Did you know the PSA, your union, has a newly elected SAO Science Advisory Group?

The advisory group meets quarterly to discuss matters affecting School Administrative Officers (SAO) working in science. The advisory group works with PSA staff to raise issues for discussion with the Department of Education (DoE).

The SAO Science Advisory Group is campaigning for Safety, Training and Recognition.

So that the PSA can communicate effectively with you about the issues facing members working in science, we need to know who you are. Please update your classification through the PSA website on this page found HERE.

Even if you only work one day in the science labs, please update your details with us.  If you are not a member of the PSA, please join HERE. A stronger united voice is a stronger and safer vocation.

Safer Storerooms Campaign

Your SAO science delegates have collaborated with PSA industrial staff to create a survey relating to the storerooms you work with. All feedback will be collected, and data will be collated for sharing with the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Directorate to highlight the need for safety and training for our members who work in science.

See link for survey HERE.

Please take the time to answer the survey. Your responses will remain anonymous, and no individual member will be identified.

End of User Declaration (EUD) QRG

It has been brought to the attention of the Advisory Group that often SAO’s in science are questioning who signs off on the EUD form ordering certain chemicals from suppliers.

The Department has developed the EUD document linked below as a resource to assist school staff in understanding the legislative requirements.

It is the responsibility of the Principal or authorised delegate (eg, Head Teacher Science) to sign off on the EUD. See attached document HERE.

Training: did you know?

Under your School Administrative and Support Staff Award (SASS Award Clause 12) all mandatory training and development should be completed in your contracted hours and if not, then you need to be remunerated for the extra time.

Refer to Clause 12 Training and Development Crown Employees SAS Staff Award 2024 found HERE.

Refer to Clause 8.7 Additional Hours for information for SAS Staff working more than their contracted hours found HERE.

It is important to talk to your supervisor, manager or the principal about access to additional hours prior to undertaking the training. The PSA advises members not to undertake training in your own time.

Training has been a key focus of the group and the PSA, as well as raising awareness of your pay, considering you are working with hazardous chemicals, materials and specialised equipment.

The PSA SAO Science Advisory Group has been continually advocating for members through the Department with various meetings, such as the PSA’s consultation with the WHS team for the return of face-to-face training, and the roll out of training associated with the updated Chemical Safety in Schools. There is mandatory CSIS training which is outlined below:

Chemical Safety in Schools (CSIS)

Mandatory training is dependent on the role and contact with chemicals, it is required for employees who:

• Use, handle, generate or store hazardous chemicals.
• Operate test, maintain, repair or decommission a storage or handling system for a hazardous chemical, and/or
• Are likely to be exposed to a hazardous chemical.

Required: on commencement. Timing: as required

Enrolment and delivery: Self-paced or face-to-face options are available via the Chemical Safety in Schools Package website.

Incident reporting: did you know?

An incident is an event that creates danger or risk that could significantly affect the health, safety and wellbeing of individuals of a physical or psychological nature, including near misses.  They may include, but are not limited to: spitting, hitting, kicking, physical incidents from working in the school grounds, undertaking general maintenance, handling hazardous materials such as chemicals or working with knives in the kitchen, and working with students as well as the significant psychological pressure placed on administrative staff due to workloads and work intensification.

In the event of an incident occurring, the safety and wellbeing of staff, students and others is the first priority.

Incident notification enables the department to provide early intervention, management and support where required and take corrective action to prevent further incidents or injury.  The department requires that employees report as soon as possible.

Incident Report and Support Hotline 1300 811 523 Mon-Fri 8:00am-5:00pm. There is also an online incident reporting line which we encourage members to utilise.

Get in touch with your delegates!

If you are a member of the PSA and have any topics or concerns that you would like discussed at the next SAO Science Advisory Group meeting, please contact the delegate in your area. If you would like to update your details or require individual assistance, please contact the PSA Member Support Centre on 1800 772 679.

Your newly elected 2025 SAO science delegates:

Sharon Francis Chair, Blaxland HS,  Sydney Metro – Nepean Blue Mountains

Shibaun Aitchison Vice Chair, Normanhurst Boys HS, Metro – North

Helen Hill Secretary, Kadina HS, Regional Northern Rivers

Kylie Porter Assist Secretary, Cambridge Park HS, Metro – West

Goran Terzic Bankstown Senior College, Sydney Metro – South West

Paris Demitri, Hunters Hills HS, Sydney Metro – North

Maree Hampstead Shoalhaven HS, Regional – Wollongong/South East

Robert Holmes, Doonside Tech HS, Metro – West

Rhiannon Hargreaves, Kooringal HS, Regional South West

John Berger, Forbes HS, Regional – Central West

There are two regional vacancies: Regional North West (Tamworth area) and Regional Newcastle/Central Coast.  If you are interested in becoming a SAO Science Delegate or becoming more involved in your union contact either your delegate in the area above, or Susan Chee Quee, PSA Schools Organiser, for more information about being a delegate.