Safety Guidelines for Secondary Interschool Athletics in Alberta

OUTDOOR
INTER-
SCHOOL
ATHLETIC
ACTIVITIES
Outdoor Interschool Athletic Activities
In addition to the considerations for All Interschool Athletic Activities, the
following should be considered for outdoor activities:
Instructional Considerations for Outdoor Interschool Athletic Activities
• Before involving student athletes in strenuous outdoor activities,
teachers/coaches should take into consideration the temperature and weather of
the day, field and facility conditions, previous training and the length of time
the student athletes will be vigorously active.
Sun Protection
• Student athletes and parents/guardians should be informed (by letter in
Appendix A) of the importance of sun protection.
• Student athletes should be properly protected from the sun particularly during
the peak hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
o Proper protection can include long shirts and pants (tight woven
materials are best), wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses (if the activity
allows) and sunscreen and lip balm with SPF 15 or greater.
o Sunscreens should be liberally applied at least 15-30 minutes before
going outside.
o Waterproof sunscreens should be used for swimming and water
o
sports.
Consider sun protection even on cloudy days as 80% of the sun’s
rays can penetrate light clouds, mist and fog.
Hydration
• Student athletes should be informed of the importance of proper hydration.
• Student athletes should be provided with access to water or water bottles and
the opportunity to re-hydrate during activity.
• Student athletes should be informed that they are not to share water bottles.
Medical Conditions
• Teachers/coaches should be aware of student athletes with history of asthma and
other respiratory problems and severe allergies, e.g., bee sting allergy. Those
student athletes should be encouraged to carry inhaler/auto-injector
Equipment and Facilities for Outdoor Interschool Athletic Activities
Inspection of All Outdoor Activity Areas
• Teacher/coach should inspect outdoor activity area prior to use.
• Area should be free of wasp and bee nests, drainage problems or standing water,
broken glass, animal feces, and tripping hazards such as cans, rocks, roots,
exposed footings or other environmental obstacles and other foreign debris.
• Activity area should be located away from open roadways.
• Playing surfaces should be clearly marked and a sufficient distance from
fencing and backstops, signage, lighting standards and bleachers.
• Steps should be taken to report hazardous conditions to administration so that
they can be repaired or removed.
Playing Fields
• Playing field and surrounding area should be level, well-groomed, and free
from obstacles such as protruding sprinkler heads, obstructions and debris.
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