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Throwing Events - Shot

Version 2.1

Forms part of HLS-PR-012: Curriculum Activity Risk Management at http://education.qld.qed.gov.au/strategic/eppr/health/hlspr012/. The particular features of this activity are to be considered as part of the general responsibilities of principals, teachers or other leaders outlined in that procedure.

Scope

This Schedule is one of three referring to throwing as part of athletics field events. It refers to putting the shot.

Nature of hazards

As part of the process of safety self-regulation, all persons engaging in this activity should identify the hazards, assess their significance and manage the potential risks including any additional hazards not mentioned here.

Each of the throwing implements has the potential to cause injury.

Level of risk

The categorisation of these conditions is subjective and offered as a starting point for risk management planning. The actual degree of risk is best ascertained by persons with intimate local knowledge present at the site of the activity.

Shot-putting is categorised as Medium risk (level 2).

Minimum supervision

One adult present should have knowledge of, and an ability to perform, first aid procedures.

If an adult other than a registered teacher is engaged for instruction, a teacher should be present to take overall responsibility.

Qualifications

The qualifications listed in this section are minimums for each type of situation. Leaders are encouraged to seek training to raise their qualification level above the minimum listed.

For Medium Risk (Level 2) activities, the leader should be:

a registered teacher with experience (previous involvement in the activity) in the teaching of the specific throw; or
an adult who has Level 1 Accreditation from the Australian Track and Field Coaches Association, if a teacher with these qualifications is not available.

Hazard reduction

Initial introduction of the activity should include:

appropriate warm-up and warm-down activities;
rules, safety procedures and prerequisite skills before students play the game;
progressive and sequential skill development.

Teachers should ensure that students:

are free of any physical injury which may affect their capacity to throw or which may be aggravated as a result of throwing; and
have appropriate foot protection when participating on a tartan or similar surface. (It may be deemed safe for them to participate in bare feet on a well-grassed surface free of loose obstacles.)

Activities should be designed to facilitate learning of biomechanically sound throwing techniques.

Activities should be sited away from buildings, pedestrians and other activities.

The throwing area should be of adequate width for group instruction, or the number of throwers on each occasion should be restricted so that:

all throwing takes place in one direction; and
the individuals in adjoining areas are safe.

The throwing area should be of adequate length to contain the implements thrown, given consideration of the ability level of the group.

The throwing sector area and approach and/or launch areas should be marked with highly visible markers to prevent access by non-participants.

The approach and/or launch area should be dry and free of any loose materials.

Equipment should be appropriately sized or modified to match the ability and strength levels of the students.

The teacher should:

implement strategies for safe athletics activities involving throwing events;
instruct students about safety rules before equipment is issued;
supervise the approach/launch area and throwing sector at all times;
instruct students to check that there is nobody in the sector before they commence preparation for the throw;
establish a system of commands to signal when students are to retrieve implements;
not allow 'pair' or return throwing.
dry implements before each throw if conditions cause dampness; and
instruct students regarding safety procedures in the use of spikes.

If shots are transported in containers, teachers should consider limiting the total mass and ensuring that the containers are sturdy.

Students should be in line, at least 2 metres apart, and that all throwing should occur in the one direction when instructing groups in the standing throw and linear glide techniques.

For group instruction in the rotational throwing technique, teachers should:

allow practice of the turn with modified equipment or without a shot;
where the shot is to be thrown using the turn, allow only one individual throw at a time;
where throwing takes place, place other students behind protective cages/barriers, well clear of the wire; and
place other students at least 20 metres behind and to the non-throwing side, if no protective cage/barrier is available.

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