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For more information contact the Risk Management Helpdesk on 1300 660 827
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Sportsgrounds, Activities and Equipment
It is fair to say that most children in this country love sport. They love supporting it, watching it and of course playing it at every opportunity.
However, whilst sport is an important part of every school and college curriculum, it is important to remember that sporting activities come with risks, risks that can produce a range of injuries from minor cuts and scrapes through to broken bones and life-threatening conditions.
No matter how fit or athletic an individual may be, the risk of incurring an injury on the sporting field exists and schools and colleges have an obligation to ensure that they are managing those risks.
General risk management considerations for schools and colleges undertaking sporting activities include:
- ensuring the participant’s parents complete a medical history form prior to allowing their child to participate in sporting activities
- checking that students in need of medication such as asthmatics have their medication with them
- implementing an injury management reporting system and ensuring that students with injuries are excluded from participation where required
- making sure sports are age appropriate and modifying them to suit the age, fitness, physical limitation etc of players where required
- providing adequate first aid facilities and qualified first aiders during sporting activities
- making sure participants bring water and are staying hydrated throughout the activity
- ensuring emergency management is considered and a plan is in place for ambulances to easily access injured participants
- implementing a ‘blood rule’ i.e. ensuring that injured participants are required to leave the ground
- ensuring participants are warming-up before undertaking sporting activities and cooling-down after activities
- conducting a review of sporting equipment and facilities prior to allowing participants to engage in activities and ensuring that activities are not engaged in unless all equipment and facilities are deemed safe
- providing appropriate personal protective equipment as required
- ensuring that students engaging in contact sports such as rugby and Australian Rules Football have their own mouthguards and are excluded from competition if they do not have or wear them during participation
- if using portable soccer goalposts, making sure they have been designed and erected in accordance with AS4866.1-2007 – Playing field equipment – Soccer Goals – safety aspects
- making sure your insurances covers the sporting activities your school or college undertakes
- if hiring a venue for sporting activities, it is recommended you consult Catholic Church Insurances for further information before signing hire agreements and contracts
The above elements provide a starting point for issues that need to be considered when undertaking sporting activities. For more information on managing the risks of sporting activities or to obtain a copy of our sportsgrounds, activities and equipment fact sheet and checklist, please contact the Risk Management Helpdesk on 1300 660 827.
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