VIC.GOV.AU | Policy and Advisory Library

School operations

OHS Purchasing

2 Identifying goods with the potential to create OHS risks

The principal and/or their delegate in consultation with the Health and Safety Representatives (HSR) and employees are to identify potential occupational health and safety risks associated with the purchase, hire, lease or receipt of donated of goods. Examples include:

  • exposure to mechanical moving parts (for example, plant such as a lathe, pedestal grinder, lawn mower)
  • falls from height (for example, ladders or installation of stage lighting)
  • chemicals (for example, hazardous substances or dangerous goods)
  • playground equipment and structures (for example, basketball ring, shade sail and so on)
  • manual handling (for example, moving bulky, heavy or awkward objects/items such as high jump mat)
  • ergonomic considerations (for example, purchase or hire of bulk order office chairs and trolleys)
  • electrical equipment (for example, notebook computers).
Chapter 2 of the OHS Purchasing Procedure on identifying health and safety risks associated with the purchase, hire, lease or receipt of donated goods

Reviewed 28 May 2025

Was this page helpful?