South Australia’s public school system failed to meet basic health and safety standards for at least three years, according to a WorkCover evaluation undertaken in 2010. The audit found deficiencies within the Education Department’s performance, classifying it as ‘non conforming’, according to documents obtained by the State Opposition under Freedom of Information. The evaluation found the department had not defined strategies to measure, monitor, review and evaluate its work health and safety and injury management systems. It also found the provision of health and safety training could not be verified, and that the department did not appear to use lessons learnt from past injuries to better manage future injuries. “We would expect the department to meet the compliance standards because with respect to WorkCover it is dealing with people’s health and wellbeing,” said the Australian Education Union’s SA President Correna Haythorpe. Education Department Chief Executive, Tony Harrison, said changes had been made to the organisational structure of the Health and Safety Unit and a strengthened accountability governance framework was in place. He is also reviewing all health and safety policies, processes and procedures in consultation with key stakeholders through the health and safety committees.