Extreme Heat Weather Warning: Guidance for the PESSPA Sector

15/07/22

With temperatures continuing to soar in the coming week, please see afPE’s Safe Practice guidance below:

2.15.9 Organisers should also establish a contingency date that is acceptable to all to cover any situation where an event may need to be postponed (e.g. due to poor weather or exceedingly high temperatures).

2.8.71 There is no upper limit to temperature for activity and no statutory maximum working temperature. Staff will need to be sensitive to the impact of significantly high temperatures on active sessions and plan accordingly. If outside, sun protection and regular hydration should be encouraged.

2.10.61 It is unreasonable to try to base decisions about carrying out PESSPA activities on specific maximum temperatures as there are no specific recommendations about this. However, during periods of unusually hot weather, teachers should monitor students for signs of heat exhaustion (e.g. headaches, dizziness, nausea, cramps, muscle weakness or pale skin).

2.10.62 Staff should be particularly mindful of a range of precautions for ensuring the well-being of students when working outside in hot/sunny conditions.

Staff should ensure that:

• Lengthy periods in direct sunlight, particularly around midday when the sun is at its hottest, are avoided whenever possible; this may occur when students have a physical education lesson outside followed or preceded by an outdoor lunchtime practice
• There is a system for providing access to drinking water in a way that is manageable for staff (e.g. students might provide their own water bottles when outside)
• They handle body image issues sensitively with students (e.g. with overweight or obese students wearing unnecessary layers of clothing in hot temperatures)
• Students are taught how to screen themselves from the harmful effects of the sun through wearing light clothing and using sunscreen products; parents should be reminded about the need for students to use sunscreen products, and asked to provide these (for further information on the application of sun cream, see FAQ 13 in Chapter 4)
• Students are permitted to wear hats as long as they pose no danger to the wearer or other participants in terms of the quality of the items and the nature of the activity; some primary schools purchase sun hats for students, which are then kept in school
• Additional shaded areas are provided during sports days, or when attending tournaments, festivals and other events where students may be exposed to the sun for long periods of time (e.g. by using gazebos or tents)
• Students showing early symptoms of heat exhaustion are moved into a cool area and rehydrated.

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