No: DEE ESWB 25-3-3
Authorised by: Manager ESWB
Title: OHS Purchasing Guidance
Issue Date: March 2011
Last Reviewed: October 2013
Next Review Date: October 2015
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CENTRAL OFFICE USE ONLY
The table below contains information and guidance that may be useful in considering the risks associated with the purchase of goods with OHS implications
prior to introducing the item into the workplace.
Item
OHS Considerations
Further Guidance
Chemicals:
Science labs,
Maintenance shed,
Technology areas,
Cleaning chemicals
etc.
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Have the users of the chemical/s been consulted with to ensure its suitability?
Have the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) been obtained or reviewed?
According to the MSDS, what are the hazards associated with using the chemicals?
Is a Safe Work Procedure (SWP) required for the use of the chemical/s?
Will users require training and instruction in the safe use of the chemical/s? (e.g. SWP)
Will the item create fumes/vapours that need to be controlled?
Will the users require instructions to use the chemical/s safely?
Is PPE required for the use of the chemical/s?
Does the workplace have suitable storage facilities for the chemical/s? (e.g. flammable
goods cabinets)
Electrical
Equipment:
Science and
Technology areas,
classrooms etc.
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Have users of the equipment been consulted with to ensure its suitability?
Are instruction manuals and/or information about safe use available?
Will the users require instructions to use item/s safely?
Can the supplier provide written confirmation that the item has been electrically tested
and tagged? (If applicable)
What are the hazards of using the equipment? (E.g. fume vapours, dust, noise,
heat/cold)
Will the equipment require periodic inspection and maintenance (other than testing and
tagging)?
Is a Safe Work Procedure (SWP) available on the OHSMS website?
Will users require training and instruction in the SWP for the correct use of the
equipment?
Is Personal Protective Equipment required for the use of equipment?
Will the location of the item impede pedestrian traffic?
How will the equipment be maintained and by whom?
Does the item need to be added to the Electrical Equipment Register?
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THIS DOCUMENT IS UNCONTROLLED WHEN PRINTED
AS/NZS 1596 The storage and handling
of LPG gas
AS 1940 The storage and handling of
flammable and combustible liquids
AS 3780 The storage and handling of
corrosive substances
AS/NZS 4452 The storage and handling
of toxic substances
AS/NZS 4681 The storage and handling
of Class 9 (miscellaneous) dangerous
goods and articles
DEECD OHSMS Chemical
Management Procedure and associated
documents
AS/NZS 3000 Electrical installations
AS/NZS 3100 Approval and test
specification – General requirements for
electrical equipment
AS/NZS 3350.1 Safety of household
and similar electrical appliances –
General requirements
AS/NZS 3760 In service safety
inspection and testing of electrical
equipment
AS/NZS 60950 Information technology
equipment – safety – General
requirements
DEECD OHSMS Electrical Equipment
Procedure and associated documents
No: DEE ESWB 25-3-3
Authorised by: Manager ESWB
Title: OHS Purchasing Guidance
Issue Date: March 2011
Last Reviewed: October 2013
Next Review Date: October 2015
Furniture:
Workstations, office
chairs, desk
equipment etc.
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Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE):
Hearing protection,
safety glasses,
gloves etc.
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Have item/s been designed with ergonomic considerations and include information on
what the ergonomic benefits are?
Is the item available for a trial period?
Have users of the equipment been consulted to ensure its suitability and that it is fit for
all purposed?
Does the furniture suit a wide range of users?
Are instruction manuals and/or information about safe use available?
Will the users require instructions to use item/s to their full potential?
If the item is adjustable, can this be completed quickly and easily?
How will electrical/data cables be positioned relative to seating an pedestrian traffic
movement?
Will the location of the item impede pedestrian traffic?
Is the furniture for an injured worker? If so, it is recommended that advice is sought from
the OHS Advisory Service on 1300 074 715.
Further information can be found by referring to the DEECD Ergonomics Procedure and
Screen Based Workstation Ergonomic Risk Management Form.
 Have the users of the equipment been consulted with to ensure its suitability?
 Is the PPE designed in accordance with Australian Standards and marked accordingly?
 Is the PPE correct for the application?
 Will the PPE be able to be stored and easily maintained?
 Is there signage to indicate the location of PPE?
 Are instruction manuals and/or information about safe use available?
 Will users of the PPE require training and instruction for the correct use of the PPE?
 Will one size fit all and how many will you need?
 Does the use of the PPE need to be recorded in the OHS Risk Register?
 Will the PPE require inspection and maintenance?
