content-left-bg.png
content-right-bg.png

Practical workshop activities

WebPartZone1_1
PublishingPageContent

​Guideline review date: 24 September 2025

This guideline is provided to support schools in implementing the managing risks in school curriculum activities procedure.

The CARA planner (DOCX, 232KB) must be used for the specific school context in conjunction with this guideline considering additional risks, hazards and controls and including environmental, facility, equipment and student considerations.

For activities beyond the scope of this guideline, complete a CARA record using the CARA generic template (DOCX, 98KB).

Activity scope

This guideline demonstrates the minimum safety standard for student participation in practical workshop activities using process and production skills as an activity to support curriculum delivery.

The Department of Education is committed to ensuring that curriculum activities are planned for and managed in accordance with the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld), to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the safety of students, staff and others.

Process and production skills include using plant to manipulate materials for construction and/or to process materials for fabrication (e.g. making a jewellery box). These activities may have elements with various risk levels (e.g. risks from plant, manufacturing processes and materials).

Plant includes any machinery, equipment, appliance, container, implement and tool, and includes any component or anything fitted or connected to any of those items.

Depending on the scope of this activity, other risk assessments may be required when planning. Curriculum activities encompassing more than 1 CARA guideline must comply with the requirements of all CARA guidelines appropriate to the activity​.

​​

For activities conducted at a non-Department of Education venue, and/or when engaging external expertise, request written risk assessment advice and attach it to this CARA record.

For activities conducted off-site, schools must comply with the school excursions procedure.

Risk level

The risk level of the activity is determined by the highest risk level of the plant/equipment/materials planned for use in the activity, in conjunction with risks associated with the school context (e.g. location, student participants). Consult the Plant and Equipment Risk Assessments (P&ERA) and Safe Operating Procedures (SOP) to assist in determining the risk level.

The plant, equipment and materials in curriculum activities template may be completed, referenced and attached to this CARA record prior to conducting the curriculum activity.

Activity requirements

If any requirement cannot be met, the activity must not occur.

A registered teacher must be appointed to maintain overall responsibility for the activity.

Teachers, in collaboration with other adult supervisors of the planned activity, determine additional risks, hazards and control measures relevant to the activity and the specific school/group circumstances in order to lift the safety standard above the minimum identified in the CARA guideline.

Consult review comments from previous CARA records to improve safety standards based on the advice from the previous supervisors of the activity at the school.

Compliance with the department's guide to managing electrical equipment in departmental schools and workplaces is required.

The risks associated with working at heights must be assessed and managed.

WebPartZone1_2

Supervision

Principals, in consultation with the qualified adults, make final supervision decisions for the activity that considers the local context.

Appropriate adult supervision must be provided to manage the activity safely (i.e. prevent an incident from occurring and manage an incident if one were to occur), including managing emergency situations. The principal must give active consideration to the minimum standards set in the CARA guideline for the activity, the CARA planner and the risk assessment when determining the appropriate level of supervision.

See number of adult supervisors below.

It is recommended that teacher demonstration be used as the principal teaching strategy for practical activities.

Participants must adhere to all rules and advice communicated by the facility operator/owner and any safety signage at the facility/location.

Before the activity, all adult supervisors:

  • must be familiar with the contents of the CARA record, including the emergency and supervision plans.

During the activity, all adult supervisors:

  • must provide active and direct supervision—be constantly vigilant, attentive and rescue ready
  • must comply with control measures from the CARA record and adapt as hazards arise.

The activity must be suspended if the conditions become unfavourable.

Number of adult supervisors

Principals, in consultation with the qualified adults of the activity, determine the final number of supervisors to fulfil instructional, emergency and supervision roles for the local context that consider the nature of the activity, students' ages, abilities and specialised learning, access and/or health needs. In some instances, the final supervision ratio may be 1:1.

If the minimum safety standard cannot be met, modify the activity (or elements of it) and/or identify and use the hierarchy of controls to implement alternative control measures to meet or exceed the minimum safety standard (e.g. reduce the number of students participating at any one time).

See frequently asked questions (FAQs) for further support.

Supervisor qualifications

Qualifications support the minimum safety standard for this activity. Principals make final decisions* in determining supervisor capability (competence, relevance and currency) and whether the activity leader meets an appropriate teaching standard.

*See FAQs for further support.

All adult supervisors must comply with the working with children authority—blue cards procedure.

Qualified adults for the activity

Recovery/emergency—CPR, first aid, rescue

An adult with current emergency qualifications is required to be quickly accessible to the activity area.

Supervisors must have CPR and first aid qualifications relevant to the activity. Emergency qualifications may include:

Low risk activities

At least 1 adult supervisor is either:

  • a registered teacher with knowledge of the activity, its potential hazards and safe use of equipment
  • an adult supervisor, working under the direct supervision of a registered teacher, with demonstrated competence (knowledge and skills) in the activity, its potential hazards and safe use of equipment specific to the activity.

Medium risk activities

At least 1 adult supervisor is either:

  • a registered teacher with demonstrated competence (knowledge and skills) in teaching the activity and safe use of equipment specific to the activity
  • an adult supervisor, working under the direct supervision of a registered teacher, with a current relevant trade qualification or similar.

High risk and extreme risk activities

At least 1 adult supervisor is either:

  • a registered teacher with qualifications in Design and Technologies or equivalent demonstrated capability (e.g. relevant trade qualification or similar)
  • an adult supervisor, working under the direct supervision of a registered teacher, with demonstrated competence in safely using plant, equipment and machinery specific to the activity. Examples of demonstrated competence include either
    • relevant VET trainer qualifications
    • another method determined by the principal.

