Australia's Science Forum

Lab position to commence term 3. For more info contact www.rhac.nsw.edu.au

Hi everyone,

Having read on this forum what is expected of NSW technicians and the poor pay and conditions generally offered, I find it a darn cheek that the key duties for this job includes preparation of safety assessments as shown below. I would like to know the legal responsibilities and/or ramifications of teachers/students following assessments prepared by us. I'd also like to know what insurers and worksafe (or whatever they're called in NSW) would have to say too.
I realise it's a Catholic school, but they're still bound by the same rules as all of us when it comes to duty of care.
I also don't like the 'Other duties as required by the Principal'. Applying it in the context of the role of lab tech is one thing, but too often it is used as a means of fobbing off jobs that no-one else wants to do. It can also demean the role of the lab tech to that of general dogsbody.

Anyone else care to comment?

Key Duties
ï‚· Preparation of equipment and chemicals for Science lessons
ï‚· Label, store, stock take and order equipment and chemicals in consultation with the Science Co-ordinator
ï‚· Set out equipment for classroom use
ï‚· Manage and maintain College MSDS register
ï‚· Maintain a safe chemical storage, handling and disposal system in accordance with current regulations
ï‚· Carry out simple maintenance of equipment and materials
ï‚· Prepare safety assessments in relation to science practicals
ï‚· Assist with the use of ICTs within the classroom
ï‚· Service and clean laboratory equipment and glassware
ï‚· Assist teaching staff in the development and preparation of classroom materials
ï‚· Participates in staff professional development activities
ï‚· Participate in Science Faculty meetings where necessary
ï‚· Other duties as required by the Principal

Regards,
Fran

To be honest, I wouldn't trust Risk Assessments of practicals/chemical use etc to anyone other than the lab person - I can guarantee the teachers (atleast my teachers) would have no idea of associated risks - until something blew up in their face......

You're correct about the phrase 'Other duties as required by the Principal'- 18 years ago I worked in industry under an American guy brought in as an expert. He stated, even back then, that ALL job/person specs in the US have a phrase similar to 'Other duties as required by your superiors'

Yeah, I must say it all sounds pretty reasonable to me. Under the new OH&S laws the Principal is ultimately responsible for all OH&S issues legally anyway.

Every job I have ever had (and I have worked in the "real world" for 17 years before coming to schools recently) has the "Other duties as required by the Superior" phrase or similar. Most also liberally threw around "a reasonable amout of overtime" as well.

But I do not work in NSW and here we get paid better then they do and never every have to do duties outside of science, no do they ever have non science trained support staff in the science department.

"Assist teaching staff in the development and preparation of classroom materials"

What did they go to uni for?

RosalieM wrote:"Assist teaching staff in the development and preparation of classroom materials"

What did they go to uni for?

See, I just interperet that as preping chemicals, plants, agar and the like and suggesting experiments or improvements to experiements, not actually helping to prepare lessons to teach.

I would have thought that was covered under "Preparation of equipment and chemicals for Science lessons"

Yes, I pass on ideas and experiments I read about on here, but I wouldn't consider it part of my job - just a 'bonus' for them!

franco wrote:
I realise it's a Catholic school,

Actually it's an Independant Anglican school

Actually it's an Independant Anglican school

My apologies for getting the religious denomination wrong I should have typed independent or non-government.
Does this change anything though?

Regards,
Fran

Hmm, sorry for mentioning it...........

It does not change a thing, I still think those terms and conditions are pretty much standard for our jobs. If you wish to know the legal ramifications, ring the appropriate worksafe organisation in your area and find out. What is the point of getting all hot under the collar about it. None of us here are Workplace OH&S specialists, so we can only have our personal opinions.


Just remember, differences of opinion is what makes the world a more colourful place

Hello Linotas,

I’m sorry you’ve taken my reply out of context.

Like Tasmania, WA techs are paid more than their NSW counterparts. We also have specific roles and cannot be shunted to other areas on the whim of the school’s management.

My post was meant to empathise with NSW lab staff who I think get the short end of the stick in many cases. For the money lab techs are paid and the esteem in which some are held, I believe it’s not a part of our job and most of us have enough to do keeping up with our own workload without picking up duties I think should be undertaken by the person performing the practical session. As you say “differences of opinion is what makes the world a more colourful place” and this is my opinion only.

We are all trained (or should be) in basic OS&H, but teachers are the ones in the classroom with our children – not us! Maybe some cannot write these documents, but the best way to learn something often is by doing it. Considering the posts to Chemtalk regarding teachers who don’t even bother to read risk assessments provided by obliging techs, I’d say the time has come for them to learn – again, just my opinion.

Regards,
Fran