Risk Management Advisories
PERMISSION/ACKNOWLEDGMENT FORMS
TRIPS, TEAM SPORTS & TOURNAMENTS are all activities that require
organization and planning. Proper planning and organization ensures that school
activities such as trips, participation of teams, and traveling to tournaments
result in safe and enjoyable activities for students. One very important part
of effective planning requires that parents be informed and give permission for their child to participate in the activity. OSBIE receives many phone calls each year requesting information
on permission forms and asking for feedback on existing forms.
With this bulletin we would like to share with all boards the type of Permission/Acknowledgment
Form that we feel is most effective. You will note that, this form is designed
as a guide and can be amended and used for all types of activities.
The "Elements of Risk" section is especially important. Parents should
be aware of the risks of a particular activity. The more specific and extensive,
the better. You will note an example of this in Appendix A of the OSBIE Ski
Package. Under the heading of "Inherent Risks" the form states:
"Skiing is a sport with physical demands and inherent risks which are
beyond the control of(name of school board) . Falls, collisions and other incidents
may occur and cause injury. Skiers must assume the risks and dangers".
This type of "inherent risk" statement can be incorporated into forms
designed for participation in specific sports, such as football, hockey, etc.
We believe this type of form eliminates the probable contention by parents of
an injured child that the child would not have been allowed to participate in
the sport/activity, if the parent had known about the dangers and risks associated
with it.
There is also a sample of a Release and Indemnification Form that may be used
for students 18 and over. These students are considered adults, and can sign
binding release forms.
To make the form truly effective, it is extremely important that the parties
signing the form fully understand the contents of the form. The form must be
carefully reviewed by the students and/or parents before it is signed. Simply
asking for a signature without an explanation will undermine the value of the
form thereby bringing legal responsibility back to the teacher or supervisor. School boards should also recognize that English or French are not always spoken in all households, and that parents in these households may need special notification that these documents are very important and may require them to get an explanation in their own language.
STUDENT ACCIDENT INSURANCE
You will notice that the forms contain a statement that the board does not
provide any accidental death, disability dismemberment or medical expenses insurance
for students participating in these activities. This is a statement that we
have recommended boards incorporate with
materials that are sent home to parents promoting the purchase of Student Accident
Insurance at the beginning of each school year. Student Accident Insurance is
valuable coverage, especially for payment of dental injuries sustained at school.
Some boards make Student Accident Insurance mandatory for students participating
in extra-curricular sports. Parents have to purchase the coverage or sign a statement
that they have private coverage and understand that the board does not provide
Accident Insurance coverage. This is an excellent practice. It is important
for parents to understand that the board does not provide accident insurance
to cover dental and other injuries that occur as a result of accidents during
school activities.
We hope you are able to incorporate some of these ideas in your board’s
forms. If you have any questions about the forms you are using and would like
our comments, please fax or mail your form to OSBIE.
(guide for students under age 18)
STUDENT ACCIDENT INSURANCE
You will notice that the forms contain a statement that the board does
not provide any accidental death, disability dismemberment or medical
expenses insurance for students participating in these activities. This is
a statement that we have recommended boards incorporate with
materials that are sent home to parents promoting the purchase of
Student Accident Insurance at the beginning of each school year. Student
Accident Insurance is valuable coverage, especially for payment of dental
injuries sustained at school. Some boards make Student Accident Insurance
mandatory for students participating in extra-curricular sports. Parents
have to take the coverage or sign a statement that they have private
coverage and understand that the board does not provide Accident Insurance
coverage. This is an excellent practice. It is important for parents to
understand that the board does not provide accident insurance to cover
dental and other injuries that occur as a result of accidents during
school activities.
We hope you are able to incorporate some of these ideas in your
boards forms. If you have any questions about the forms you are using
and would like our comments, please fax or mail your form to OSBIE.
(REVISED 2010) E&OE
(guide for students under age 18)
NOTE TO PARENTS AND STUDENTS
The
(name of school) is arranging
(description of activity and dates) THIS FORM MUST BE READ AND SIGNED BY EVERY STUDENT WHO WISHES TO
PARTICIPATE AND BY A PARENT OR GUARDIAN OF A PARTICIPATING STUDENT.
ELEMENTS OF RISK
Educational activity programs, such as (type
of activity) ,which is being offered,
involve certain elements of risk. Accidents may occur while participating in
these activities. These accidents may cause injury. A few examples of the type
of accident which one is at risk of having occur while describe activity are:
1.
2.
3.
These accidents result from the nature of the activity and can occur
without any fault on either the part of the student, or the School Board
or its employees or agents, or the facility where the activity is taking
place, By choosing to participate in the activity, you are assuming the
risk of an accident occurring.
The chance of an accident occurring can be reduced by carefully
following instructions at all times while engaged in the activity.
If you choose to participate in on ,
you must understand that you bear the responsibility for any accident that
might occur.
The (name
of school board) does
not provide any accidental death,disability, dismemberment or medical expenses
insurance on behalf of the students participating in this activity.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
WE HAVE READ THE ABOVE.WE UNDERSTAND THAT IN PARTICIPATING IN THE ACTIVITY,WE ARE ASSUMING THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH DOING SO.
Signature of Student:
Date:
Signature of Parent/Guardian: Date:
PERMISSION
I give (name of student) permission to participate in the
description of activity to be held on or about .
Signature of parent/guardian
Date:
(Guide form for students over 18)
RELEASE AND INDEMNIFICATION FORM
The (name of school board) will make available
the opportunity of participating in the
(describe activity) to its students on or about
This form must be read and signed buy all students who wish to go.
ELEMENT OF RISK
Educational activity programs such as (describe
activity) , present various elements of risk. Accidents resulting from such activities
may occur and cause injury. The risk associated with the activity MUST be assumed
by the participants.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I, ,understand and accept the above and provide the
School Board with the following waiver of liability and indemnification
agreement.
RELEASE AND INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
I, hereby release the (name of Board) and its staff and agents from any and all liability for any injury sustained
by me, regardless of how caused, resulting from my participation in the (describe activity) arranged through the (name of Board) on or about .
I further agree to indemnify and save harmless the (name of Board) and its staff and agents from any and all, suits, demands torts, and actions
of any kind which may be brought against its staff or agents for which it/they
may become liable by reason of any injury, loss, damage or death resulting from,
or occasioned to, or suffered by any person or any property, by reason of any
act,neglect or default of mine.
Signature of Student:
Date:
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