WHS: an investment in our collective future
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 129 No 1, 16 February, page no. 26
Melissa Cole, the Director of the Centre of Musical Excellence at William Duncan State School on the Gold Coast, was the winner of the “Best demonstrated leadership in work health and safety and return to work systems” category at the 2023 Work Well Awards, the first Queensland teacher ever to do so. Here is her story.
I have been the classroom music teacher at William Duncan State School for 24 years. In 2018, I was approached by my business manager and asked to take on the role of health and safety advisor at the school. I was fortunate to have a principal who supported me in obtaining my Cert IV in Workplace Health and Safety and becoming a member of the SER WHS Committee.
Since being in this position, I have assisted in implementing a number of health and safety measures in the school, completed annual audits and reviews of processes, and engaged with internal and external stakeholders to further improve safety standards. Through continuous stakeholder consultation and feedback, I have helped develop and implement the school’s 2022–23 Wellbeing Action Plan, which focuses on self-care and “you do you”. I have also established audit timetables and checklists and developed a supervision policy for parents and a working from home procedure for staff.
I have also established a WHS committee – consisting of representatives from throughout the school – which meets regularly. This has contributed to staff actively being involved in WHS and is credited with instilling WHS practices, policies, and procedures into the school’s culture. In my role as the rehabilitation and return to work coordinator, I have also developed return to work plans and provided staff with information, support, and assistance, as well as liaising with medical professionals and regional office staff to facilitate return to work after an injury.
The Work Well Award serves as a validation of the rigorous measures we have implemented to prioritise the health and safety of our staff and students. We have strived to go beyond the minimum requirements, adopting a proactive approach to identify potential hazards and implement robust safety protocols. Through continuous improvement and a culture of shared responsibility, we have fostered an environment that promotes accident prevention, risk mitigation, and the overall wellbeing of our staff.
I work jointly with my team to deliver quality health and safety outcomes and have developed a variety of resources and professional development opportunities to ensure health and safety is an integral part of the school culture. We have focused on making the complex simple, aligning our WHS priorities to our school’s strategic agenda. I have developed a term-by-term “to do” list structure for our audits, and an annual policy and procedures calendar, which has helped us clarify which jobs are to be done when and the processes to be used. This operational system has given us a clear direction each year.
The biggest obstacle in implementing WHS practices and policies in many schools is time. At WDSS, I have one hour of allocated time in my timetable each week and two TRS days per term so I can complete our policy and procedure updates and our internal and external audits.
I would be remiss not to recognise the unwavering support and guidance of our school leadership team. Their commitment to fostering a culture of safety has been exemplary. They have consistently championed and supported initiatives aimed at educating our staff, providing me and them with the necessary resources, and fostering an atmosphere of open communication.
Moving forward, we must continue to adapt, innovate, and evolve our practices to meet the challenges of an ever-changing world. WHS is a paramount aspect of any successful school. It is the foundation upon which a thriving, productive, and harmonious workplace is built. I firmly believe that investing in the health and safety of our staff and students is an investment in our collective future.