See FAQs for further support.

Facilities and equipment

The qualified adult supervisor of the activity, in consultation with the principal, determines the requirements for facilities and equipment appropriate to the local context.

Consult chemicals in curriculum activities for support in assessing the risks of chemicals used with/by students in curriculum activities.

If a CARA record is required in OneSchool, a summary of chemicals, plant, equipment and/or materials used in the activity must be provided by entering directly onto the CARA record in OneSchool or by attaching a summary. Sample templates are provided on chemicals in curriculum activities and plant, equipment and materials in curriculum activities.

Safe work zones to be outlined (e.g. yellow painted floor lines or similar).

Participants must wear personal protective equipment when required by the safety data sheets (SDS) or Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) (e.g. safety glasses with Australian Standard specification, appropriate enclosed footwear, earplugs and leather gloves).

Clean up equipment (e.g. broom, dustpan, bin, spill kit) must be available.

Maintain the ducted waste (dust) extraction system, if installed. Ensure it is connected, operational, cleaned and emptied.

Ready access must be available to appropriate safety equipment, including fire extinguishers and fire blankets.

All equipment must be used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

A process for checking for damage for all equipment used in the activity must be established and employed.

A maintenance schedule (e.g. checking for damage, repairing, sharpening) must be established and enacted for all plant and equipment used in the workspace (e.g. hand/power tools, machinery). Consult Equipment Maintenance Records (EMR) and Plant and Equipment Risk Assessments (P&ERA) documents.

A retirement schedule must be developed to replace plant and equipment by manufacturers' nominated expiry date or when significant wear causes a hazard.

The risks associated with working at heights, confined spaces (PDF, 1.5MB), biological, asbestos, slip/trip/fall and noise must be assessed and managed.

Refer to the design and technologies handbook to manage the workspace in relation to layout and conditions (e.g. working at heights).

Common hazards and controls

Further to those listed, include any additional hazards and control measures considering the local context of the activity.

Environmental hazards Control measures

Environmental conditions

Follow the school's sun safety policy, including appropriate clothing (e.g. long sleeved shirts), sun protection (e.g. sunscreen) and shade facilities when outside.

Follow the managing excessive heat in schools guidelines when participating in very hot or extreme heat conditions. Where possible, utilise air conditioned or cooled workshops for summer months.

Ensure drink breaks occur regularly. Make water available for individual participants between drink breaks

Noise
Manage excessive noise levels during practical activities (e.g. control the use of equipment/machines)

Dust, gas or fumes

Ensure adequate ventilation/extraction when sanding and when using materials that release fumes or particles (e.g. contact adhesives, paints, solvents, glues, dust)

Facilities and equipment hazards Control measures
Activity location

Location must be suitable for the activity being undertaken, including sufficient space to prevent overcrowding, adequate lighting and ventilation to ensure safe participation and that safety rules and procedures can be followed.

This may be in a specialised facility (e.g. workshop) or other suitable location (e.g. welding bay). Consider additional hazards created by oversized products (e.g. stability, sharp edges). Undertake a reconnaissance of new or infrequently used locations to ascertain suitability

Slips, trips, falls

Floors and walkways must be clean and clear of debris and obstructions.

Extension leads must not be run across the floor

Faulty or dangerous equipment

Check equipment for damage before and during the activity

Heat sources

Monitor temperatures from heat sources in the workspace

Confined spaces
Asphyxiation
Ensure adequate lighting and ventilation
Waste disposal/spill clean up

Procedures must be in place to immediately manage the removal of all spilt substances (e.g. breakages bin, spill kit for large spills)
Equipment Equipment and implements to be stored safely and securely when not in use
Manual handling
Lifting equipment

Use correct manual handling processes when lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling or carrying

Student considerations Control measures
Injury

Ensure equipment is not accessed and used without direct supervision of an adult supervisor.

Students aware of the location of emergency and first-aid equipment

Student issues
Student numbers, special needs, high risk behaviours, medical conditions

Remove accessories (e.g. jewellery, lanyards) before participating.

Ensure clothing, fingernails and hair do not pose a hazard.

Footwear must be appropriate to the activity.

Monitor and enforce the correct use of plant and equipment.

Maintain close supervision of students

Additional links

Disclaimer

This information is developed and distributed on this website by the State of Queensland for use by Queensland state schools only.

Use or adaptation of, or reliance on, this information by persons or organisations other than the State of Queensland is at their sole risk. All users who use, adapt or rely on this information are responsible for ensuring by independent verification its accuracy, currency and appropriateness to their particular circumstances. The State of Queensland makes no representations, either express or implied, as to the suitability of this information to a user's particular circumstances.

To the full extent permitted by law, the State of Queensland disclaims all responsibility and liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages and costs arising from the use or adaptation of, or reliance on, this information.

Links to external websites are for convenience only and the State of Queensland has not independently verified the information on the linked websites. It is the responsibility of users to make their own decisions about the accuracy, currency, reliability and correctness of the information at these external websites.

WebPartZone2_1
WebPartZone2_2
WebPartZone2_3
WebPartZone3_1
WebPartZone3_2
WebPartZone3_3
WebPartZone3_4
WebPartZone4_1
WebPartZone5_1
WebPartZone5_2
WebPartZone6_1
WebPartZone6_2
WebPartZone7_1
WebPartZone7_2
WebPartZone8_1
WebPartZone8_2
WebPartZone9_1
Last updated 24 September 2025