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Ontario Physical Education Safety Guidelines - Revised 2008 -

Curricular ProgramsIntramural Activities and Clubs

Interschool AthleticsPresenters: Nancy Schad

Nancy Popovich

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FINISHED FILES ARE THE RESULT OF YEARS OF SCIENTIFIC STUDY COMBINED WITH EXPERIENCE OF MANY YEARS

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FINISHED FILES ARE THE

RESULT OF YEARS OF SCIENTIFIC STUDY COMBINED

WITH EXPERIENCE OF MANY YEARS

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Safety is the recognition

that all Physical Activity

involves an element of risk and

implies an obligation on the

part of all participants to

minimize that risk.

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The primary responsibility

for the care and safety of

students rests with the school board and its employees.

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Physical Education SECONDARY SAFETY DOCUMENTS

Interschool Athletics Intramural

• Curricular

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WHY DO I NEED THESE DOCUMENTS?

They will help make programs safer. They will enhance the working relationship

between teachers and administration. They will answer many questions for staff.

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Look at the next slide to see a sample of the wide variety of accidents that occur in the

gym.

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Video - bb

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LEGAL/EDUCATIONAL LIABILITY

Court settlements are a result of

injuries which occur in schools where there is negligence by a Board of Education and/or its

employees.

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NEGLIGENCE

Is the doing of something which a reasonable and prudent

person would not do or the omission to do something that

a reasonable and prudent person would do.

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The scenarios portray some examples of

negligence.

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FORESEEABLE RISK

To foresee is to plan ahead, to anticipate potential risks and to

take the necessary steps to reduce or eliminate them.

Video – skateboarding/swimming

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TEACHERS

Is that of a careful and prudent parent of a large family. As the inherent risk of injury increases, so does the standard of care.

STANDARD OF CARE

PREMISESThe Occupiers Liability Act requires an occupier of the premises (school) to ensure its’ property is safe for people entering onto it. This includes the use and operation of physical education equipment.

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CAREFUL/PRUDENT PARENT TEST: What would the average reasonable parent

have done in the same circumstances?

Reasonableness is determined by three situational elements:- the activity- the environmental conditions- the participants

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Safety Services Package for 2008-2010

The new guidelines were released this summer, they were launched on a new, interactive user-friendly website.

Some of the features include: ability to quick search and print individual pages; ability to browse all documents; immediate alerts to new/changed information; ability to download the documents in sections or

as a whole; and ability to search/browse FAQs database.

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Safety Services Package for 2008-2010 continued

Other features: Ask an Expert feature – timely email response to

questions New/revised pages posted in “What’s New?” Safety news and research feed Discounts on Ophea Safety Guidelines workshops

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Revisions 2008

Throughout the three modules (curricular, intramural and interschool):

- most recent safety information available to writers- inconsistencies between activities and pages- activities renamed (e.g. aquatics becomes swimming)- language clarified- reorganization of column content

For student/athlete safety, teachers need to read and implement the ‘revised’ safety criteria from the generic, activity page and appendices sections of the 2008 v2 revised safety guidelines.

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Implementation Timelines

For some items implementation should be immediate.

Changes requiring significant financial cost may be done in stages over a period of years (three years).

A process should be drawn up to ensure full implementation is achieved, e.g., taking inventory, gap analysis and devising a plan to implement .

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Revisions Generic Section (Elementary and Secondary)

Curricular, Intramural and Interschool

Risk Management Statement

Introductory information on: Lightning, Concussion

Activity Provider requirements

Statement on helmets

Definition of ‘running shoes’

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Risk Management Statement

A Risk Management Statement was added to all modules, outlining some of the elements of risk a teacher must take into consideration prior to offering an activity.

The outlined elements of risk assist the teacher in meeting their Duty of Care by reminding them of their obligations/responsibilities to safety.

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Risk Management Statement continued

The following elements of risk must be taken into consideration by the teacher:

educational value of the activity environmental factors appropriate for the students’ age,

physical/mental abilities and behavioural patterns.

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Risk Management Statement continued

Specifically for Curricular/Intramural modules: The teacher has the knowledge and ability in accordance

with the activity page(s) to teach the activity safely. The teacher has the knowledge and ability in accordance

with the activity page(s) to manage the intramural activity safely.

Specifically for the Interschool module: The teacher/coach has the knowledge/experience and

certification (where applicable) in accordance with the activity page(s) to instruct/coach the activity safely.

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Concussion and Lightning

Introductory information statements about Concussion and Lightning have been added to all Generic Sections.

Detailed information for both areas are located in two new appendices (Appendices D & E – Curricular, Intramural guidelines and Appendices B-2, C & F – Interschool)

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Activity Provider Requirements

A statement has been included to remind teachers to provide outside activity provider(s) with the relevant safety guideline activity page(s), (e.g., climbing pages).

The activity provider must guarantee to fulfill all of the ‘mandatory minimum standards’ outlined on the activity page(s) prior to program instruction.

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Helmet Revisions

As of January 2008, the CSA (Canadian Standards Association) has safety standards for the manufacture of ice hockey helmets and cycling helmets ONLY.

The CSA has mandatory regulations for ice hockey helmets ONLY.

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Running Shoe Revisions

Appropriate athletic footwear is defined as a running shoe with a flat rubber treaded sole that is secured to the foot.

Running shoes with higher heels, wheels, rubber, plastic or metal cleats, open toes, open heels are not appropriate.

