Number of Playground or Activity Supervisors
A minimum of one supervisor is needed for each separate play or activity area or facility where a child or youth could be injured. In some cases the area of supervision may be too large or complex for one person to provide supervision...refer to the guidelines below. If there are insufficient supervisors to watch all of the areas needing supervision, close off or “put out of use or bounds” those areas that cannot be supervised and do not let children play in those areas. The National Program for Playground Safety (NPPS) recommends that the playground supervision ratio be equal to the indoor classroom. However, studies in certain states have shown the most frequent ratio is one supervisor to 50 students.
Area of Supervision
Contrary to the numerical standards or ratios of supervisors or instructors to students (i.e., one supervisor to 30 or 35 students, etc.), a reasonable area of supervision is an area where students can be readily seen or watched over, controlled and assisted by a supervisor by voice, whistle, bullhorn, etc., from the perimeter of the area (those being supervised should be in front of the supervisor where they can be observed) and, as necessary, given directions or control for safe play or activities, and where the supervisor may note if there is an injury, even if unpreventable, so as to be able to provide for proper care and handling of the injured participant. Such a standard becomes more understandable when it is pointed out that one supervisor may be able to watch and supervise up to 100 students sitting and watching a demonstration or performance, one supervisor may also watch over a single sportsfield, court or game of play (as long as he or she can clearly see and be heard by some control method (whistle, etc.) over the area. On the reverse end of the “reasonable” supervision ratio, even one child playing on play equipment or in a swimming pool requires a supervisor. What if there are more areas needing supervision than there are playground supervisors? Close or put “off limits” those areas that cannot be supervised. Principle: If a playground or use area/facility cannot be supervised, it should not be open for student play or use. An activity supervisor and the agency responsible for the activity should have a planned protocol for handling injuries and/or emergencies in the area being supervised.
Areas or Activities Needing Closer, Special or Increased Supervision
Activities may need closer, increased or special training and supervision if the likelihood of serious physical or emotional injury or death is higher due to the nature of the activity, for example:
a. When children or youth are in a swimming pool;
b. When children are on climbing apparatus, P.E. or play equipment
c. When equipment is being used that may injure the user or others as a result of misuse
(weights, fitness machines, gymnastic equipment, trampolines, shot puts, discus,
javelin, hammer, field hockey sticks, golf clubs, roller and ice hockey sticks, etc.);
d. When children are in direct physical, competitive contact such as: wrestling,
football, basketball, soccer, roller and ice hockey, etc.;
e. When youth are in social and physical contact, particularly coed, in school
areas, facilities, on buses, etc.;
f. When areas are dark or darkened by lack of daylight, particularly in coed situations;
g. When children or youth have been injured or sedated, particularly in coed situations.*
*Generally when a child or youth is injured or is under heavy medication or
is sedated, the child or youth should be closely observed until the responsibility
for the child’s or youth’s care is conveyed to parents, guardians or medical personnel.
There appear to be no legal supervision ratio standards for most of these activities other than: (1) closely watching to apply any safety rules or guidelines to help avoid injuries, where this is possible; (2) to promptly handle injuries where they could not have been avoided even by supervision and clear observation; and (3) to see that injured or medicated students are not further injured due to a lack of supervision or watching them, or not providing approved care or first-aid until qualified medical personnel or parents assume responsibility for the student’s or participant’s care. Many school districts apply a standard of one adult to 8 to 12 students on field trips. Unless a supervision ratio is established, the guide is always “reasonableness.” Child care in some states requires a standard of 1:8 and for older children 1:12. Check your state standards.
Providing Supervision Guidelines and Training
Each area and activity requiring supervision should be evaluated regarding the activities that are involved, what types of accidents and injuries might normally occur, what types of behavior might lead up to, facilitate or cause injuries, what training is needed to, as best possible, prevent or minimize injuries to the children involved...and written protocol re how to properly handle and report accidents that may occur. Rules, training, supervision guidelines, protocol and report forms, approved by the agency’s legal counsel, should be developed using this information.
There should be, for the school or responsible agency and students/participants, an agency “Safety Committee” that meets regularly (at least monthly), during the school year, to evaluate the safety program and activities of the school or agency where safe supervision is a concern. Is this possible? Absolutely! If this can be done for all adult work places (i.e., OSHA), there is no reason it cannot be done to help protect our children and youth...and the financial resources that are being drained by needless injuries and lawsuits. Help is available for any agency that does not understand how to go about developing a sound safety program.
Summary
Supervision for school playgrounds and activities is, unfortunately, often inadequate, both in the number of supervisors and in their training to assume the significant responsibilities. Various excuses are given for this, from lack of fiscal resources to union contracts that allow teachers free time, etc.; however, in reality, there is no excuse for inadequate supervision of students by schools or agencies entrusted to provide for the safe care of children and youth...particularly in activities beyond the classroom where injuries are more likely to occur.
Inadequate supervision, which includes insufficient training and unclear areas of responsibilty, has resulted in many unnecessary, avoidable accidents and injuries and, in some instances, to the improper handling of injuries. These situations often give rise to extensive lawsuits and create extremely high costs to take care of the medical needs and/or lawsuits on behalf of those injured.
Every school district, school and child care program should thoroughly address its responsibilities regarding playground, activity area and facility and student activity supervision. Each should then develop and implement a sound safety program that provides safe playgrounds, activity areas, facilities, activitites and supervision on site, away or enroute for the children and/or youth entrusted to its care. Although some districts, schools or programs may indicate they “cannot afford” this level or standard of care, the fact is they cannot afford not to provide this care and safety. And, in most cases, it can be provided within existing or available resources via focused effort, innovation, training and altered priorities. The cost of one accident and serious injury wherein a school district, school or agency is found negligent by not providing safe activities, facilities or supervision could pay for an outstanding safety program for many years.
Dr. Fred Brooks is an Emeritus Professor of the College of Communication and Education at California State University, Chico. He was responsible directly or administratively for school and public playground and activity supervision for 20 years. He taught these subject areas for 25 years at CSU, Chico. He is a Nationally Certified Playground Safety Inspector, safety and risk manager and trainer, planner, facility designer, reseacher, consultant, operations and management contract administrator, expert witness and was, for 10 years, an Instructor for the National Playground Safety Institute. He is president of Resources Planning and Management, Chico, CA. The RPM office is located at 2223 Ceres Ave., Chico, CA, 95926-1476 and Dr. Brooks can be reached by phone at (530) 895-0389.
