GYMNASTICS RISK ASSESSMENT [ Gym Child Protection Policy ]

EQUIPMENT | INDOOR WORKING AREAS | MATS | HANDLING APPARATUS | SUPPORTING

OVERVIEW :

TRAINING – teachers should be qualified or experienced and know about the anatomy and physiology of the human body. Only teachers with a nationally accepted qualification should be allowed to teach pupils the use of specific equipment such as vaults.

Staff are expected to keep themselves up to date with procedures by attending in-service courses.

PROCEDURES – A mat or mats should be provided where it is anticipated that landings may occur and need to be cushioned.

Mats are not used to protect from potential falls. If a fall is considered possible then the activity will be modified to reduce the risk to an acceptable level.

Local authority guidelines on the use of certain pieces of equipment such as a trampette must be followed. Beginners will only start with slow, controlled, short practice runs when using a trampette. Each stage in turn will be consolidated before progressing to the next. Support may be provided by trained pupils, checking pupils from falling backwards or forwards on landing and helping a performer not to land on the head or neck.

A suitable warm up period should precede the main activity.

Suitable clothing should be worn that does not restrict movement, usually this will be the school kit.

Pupils must be in bare feet – tights or socks are not suitable.

All jewellery, watches, earrings and other personal effects must be removed before active participation. Sweets or gum should not be chewed during active participation.

 Long hair should be kept back off the face.

The majority of equipment, including trampettes will be stored behind the shutter.

ENVIRONMENT – If apparatus is being used, the arrangement should allow sufficient space between pieces and walls for the activity to be undertaken safely.

Floors should be maintained in good condition with no loose boards, splinters, cracks and lifting edges or irregular surfaces.

Dust should not be allowed to accumulate, cleaning or mopping should not leave slippery surfaces.

Walls should be smooth to avoid friction injuries should contact occur.

Heating should enable an adequate working temperature and should be adjustable to meet prevailing conditions.

FIRST AID – Ensure that all reasonable measures will be taken to deal promptly and effectively with any accidents and the procedures and guidelines set out in the school policy will be followed. First aid equipment appropriate to the foreseeable hazard will be available. First aid boxes will be replenished according to school policy and records of equipment used.

Refer accidents to registered first-aiders.

MONITORING – Teachers in charge of a pupil with special educational needs must know the nature of the child’s learning problem, disability, emotional or behavioural difficulty; be aware of any constraints on physical activities as a result of the disability or medication received. Where appropriate there may be a need for a support teacher. See attached risk assessment for pupils with Downs Syndrome.

A maintenance programme  for recognition of faults, defects, failures and repairs to equipment should be in place – annual inspection by Continental Sports, Huddersfield.

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EQUIPMENT :

TRAINING Pupils will be made aware of procedures for assembling, disassembling and moving equipment. Training will be provided for staff on correct handling and lifting techniques.

PROCEDURES Equipment will be assembled and dismantled systematically and according to good practice and manufacturers advice where applicable.

Equipment will be stored where it is accessible and placed to minimise the risks from lifting and handling.

All equipment will be checked on a regular basis for surface damage, for failure of fixings and fastenings.

Equipment will only be used that is considered appropriate for handling and management by the pupils and staff concerned.

Equipment and apparatus will be checked to ensure that:

• Castors are running smoothly;
• Sockets in floors are clear of dirt;
• Locking nuts are secure;
• Securing bolts are firmly fixed to the unit and engage cleanly with floor fittings;
• Wooden components are free from cracks and splinters;
• Where required locking/holding pins and wedges are available;
• Drag lines are not worn and are free running;
• Ropes are not worn, are free of knots and end cases are intact;
• All securing pins are fully engaged;
• Fitted height adjustments work smoothly;
• Rubber stops are intact and in contact with the floor;
• If mechanical aids are fitted e.g. wheeling systems that they work effectively;

• Fixing hooks on benches are covered and secured and the rubber feet pads are in good condition;

• There is no build up of dirt or polish, leather does not become smooth through over use,and there are no cracks or loose screws.

All equipment will be checked to ascertain it has been correctly set up before use, by the member of staff in charge of the group.

ENVIRONMENT Access routes will remain well lit, in good condition and not be obstructed where equipment is required to be lifted/moved along.

MAINTENANCE All large fixed and portable apparatus will be maintained on a regular basis according to manufacturers instructions and annually inspected by Continental Sports, Huddersfield.

