guidelines for the safe conduct of sport

Guidelines for the Safe Conduct of Sport and Physical Activity in Schools

AWARENESS PRESENTATION

GUIDELINES FOR THE SAFE CONDUCT OF SPORT AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN SCHOOLS


Why is this awareness presentation necessary?


This awareness presentation will alert staff to the Guidelines for the Safe Conduct of Sport and Physical Activity in Schools manual and its implications for excursion planning, particularly where physical recreation is to occur.

The presentation will indicate how the Guidelines manual can be an effective tool in decreasing the frequency and severity of injury associated with sport and recreational activities, while promoting healthy participation


To refresh staff involved in the conduct of sport and physical activity in its various forms and excursions involving planned activity, in awareness of, and use of, the Guidelines.

It is important that all staff involved in, or likely to be involved in, the conduct of sport and physical activity are familiar with the Guidelines

Why is this support document an important reference for school staff?



The support document:

Informs school communities in the planning and implementation of safe sport, physical activity and school excursions

Draws together advice from Departmental memoranda which relate to the supervision and welfare of students engaged in sport and physical activity

Strengthens existing safety guidelines and standards for over 60 specific sport and outdoor recreation activities

Describes best practice in injury prevention


The safety conditions for specific activities apply whether the activity is taken as part of school sport, physical education, within school excursions, or any other occasion where planned sport or physical activity is to occur

Target audience:

Principals

Sport coordinators

Teachers in charge

Target audience:•Sports coordinators•Teachers•Coaches•Students•Parents

Target audience:•Principals•Sport Coordinators•Teachers in charge / leaders

Target audience:•Sport Coordinators•Teachers

Four main sections

Supervision and welfare of students

engaged in sport and physical activity

Student protection

Outdoor recreation guidelines

Guidelines for specific activities



Safety guidelines for 60 sports and outdoor recreation activities are listed in the manual. Advice is provided for each activity concerning:

As an example, safety guidelines for the sport of hockey are included in your workshop booklet

teacher/instructor qualifications and experiencesupervision

equipment

venue

safety


How knowledgeable are you?

Please complete the quiz on page 2 of the Staff Workshop booklet. Staff members may confer.


1. Guidelines cover organised and structured sport as well as organised and structured recreational activities

True

2. The target group or audience for the guidelines is sport coordinators (Ref: Guidelines page 7)

False

3. The teacher to student ratio for outdoor recreation activities is 1:30 (Many activities, particularly swimming and outdoor adventure activities, have much lower ratios)

False

4. Where the wearing of protective gear is specified in the guidelines, it must be worn (eg. the wearing of helmets for batters and base runners in baseball)

True

5. Tobogganing can be undertaken with appropriate risk management procedures in place (For reasons of safety and the incidence of neck, head and spinal injury, tobogganing is not permitted. Ref: Guidelines page 206)

False


6. Students with Down’s Syndrome should be medically screened prior to their participation in contact sport (Atlanto-axial instability exists in a small number of people with Down’s Syndrome and is detected through an x-ray. Ref: Guidelines page 49)

True

7. Hydrated lime, creosote or kerosene can be used to mark playing fields (All present health and environmental risks. Ref: Guidelines page 58)

False

8. A risk management process should be undertaken before any outdoor adventure activity is conducted (Outdoor adventure activities are those that potentially place students at a higher risk than is usual at school because of the nature of the activity or the area in which the activity takes place. Ref: Guidelines page 71)

True


9. When epileptic students participate in a swimming activity there must be one supervisor for each student (If an epileptic attack occurs while the student is in the water, immediate assistance is required. Ref Guidelines page 232)

True

11.Students assisting teachers appointed as carnival starters must be trained in the use and storage of starting pistols and caps (students are not to be appointed in this capacity because of the risks associated with use of starting caps. Ref: Student Protection section in the Guidelines page 56)

False

10.Swimming in an inland waterway requires the same level of supervision as swimming at patrolled beaches (Refer to Swimming and Water Safety guidelines in the manual page 238)

True


13.Cardio-vascular resuscitation qualifications need to be updated every two years (Required each year because of the need to include new requirements and procedures. Ref: Guidelines- Swimming and Water Safety, page 232)

False

12.Portable soccer goals must be anchored (unanchored goals may tip forwards if sufficient weight is applied to the crossbar. Where these goals are of sufficient size and weight they are a potential hazard and should be suitably anchored. Ref: Student Protection section in the Guidelines page 59)

True

14.For swimming at a patrolled beach, the supervisor:student ratio is 1:18 (1.10 applies as a minimum. Supervision may need to be increased in many circumstances Ref: Guidelines- Swimming and Water Safety, page 238)

False


In organising and implementing all manner of school activities, members of staff will either formally or informally, plan for the supervision and welfare of students

Staff, in fact, are engaging in a risk management process


What does risk management mean?


