Early childhood education and care

This page is about the risks early childhood education and care workers face and provides resources about how to prevent injuries from occurring.

The early childhood education and care sector includes educators, administrators and licensed providers who work in family day care, preschool, and outside school hours care services.

The risks

Early childhood education and care workers face many risks in the workplace, including:

  • slips, trips and falls
  • hazardous manual tasks such as bending, twisting and exerting high or unexpected force when lifting moving or carrying objects
  • psychosocial injuries, where aspects of the job such as role demands, relationships with colleagues, bullying and harassment can cause a stress response.

Psychosocial injuries in the early childhood education and care sector

Work health and safety includes being both physically and psychologically healthy. At work you can be exposed to psychosocial hazards.

SafeWork NSW has produced this video to assist educators and managers in the sector.

SafeWork NSW has also developed the Code of practice for managing psychosocial hazards at work.

 

If you're experiencing bullying or other psychosocial hazards in your workplace you may raise the issue with SafeWork NSW by completing our request for service form. We can provide assistance within the scope of our legislative responsibilities. Read about how we can help or call us on 13 10 50 for more information.

Musculoskeletal disorders in the early childhood education and care sector

The most common workplace injuries can occur when performing routine tasks.

SafeWork NSW has produced this video to assist educators and managers in the sector.

Resources

Risk identification resources have been developed to support businesses, employers and workers identify hazards in the workplace and prevent injuries from occurring.

 

Contact SafeWork NSW to arrange a workplace visit by one of our trained Inspectors. Our Inspector will conduct a hazard identification inspection with your workers and managers, and recommend changes to existing practices or the work environment to reduce the risk of injury.

Case studies

Start a conversation about safe workplace behaviours, mentally healthy workplaces, and how to get help to create a safe work environment.  The following videos can be used in your next work health and safety meeting with staff, as part of the consultation process to identify risks, hazards and potential solutions suited to your specific workplace.

This video highlights the physical demands of caring for people, particularly in a childcare environment, and how you can reduce the risk of injury by making small changes.

Events

There are no events for the early childhood education and care sector at the moment.

For all other SafeWork NSW events, visit our events calendar.

 
Safety information for your sector

This section is relevant to all people who work in the Health Care and Social Assistance sector. You will find information related to:

Managing harms

The nature of the work in this sector presents specific hazards for workers. It is important you know what the hazards are in your workplace so you can assess the risks they pose.

Find a list of common hazards and learn how to manage the risks below.

SafeWork NSW activities and commitment

Read about what SafeWork NSW is doing to prevent injury and improve health outcomes:

When to notify SafeWork NSW

If there is a serious injury, illness, dangerous incident, or death relating to staff, customers or visitors to your worksite or your place of employment (even if it's off-site), you must report it to us immediately.

Incidents can be notified 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 13 10 50. If you're unsure of whether to notify, use Safe Work Australia's Incident notification information sheet to help you decide. Read more about notifying SafeWork NSW.

Codes of practice and your legal obligations

Hazardous chemicals

Exposure to chemicals is 100% preventable. Without the proper controls chemical exposure can cause cancer, respiratory illnesses, skin and eye irritations, as well as fire and explosion-related injuries.

Our Hazardous Chemicals Code of Practice (PDF, 1171.43 KB) to help you manage hazardous chemicals in the workplace.

Manual tasks

For many businesses, manual tasks are an important part of getting the job done. Some of these tasks can be hazardous and are often the most common cause of workplace injuries.

Our Hazardous manual tasks Code of Practice (PDF, 1499.23 KB) can help you create a safer work environment.

Psychosocial hazards at work

NSW businesses need to manage exposure to psychosocial hazards and risks to psychological and physical health and safety at work.

Our Managing psychosocial hazards at work code of practice can help you manage psychosocial hazards at work.

Managing the work environment and facilities (remote and isolated work)

Download SafeWork NSW's Code of Practice for Managing the work environment and facilities (PDF, 422.29 KB).

Translated resources

There is a range of support and information available to you if you’re faced with a difficult situation at work.

The getting support at work pocket guide (PDF, 182.07 KB) is your starting point to finding the support you need. It is available in the following languages:

Visit our translated resources hub for other print, web and multimedia resources.

Manager’s toolkit

The WHS Manager's Toolkit provides the health care and social assistance sector with key resources to help them manage health and safety in their workplace.

View the toolkit here

Related information

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