Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Module 3
Risk Management Plan Challenge
COED 6150
Ohio University
Dennis S. Teegarden
June 24, 2016
Introduction
The goal of this project is to develop a Risk Management plan for the football program at
St. Michaels High School. The first step in this process is to examine the current plan or plans if
any that are already in place. As it turns out the only plan that is official with a written plan and
procedure is a Bad Weather / Thunder and Lightning plan. There is no other risk management
plans in place for any of the individual sports or the athletic department as a whole and very few
risks have been identified overall . The school has a very general plan in place for the students
and patrons but it is not all inclusive of every existing risks.
This will be the initial risk management plan for the athletic department and will serve as
our starting point for football and the model for the other sports to follow when developing their
plan. The development of the plan will follow the D.I.M. Process discussed in Chapter 4.0, 4.1,
& 4.2 of the Cotten, Wolohan (2013) text. The risks associated with the football program will be
identified and classified and a plan of treatment will be suggested. When identifying these risks
we will be dividing them into groups based on two criteria. One of the criteria will be the to
create groups or categories within the football program. An example would be Facilities. This
category would include all school facilities that are used by the football program. The second
criteria will be to identify all of the risks association with Martens (2012) "Coaches 10 Legal
Duties" and other associated duties of the coaches.
For the organizational purposes of this plan the categories for the football program will
be labeled first and then the risks associated with each category will be put through the D.I.M.
process. Each risk will also be linked to the Martens (2012) "Coaches Legal Duties list. It should
also be noted that all identified risks that have also been identified by the IHSAA (2016) will
conform to or exceed the recommended protocols of the IHSAA. Our plan will be as proactive of
a plan as possible will the overall health and safety of the student-athletes as our primary
concern.
Risk Management Plan - Football
1. Facilities:
Stadium and outdoor practice areas:
The identified risks are:
1) Supervision of student-athletes using any / all of the outdoor facilities.
2) Maintenance of the synthetic playing surface.
St. Michael's has a completely new school facility. It includes a state of the art football stadium
with a synthetic playing surface as well as a large grass practice field.
3) Maintenance of the natural grass surfaced areas.
4) Maintenance of the rubber track and associated areas.
5) Stadium and associated buildings maintenance and security.
Classification of the risk: High Frequency/ Critical to Moderate Loss
This facility is a high use area of the school campus. the facility is used by
hundreds of student athletes daily and thousands of spectators several times
a week during the fall for football games and practice.
Treatment of risk: Transfer and Reduction.
All facilities do and will have liability insurance coverage to transfer much if
the risk. In addition in an effort to minimize risk reduction of any of the risk
will be constantly reviewed.
1) Per athletic department guidelines all athletes need to be supervised when using the outdoor
stadium, track, and accompanying buildings. Lack of supervision is the number one risk factor
and the easiest way to reduce the risk is to increase and maintain proper supervision. This
complies with Duty 8, supervise the activity closely.
2) The stadium playing several needs to be maintained at the manufacturers recommended level
of care. The surface needs to be inspected monthly for wear and damage. The inspection follows
Duty 4 guideline to provide a safe physical environment. The manufacturer has provided a
schedule to be followed for the care of this surface that will be followed.
3) The natural grass areas need to be inspected weekly if not daily prior to practice/use of these
areas. The inspection should include the removal of debris and marking or repair of holes and
uneven areas. The inspection follows Duty 4 guideline to provide a safe physical environment.
4) The track surface is not used as often by the football team but occasionally it is. In addition it
is surrounding the field and it made from similar materials as the game field, the athletes are on
the track every day. The track is subject to the same inspection and maintenance process as the
game field. The surface needs to be inspected monthly for wear and damage. The inspection
follows Duty 4 guideline to provide a safe physical environment. The manufacturer has provided
a schedule to be followed for the care of this surface that will be followed.
5) In addition to the supervision of all athletes when using the facilities for purposes of reducing
the risk the security system uses cameras in all buildings and the surrounding areas of the athletic
facilities 24 hours a day.
*An additional risk associated with maintaining the synthetic playing surface is the risk of
infection from the surface harboring bacteria much like the issues seen with wrestling mattes.
This risk will be reduced by applying a germicide disinfectant recommended by the manufacturer
as often as prescribed.
2. Locker Rooms, Training Room, Weight Room, Indoor Training Facilities (Gyms and
Field House):
The identified risks are:
1) Locker Room/ Weight Room/ Wellness Center Organization.
