Schools must consider age, maturity and skill level of students when planning curriculum activities.
Adjustments are required for
students with disability to support access and participation in the curriculum. Consult with the parents/carers of students with disability or, when appropriate, the student to ensure risks related to their child's participation in the activity are identified and managed.
Schools must consult current student medical information and/or health plans in accordance with the
managing students' health support needs at school procedure. Record information about any student condition (e.g. physical or medical, such as
epilepsy) that may inhibit safe engagement in the activity and include specific support measures within emergency procedures.
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.
For participants with known allergies, schools must comply with the
supporting students with asthma and/or at risk of anaphylaxis at school procedure and the school's
anaphylaxis risk management plan (DOCX, 159KB), including an adult supervisor of the activity with
anaphylaxis training.
Emergency plans and injury management procedures must be established for foreseeable incidents (e.g. raising alarm, provision of CPR and
first aid) and incorporate the advice from local authorities, for example, location of automated external defibrillator (AED).
Adult supervisors must have:
- emergency contact details of all participants
- a medical alert list and a process for administering student medication
- communication equipment suitable to conditions (e.g. mobile phone) and a process for obtaining external assistance and/or receiving emergency advice.
Safety procedures must be determined for the location (e.g. managing a failed lift, spotting techniques) and incorporate advice from off-site facility, if relevant.
Access is required to
first aid equipment and consumables suitable for foreseeable incidents.
Induction is required for all adult supervisors on emergency procedures (e.g. evacuation), safety procedures (e.g. active and direct supervision for each supervisory role) and correct techniques. If the activity is conducted at an off-site facility, induction is to be informed by advice provided in consultation with expertise at the venue.
Instruction is required for students on safety procedures and correct techniques (e.g. loading weights, lifting controls). Rule-reminders are to be provided throughout the activity.
Parent consent (DOCX, 309KB) is required for all activities conducted
off-site and all
extreme risk level activities conducted onsite. It is
strongly recommended that parent consent is obtained for
high risk level activities conducted on-site.
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.
Participants must adhere to all rules and advice communicated by the facility operator/owner and any safety signage at the facility/location.
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:
- be experienced in teaching/coaching the activity when complex, technical skills are performed
- must provide active and direct supervision—be constantly vigilant, attentive and rescue ready
- comply with control measures from the CARA record and adapt as hazards arise
- must
not rely on students to recover a person in difficulty at any time
- not allow participants to participate alone
- closely supervise students during participation. Beginners must use light weights/resistance and receive individual instruction and feedback on safe techniques
- consider student size and skill level when determining appropriate weights for the activity.
The activity must be suspended if the conditions become unfavourable (e.g. extreme temperatures).
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:
For
weight training activities:
- a registered teacher with qualifications in Health and Physical Education (HPE) (or equivalent demonstrated capability) and with competence (knowledge and skills) in teaching the weight training activity (e.g. Certificate IV in Fitness, exercise science degree or any other suitable weight training qualification)
or
- an adult supervisor, working under the direct supervision of a registered teacher, with
Australian Strength and Conditioning Association (ASCA) level 1 strength and conditioning coach accreditation, Certificate IV in Fitness or similar that considers the age of participants.
For
weightlifting activities:
- a registered teacher with qualifications in HPE (or equivalent demonstrated capability) and with competence (knowledge and skills) in teaching the weightlifting activity (e.g. QWA certificate course in weightlifting)
or
- an adult supervisor, working under the direct supervision of a registered teacher, with current accreditation as club coach (level 1) from the
Australian Weightlifting Foundation.
See
FAQs for further support.
Facilities and equipment
The qualified adults of the activity, in consultation with the principal, determines the requirements for facilities and equipment appropriate to the local context.
Confirm sport structures (e.g. squat racks, weight stations) are regularly inspected to assess and maintain structural integrity. See
safety alert—risks associated with metal sporting equipment.
All equipment must be used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
A process for checking for damage for all equipment used in the activity must be established and employed.
A maintenance schedule (e.g. checking for damage, repairing, sharpening) must be established and enacted for all equipment used in the workspace. Consult
Equipment Maintenance Records (EMR) template.
A retirement schedule must be developed to replace plant and equipment by manufacturers' nominated expiry date or when significant wear causes a hazard.
Equipment must be sized to match the ability and strength of students, considering the participants' progressive training program.
Each student must provide their own towel.
Paper towels, antiseptic spray or antiseptic wipes for equipment hygiene.
Participants must wear
personal protective equipment appropriate to the activity (e.g. footwear for support and stability).
Common hazards and controls
Further to those listed, include any additional hazards and control measures considering the local context of the activity.
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Biological hazards
Body fluids (e.g. blood, saliva, sweat)
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Manage open wounds before, during and after the activity. Consult
infection control guidelines and Queensland Health's
exclusion periods for infectious conditions poster (PDF, 1.5MB) for first aid and hygienic practices
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Environmental conditions
Weather, sun, humidity
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Follow the
managing excessive heat in schools guidelines when participating in very hot or extreme heat conditions.
Dry equipment (including barbell) before each lift if conditions cause dampness.
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| Facilities and equipment hazards |
Control measures |
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Activity location |
Location must be suitable for the activity being undertaken 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.
Consider heights, pathways, apparatus arrangements and number of students
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Electricity
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If power is required, ensure electrical or extension leads do not pose a tripping hazard
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Faulty or dangerous equipment |
Use only fit-for-purpose equipment (e.g. free weights have tight collars, weightlifting barbell can revolve within the sleeves).
Check equipment for damage before and during the activity.
Clean and store all equipment safely and securely when not in use
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Playing surface
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Clear the playing surface from loose items or debris. Do not participate on a surface that is slippery.
Cover/fill playing surface hazards (e.g. gym post holes) to be level with the surrounds.
Identify changes in surface level (e.g. high-visibility tape between matting and floor) to reduce trip hazards.
Keep drinking equipment (e.g. drinking fountain, bottles, cups) clear of the workout area. Manage spills immediately.
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| Student considerations |
Control measures |
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Manual handling
Lifting and carrying equipment
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Use correct
manual handling processes when lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling or carrying equipment
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Physical exertion
Exhaustion and fatigue
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Match equipment to the size, ability and strength of students.
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
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Injury |
Students aware of the location of emergency and first-aid equipment |
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Student issues
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Consider age, maturity and skill level of students when planning individualised programs.
Consult the qualified adult supervisor for spotter requirements and student considerations during more complex technical skills or heavier weights.
Remove accessories (e.g. jewellery, lanyards) before participating.
Ensure fingernails and hair and clothing (e.g. pockets) do not interfere with the activity
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