Javelin

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Guideline review date: 24 September 2025

This guideline is provided to support schools in implementing the managing risks in school curriculum activities procedure.

The CARA planner (DOCX, 232KB) must be used for the specific school context in conjunction with this guideline considering additional risks, hazards and controls and including environmental, facility, equipment and student considerations.

For activities beyond the scope of this guideline, complete a CARA record using the CARA generic template (DOCX, 98KB).

Activity scope

This guideline demonstrates the minimum safety standard for student participation in javelin as an activity to support curriculum delivery.

The Department of Education is committed to ensuring that curriculum activities are planned for and managed in accordance with the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld), to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the safety of students, staff and others.

For activities conducted at a non-Department of Education venue, and/or when engaging external expertise, request written risk assessment advice and attach it to this CARA record.

For activities conducted off-site, schools must comply with the school excursions procedure.

For activities conducted as part of representative school sport programs, schools should consult with Queensland School Sport.

Risk level

Medium risk
Javelin activities involving modified (foam/plastic) javelins.

High risk
Javelin activities involving sharp and/or metal tipped javelins.

Activity requirements

If any requirement cannot be met, the activity must not occur.

A registered teacher must be appointed to maintain overall responsibility for the activity.

Teachers, in collaboration with other adult supervisors of the planned activity, determine additional risks, hazards and control measures relevant to the activity and the specific school/group circumstances in order to lift the safety standard above the minimum identified in the CARA guideline.

Consult review comments from previous CARA records to improve safety standards based on the advice from the previous supervisors of the activity at the school.

Prior consultation and collaboration with local expertise (e.g. venue manager) is required for local advice, emergency support mechanisms and additional supervision requirements to ensure participant and public safety.

Competition rules and procedures with additional or more stringent safety requirements must take precedence.

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Students

Emergency and first-aid

Induction and instruction

Consent

Supervision

Principals, in consultation with the qualified adults, make final supervision decisions for the activity that considers the local context.

Appropriate adult supervision must be provided to manage the activity safely (i.e. prevent an incident from occurring and manage an incident if one were to occur, including managing emergency situations). The principal must give active consideration to the minimum standards set in the CARA guideline for the activity, the CARA planner and the risk assessment when determining the appropriate level of supervision.

See number of adult supervisors below.

Before the activity, all adult supervisors:

must be familiar with the contents of the CARA record, including the emergency and supervision plans.

During the activity, all adult supervisors:

must provide active and direct supervision—be constantly vigilant, attentive and rescue ready
must closely monitor approach, throwing and landing areas at all times. Participants must not throw until these areas are clear.
must confine throwing to occur in 1 direction only
must comply with control measures from the CARA record and adapt as hazards arise
must not allow return throwing.

The activity must be suspended if the conditions become unfavourable (e.g. poor visibility, extreme temperatures, thunderstorms).

Number of adult supervisors

Principals, in consultation with the qualified adults of the activity, determine the final number of supervisors to fulfil instructional, emergency and supervision roles for the local context that consider the nature of the activity, students' ages, abilities and specialised learning, access and/or health needs. In some instances, the final supervision ratio may be 1:1.

If the minimum safety standard cannot be met, modify the activity (or elements of it) and use the hierarchy of controls to implement alternative control measures to meet or exceed the minimum safety standard (e.g. reduce the number of students participating at any one time).

See frequently asked questions (FAQs) for further support.

Supervisor qualifications

Qualifications support the minimum safety standard for this activity. Principals make final decisions* in determining supervisor capability (competence, relevance and currency) and whether the activity leader meets an appropriate teaching standard.

*See FAQs for further support.

All adult supervisors must comply with the working with children authority—blue cards procedure.

Qualified adults for the activity

Recovery/emergency—CPR, first aid, rescue

An adult with current emergency qualifications is required to be quickly accessible to the activity area.

Supervisors must have CPR and first aid qualifications relevant to the activity. Emergency qualifications may include:

Medium risk activities

At least 1 adult supervisor is either:

a registered teacher with competence (knowledge and skills) in teaching javelin
an adult supervisor, working under the direct supervision of a registered teacher, with current Level 1 Community Coach accreditation from Athletics Australia.

High risk activities

At least 1 adult supervisor is either:

a registered teacher with qualifications in Physical Education (or equivalent demonstrated capability) and competence (knowledge and skills) in teaching javelin
an adult supervisor, working under the direct supervision of a registered teacher, with current Level 2 Club Coach accreditation from Athletics Australia.

See FAQs for further support.

Facilities and equipment

The qualified adult supervisor of the activity, in consultation with the principal, determines the requirements for facilities and equipment appropriate to the local context.

Clearly defined approach, throwing and landing areas that consider the ability of the group. Use highly visible markers.