This is the most frequently used facility in the school and has the most total
users. The student athlete as well as the school staff use this facility. The
current risks are the overall organization and maintenance of the facilities
space. There is too much equipment crammed into some areas while other
areas are not used at all.
2) Supervision of all athletes using any of the schools indoor facilities for
practice or training.
3) General supervision of student-athletes before and after practice/training
time in or on the school facilities and property.
Supervision is lacking. Often coaches will send athletes to this area for rehab
work while practice is going on with no supervision.
Classification of the risk: High Frequency/ Critical to Moderate Loss
This is a high frequency risk area because of the value of users daily. The loss
would be considered moderate to critical. We have not had a critical injury in
the weight room but it is not without possibly. The risk grows exponentially
with the number of unsupervised users.
Treatment of Risk: Transfer and Reduction.
1) An organizational plan for the placement of weight equipment and
wellness machines that allows free, safe movement throughout the facility.
helmet and shoulder pads worn by the athlete but would include game
uniforms and any specialty protective gear issued by the school.
2) Helmet maintenance and care will comply with the manufacturers specifications and
equipment that has an expired use date will be no longer used and removed from the inventory.
3) The football coach will produce an equipment replacement schedule that will help to identify
equipment for replacement and control budget expenses from year to year.
The treatment of the equipment risk identified here complies with Duty 5, provide adequate and
proper equipment.
4. Coach Training:
The identified risks are:
1) Certification of coaches by the IHSAA (2016) to coach football.
2) Coaches lacking in any formal coach training.
Classification of the risk: High Frequency / Catastrophic to Moderate
Treatment of Risk:
1) IHSAA coaching certification requirements, "Heads Up Football Certification" (USA
Football, 2016). All coaches will meet the IHSAA requirements by completing all of the required
online courses to become a certified coach.
2) All coaches will maintain this certification and recertify when necessary to remain certified.
3) Copies of the current certification certificates will be kept on file in the athletic office.
4) All football coaches will be required to attend no less than 3 football specific continuing
education opportunities in the off season to remain current with the rules and trends in the sport.
Examples: the national Glazier Football Clinics, the state IFCA Clinic (IFCA, 2016), university
football clinics, coaching courses offered by any university or college.
This risks helps the coaches in Duty 1, properly plan the activity, 2) provide proper instruction,
Duty 6, match your athletes properly, Duty 7, evaluate athletes for injury or incapacity.
5. Athlete Education:
The identified risks are:
1) Student athletes who not aware of the risks of playing football and the
associated common injuries of the sport.
2) Student athletes who are not educated in the proper care of their
protective equipment.
3) Student athletes who are not educated in hygiene and health care habits.
4) Student athletes who have not been educated in the training rules and
expectations of a football player at St. Michael's High School.
Classification of the risk: High Frequency / Critical to Low
Treatment of Risk:
1) St. Michael's has adopted a baseline concussion test that is compliant with the state athletic
associations recommendations. Each football player is required to complete this test to practice
or compete.
2) A part of each football season will be athlete education on concussions, what they are, how to
minimize your chances of receiving one, and what our protocols are when someone is suspected
of receiving a concussion.
3) Additional education will be given on the use, care and maintenance of personal and school
issued equipment, athlete hygiene, nutrition, and hydration, and football training rules and
expectations.
This education of the athlete will serve to aide in Duty 2, provide proper instruction, Duty 3,
warn of inherent risks, and Duty 5, provide adequate and proper equipment.
should be worn (if applicable). Beginning on day 6, all protective equipment may be
worn and full contact may begin.
5) For football only: on days 3 to 5, contact with blocking sleds and tackling dummies
may be initiated.
6) Full-contact sports: 100% live action drills should begin no earlier than day 6.
7) Day 6 to 14, double-practice days must be followed by a single-practice day. On single
practice days, 1 walk-through is permitted, separated from the practice by at least 3 hours
of continuous rest. When a double-practice day is followed by a rest day, another double
practice day is permitted after the rest day.
(8) On a double-practice day, neither practice day should exceed 3 hours in duration, and
no more than 5 total hours of practice in the day. During the 2 hour practice, there can be
NO live action. Warm-up, stretching, cool-down, walk-through, conditioning and weightroom activities are included as part of the practice time. The 2 practices should be
separated by at least 3 continuous hours in a cool environment.
