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Definitions

Acceptable level of residual risk
An acceptable level of risk exists when the educational outcomes expected to be achieved in undertaking an activity, justify doing the activity given the level of risk.

The residual risk is the level of risk remaining after the controls have been put in place.

Assessment of risks
The part of the risk management process that involves:

identifying hazards associated with an activity
assessing the risk level of the activity by determining the likelihood of an incident occurring and the severity of the consequence (e.g. injury) should the incident occur
determining controls to manage the risks.

Common-law duty of care
Those responsible for curriculum activities must take reasonable care to avoid foreseeable risks of injury, for example by:

making sure that activities are safe and appropriate for the students' age
ensuring students are properly instructed and prepared for the activities
ensuring all equipment is in a safe condition to use
providing adequate supervision.

Control measures
Actions implemented to reduce the level of risk. Control measures should be reviewed to ensure their effectiveness. Some safety controls may not be effective at providing the level of safety anticipated. Sometimes, a safety control measure may create its own risk to safety (albeit unintended). In these cases, safety controls which provide an adequate level of safety are to be implemented.

Control measures should always be reviewed after an incident (including a near miss) to reassess their appropriateness.

Curriculum risk management
The process of managing risks associated with curriculum activities. It involves the:

identification of hazards
assessment of inherent risk level
identification and implementation of controls to mitigate risk
monitoring and review of controls.

For high and extreme risk activities, it also includes the approval of the risk assessment prior to the activity being undertaken with students.

Extreme risk activity
An activity that is inherently dangerous. There is a high chance of an incident occurring that would result in debilitating injury or death.

Serious consideration should be given to alternative ways of achieving comparable learning outcomes in place of engaging in the extreme risk activity.

Significant additional controls would need to be put in place to lower the risk level of the activity.

A risk assessment is to be completed and approved by the principal before any extreme risk activity is undertaken with students.

Hazards
A hazard is anything that has the potential to cause harm (e.g. electricity, chemicals).

High risk activity
An activity where there is a likely chance of an incident resulting in injury or illness requiring medical treatment.

Additional controls would need to be put in place to lower the risk level to an acceptable level.

A written risk assessment is to be completed and approved before any high risk activity is undertaken with students.

Inherent level of risk
The level of risk related to the nature of:

the activity
those involved, including the:
- age and ability of students
- qualifications and experience of leaders
the equipment used
the environment in which the activity is undertaken
the experience and qualifications of those leading the activity.

Legal Obligation
Responsibilities held under relevant law (e.g. Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld) , Education (General Provisions) Regulation 2006 (Qld) .
For example, under the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995:

persons in control (e.g. principals) have a responsibility to ensure the risk of injury from the workplace is minimised
workers (e.g. teachers) have the responsibility to comply with workplace health and safety instructions.

Low risk activity
An activity that has little chance of an incident occurring which would result in an injury.

Medium risk activity
An activity that has some chance of an incident occurring which would result in a minor injury requiring first aid.

Others
Parents, volunteers, external coaches and leaders involved in planning, delivering or supervising any curriculum activity.

Treatment of risks
The implementation of safety control measures to reduce the risk level of an activity.

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