Safe Practice in Physical Education

The Health and Safety Executive recommend that employers should devise their own policy statement in cooperation with school management teams and other employees. An adopted policy, for example, Be Safe (ASE, 1990) in science or Safe Practice in Physical Education (BAALPE, 1996), might not reflect the individual circumstances of each school. However, some LEAs might insist that their policy statements should be used, in which case it is recommended that schools annotate such documents and/ or add appendices to prescribed guidelines that specify the needs of the school. 

BAALPE (1996) Safe Practice in Physical Education, Dudley White Line Press. 

There were no mats immediately around the equipment. The British Association of Advisers and Lecturers in Physical Education, Safe Practice in Physical Education (1990) text is considered one of the key manuals to be used by all teachers of physical education, whatever their experience. It is recognised by Institutions of Physical Education as an important reference text for initial teacher education courses and is acknowledged by the Department of Education and Employment. The statement on the safety of apparatus (pp. 36-7) includes a detailed section on mats with a number of points for consideration. Two points are offered in relevance to this case ... 

Teachers would be expected to be familiar with regular and approved practice according to guidance offered in BAALPE (1990) Safe Practice in Physical Education and additional LEA guidelines, as appropriate. The school documentation does reflect evidence of these specific texts. 

The Curriculum Policy statement provided by the county, and health and safety statement provided by the school, both indicate an awareness of the need for safe practice in physical education. These documents reflect standard practices adopted by many other counties in England. These policies reflect National Curriculum Orders and the safe practice guidance provided by BAALPE. 

As far as practical, the HR function should recruit, evaluate, and place the right person in the right job in terms of physical ability and psychological adaptability. Incorporate into job descriptions specific physical requirements, known hazards, and special abilities required for optimum performance. HR professionals must identify all hazardous occupations and determine the knowledge, skills, abilities, physical requirements, and medical standards required to perform the job in a safe manner. All employees must receive appropriate orientation, training, and education necessary to support safe job accomplishments. 

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