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Activity Page

Revisions

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Sport/Activity Page Revisions

For all three modules (curricular, intramural, interschool):

“Also see Generic Issues and Introduction to Activity Page Components Section to view complete safety requirements.”

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Elementary Curricular Activity Pages – Designated Grades

Designated grades/divisions were removed from many of the activity pages.

Note: Where a grade/division has been removed, the

activity page has been modified (in the special rules and instructions and supervision columns) to accommodate the lower grade level.

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Elementary and Secondary Curricular Activity Pages: Not Recommended Status

The ‘Not Recommended’ designation assigned to some activities has been removed. (e.g., Archery at the elementary level is no longer classified as ‘not recommended’).

Activities are either:

Appropriate Not Appropriate

Those in which students can participate and that have a safety guideline activity page.

Those in which students cannot participate.

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Elementary and Secondary Curricular Activity Pages: Not Recommended Status continued

Elementary

Archery Appropriate

Hurdles Appropriate

Ringette, Rock Climbing

Sailing, Winter Camping

Not Appropriate

Secondary

Tackle Rugby Not Appropriate

Javelin Appropriate using Styrofoam javelin

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Elementary and Secondary Curricular Activity Pages: Unfamiliar Activity - Seek Assistance

For all three modules (curricular, intramural, interschool):

“It is advisable that any teacher who is unfamiliar with an activity/technique seek assistance from appropriate staff and/or refrain from teaching the activity until help is received.” e.g., archery (elementary and secondary), snorkeling (secondary), track & field - high jump, shotput (elementary).

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Activity Pages – Elementary/Secondary Specific Changes

Each revised activity page reflects current best practice and mandatory changes.

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Activity Pages – Elementary/Secondary Specific Changes

A number of specific changes have been made to individual activity pages.

For all three modules (curricular, intramural, interschool):

‘Swim to Survive’ Test - now the standard across water based activities

Swimming – Supervision ratio for instruction is 2:50 Supervision ratio for recreational/free swims has

been raised: 2 lifeguards: 0-125 bathers 3 lifeguards: 126-250 bathers

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Activity Pages – Elementary/Secondary Specific Changes

Badminton – protective eye wear mandatory for singles and doubles play

High jump – mat/landing surface requirements

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Intramural Activity Pages – Specific Changes

For elementary and secondary: Direction to reference the Curricular safety

module is included in: Supervision of Sport Imitations and Supervision of Clubs.

Direction as to who can make ‘school made equipment’ is included.

Martial Arts Club – new activity page.

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Interschool Activity Pages – Specific Changes

For elementary only: Track and Field – wearing of 5mm spikes is allowed

For elementary and secondary: Higher risk activities – coaching requirements:

‘experience as a player or coach in that sport in the last 10 yrs.’

Basketball - portable basketball systems described. Ice Hockey – prior to first game multiple practices on

ice must have occurred.

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Elementary and Secondary Appendices

Elementary: Appendix ASample Letter to Parents/Guardians contains:- curricular information and intramural permission- collects medical information

Secondary: Appendix ASample Letter to Parents/Guardians contains:- curricular information - collects medical informationNote: Intramural permission form is in Intramural

Module.

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Elementary and Secondary Appendices

Two new appendices

1. Concussion: Appendix D (Curricular & Intramural),Appendices B-1, B-2, C (Interschool)- Procedures were developed to provide guidance for teachers/coaches in situations when students are suspected of having a concussion.

2. Lightning: Appendix E (Curricular & Intramural), Appendix F (Interschool)- Procedures developed for teachers/coaches in situations when lightning is imminent.

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Elementary and Secondary Appendicescontinued

Concussion Recent events including tragic deaths from

concussion and secondary impact concussions have highlighted the need for a detailed appendix dealing with this topic.

Concussion information includes: Common signs and symptoms Initial response How long for student to ‘get better’? When student can return to physical activity? Second impact syndrome Concussion management Minimizing the risk

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Elementary and Secondary Appendicescontinued

Concussion cont’d…

Appendix B-2 - “Request to Resume Athletic Participation – Concussion Related Injuries”

Note: that this is a form specific to returning to play following a concussion.

It includes a step by step process for to returning play

It is mandatory for students with a suspected concussion to have a medical doctor sign this form

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Elementary and Secondary Appendicescontinued

Lightning information includes:

Chain of command Planning evacuation and safety measures in

advance Detection and response ‘If you see it, flee it; If you hear it, clear it.’ Resumption of activity

Video - lightening

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Accessing the Safety Guidelinescontinued

Ophea does not give the password to callers. School board contacts (to obtain password) are:

TVDSB – Jayne McCullough LDCSB - Sue McMahon or John Vandommelen WCDSB – Kathy Doherty-Masters posted online at

http://www.ophea.net/safetycontacts.cfm

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Safety Services Package for 2008-2010 continued

Associate Members can purchase hardcopy documents.

include organizations such as Outdoor Education Providers, Camps, Climbing Providers, Faculties of Education Libraries, Law Firms, Private Schools.

More information is available at www.ophea.net/safety

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Safety Guidelines Maintenance

The guidelines are reviewed in their entirety every 10 years.

Yearly updates are made to activities as required/requested.

To request a new activity page, or a revision to an activity page, complete a Request for New/Revised Activity Page form. Forms must be submitted to Ophea by October 31 of the current school year. To access the form email: safety@ophea.org or the Safety Services website.

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Safety Guidelines Maintenance

Ophea is always looking for volunteers with an interest in safety and physical education to be part of the Safety Writing Team. Inquiries: safety@ophea.org

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