Poor or inadequate facilities: A serious WHS concern
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 131 No 3, 22 May 2026, page no.14
Across Queensland schools, safe and functional facilities are fundamental to quality teaching and learning. When these conditions are compromised, the impact on staff and students is immediate and significant.
At one school, persistent facilities issues escalated into serious work health and safety (WHS) risks, prompting QTU members to take decisive collective action.
Despite repeated attempts to resolve the problems through departmental processes, the situation continued to deteriorate. One classroom had to be closed entirely, while others became unsafe following even moderate rainfall or storms. Water ingress damaged school resources and personal teaching materials, and staff were forced to spend considerable time and physical effort moving equipment whenever rain was forecast. Unsurprisingly, mould soon became a recurring issue.
Recognising the seriousness of the situation, QTU members acted collectively, passing motions calling for urgent intervention. As QTU Workplace Health and Safety Organiser, I worked closely with Workplace Representatives and members to gather comprehensive evidence to highlight the employer’s obligations under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, finally exercising the formal issue-resolution pathways under the act.
The determination and unity of members paid off. Their collective advocacy not only secured a plan to repair the existing facilities but also resulted in commitments to provide new infrastructure to replace unsafe and outdated buildings. This outcome stands as a powerful reminder that when members stand shoulder to shoulder, meaningful change is not only possible — it is inevitable.