The PSA has taken this issue to the DoE on many occasions over the years. The DoE has pointed out that ordinary residents in most council areas are now responsible for the nature strips outside their homes, and that the nature strips bounding school properties are no different.
The DoE considers that a GA can perform this task when requested when some requirements are met by the school.
If you are asked to mow outside of school grounds, you should discuss this with your supervisor. WHS and other safety issues must be looked at by you and your supervisor before you start mowing outside of school grounds.
This can include undertaking a risk assessment, making sure the school has insurance in case passers-by and/or their property is damaged (e.g. if a rock is thrown by the mower and damages a car window) and work load issues.
The DoE’s position is that schools can ask for this task to be performed by their GA if you:
- are being paid;
- have appropriate time allocated to perform the task;
- have been issued with the proper PPE; and,
- use the equipment in a responsible and safe manner and according to manufacturer’s instructions.
GAs must be issued with the proper PPE. You must have been trained to use mowers on nature strips in a responsible and safe manner. The mower must be registered if required by legislation. It is also a good idea to be provided with a request in writing to undertake the mowing.
If there are large or tricky areas to mow outside school grounds, you should talk with your supervisor about the length of time it will take you and, talk with them about which tasks they would like you to prioritise and which may jobs can’t be completed while you can mow the schools boundaries.
School boundaries can be extensive, and this task can take a large amount of time. Many schools already arrange for a contractor to undertake this work as it is performed faster and does not require work within the school to be postponed while the GA is mowing the nature strips.
If a school decides not to engage a contractor to mow nature strips bounding school grounds, it is important for a GA to enquire what work must be postponed while the GA is performing the often time-consuming mowing of nature strips.
Using a Lawn Mower and other equipment outside school grounds
If you are asked to mow, whipper snip and/or blow the area outside your school the following information is important for you when performing your GA duties.
Ride on Lawn Mower
Ride On Mower weighing more than 250kgs
If your Ride on Mower weighs more than 250kgs tell your Principal that the school is required by legislation to register it before it can be used outside school grounds.
If a Ride on Mower does require registration, some of the modifications it may require to ensure compliance with legislation could include adding a:
- rear vision mirror;
- flashing light which should be installed by a professional; and,
- number plate supplied by Roads and Maritime Services.
- Contact your local mower shop for pricing of modifications required for registration.
If the school’s mower is not registered you may be fined by Police, RTA, Council Ranger and Safe Work NSW.
Any fine imposed is against the operator, not the school.) and may consist of a fine and a demerit points loss against your licence.
Ride On Mower weighing LESS than 250kgs
Ride on Mowers weighing below 250kgs do not have to be licenced. The above conditions are not needed.
Ride On Mower Checklist
- Check that the equipment is safe and operational for use.
- Make sure you have the correct PPE gear. Safety glasses, High Vis Vest, Earmuffs, Hat, and Sunscreen. You should also wear steel capped boots when mowing. For outdoor work, the school should be supplying PPE to you.
- Check there is a current Risk Assessment for this job. The DoE’s Work Health and Safety Directorate can help with the preparation of a Risk Assessment. This is very important if your school is located on a busy road where traffic can be an issue.
- Before starting the task, tell your supervisor you are mowing outside grounds.
- Place “Mowing in Progress” sign in area to be mowed.
- Remember that you must STOP mowing when pedestrians or a car approaches you. Where a school abounds a busy road, or there is a large pedestrian flow, this will increase the time it takes for you to perform this task. The school needs to factor frequent stopping in the time allocated to undertaking this work.
- If the task is taking longer than the time expected, update your supervisor.
- On completion of the task, report back to your supervisor.
- If an incident occurs stop using the equipment and report the incident to your Principal at once. You should also lodge an Incident Report with the Work Health and Safety Directorate Hotline.
Push Lawn Mower Checklist
- Check that the equipment is safe and operational for use
- Make sure you have the correct PPE gear. Safety glasses, High Vis Vest, Earmuffs, Hat, and Sunscreen. For all outdoor work, the school should be supplying PPE to you.
- Check there is a current Risk Assessment for this job. The DoE’s Work Health and Safety Directorate can help with the preparation of a Risk Assessment. This is very important if your school is located on a busy road where traffic can be an issue.
- Before starting the task, tell your supervisor you are mowing outside grounds.
- Place “Mowing in Progress” sign in area to be mowed.
- Remember that you must STOP mowing when pedestrians or a car approaches you. Where a school abounds a busy road, or there is a large pedestrian flow, this will increase the time it takes for you to perform this task. The school needs to factor frequent stopping in the time expected to undertaking this work.
- If the task is taking longer than the time expected, update your supervisor.
- On completion of the task, report back to your supervisor.
- If an incident occurs stop using the equipment and report the incident to your Principal at once. You should also lodge an Incident Report with the Work Health and Safety Directorate Hotline.
Blower and/or Whipper Snipper Checklist
- Check that the equipment is safe and operational for use
- Make sure you have the correct PPE gear. Safety glasses, High Vis Vest, Earmuffs, Hat, and Sunscreen. For all outdoor work, the school should be supplying PPE to you.
- Check there is a current Risk Assessment for this job. The DoE’s Work Health and Safety Directorate can help with the preparation of a Risk Assessment. This is very important if your school is located on a busy road where traffic can be an issue.
- Before starting the task, tell your supervisor you are mowing outside grounds.
- Place “Mowing in Progress” sign in area to be mowed.
- Remember that you must STOP mowing when pedestrians or a car approaches you. Where a school abounds a busy road, or there is a large pedestrian flow, this will increase the time it takes for you to perform this task. The school needs to factor frequent stopping in the time expected to undertaking this work.
- If the task is taking longer than the time expected, update your supervisor.
- On completion of the task, report back to your supervisor.
- If an incident occurs stop using the equipment and report the incident to your Principal at once. You should also lodge an Incident Report with the Work Health and Safety Directorate Hotline.
Legal coverage
If a school meets all requirements, and their GA responsibly and safely uses equipment on nature strips according to manufacturer’s instructions the GA is covered for:
- any injury and can make a workers compensation claim. Find out more about Workers compensation; and,
- insurance for accidental damage caused to vehicles or property. Find out more about Insurance and claims
You can get more information about conditional registration, acceptable uses and equipment requirements for mowers if you wish.
At the time of publication of this bulletin, the road rules cited are current. However, laws and regulations are subject to change.
Please go to the Service NSW website: https://www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/roads-safety-and-rules for current road rules and regulations.
Your GAAG Delegates
Wayne Gaw
Armidale Secondary College High School
Stephen Smith Assistant Secretary
Cobar High School
Bill Martin
Vincentia High School
Sam Sale
Wadalba Community School
Hayden Berry
Spring Farm Public School
Alison Crittenden Chairperson
Sutherland North Public School
Michael Burrell Secretary
Blacktown Boys High School
Philip Crowe
Freshwater Senior – Northern Beaches Secondary College
Jason Pickering
Toormina High School