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Term
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Definition
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Activity leader
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A person engaged to provide expertise (knowledge and skills) in the activity. This may include a coach, referee, qualified instructor, parent/carer or other volunteer.
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Adult supervisors
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Adults engaged by the school to instruct, deliver, supervise or otherwise support student safety during a curriculum activity, under the direct supervision of a registered teacher. This includes, but is not limited to: teachers’ aides, parents, carers, volunteers, external coaches, referees, instructors or other activity leaders.
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CARA
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An acronym for Curriculum Activity Risk Assessment.
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CARA activity guidelines
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Pre-prepared CARA records that set the minimum safety standards for a variety of common curriculum activities. The CARA guidelines are available as hardcopy and are linked in OneSchool for school convenience.
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CARA process
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The process undertaken by schools to complete risk assessment documentation prior to a curriculum activity being undertaken.
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CARA record
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A document that records the risk assessment and risk management process undertaken by a school prior to the curriculum activity occurring.
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Control measures
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Actions implemented to eliminate or minimise a risk as far as is reasonably practicable. Control measures should be regularly reviewed to ensure their effectiveness.
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Curriculum activity
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Any activity conducted with students to support the delivery of the curriculum from Prep to Year 12.
Note: Non-curriculum activities are not supported by this procedure. Such activities include, but are not limited to, bus travel, school fetes, out of school activities for EQI homestay students and sport representation conducted through Queensland School Sport.
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Curriculum activity risk management
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The process of managing the risks of curriculum activities, involving:
- identification of potential hazards
- assessment of the inherent risk level
- identification and implementation of control measures to mitigate risk
- monitoring and review of control measures to ensure ongoing effectiveness and improved safety standards.
For high and extreme risk level activities, a CARA record (and documented approval) is also required prior to the activity being undertaken.
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Delegate
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A deputy principal, head of special education services, head of department or head of curriculum appointed by the principal to act as an agent for the principal in approving CARA records for high risk level activities.
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Duty of care
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Under common law, those responsible for curriculum activities must take reasonable steps to avoid foreseeable risks of injury including, but not limited to:
- ensuring activities are safe and appropriate for students’ ages and abilities
- ensuring students are properly instructed and prepared for the activities
- ensuring all equipment is in a safe condition
- providing adequate supervision.
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Extreme risk level activity
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An activity that is inherently dangerous. There is a high chance of a serious incident occurring that would result in critical consequences (e.g. multiple serious injuries, permanent disability or loss of life).
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Hazard
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Anything that has the potential to cause harm to a person (e.g. electricity, chemicals). Hazards generally arise from the physical environment, equipment or materials used, and how the activity is designed, performed and managed.
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Hierarchy of control
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Control measures that should be considered and used in this order:
- Elimination: remove the hazard completely from the workplace or activity
- Substitution: replace a hazard with a less dangerous one (e.g. using a softer ball, different location)
- Isolation: separate people from the hazard (e.g. safety barrier)
- Redesign: changing a work process or layout of a work area
- Administration: putting rules or training in place to make a workplace safer
- Personal Protective Equipment: protective clothing and equipment (e.g. helmet, gloves, shin-pads).
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High risk level activity
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An activity that is inherently dangerous. There is a high chance of a serious incident occurring that would result in major consequences (e.g. serious injury/injuries requiring specialist medical treatment or hospitalisation).
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Inherent risk level
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The level of risk existing before any control measures are put in place, relating to:
- the nature of the activity
- those involved, including:
- age and ability of students
- competence of activity leaders and supervisors
- equipment used
- environment in which the activity is undertaken.
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Legal obligation
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A responsibility under relevant law. For example, the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld) places specific duties on persons.
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Low risk level activity
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An activity with little chance of an incident occurring that would result in an injury.
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Medium risk level activity
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An activity that has some chance of an incident occurring which would result in an injury requiring first aid.
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Three levels of curriculum planning
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Part of the whole school curriculum, assessment and reporting plan including: provision of whole curriculum; year or band plans for each learning area and/or subject; and unit plans.
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Residual risk
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The level of risk remaining after the control measures have been put in place.
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