Shooting sports

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Guideline review date: 28 October 2021

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

The CARA planner 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.

Activity scope

This guideline relates to student participation in shooting sports as an activity to support curriculum delivery.

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.

Extreme risk
Shooting activities involving discharging firearms.

Activity requirements

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

If any other safety recommendation cannot be met, modify the activity (or elements of it) and/or identify and use the hierarchy of controls to implement alternative control measures to meet or exceed the minimum safety standard.

All risk levels

All shooting activities must be carried out on shooting ranges or galleries with current Shooting Range Approval from the Queensland Police Service.

The use of crossbows is not permitted.

No personal firearms are permitted. All participants are to use firearms supplied at an approved shooting range provided they comply with all regulations including, producing photographic identification and a valid firearms licence (if applicable) for inspection by a Range Officer. Participants must also complete and sign all required forms for the shooting activity(ies) taking place and have them authorised by the Range Officer.

Prior consultation is required with local authority (e.g. Range officer at the shooting range) for local advice, emergency support mechanisms and additional supervision requirements to ensure participant and public safety.

The Range Officer must:

brief all adult supervisors on specific hazards, safety instructions, range rules and procedures
nominate the number of shooters on the firing line at any one time
inspect firearms prior to use, to check that they are suitable for the activity and are in a safe operating condition
inspect firearms and declare them safe before moving to retrieve targets (e.g. bolts should be opened or magazines removed and breeches inspected)
undertake a reconciliation of ammunition at the end of the shoot.

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Students

Emergency and first-aid

Induction and instruction

Consent

Supervision

Principals make final supervision decisions for the activity. Sufficient adult supervision must be provided to manage the activity safely (including emergency situations).

For activities with students with a medical condition or disability that may impact on safety during the activity, consultation with parents is required prior to allocating supervision to determine the impact of students’ medical condition or disability on safety during the activity.

The number of adult supervisors required to fulfil emergency and supervision roles must consider the nature of the activity, students' ages, abilities and specialised learning, access and/or health needs.

Before the activity, all adult supervisors must be familiar with the contents of the CARA record

During the activity, all participants must be under the supervision of a Range Officer licensed for the category of firearm being used. That is:

participants in possession of a Category H firearm (pistol), must be under the direct, personal and exclusive supervision of a Range Officer licensed for Category H firearms at all times.
participants in possession of a firearm other than Category H must be under the direct and immediate supervision of a Range Officer licensed for the category of firearm at all times.

The Range Officer must supervise students when handling and loading ammunition to ensure correct technique is followed.

During the activity, all adult supervisors:

must be readily identifiable
must closely monitor students with health support needs
must comply with control measures from the CARA record and adapt as hazards arise
must suspend the activity if the conditions become unfavourable (e.g. extreme temperatures).
must only allow nominated shooters on the firing line while shooting is in progress.

Supervisor qualifications

Principals make final decisions in determining supervisor capability (competence, relevance and currency) and are responsible for encouraging and enabling school-based activity supervisors to raise their qualifications to improve safety standards.

All adult supervisors must comply with the working with children authority—Blue Cards procedure and be able to identify, and respond to, risks or hazards that may emerge during the activity.

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

At least one adult supervisor is required to be:

Extreme risk level

A registered or other adult supervisor, working under the direct supervision of a registered teacher, with coaching accreditation Shooting Australia and current membership with either:

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.

Location must be suitable for the activity being undertaken, including sufficient space, adequate lighting and ventilation to ensure safe participation and that safety rules and procedures can be followed.

The approved shooting range must:

hold and display a current Range Approval certificate from Queensland Police Service Weapons Licensing.
hold and display a current club approval as a Range Operator and meet all conditions included in the approval and range standing orders.
prominently display the names of each appointed Range Officer and supervising persons using the approved range any time a firearm is discharged.

Participants must wear personal protective equipment appropriate to the activity including eye protection (e.g. good quality safety glasses); hearing protection (minimum Class 4 ear plugs or ear muffs); suitably enclosed footwear and clothing that meets the range dress requirements.

Equipment must be sized to match the ability and strength of students.

Firearm storage, maintenance and inspection must comply with the Weapons Regulation 2016.

Ammunition storage and usage must comply with the Explosives Regulation 2017.

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)	Follow appropriate cleaning and hygiene management practices when using shared equipment (departmental staff search 'practical subjects cleaning equipment' in OnePortal).
Environmental conditions Weather, sun, humidity	The school's sun safety strategy must be followed. Assess weather (Bureau of Meteorology) and environmental conditions prior to participating outside. Follow the managing excessive heat in schools guidelines when participating in very hot or extreme heat conditions. Ensure drink breaks occur regularly. Make water available for individual participants between drink breaks. Dry equipment before each shot if conditions cause dampness.
Facilities and equipment hazards	Control measures
Chemicals	For curriculum activities involving chemicals, consult the Chemicals in curriculum activities template. Note that all chemicals in schools must be managed in accordance with the department’s Chemical management procedure. Use solvents/oils in well ventilated areas. Ensure students wear personal protection equipment (e.g. gloves) when cleaning firearms. Minimise handling of whole cartridges or spent cases. Students must wash hands following contact with these to reduce lead absorption risk.
Faulty or dangerous equipment	Check the availability of additional safety barriers with the Range Operator. Do not use personal protective equipment with cracks, dents or damage. Check footwear to ensure they provide sufficient protection for the feet and have non-slip soles.
Playing surface	Conduct a check of the participation area with the range officer to identify and manage surface hazards. Clear the participating surface from loose items or debris. Do not participate on a surface that is slippery, unduly rough or chopped up. Cover/fill playing surface hazards (e.g. sprinkler heads, holes) to be level with the surrounds.
Student considerations	Control measures
Manual handing Lifting and carrying equipment	Use correct manual handling processes when lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling or carrying.
Student issues	Remove accessories (e.g. jewellery, lanyards) before participating. Ensure fingernails and hair and clothing (e.g. pockets) do not interfere with the activity.
Visibility	Position left and right-handed participants to ensure they face the instructor.

Additional links

Queensland Police Service

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