OHS Purchasing

It is important at the purchasing stage to identify potential occupational health and safety risks associated with the purchase, hire, lease or receipt of goods. 

For items or services which could have an OHS implication, an OHS Purchasing Checklist should be completed. The OHS checklist can be completed by any school employee in consultation with the Health and Safety Representative, and approved by the principal or their delegate. 

If further controls are required, a Risk Assessment must be completed. For goods that require training for safe use (for example, wood or metal work plant and equipment, agricultural equipment and so on) a Safe Work Procedure must be developed. 

For example Safe Work Procedures, visit: 

https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/plant-and-equipment-management/resources

Examples of possible OHS risks include:

• exposure to mechanical moving parts (e.g. plant such as a lathe, pedestal grinder, lawn mower)

• falls from height (e.g. ladders or installation of stage lighting)

• chemicals (e.g. hazardous substances or dangerous goods)

• playground equipment and structures (e.g. basketball ring, shade sail etc.)

• manual handling (e.g. moving bulky, heavy or awkward objects / items such as high jump mat)

• ergonomic considerations (e.g. purchase or hire of bulk order office chairs and trolleys)

• electrical equipment (e.g. notebook computers)