Accidents
If you witness a medical emergency or an accident involving injury, you must report it immediately to TAFE SA staff so that first aid can be arranged without delay and any hazards can be eliminated.
Where possible, please follow the procedure outlined below.
- Provide comfort and assistance to the patient.
- Send someone to notify a first aider or staff member from the campus Client Service Centre or dial 1333 on any office telephone to be connected to a first aid officer.
- Stay with the patient until medical assistance arrives.
If you are unable to follow this procedure for any reason, you can call an ambulance yourself (see Ambulance Cover). To do this from any office telephone, dial 0, listen for the dial tone, then dial 000. From a pay telephone dial 000 (free call).
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Ambulance cover
Medicare does not cover ambulance costs. If an ambulance takes you to hospital, you will have to pay the ambulance charge. As the current rate for ambulance transport is approximately $500, you may wish to consider insurance which includes ambulance cover.
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Children on campus
Children should not be on campuses for any extended period of time. Children under the age of eight are not permitted in workshop environments, and children between the ages of eight and 15 are only permitted in workshops if accompanied by an adult.
Several TAFE SA campuses have child care facilities. See the Child care section for more details.
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Disclosure of medical condition
If you have a medical condition that may affect your performance under certain conditions or at certain times, please advise your lecturer, course coordinator or Student counsellor before you commence your study. Such conditions may include a disability or the prescribed use of medication that may affect your performance or attendance. All information will be treated confidentially and is used to provide support or treatment if an emergency situation arises.
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Emergency numbers
Fire: 000 or 8223 3000
Ambulance: 000
Police: 000 or 131 444
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Emergency procedure and evacuation
- If there is an emergency, you should notify the nearest available staff member. They will know what to do and who to contact.
- On the sound of an alarm or the advice of an emergency warden, collect your valuables and evacuate the building quickly and calmly by the nearest exit door and then proceed to the assembly area as directed. Do not use lifts in the case of fire. All class groups should remain together so that staff can easily determine if all people on the campus are accounted for.
- If you are away from your normal class area, follow the warden’s instructions in the area you are in. You can recognise a warden by the yellow protective helmet. Do not attempt to return to your class area until directed by a warden.
- Assist any people with special needs to evacuate the building if possible.
- When you reach the emergency assembly area, remain there until you are given the all clear or you are dismissed by the emergency warden. You must not re-enter the building until the all clear has been given.
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Health and hygiene
For the health and comfort of all students and staff, you are asked to maintain an acceptable standard of personal hygiene and use all facilities provided appropriately.
- All rubbish should be placed in bins.
- Classrooms and workshops should be left in a clean and orderly state.
- If you are a smoker, please ensure you are smoking in a designated area and you dispose of your cigarette butts in the appropriate bins/containers.
- You may not consume food and drink in classrooms or workshops unless specifically authorised by staff.
- You are expected to remove contaminated workshop overalls or boots before using public spaces (hand washing stations are provided in workshop areas and showering facilities are generally available on campus)
- Student areas in cafeterias should be kept clean, particularly the communal fridges and microwave ovens.
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Insurance
If you are studying as an apprentice or trainee, you are covered against accidents through your employer's Workcover. If you are not employed, or you are attending a course out of work time which is not sponsored by your employer, you are advised to seek private insurance.
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Reporting hazards
It is your responsibility to report any hazards you see that may cause injury or damage. Please report these hazards to lecturers or other staff as soon as possible.
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Smoking
As a consequence of medical evidence of the health risks associated with tobacco smoking and non-smokers who are subjected to it, there are restrictions on where you can smoke on TAFE SA campuses.
Smoking is prohibited in all TAFE SA buildings, including canteens and entrances. Smoking is allowed in designated areas clearly marked with 'Smoking Area' signs.
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Student alcohol and other drug policy
TAFE SA has a responsibility under the Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Act, 1986 to create and maintain a safe and healthy environment for all employees, students and visitors. While engaged in TAFE SA activities, you should not be adversely affected by alcohol and other drugs, and should observe local, state and federal laws in relation to using, possessing, and giving or selling alcohol and other drugs.
You are expected to ensure your own safety and the safety of others at all times, and should refrain from any conduct, including alcohol and other drug use, that could affect your own performance or the safety and wellbeing of others.
If you are using prescribed medications, you must consider whether there are possibilities of any problems arising within the TAFE SA environment. In particular, you must not operate vehicles or machinery if you are taking prescribed medication that may impair your ability to do so safely.
It is important that you inform your lecturers and supervisors of any likely problems and brief them on the response to follow to assist you to overcome any difficulties.
If you need some support in dealing with an alcohol or other drug problem, you are encouraged to seek confidential help from a Student counsellor. If you do not seek assistance for such a problem and your behaviour is unsafe, inappropriate or impacts on others, disciplinary action may be taken against you.
Download the Student Alcohol and Other Drug Policy To estimate your risk from drinking, see the 'Drinkmeter' on the Drug Alcohol Services South Australia website, an interactive program that will help you to determine your blood alcohol content through a simulated drinking session.
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