FIRST AID – Ensure that all reasonable measures will be taken to deal promptly and effectively with any accidents and the procedures and guidelines set out in the school policy will be followed. First aid equipment appropriate to the foreseeable hazard will be available. First aid boxes will be replenished according to school policy and records of equipment used.

Refer accident to registered first-aiders.

MONITORING Maintenance and inspection records will be kept.

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INDOOR WORKING AREAS :

TRAINING – Staff should be responsible for inspecting premises and equipment and hazard spotting in addition to Premises staff.

Pupils will be trained in the undertaking of working checks on equipment when setting out or in use.

PROCEDURES – Time will be provided to enable the systematic and regular inspection of premises and equipment.

Regular visual checks will be made of equipment with regard to its state of repair and physical integrity when it is being made ready for use.

Changes that occur to equipment whilst in use will be reacted to immediately e.g. loosening of fixings.

ENVIRONMENT -  FLOOR cleaning arrangements will be made so that they are kept clean and swept regularly in order that dust is not allowed to build up.

Floors will be cleaned in such a way that the surface is not left slippery.

Floors will be inspected for any formation of condensation or roof leakage.

Floors will be inspected and monitored for bonding break down of synthetic surfaces and the development of uneven or irregular surfaces, loose boards, splintering cracking due to wear and tear. Replacement and renovation and repairs will be effected where necessary.

GLASS should be resistant to impact fracture and will be installed to the appropriate British or European Standard.

ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING will be protected by cages or manufactured from unbreakable materials.

Care will be taken to take account of the arrangement of artificial and natural light so that activities may be arranged in order that pupils may not become disoriented or lose visual focus.

Walls will be of smooth construction and finish to avoid friction burns or impalement and equipment other than physical education equipment will be placed above working height.

FIRE EXIT DOORS should be fitted with systems of automatic closure.

External doors and other internal doors and shutters should be locked when not in use.

Front door should be closed by the security code-lock at breaks and lunchtimes, when area is not in use. The alarm to side door and staff offices should be activated at the end of every working day.

HEATING will be arranged so that persons may not collide with or come into contact with hot surfaces. Hot surface will be protected and appropriate signage will be used.

Areas will be heated to an adequate working temperature and should be adjustable to meet local conditions.

An adequate circulation of fresh air should be provided through open windows or vents.

MAINTENANCE – Heaters will be inspected and maintained on a regular basis to check for efficiency, the output of fumes or effect on adjacent wooden or synthetic surfaces.

All equipment will be inspected annually by Continental Sports, Huddersfield.

Maintenance and inspection records will be kept.

Damaged items or those in need of repair will be appropriately marked and removed from the working area. Items considered not to be repairable will be removed and destroyed.

MONITORING – All areas will be monitored and any deficiencies reported to the Premises Manager and/or the Deputy Head i/c Premises

[ Top of Page ]  OVERVIEW | EQUIPMENT | INDOOR WORKING AREAS | HANDLING APPARATUS | SUPPORTING

MATS :

TRAINING  Pupils will be trained to recognise the need to use mats in a structured way and as to why certain mats are used in particular activities and how they can be used to enhance safety.

Pupils will be made aware of the need to observe where the positioning of mats may need adjustment and re-positioning through use.

PROCEDURES Mats will be recognised as supporting planned and foreseen landings.

Consideration will be given to using mats with the required density for the activity involved and advice sought where necessary.

Mats will:

• be selected to meet the needs of the child and the activity being followed;
• be purchased from official or recognised suppliers;
• not be placed in areas where they may become a hazard;
• not be placed in areas to protect against an unplanned landing, the activity will be 
• adjusted in the expectation of safe performance;
• be required where inexperienced pupils are involved in the early stages of developing
• skills in an activity.
• where several mats are used adjacently, care will be taken to avoid gaps which may reduce the absorbency;
• be of 25mm (1 inch) upwards depth depending upon the activity.

Mats will not be relied upon to absorb uncontrolled landing and to prevent injury. Physical support will be used to ensure that a performer will land feet first during the progressive stages of learning a prescribed skill.

Appropriate handing techniques will be employed in the handling, lifting and transportation of mats.

New mats will meet current fire regulations and be stored flat as recommended by the local fire authority.

MAINTENANCE Mats will be checked on a regular basis to ensure that dangerous objects have not become embedded in the fabric and to check that the physical integrity of the fabric and substances involved remain intact. Mats will be maintained free of holes and tears.

Equipment will be maintained in accordance with manufacturer instructions.

Those mats considered unserviceable will be marked condemned by the inspection team from Continental Sports and removed from use.