7) The following are additional guidelines for the prevention of heat illness during the
acclimatization period:
1) The vast majority of serious heat illness occurs during the first week of
practice/training. The key to appropriate acclimatization should consist of gradually
increasing the amount of time of environmental exposure (heat and humidity) while
progressively increasing physical exertion and training activities is the key to
appropriate acclimatization.
2) Begin with shorter, less intense practices and training activities, with longer recovery
intervals between drills.
3) Emphasize instruction over conditioning during the first several practices.
4) Keep each athletes individual level of conditioning and medical status in mind and
adjust activity accordingly. These factors directly affect exertional heat illness risk. For
example, there is an increased risk of heat injury if the athlete is obese, unfit, has been
recently ill (particularly gastrointestinal illness), has a previous history of exertional heat
illness, has Sickle Cell Trait, or is using certain medications. Players at risk should be
identified from their pre-participation examination.
5) High temperatures and high humidity are potentially dangerous for athletes. In these
conditions, lower the intensity of practices and increase the frequency and duration of rest
breaks, and consider reducing uniform and protective equipment as recommended by the
WBGT chart. Also, be sure to monitor all players more closely as conditions are
increasingly warm/humid, especially if there is a change in weather from the previous
few days.
6) Athletes should begin practices and training activities adequately hydrated.
7) Recognize early signs of distress and developing exertional heat illness (weakness,
nausea/vomiting, paleness, headache, lightheadedness). Promptly remove from activity,
and treat appropriately. First aid should not be delayed.
8) Recognize more serious signs of exertional heat illness (clumsiness, confusion,
stumbling, collapse, obvious behavioral changes and /or other central nervous system
problems), immediately stop activity, begin rapid cooling, and activate the Emergency
Action Plan.
9) All schools should have a heat illness prevention and management policy for all
sanctioned activities and this policy must be followed.
10) A venue-specific Emergency Action Plan (EAP) with clearly defined written and
practiced procedures should be developed and in place ahead of time.
11) Prior to the season all coaches, athletic training personnel and first responders
working with the team should review the signs and symptoms of heat illness and the
emergency action plan for their school.
2) Threatening weather, thunder, lightning, high winds.
1) Coaches will have a copy of the "Severe Weather Instructions
for Activities
Outside of the Regular School Day." to refer to in
situations where the weather is
severe enough to stop practice or games.
3) Concussion or head trauma from participation in practice or competition
and the proper identification and immediate care of injuries and post/rehab
care of injuries.
1) Coaches will work with the trainers and medical staff as well as
through first aid and
AED training to help them recognize and assess
injuries to know when it is necessary to remove the athlete from the
activity.
5) Certified Trainer and/ or Medical staff on site for all practices and
competitions.
1) The certified trainer and / or medical staff must be on site at all
practices and
competitions.
2) Away contests may use the opponent medical staff when necessary.
3) All injuries determined severe enough to be evaluated by the trainer
or medical staff, the trainer/medical staff will be the personnel that decides
whether the athlete will be
allowed to return to the practice or
competition.
6) Travel to and from football games.
Transportation of the three different levels of the football team to and from
away athletic contest. The current situation is St. Michaels contracts buses
from the local public school corporation for transportation to and from away
athletic contests. St. Michaels does own a mini bus but this is not an option
for transportation of the football teams. In addition St. Michaels does not
have a travel plan/policy in place.
Classification of the risk: Low Frequency/ Catastrophic to Critical Loss
The transportation of the football would classified as a low frequency risk
because the maximum amount of trips per season would not exceed 19 total
for all three levels Varsity, JV, and freshmen. This would include playoff away
games for the varsity. However an accident causing the loss of life or
catastrophic injuries would be a very serious situation for St. Michaels.
Treatment of Risk: Transfer and Reduction
1) The travel risks can be dealt with through the transfer of risks with the
purchase of travel insurance.
2) The requirement of the contractor to carry adequate insurance as well.
3) St. Michaels' can additionally reduce risks by requiring a written travel
plan on file in the office that includes all team members to have a travel
permission slip/waiver on file, appropriate coaches as supervisors on all
buses.
4) It will also be a requirement of all coaches providing of a bus seating
chart for all trips.
Location of AEDs
1. List all specific locations where AEDs are located in and around your school. If your school
has multiple AEDs, it may also be helpful to develop a map of AED zones along with the list of
where they are located (see sample), so that each zone has access to an AED.
