Ophea Safety Guidelines: History, Updates, and Organization

1. TCDSB Ophea Contact: Ed Cooling

2. Presentation Format • History of Ophea Safety Guidelines • Organization of Safety Guidelines • 2008 New Version – What has changed ! • Safety Services Package • The Future - Reviews and Updates

3. History of Ophea Safety Guidelines • 1986 – Development of initial safety document • 1996 – Advisory Committee set up to develop new guidelines based on Risk Management Theories • 1999 - New guidelines published and updated regularly • 2008 – Most recent version of guidelines published

4. Organization of Safety Guidelines Three Modules • Curricular • Intramural • Interschool

5. 2008 Ophea Safety Guidelines • New Standards for School Sports and Activities

6. Ontario Physical Education Safety GuidelinesRevised most recent safety information available inconsistencies between activities and pages cleared up activities streamlined (e.g. aquatics becomes swimming) language clarified reorganization of column content

7. Organizational Change • The Generic Section • Activity Pages • Appendices

8. Generic Section • Background, Intent, Impact & Scope • Risk Management • Generic Issues • Specific Components

9. Specific Revisions to the Generic Section Risk Management Statement Introductory information on: Lightning, Concussion Activity Provider Requirements Elementary – Special Pull-Out section on Daily Physical Activity (DPA)

10. Risk Management Statement The educational value of the activity must be addressed and the inherent risks identified and minimized Consideration must be given to environmental factors The activity is appropriate for the students’ age, physical/mental abilities and behavioural patterns

11. Risk Management Statement(continued) Specifically for Curricular/Intramural modules: The teacher has the knowledge and ability in accordance with the activity page(s) to teach/manage the activity safely. Specifically for the Interschool module: The teacher/coach has the knowledge/experience and certification (where applicable) in accordance with the activity page(s) to instruct/coach the activity safely.

12. Concussion and Lightning Protocols Introductory information statements about Concussion and Lightning protocols have been added to all Generic Sections. Detailed information for both areas are located in two new appendices.

13. Activity Provider Requirements A statement has been included to remind teachers to provide outside activity provider(s) with the relevant safety guideline activity page(s), (e.g., climbing pages). The activity provider must guarantee to fulfill all of the ‘mandatory minimum standards’ outlined on the activity page(s) prior to program instruction.

14. Activity Page Revisions Each revised activity page reflects current best practice and mandatory changes.

15. Sport/Activity Page Revisions “Also see Generic Issues and Introduction to Activity Page Components Section to view complete safety requirements.”

16. Curricular Activity Pages: Not Recommended Status The ‘Not Recommended’ designation given to certain activities has been removed. Activities are either:

17. Unfamiliar Activity - Seek Assistance Under the supervision column, on some activity pages, the following statement has been included: “It is advisable that any teacher who is unfamiliar with an activity/technique seek assistance from appropriate staff and/or refrain from teaching the activity until help is received.” (e.g., high jump)

18. Activity Pages Specific Changes A number of specific changes have been made to individual activity pages. ‘Swim to Survive’ Test - now the standard across all water based activities Swimming - supervision ratio for free swims has been raised: 2 lifeguards: 0-125 bathers 3 lifeguards: 126-250 bathers Badminton – protective eye wear mandatory for singles and doubles play High jump – mat/landing surface requirements

19. Intramural Activity Pages Specific Changes Direction to reference the curricular safety module is included in: Supervision of Sport Imitations and Supervision of Clubs. Direction as to who can make ‘school made equipment’ is included. Martial Arts Club – new activity page.

20. Interschool Activity Pages Specific Changes Higher risk activities – change to one of the coaching requirements: ‘experience as a player or coach in that sport in the last 10 yrs.’ Basketball - portable basketball systems described. Ice Hockey – prior to first game multiple practices on ice must have occurred.

21. Appendices Sample Letter to Parents/Guardians contains: curricular information collects medical information Note: Intramural permission form is in Intramural Module.

22. Appendices (continued) Two new appendices: Lightning Concussion

23. Appendices (continued) Lightning information includes: Chain of command Planning evacuation and safety measures in advance Detection and response ‘If you see it, flee it; If you hear it, clear it.’ Resumption of activity

24. Appendices (continued) Concussion Concussion information includes: Common signs and symptoms Initial response How long for student to ‘get better’ When student can return to physical activity Second impact syndrome Concussion Management Minimizing the risk

25. Appendices (continued) Concussion cont’d… Appendix B-2 “Request to Resume Athletic Participation – Concussion Related Injuries” This is a form specific to returning to play following a concussion. It includes a step by step process for returning to play It is mandatory for students with a suspected concussion to have a medical doctor sign this form

26. Implementation Timelines For some items implementation can be immediate Changes requiring significant financial cost may be done in stages over a period of years

27. The Safety Guidelines are purchased as part of the Safety Services Package (SSP) The SSP includes more than the Safety Guidelines however the Safety Guidelines access has been improved.

28. Safety GuidelinesNew Some of the features included: Ability to quick search and print individual pages Ability to browse all documents Immediate alerts to new/changed information Ability to download the documents in sections or as a whole Ability to search/browse FAQ’s database

29. Safety Services PackageSpring 2008 Other features will continue: Ask an Expert feature – timely email response to questions New/revised pages highlighted Discounts on Ophea Safety Guidelines workshops Safety news and research

30. The Future THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY

31. Safety Guidelines Maintenance The guidelines are reviewed in their entirety every 10 years Yearly updates are made to activities as required/requested

32. Reviews and Updates Timeline • September Request for revision or new pages • Individuals wishing to request a new activity page, or a revision to an activity page are asked to complete a Request for New/Revised Activity Page form. Contact: safety@ophea.org • Ophea is always looking for volunteers with an interest in safety and physical education to be part of the Safety Writing Team. Inquiries: safety@ophea.org

33. Reviews and Updates Timeline • November Writing team reviews requests • November – December Writing team drafts changes and writes new pages

34. Reviews and Updates Timeline • January Drafts sent to Safety Advisory Board for review and feed back • February “Final” pages created by Ophea • March Safety Technical Committee makes final decision • May Final copies sent to School Boards and added to website

35. THE END