❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses the Education Department's policy on using used tyres as play equipment in schools, focusing on safety concerns related to redback spiders and potential injuries. The response clarifies guidelines and school responsibilities.
AnsweredQoN 1400Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Does the Education Department have a policy on the use of used tyres as play equipment within schools?
(2) If such a policy exists, is it true that their use has been banned because of the threat of red back spiders hiding inside the tyres and thus posing a risk to school children who may be using the tyres as part of their play activities?
(3) Over the past 5 years, what injuries, including bites from red back spiders and other animals, have occurred where the injury could be directly attributable to the use of the used tyres or to animals hiding within or beneath them?
(4) If no policy exists on the use of used types, is an individual school allowed or expected or encouraged to remove used tyres from its play areas because of the school's belief that they pose an unacceptable risk to students?
(2) If such a policy exists, is it true that their use has been banned because of the threat of red back spiders hiding inside the tyres and thus posing a risk to school children who may be using the tyres as part of their play activities?
(3) Over the past 5 years, what injuries, including bites from red back spiders and other animals, have occurred where the injury could be directly attributable to the use of the used tyres or to animals hiding within or beneath them?
(4) If no policy exists on the use of used types, is an individual school allowed or expected or encouraged to remove used tyres from its play areas because of the school's belief that they pose an unacceptable risk to students?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 March 2002
Responded by
Minister for Education
Response time
23 days
(2) It is not uncommon for schools to use large 'Haulpak' or tractor tyres as interactive items of playground equipment. It is permissible for tyres to be used to retain softfall (sand) around play areas and only where students are likely to have minimum direct contact. In these situations schools are advised to paint the insides of the tyres white to reduce spider infestation. Research has proven this to be an effective deterrent. In instances where spiders do enter the inside of the tyre the white surface enables them to be detected easily. (3) This information is held at each individual school site. The issue of spider bites has not been communicated directly to the Department of Education as being a problem. (4) It is the responsibility of schools to identify potential hazards at the school site, assess the possibility of injury or harm occurring and to introduce measures to eliminate or control the risks. This extends to the use of playground equipment. If a school identifies tyres or any other item of equipment as a hazard it has a duty of care to take such action as necessary to reduce the risk of injury to students. This may result in the removal of certain items of equipment.
(3) This information is held at each individual school site. The issue of spider bites has not been communicated directly to the Department of Education as being a problem. (4) It is the responsibility of schools to identify potential hazards at the school site, assess the possibility of injury or harm occurring and to introduce measures to eliminate or control the risks. This extends to the use of playground equipment. If a school identifies tyres or any other item of equipment as a hazard it has a duty of care to take such action as necessary to reduce the risk of injury to students. This may result in the removal of certain items of equipment.
(4) It is the responsibility of schools to identify potential hazards at the school site, assess the possibility of injury or harm occurring and to introduce measures to eliminate or control the risks. This extends to the use of playground equipment. If a school identifies tyres or any other item of equipment as a hazard it has a duty of care to take such action as necessary to reduce the risk of injury to students. This may result in the removal of certain items of equipment.
(3) This information is held at each individual school site. The issue of spider bites has not been communicated directly to the Department of Education as being a problem. (4) It is the responsibility of schools to identify potential hazards at the school site, assess the possibility of injury or harm occurring and to introduce measures to eliminate or control the risks. This extends to the use of playground equipment. If a school identifies tyres or any other item of equipment as a hazard it has a duty of care to take such action as necessary to reduce the risk of injury to students. This may result in the removal of certain items of equipment.
(4) It is the responsibility of schools to identify potential hazards at the school site, assess the possibility of injury or harm occurring and to introduce measures to eliminate or control the risks. This extends to the use of playground equipment. If a school identifies tyres or any other item of equipment as a hazard it has a duty of care to take such action as necessary to reduce the risk of injury to students. This may result in the removal of certain items of equipment.
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