This brief guide discusses ways to provide safe instruction and to minimize the risk of injury and potential liability in a laboratory environment. The three main concerns covered are: (1) the physical plant must be in compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA); (2) the physical facility should have all tools in good…

This guide focuses on the legal responsibilities of coaches and physical educators, but much of the content is equally applicable to those who teach sports skills in other recreational settings. The guide presents the legal duties of the coach or teacher. The content is drawn from a review of sport lawsuits (or sports injury litigation) over the…

This publication, covering a broad spectrum of sports safety problems, is designed as a source of information for those who plan, organize, administer, or evaluate various physical education and recreational activities, athletics, or sports. In the first section, the prevention of sports injury is stressed with attention to different age groups…

Four articles examine important aspects of sport safety. Topics include: (1) risks of eye injuries in racquet sports and preventive measures; (2) ways to reduce gymnastics injuries; (3) safety in training areas; and (4) risk-management strategies to avoid legal liability. Guidelines for teachers are given. (PP)

Intended to help reduce the number of school eye injuries in New Jersey, this document begins with a brief review of existing legislation regarding eye protection in educational institutions and a list of elements essential in an eye safety program. Second, eye protection equipment is examined in terms of: the advantages of safety spectacles over…

This study was designed to examine the issue of the safety of children's formal play environments. Safety was defined in terms of morbidity and mortality data. Protection and safety education were considered the prime factors in accident prevention while the goal of a safety program was considered to be the minimizing of injuries. Several data…

Discusses various aspects related to negligence on the part of chemistry teachers. Areas addressed include negligence in tort law, avoiding negligence suits, proper instructions, proper supervision, equipment maintenance, and other considerations such as sovereign immunity, and contributory versus comparative negligence. (JN)

To avoid negligence charges, physical education instructors must have a basic understanding of general legal procedures and of guidelines for reasonable and prudent teacher behavior regarding supervision, activity selection, and safety precautions. Descriptions of general legal procedures and guidelines for physical education teachers are…

According to data obtained for the year 1978 from the Fatal Accident Reporting System (FARS) and from state governments under contract to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, teenaged drivers (especially males) have much higher rates of fatal crash involvement than older drivers. In addition, teenaged drivers are more likely than…

Although the argument that field trips are hazardous has little basis in fact, the possibility of suit-producing accidents in the field is real. Presented are suggestions for planning and conducting field trips so as to avoid the liability problem. (Author/WB)

Five articles in this issue focus on safety education in agricultural laboratories. Topics discussed include teacher liability; elements of a safety instruction program; state and federal safety standards; ground fault current protection; and eye protection requirements and equipment. (SK)

Many physical educators and coaches use the potential for liability to guide their decisions about conducting activities. By understanding expert witnesses' roles in negligence actions, surer planning, teaching, and coaching are possible. The paper describes issues that expert witnesses examine in negligence actions against physical educators,…

Recent litigations underscore the importance of effective supervision practices for physical educators. To help educators avoid situations in which the courts dictate prudent teaching practices, suggestions made by experts in the field may help define effective supervision. The article presents techniques to create and maintain a safe environment.…

On the premise that the benefits of adventure education far outweigh risks in any well managed program, this document provides such programs, which stand on relatively untested ground in the eye of the law in this litigious society, with strategies for reduction of risk by controlling the nature and frequency of accidents. The first section…

To reduce the number of playground accidents, it is important to develop and implement a comprehensive risk management program. The steps in creating a risk management program are develop a missions statement, reduce risks through proper equipment installation, maintain the playground, make timely decisions on risk control, and keep on file…