 Does the equipment need to be added to the Workplace Inspection Checklists?
THIS DOCUMENT IS UNCONTROLLED WHEN PRINTED
WorkSafe “Officewise – a guide to health
and safety in the Office”
AS 3590 Screen based workstations
AS/NZS 4438 Height Adjustable Swivel
Chairs
AS/NZS 4442 Office desks
AS/NZS 4688 Furniture – fixed height
chairs
AS/NZS 1269.3 Occupational noise
management – Hearing protector program
AS/NZS 1067 Sunglasses and Fashion
Spectacles;
AS/NZS 1337 Personal eye protection Eye and face protectors for occupational
applications
AS/NZS 1715 Selection, use and
maintenance of respiratory protection
equipment
AS/NZS 2210 Safety, protective and
occupational footwear – Guide to selection,
care and use
AS/NZS 2161 Occupational protective
gloves Set
No: DEE ESWB 25-3-3
Authorised by: Manager ESWB
Title: OHS Purchasing Guidance
Issue Date: March 2011
Last Reviewed: October 2013
Next Review Date: October 2015
Playground
Equipment:
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AS 4422 Playground Surfacing –
Specifications, requirements and test
method
AS/NZS 4486 Playgrounds and playground
equipment – Development, installation,
inspection, maintenance and operation
AS 4685 Playground Equipment
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Have item/s been designed with ergonomic considerations and include information on
what the ergonomic design benefits are?
Have fall zone considerations been taken into account (e.g. soft fall, rubber etc.)?
What are the hazards of using the equipment (e.g. slip, trip, fall etc.)?
Do any elevated surfaces have guardrails to prevent falls?
Are there any hooks, protruding bold ends, sharp points or edges to the equipment?
Will it get slippery when wet or have appropriate grip?
Is it appropriately sealed and/or treated to prevent rust and ageing?
Will the equipment be resistance to graffiti and vandalism?
Is the item available for a trial period?
Have the school community been consulted with to ensure its suitability and that it’s fit
for purpose?
Does the equipment suit a wide range of users?
Are instruction manuals are/or information about safe use available?
Does the equipment need to be added to the Workplace Inspection Checklist?
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Have users of the equipment been consulted with to ensure its suitability?
Are instruction manuals and/or information about safe use available?
Will the users require instructions to use item/s safely?
Will one size fit all and how many will you need?
What are the hazards of using the equipment?
Does the workplace have suitable storage for the equipment?
How will the equipment be transported for use/storage (consider manual handling)?
Will the equipment required periodic inspection and maintenance?
Is PPE required for the use the equipment (e.g. padding, gloves, helmet etc.)?
Does the equipment need to be added to the Workplace Inspection Checklists?
AS 4499 Protective headgear for cricket
AS 4066 Eye protectors for racquet sports
HB 246 Guidelines for managing risk in
sport and recreation organizations
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Sporting
Equipment:
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THIS DOCUMENT IS UNCONTROLLED WHEN PRINTED
No: DEE ESWB 25-3-3
Authorised by: Manager ESWB
Title: OHS Purchasing Guidance
Issue Date: March 2011
Last Reviewed: October 2013
Next Review Date: October 2015
Technology and
Maintenance
Equipment:
Lathes,
Ride on mowers
Hand held power
tools etc.
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Have users of the equipment been consulted with to ensure its suitability?
Are instruction manuals and/or information about safe use available?
Can the supplier provide written confirmation that the item has been electrically tested?
(is applicable)
What are the hazards of using the equipment?
Will the equipment require periodic inspection and maintenance?
Is a Safe Work Procedure (SWP) available on OHSMS website?
Is PPE required for the use of the equipment?
Will users require training and instruction in the SWP of the correct use of the
equipment?
How will the equipment be maintained and by whom?
Will the location of the item impede pedestrian traffic?
Will the item create fumes/vapours, dust, noise, heat/cold?
Does the item need to be added to the Electrical Equipment Register?
THIS DOCUMENT IS UNCONTROLLED WHEN PRINTED
AS 1674.1-2 Safety in welding and allied
processes
AS 4289 Oxygen and acetylene gas
reticulation systems
AS 4603 Flashback arresters - Safety
devices for use with fuel gases and oxygen
or compressed air
AS 4024 Safety of machinery
AS1473 Wood processing machinery
AS/NZS 3160 Approval and test
specification – Hand held portable
electrical tools
AS/NZS 60745 Hand held motor operated
electric tools - Safety
AS/NZS 2438 Drills and reamers –
Specifications for twist drills
DEECD OHSMS Plant and Equipment
SWP