Resources
16 January 2012

Specific Activites

Protection

Individual Health Care Plan

Supervising teachers should be aware of any student with an Individual Health Care Plan and the requirements of that plan. The plan should also be taken into consideration when students move up the representative sport pathway. An individual health care plan must be developed for any student diagnosed with severe asthma, type 1 diabetes, epilepsy or anaphylaxis and/or diagnosed as being at risk of an emergency and/or who requires the administration of health care procedures. The following links may be of assistance:

Developing and Implementing Individual Health Care Plans 

Individual Health Care Plan Proforma

Any student taking prescription medication should have a clearance from the treating doctor before participating in sport or physical activity.

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Mouthguards

Because mouthguards play an important role in providing protection against oro-facial sporting injuries they contribute significantly to safety in sports.A mouthguard is a shock absorber for the teeth and jaw. When properly fitted, a mouthguard will protect teeth, stop them biting into the lips and can act as a shock absorbing layer between teeth to reduce concussion and jaw fracture.

The Health NSW, Sports Medicine Australia, Australian Dental Association and Dental Health Foundation Australia recommend the wearing of custom-made mouthguards for participants involved in training and competition games in sports where collisions with opponents and sporting equipment is likely to occur. Further information is available at the Australian Dental Association's website - Mouthguard Awareness Campaign 

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Starting Guns / Pistol Caps

Pistol Caps for use in Starting Caps are sensitive explosives which have the potential to cause serious burns and impair hearing.  Concerns for staff and student safety require that all schools take care in the stroage and use of starting guns and caps. Ear protection must be worn when using a Starting Gun. The Departmental Guidelines regarding the Use of Starting Guns and Storage of Pistol Caps is available via this link.

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Ground Markings

Hydrated lime must not be used in any circumstances. Creosote, sump oil and kerosene have been found to present health and environmental risks and are not to be used. The Departmental Guidelines regarding the Marking of Playing Fields is available via this link.

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Fixed Playground Equipment

A safe playground is an essential element of a safe school.  Most students will use the playground at some time during the day and it is essential that all risks are identified and addressed. Fixed playground equipment can make a significant contribution in extending physical activity options in the school.

As part of its risk management strategy, the Department of Education has developed 

Safety Guidelines for the Installation and Maintenance of Fixed Playground Equipment Schools  

These guidelines contain a checklist that will assist schools to identify risks within playgrounds. The items on the list are not exhaustive and the assessment of risks should be taken into account with the strategies that appear in the Risk Management Awareness Training for Principals and Asset Protection Training Program.

Due to the potential risk of injury, the following items of equipment are banned from use on Departmental premises:

  • Swings (all types including ropes and tyres). Some items for students with disabilities may be exempt in specific settings.

  • See-saws, roundabouts and maypoles.

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Portable Goal Structures

Portable structures, of a variety of kinds, are used by schools in indoor and outdoor settings during organised sport, formal and informal playground games and physical education. The structures are used principally as goals for netball, football, basketball and hockey games. Portable goals vary considerably in design, construction, weight, size and materials used in their construction.
Unachored goal structures can pose a hazard to players and by-standers.  For further information follow this link - Portable Soccer Goal Posts - Manufacture, Use and Storage.

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Medical Insurance

In the event of injury, no personal injury insurance is provided by the Department of Education and Communities in relation to school sporting activities, physical education lessons or any other school acitvity. Parents and caregivers are advised to assess the level and extent of their child's invovlement in the sports program offered by the school, school sporting zone, region and state school sports association when deciding whether additional insurance cover is required. Personal accident insurance cover is available through normal retail insurance outlets.

The NSW Supplementary Sporting Injury Benefits Scheme, funded by the NSW government, provides limited cover for serious injury resulting in the permanent loss of a prescribed faculty or the use of some prescribed part of the body. Further information can be obtained from the following link - NSW Supplementary Sporting Injury Benefits Scheme 

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NSW Ambulance Cover

In 2012, the Department of Education and Communities has contributed to the  School Contribution Scheme administered by the NSW Ambulance Service for every departmental school and activity. Cover is provided from the time the student arrives at school to the time they leave the school premises. Provided a teacher is in charge, students involved in school excursions, sporting activities in non-school venues and camping activities are also covered by the Scheme.

School students are covered by Ambulance Cover when they participate in school activities in most Australian states except Queensland and South Australia.  Schools travelling to Queensland / South Australia should make parents aware of this situation and manage the risk.