Participants must wear personal protective equipment appropriate to the activity (e.g. enclosed footwear appropriate for the type of activity, surface and age of participants).

Lines to be marked on grass in accordance with the line marking of sports fields fact sheet.

Equipment sized to match the ability and strength of students.

Consider using a whistle for command signalling.

Additionally for high risk activities:

Clearly defined runway and landing sector that extends beyond the ability of the group. Consult World Athletics technical information—manuals and guidelines (see competition and technical rules, TR32-Rule 187) for support.
An exclusion zone defined with a broken line 10 metres outside the sector line and parallel to it. Additionally place highly visible markers on top of the broken line.
Homemade javelins are prohibited.

Common hazards and controls

Further to those listed, include any additional hazards and control measures considering the local context of the activity.

Environmental hazards	Control measures
Biological hazards Body fluids (e.g. blood, saliva, sweat)	Manage open wounds before, during and after the activity. Consult infection control guidelines and Queensland Health's exclusion periods for infectious conditions poster (PDF, 1.4MB) for first aid and hygienic practices
Environmental conditions Weather, sun, humidity	Assess weather conditions prior to undertaking the activity, inspecting the intended location in order to identify variable risks, hazards and potential dangers. Follow the school's sun safety policy, including appropriate clothing, sun protection (e.g. sunscreen) and shade facilities when outside. Follow the managing excessive heat in schools guidelines when participating in very hot or extreme heat conditions. Dry equipment (including javelins) before each throw if conditions cause dampness
Facilities and equipment hazards	Control measures
Activity location	Location must be suitable for the activity being undertaken, including sufficient space to ensure safe participation and that safety rules and procedures can be followed. Undertake a reconnaissance of new or infrequently used venues to ascertain suitability
Boundary clearance	Position throwers at least 5 metres apart during group instruction. Position non-throwers at least 10 metres behind the marked approach. Mark exclusion zones clearly
Fast moving objects Javelin	Position left-handed throwers on the left side of the group during group instruction. Instruct participants to check the throwing and landing areas are clear before commencing preparation to throw. Implement a safe throwing procedure to ensure throwing occurs in 1 direction only. Implement a safe retrieval procedure to prevent return throwing
Faculty or dangerous equipment	Check equipment for damage before and during the activity (e.g. cracked or bent javelins). Withdraw any damaged equipment from use. Carry sharp point javelins safely. Instruct students to: carry javelins vertically by the grip with tail up, except when the thrower has entered the approach area and is preparing to throw pull javelins from the ground by placing 1 hand over the tail end of the javelin pick up a javelin lying flat on the ground by placing 1 hand over the tip of the tail. Keep this hand in place until the tail is raised above head height as the javelin is lifted into the vertical position never run with a sharp point javelin, except when preparing to throw
Playing surface	Clear the approach and throwing areas from loose items or debris. Do not participate on a slippery surface
Student considerations	Control measures
Manual handling Lifting and carrying equipment	Implement a safe procedure to transport javelins point down. If specific tubes/carry bags are not available, use a method that prevents javelins from moving during transportation such as a modified wheelie bin with holes for javelins drilled in the top. Use correct manual handling processes when lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling or carrying
Physical exertion Exhaustion and fatigue	Conduct warm-up/cool-down activities. Continually monitor participants for signs of fatigue and exhaustion. Ensure drink breaks occur regularly. Make water available for individual participants between drink breaks
Student issues	Provide specific safety induction for students wearing spikes. Remove accessories (e.g. jewellery, lanyards) before participating. Ensure fingernails and hair do not pose a hazard. Monitor and enforce the correct approach, throw and retrieval safety procedures. Practise the run-up without a javelin, staying well clear of throwing and exclusion zones. Implement procedures (e.g. roll marking mechanisms) to account for all participants before, during and after the activity

Additional links

World Athletics—manuals and guidelines—see competition and technical rules

Disclaimer

This information is developed and distributed on this website by the State of Queensland for use by Queensland state schools only.

Use or adaptation of, or reliance on, this information by persons or organisations other than the State of Queensland is at their sole risk. All users who use, adapt or rely on this information are responsible for ensuring by independent verification its accuracy, currency and appropriateness to their particular circumstances. The State of Queensland makes no representations, either express or implied, as to the suitability of this information to a user's particular circumstances.

To the full extent permitted by law, the State of Queensland disclaims all responsibility and liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages and costs arising from the use or adaptation of, or reliance on, this information.

Links to external websites are for convenience only and the State of Queensland has not independently verified the information on the linked websites. It is the responsibility of users to make their own decisions about the accuracy, currency, reliability and correctness of the information at these external websites.

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CARA guidelines