This guide clarifies schools’ responsibilities regarding EOTC safety. It provides ideas and examples of how requirements can be met, and safety improved. It supplements the Health and Safety Code of Practice for State Primary, Composite, and Secondary Schools Ministry of Education, 1998; and Worksafe at School, Ministry of Education, 2002 for matters relating to EOTC.

Table of Contents

Foreword
Section 1 INTRODUCTION
EOTC goals
EOTC outcomes
Rationale for EOTC activities and safe practice
Legal framework
Review
School policies and procedures
Section 2 SAFETY – A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY
How everyone can contribute to EOTC safety
The NZ SOLE
Responsibilities
Responsibilities of boards of trustees
Staff competence and best practice
Health and safety procedures
Equipment
Responsibilities of the EOTC co-ordinator
Staff competence and best practice
Health and safety procedures
Equipment
Responsibilities of a teacher leading EOTC activities
Staff competence and best practice
Health and safety procedures
Equipment
Responsibilities of the students
Summary
Section 3 PROGRAMMING
Educational objectives
Teaching and learning approaches
Sequencing
Effective safety management
Section 4 SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
Five stages of safety management
STAGE 1 – Initial planning and approval process
STAGE 2 – Preparation for EOTC
STAGE 3 – Pre-event planning checkpoint
STAGE 4 – Running the event
STAGE 5 – Post-event review and evaluation
Safety management tool kit
Section 5 STAFFING AND SUPERVISION
Competence
Competence for outdoor pursuits and adventure activities
Ratios
Ratio case studies
Person in charge
Staff development and training – from the reality to the ideal
Contracting outside providers
Parents and other volunteers
Student leaders
General supervision guidelines
How a school determines the staffing and supervision requirements of its EOTC programme
EOTC event inventory
EOTC staff skills and experience stocktake
Identifying the gaps
EOTC training and qualification providers
Section 6 LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
Obligations under specific legislation
(i) Education Act 1989
(ii) Health and safety in employment legislation
(iii) Crimes Act 1961
Legal obligations under general law
(i) Duty of care
(ii) Standard of care
In loco parentis – an out-dated doctrine.
(iii) Breach of standard of care
(iv) Waivers
(v) Parental consent and risk disclosure
Section 7 CODES OF PRACTICE AND ACCEPTED BEST PRACTICE
(i) Health and Safety Code of Practice for State Primary,
Composite, and Secondary Schools, 1998
Provision and use of protective equipment
Storage of dangerous substances
Storage of materials generally
Accident/incident recording, reporting and investigating
Ministry of Education incident database
First aid treatment records
Accident/incident review procedure
Emergency preparedness
(a) Crisis management
(b) Traumatic incident plan
(c) Media contact
(ii) Outdoor industry codes of practice
(iii) Outdoor activity guidelines
(iv) Other standards
(v) General EOTC best practice
Section 8 APPENDICES
Appendix I Glossary
Appendix II EOTC – Related terms
Appendix III Environmental Care Code
Appendix IV Instructor Code of Professional Practice
Appendix V Tool kit for safety management systems
Appendix VI Resources and contacts