document on OneSchool.
Use these planners to maximise your own safety and wellbeing (e.g. consideration of sufficient adult supervision ratios, facilities and equipment hazards, environmental conditions, manual handling, noise factors, voice strain, etc). If there is a foreseeable risk to health and safety, focus on the information and not the “disappointment, inconvenience, or possible ‘noise’”. Student and staff safety come first.
Dealing with WHS matters
When a hazard or incident is identified, it must be reported verbally and via email to the WHS advisor and an appropriate administrator. It must also be logged in the MyHR WHS Risk Register Module. For further advice, contact the Queensland Teachers Assist Desk (QTAD 1300 11 7823 ).