School-Made Equipment
School-made equipment (for example, land skis, beanbags, plastic bottle weights, rhythm sticks) can be made at school by school division employees, adult volunteers and students who are under direct supervision.
The following must be taken into consideration for school made equipment:
- Use materials that are in good condition, (for example, un-frayed ropes, smooth boards free of splinters, nothing with sharp edges).
- Use materials that resemble, as closely as possible, the manufactured item.
- Use materials that will not endanger students with severe allergies (for example, latex).
- Home-made equipment (for example, personal ball hockey sticks, floor hockey shafts) must not be used. Home-made equipment is defined as equipment that is made and/or modified at home and then brought to school.
- Equipment that is designed to be worn (for example, hats, capes, costumes) must not constrict neck or chest areas or put the student at risk.
- Masks must not impair vision.
- School made equipment attached to facility (for example, a wall) needs to be inspected by a knowledgeable third party to determine it is safe and secure.
- School made equipment that is a self-supported structure (for example, outdoor volleyball posts, long jump pit with timber surround) needs to be inspected by a knowledgeable third party to determine it is safe and secure.
- Consult your school division policy and procedures related to specifications, installation and inspection of school made equipment.
- Follow instructions on how to build/assemble if available. If instructions are not available for a school-made structure, describe the procedure in writing and record how, when and by whom it was made.
- Equipment made by students or volunteers must be inspected by a knowledgeable third party to determine safety.
- Test equipment before initial use.
- Inspect equipment every time it is used.
- Repair equipment as necessary. If the piece of equipment changes significantly due to additional repairs that interfere with the function and safety, then discard and replace.
- On-site supervision is required for students making equipment at school.
- Constant visual supervision is required if students are using machinery (for example, band saws) to make equipment.
