The first AEU Occupational Health and Safety Conference was run on 14 August. The conference theme was occupational violence and bullying and brought together members across all sectors to explore preventative systems.

Keynote speakers were John Merritt, executive director of health and safety at WorkSafe Victoria, and Oonagh Barron, whose work with WorkSafe Victoria has focused on the prevention of risks to psychological health including bullying, fatigue, stress and violence at work. Topics covered at the conference included:

• Student challenging behaviour and risk prevention
• Factors in safe school design
• Student positive behaviours program
• Conflict resolution: prevention and recovery
• Schools in transition and stress prevention
• Early intervention for workplace bullying and conflict in the workplace
• How to defuse situations of escalating emotion
• Controlling potentially violent situations.

The Conference ran 9am - 4pm at the AEU Building, 112 Trenerry Crescent, Abbotsford. Principals, assistant principals, health and safety representatives, OHS officers and other interested parties were all welcome.

For more information contact janet.marshall@aeuvic.asn.au or download the flyer and registration form below.

Download more info:
Conference flyer and registration form (650KB) [ pdf ]