*Coaches should take note of the closest AED to their practice and game
locations.
ADDRESS:
with preseason fitness tests, and develop practice plans accordingly. Keep written records of
fitness test results and practice plans. Dont deviate from your plans without good cause.
2. Provide proper instruction.
Make sure that athletes are in proper condition to participate. Teach athletes the rules and the
correct skills and strategies of the sport. For example, in football teach athletes that tackling with
the head (spearing) is illegal and also a potentially dangerous technique. Teach athletes the sport
skills and conditioning exercises in a progression so that the athletes are adequately prepared to
handle more difficult skills or exercises. Keep up-to-date on better and safer ways of performing
the techniques used in the sport. Provide competent and responsible assistants. If you have
coaching assistants, make sure that they are knowledgeable in the skills and strategies of the
sport and act in a mature and responsible manner.
3. Warn of inherent risks.
Provide parents and athletes with both oral and written statements of the inherent health risks of
their particular sport. Also warn athletes about potentially harmful conditions, such as playing
conditions, dangerous or faulty equipment, and the like.
4. Provide a safe physical environment.
Monitor current environmental conditions (i.e., windchill, temperature, humidity, and severe
weather warnings). Periodically inspect the playing areas, the locker room, the weight room, and
the dugout for hazards. Remove all hazards. Prevent improper or unsupervised use of facilities.
5. Provide adequate and proper equipment.
Make sure athletes are using equipment that provides the maximum amount of protection against
injury. Inspect equipment regularly. Teach athletes how to fit, use, and inspect their equipment.
6. Match your athletes appropriately.
Match the athletes according to size, physical maturity, skill level, and experience. Do not pit
physically immature or novice athletes against those who are in top condition and are highly
skilled.
7. Evaluate athletes for injury or incapacity.
Require all athletes to submit to preseason physicals and screenings to detect potential health
problems. Withhold an athlete from practice and competition if the athlete is unable to compete
without pain or loss of function (e.g., inability to walk, run, jump, throw, and so on without
restriction).
8. Supervise the activity closely.
Do not allow athletes to practice difficult or potentially dangerous skills without proper
supervision. Forbid horseplay, such as wrestling around. Do not allow athletes to use sports
facilities without supervision.
9. Provide appropriate emergency assistance.
Learn sport first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and AED administration. ASEPs
Sport First Aid and CPR/AED for Coaches courses meet or exceed established standards in most
cases. Take action when needed. The law assumes that you, as a coach, are responsible for
providing first aid care for any injury or illness suffered by an athlete under your supervision.
Some states expect coaches to meet additional standards of care. Check with your athletic
director to find out if your state has specific guidelines for the quality of care to be provided by
coaches.
10. Protect against physical and psychological harm.
Conclusion
This being the first risk management plan for football it is expected that there may be
additional risks identified over time. The plan will be reviewed at the conclusion of each season
or once a year. If there is a need to make changes during the season or before a year has passed
the coaches and athletic administration will amend the plan at that time to reflect the necessary
changes. The plan has taken into account Martens (2013) "Coaches' Ten Legal Duties" and the
list of the ten duties has been included prior to this conclusion. A copy of the plan will be kept in
all of the following locations; on file in the main office, athletic office, football office, training
room and field house. In addition it will be required that a copy of this plan will be included as a
part of the travel equipment for any away contest for reference and the EAP procedures. A
winning program is our ultimate goal and this risk management plan is the foundation of that
goal. We will be safe, fundamentally sound and well trained and the results will be a winning
football program.
References
Cotten, D.J., Wolohan, J.T. (2013). Law for recreation and sport mangers. Kendall-Hunt,
Dubuque
IHSAA (2016). Coaching Certification Requirements. Retrieved from ihsaa.org on June 4, 2016.
Martens, R. (2012). Successful Coaching. Human Kinetics, Champaign.
NFHS (2016). Heads Up Football Coaching Certification. Retrieved from https://www.nfhs.org
UNC Law (2016). Sample AEP Plan. Retrieved from
http://gfellerwallerlaw.unc.edu/GfellerWallerLaw/gwlaw_files/EAP%20Complete%20Ex
ample%20with%20Zones%20(8-4-2011).pdf on June 22, 2016.
USA Football (2016). Heads Up Football. Retrieved from http://usafootball.com