Health and Safety on Sports Days

Sports Day is always an exhilarating event. The competitive atmosphere and glorious weather are always a cause for excitement. However, the boisterous behaviour and cheering crowds can sometimes lead to health and safety measures being forgotten.

Sports Day

Although they are fun, Sports Days inevitably come with their fair share of risks that must be mitigated. In the following article, Handsam have highlighted some health and safety precautions that you should be taking, to ensure that pupils, parents, teachers, and everyone else involved will have a safe experience.

Crowds and Visitors

Family members love to come and watch their children take part in Sports Days, and rightly so! However, there are some safety considerations that must be made:

• Designated spectator areas must be put in place and clearly defined;

• Stewards should be available to guide visitors to their designated viewing area;

• It is advisable to use a ticketing system for all visitors to avoid unknown visitors or potential safeguarding issues;

• Any refreshments made available to visitors should have allergens clearly labelled;

• Visitors should be made aware of the emergency evacuation procedures;

• Visitors should be politely reminded to create a positive atmosphere for the pupils; and

• No negative actions or attitudes (booing, shouting etc.) should be tolerated.

Dangerous Sports, Equipment and Injuries

Some sports, particularly for those in older years. may require potentially dangerous equipment that must be handled with the utmost care. Activities such as javelin, shot put, discus and archery may present a number of risks; however, they can be easily mitigated by:

• Ensuring such activities are carried out in a spacious area within a safe distance from non-participants;

• Checking that all participating pupils are familiar with such activities and are fully aware of the safety instructions;

• Making sure that the collection of objects that are thrown or launched are competently and strategically supervised by a member of staff;

• Considering using safe replacements (e.g. foam Javelins) for younger or less experienced pupils;

• Relevant sportswear and protection must be worn (shinpads, mouth guards etc.) to minimise the risk of injury; and

• First aiders should be on-site at all times

The Warm Weather

Often taking place at the end of the school year, Sports Days are often in extremely hot weather conditions. You should ensure that:

• Pupils and staff are provided with adequate sun protection (sun cream, sunhats etc);

• Pupils waiting to participate in a sport or event should be in an area shaded from the sun;

• Designated areas for spectators should have adequate levels of shade and protection;

• Drinking water should be readily available to prevent dehydration and exhaustion; and

• First aiders should be on-site at all times.

For more information on sun protection, please see our Handsam Quick Guide document HE06 Sun Protection Guidance - We can also provide an example Sun Protection Policy.

Behaviour and Noise

Sports Days are inevitably going to cause pupils to become boisterous and rowdy. Whilst a little competitive enthusiasm can be harmless, It is important that behaviour and noise levels are still adequately controlled. This can be easily achieved through:

• Reminding pupils that whilst excitement and support of others is welcome, normal behavioural rules still apply;

• Surrounding neighbourhoods should be informed of the sports events and the expected increase in volume;

• Pupil and visitor noise levels should be monitored by staff; and

• Pupils and visitors should be encouraged to be considerate of the surrounding areas.• First aiders should be on-site at all times.

Equal Opportunities and Reasonable Adjustments

For some pupils, participating in Sports Day Isn't easy. Pupils with disabilities may struggle to take part in particular events, but the school must make every effort to include all pupils and accommodate their needs. Some considerations you should make are:

• Ensuring all SEND pupils are given equal opportunities to their peers;

• Amending sporting rules to accommodate the specific needs of a particular pupil;

• Make sure that pupils have access to any required medication, such as inhalers; and

• Transport and adequate adjustments (such as ramps or temporary flooring) should be made available for pupils and visitors with mobility issues.

HANDSAM RESOURCES

PEG07 Sports Days and Events Risk Assessment Template.

PEG01 Safety in Sport and Physical Education