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Risk Management at a Glance for Ontario Schools

School Activities

A school activity is deemed to be any event that is approved, organized, directed and controlled by any school board employee(s) who has the authority to do so. Often times misunderstandings occur when independent organizations are granted permission to conduct their activities on school premises. These are not considered school activities - please refer to the section on "Permit Holders".

Approval of school activities should always take into consideration the educational value and the injury risk factors associated with the activity.

High Risk Activities:

The following list contains common examples of high-risk activities.

Travel:

  • Excursions to natural disaster areas - e.g. earthquake, floods, hurricane, tornado;
  • Excursions to war zones - imminent or existing;
  • Excursions to regions with political or civil instability - e.g. civil war, terrorism;
  • Excursions requiring the use of non-commercial aircraft - e.g. private planes.

Fun Fairs/Pep Rallies:

  • Dunk Tanks;
  • Diving into or sliding on foam, mud, ice or snow;
  • Hot air balloon rides;
  • Aircraft or helicopter rides from school property;
  • Animal rides;
  • Demolition of derelict vehicles, equipment or buildings;
  • Sky-diving;
  • Use of fireworks or other pyrotechnic devices.
  • Use of air-filled "Fun Structures" designed for jumping, free falls, sliding or crawling
    (Note: Does not apply to inflatable goal posts, hockey nets, basketball hoops)

Field Trips:

  • "Extreme" sport activities - e.g. skydiving, skateboarding, downhill mountain biking, snow-boarding, snow-blading, snow-tubing;
  • White water rafting;
  • Cliff rapelling;
  • Climbing walls or rock climbing;
  • Firing ranges;
  • Paint-ball warfare games;
  • Wilderness and/or winter camping.

Risk Management Recommendations:

  1. Do not permit ineligible activities or any other activity with a high risk of injury.
  2. Use Informed Consent forms that must be signed by parents.
  3. Ensure activities are appropriate for age group and physical/mental abilities of the group.
  4. Ensure that all school activities are properly supervised by teachers and competent volunteers.
  5. Ensure students carry Student Accident Insurance and, if necessary, out-of-province medical insurance.

See Recommended Forms and Checklists

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