FIRST AID – Ensure that all reasonable measures will be taken to deal promptly and effectively with any accidents and the procedures and guidelines set out in the school policy will be followed. First aid equipment appropriate to the foreseeable hazard will be available.

First aid boxes will be replenished according to school policy and records of equipment used. Refer accidents to registered first-aiders.

MONITORING Inspection, maintenance and repair records will be kept as part of annual inspection.

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HANDLING APPARATUS :

 TRAINING – All staff should be able:

• to recognise potential harmful manual handling situations;
• to apply appropriate systems of work;
• to use mechanical aids as supplies;
• to apply sound techniques for safe management.

Teachers should be qualified or experienced and know about the anatomy and physiology of the human body.

All pupils will be taught the skills associated with safe handling of equipment and apparatus.

PROCEDURES – Apparatus will be stored in  accessible positions.

Assess how many people need to be deployed in order to lift heavy objects safely.

Ensure that safe hand positions are used to avoid entrapment, premature release or toppling over.

Equipment and apparatus should not be used until checked by the member of staff in charge of the group.

Correct positioning with adequate space around the apparatus units.

Mats are correctly positioned.

All fixings are secured.

Correct procedures for the carrying or setting up of specific items of equipment.

Storage should be arranged so those heavier items are placed at ground level and not above head height.

Students with learning or physical disabilities or with specific health needs or who are taking medication will be identified and care taken to ensure that they will not be exposed to activities beyond their physical, intellectual or health capabilities.

ENVIRONMENT – Floors should not be dusty, slippery, damaged, uneven or have different levels.

There should be sufficient lighting to undertake the task.

Ends of items of equipment must not be allowed to protrude in to play areas or beyond racking systems. Storage will be appropriate.

MAINTENANCE – Equipment will be maintained according to manufacturer instructions.

Equipment in the sport Hall/Gymnasium/Weights Room is subject to annual inspection by Continental Sports, Huddersfield.

FIRST AID – Ensure that all reasonable measures will be taken to deal promptly and effectively with any accidents and the procedures and guidelines set out in the school policy will be followed. First aid equipment appropriate to the foreseeable hazard will be available. First aid boxes will be replenished according to school policy and records of equipment used.

Refer accidents to registered first-aiders.

MONITORING – Training and competency of students will be monitored.

[ Top of Page ]  OVERVIEW | EQUIPMENT | INDOOR WORKING AREAS | MATS | HANDLING APPARATUS

SUPPORTING :

TRAINING – Safety training will be provided for pupils in understanding and managing the risks involved and in exercising the responsibility of care.

Teachers should be able to show that they are appropriately qualified to undertake the tasks and training of pupils.

Pupils should be trained in understanding the clear principles of stability and handling when supporting.

Pupils will be made aware of their respective roles.

Pupils will be made aware of any action necessary in the event of an activity not being executed successfully.

PROCEDURES – Pupils will be given a clear understanding of the action to be undertaken and the support provided.

Pupils will practise the correct techniques of holding and supporting correctly and safely.

Established principles of handling and supporting will be used.

Support may be withdrawn by degrees according to the level of competency shown by pupils as judged by the teacher in charge.

The use of additional aids such as thick floor mattresses may be used where appropriate and in conjunction with supporting.

Activities will be arranged to take into account the abilities of the individual students concerned, no pupil will be placed at risk by undertaking an activity for which that pupil is not ready or suited.

Pupils will only be allowed to engage in such activity if they are considered to be  physically able to manage the activity.

Pupils with learning or physical disabilities / with specific health needs / taking medication will be identified and care taken that they will not be exposed to activities beyond their physical or intellectual capabilities.

Ensure that all reasonable measures will be taken to deal promptly and effectively with any accidents and the procedures and guidelines set out in the school policy will be followed.

ENVIRONMENT – Floors should not be slippery, damaged, uneven or have different levels.

Ensure that sufficient room is available for the activity to be undertaken safely.

MAINTENANCE – All equipment will be maintained according to manufacturers instructions. Equipment will be visually checked for faults.

Equipment in the Sports Hall/Gymnasium/Weights Room is subject to an annual inspection by Continental Sports, Huddersfield.

FIRST AID – Ensure that all reasonable measures will be taken to deal promptly and effectively with any accidents and the procedures and guidelines set out in the school policy will be followed. First aid equipment appropriate to the foreseeable hazard will be available. First aid boxes will be replenished according to school policy and records of equipment used.

Refer accidents to registered first-aiders.

MONITORING – Pupil competency will be monitored.

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