As the school year draws to a close, it is an important time for educators responsible for Health and Physical Education (H&PE), intramurals, and interschool activities to focus on year-end safety practices and proactively plan for September. Reviewing and reflecting on the practices and environmental conditions that support the emotional and physical safety of students participating in physical activities is an important part of prioritizing and maintaining a safe learning environment that reflects the individual needs of students.
In Ontario, the Ontario Physical Activity Safety Standards in Education (OPASSE) provide safety standards for a wide range of physical activities as part of the school setting. OPASSE recognizes the inherent risk in physical activities and uses a risk assessment/management approach.
This blog provides helpful safety tips and planning suggestions to assist in wrapping up the current year and preparing for a safe and successful start in the fall.
1. Maintain Consistent Safety Expectations and Practices
Continue using the safety standards outlined in OPASSE for all physical activities, right to the end of June. OPASSE provides activity-specific safety standards, along with Tools and Resources to support the planning and delivery of H&PE, intramural, and interschool activities. These standards also apply to other classroom/school events that include physical activity (e.g., play days/field days, special events, and end-of-year trips).
Safety Tips and Planning Ideas:
- If an activity is not listed in OPASSE, use the Sample Checklist to Identify and Minimize Risk for Activities Not Included in OPASSE.
- For off-site activities or when using outside providers, check your school board’s excursion policy and review the Outside Activity Provider Tool to understand the responsibilities of educators and outside providers.
2. Conduct Equipment and Facility Audits
The end of the year is an ideal time to review the condition of equipment and facilities used during the school year—or those that will be used in the fall. Keeping an inventory of equipment in need of repair or replacement helps maintain a safe environment and prevents surprises in September. Be sure to share this information with your principal or department head.
Safety Tips and Planning Ideas:
- Check if a facility/equipment audit is scheduled over the summer. If so, provide any required information to those conducting it.
- Document wear and tear on items (e.g., balls, nets, mats, wall mats, basketball nets, post hole covers etc.).
- Dispose of unsafe equipment promptly and safely.
- Verify if any equipment (e.g., helmets etc.) that requires recertification before September and confirm that there is a plan in place to complete this.
3. Organize and Store Equipment Safely
Organized and secure storage reduces risk for anyone accessing equipment over the summer and ensures a safer return in September. Remember, storage is a safety issue, not just an organizational one.
Safety Tips and Planning Ideas:
- Identify if individuals or groups are using gymnasiums or equipment during the summer. If so, plan to inspect and address any issues afterward.
- Lock and secure all storage areas to prevent unauthorized access.
- Store large or heavy items (e.g., volleyball posts, shot puts etc.) on low shelves or secure properly to prevent falling hazards.
- Establish a plan for storing specialized equipment used by students with disabilities to prevent damage or loss over the summer.
- If new equipment is arriving over the summer, set up a process for safe delivery and storage.
4. Review and Reflect on the Year
Reflecting on the physical activities implemented over the year and the strategies used to protect and maintain the emotional and physical safety of students. This approach assists in identifying the safety strategies that were most effective and helps informs future planning.
Safety Tips and Planning Ideas:
- Review safety incidents that occurred and consider safety strategies that could prevent recurrence.
- Plan for next year’s activities and identify areas where you may need additional support or information.
- Prepare for the needs and abilities of the students that will be in your class next year. If you have students with disabilities refer to Ophea’s Disability-Centred Safety resources to support your planning.
- If you would like to add or suggest changes to an OPASSE activity, submit a Modify the Safety Standards form by July 15, 2025.
- For questions about current safety standards, use the Ask Ophea feature on the OPASSE website.
5. Prepare for a Safe Start in September
The start of a new school year is always busy. Preparing in June ensures a smoother, safer September.
Safety Tips and Planning Ideas:
- Review the Summary of Revisions to OPASSE on Ophea’s safety website (released annually in August) for updates to OPASSE for the upcoming year.
- Reassess activities planned in June to ensure they still meet the needs, experience levels, and abilities of your students, and consider equipment and facility availability.
- Always refer to the most current OPASSE standards before beginning any physical activity.
- Include intentional strategies to maintain the physical and emotional safety of the students in your class(es).
- Check that any equipment or facilities used over the summer are still safe and functional. If not, inform your principal or department head and take appropriate action.
Final Thoughts…
By maintaining consistent safety expectations through June—and following OPASSE’s safety standards—you help create a school culture that prioritizes physical literacy, well-being, and safety mindedness.
For more tools, resources, and updates, visit the OPASSE website, and make safety planning part of your end-of-year routine.