RISK MANAGEMENT MEANS :

identifying foreseeable hazards, risks and safety issues

assessing the risks these hazards may cause

eliminating or controlling the risks

monitoring and reviewing the effectiveness of the control measures for the identified risks.


A simple scenario:

The planning of a school walk-a-thon or fun run has identified risks such as street crossings, poorly maintained parts of the paths that comprise the route and terrain that is too onerous for the participants to use. These risks have been minimised or avoided


However, on the day of the activity, the temperature climbs to 38°C with very high humidity

Can the safety issues for the participants be managed?

What is your decision?


Postpone!

The risk of dehydration (despite water stations), over exertion by some competitive students and exposure to the intense sun cannot be avoided


What are the critical elements of a risk management plan?

To start, refer to the excursion scenario on page 3 of the workshop booklet.


Key questions to be addressed in the scenario appear in your workshop booklet and are displayed on the following slide

For responses to questions one and two, use the sample risk management proforma on page 4 of your booklet


List some of the major risks or hazards relating to the bushwalking and swimming activities in the section headed Hazard/Risk Identification on page 3 of your workshop booklet

On the same page, list some of the measures that can control the identified risks in the section headed Elimination or Control Measures

In noting the nature of the excursion activities, what specific areas of expertise are required of staff appointed to conduct the bushwalking and swimming activities?

List any special equipment or protective gear that may be required for the bushwalk?

List current Departmental memoranda that relate to the organisation of the activity?

Activity : Science Excursion Location: National ParkRisk Management Plan

Elimination or Control Measures

SPORT & PHYSICAL ACTIVITY RISK MANAGEMENT FORM

Hazard/Risk Identification

being separated from group

BushwalkingRisk of:

exhaustion or dehydration

sprains, broken limbs

sunburn

Consult with National Parks personnel

Students briefed on bush safety

Appropriate clothing/footwear worn

Supervision ratio not to exceed 1:15

Teacher carries insulin as per health plan

Regular rest periods taken

Water bottle carried by all participants

First aid kit available

diabetic reaction

SPF30+ sun protection and wear hat and long sleeve top

Activity : Year 9 Science Excursion Location: National ParkRisk Management Plan

Elimination or Control Measures

SPORT & PHYSICAL ACTIVITY RISK MANAGEMENT FORM

Hazard/Risk Identification

sunburn

Recreational SwimmingRisk of:

drowning Students briefed in water safety

Supervision ratio 1:10

One teacher with current CPR cert

SPF30+ sun protection


What specific areas of expertise are required of staff appointed to conduct, the bushwalking and swimming activity?

Leaders of the bushwalk must be experienced bushwalker (s) with current knowledge of the proposed route and knowledge of search, rescue and emergency procedures

For the swimming activity, a minimum of two adult supervisors with current qualifications in rescue, resuscitation and first aid must be present. For any aquatic activity, a teacher must be present who has current CPR and Emergency Care.


appropriate walking shoes

List any special equipment or protective gear required for the bushwalk:

clothing for anticipated weather conditions

waterproof rain jacket with a hood

sunscreen

communication devices

medical kit


List current Departmental memoranda and other documents that relate to the organisation of the activity

Additional documents are listed in your workshop booklet on page 9. DET memorandums and policies may be accessed at:www.intranet.schools.nsw.edu.au/dse/D1.0/policies/index.html

Excursions and Other Visits (97/137)

Revision of guidelines for Bushwalking (99/205)

Guidelines for the Safe Conduct of Sport and Physical Activity in Schools 99/490)

http://www.intranet.schools.nsw.edu.au/dse/D1.0/policies/index.html


The partially completed Risk Management Form on page 4 of your workshop booklet and the Risk Management Planning Form on page 5, provide examples of the type of information that is sought to inform the activity approval process.


a list of key questions for planning excursion activities

departmental MEMORANDA AND DOCUMENTS associated with excursion planning

safety guidelines for the sport of hockey

where to seek further advice

For your information and future reference, examples of risk management support materials are provided in the workshop booklet:

guidelines for the safe conduct of sport

Education

schoolssafety guidelines

school sport

swimming activity

specific sport

structured sport

planned sport

false guidelines page

sport ofhockey