Managing Injuries and Illness
At St Joseph's School, the board ensures that the school is physically and emotionally safe place (Education and Training Act 2020) and we have procedures to eliminate or minimise risks to health and safety (Health and Safety at Work Act, 2015). This includes having processes in place to respond effectively to injuries and illness at school and school-related activities. We are prepared to administer first aid and manage injuries and illness in a range of situations (e.g. health conditions, EOTC, emergencies, disasters, crises). This includes access to facilities for the administration of first aid (Health and Safety at Work (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations 2016).
The principal and board are informed as soon as possible of 
notifiable events and serious incidents (including incidents that may result in media attention or need legal action). All injuries and illnesses are recorded and reported appropriately, and notified to WorkSafe and others as needed. See Recording and Reporting Injuries and Illness.
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (s 25), a notifiable event is any of the following events that arise from work:
A notifiable event must arise from work (the conduct of the business or undertaking). It may include the condition of the work site, the way the work activity was organised, or the way equipment or substances were used. A notifiable event may occur at school or at school-related activities that take place off school grounds. Notifiable events apply to all affected workers, students, visitors, and contractors if they are injured while involved in school activities (on or off school grounds), work being done on behalf of the school, or using school grounds and equipment.
Worksafe relies on PCBUs to determine whether an injury, illness, or incident is notifiable. Only one notification is required for each notifiable event. See Notify WorkSafe 
St Joseph's School notifies parents/caregivers when a student has an illness or injury that requires rest at home or attention from a doctor. Parents are also notified of any head or spinal injuries, notifiable injuries, or any other injury that may cause concern. When in doubt, we contact parents/caregivers so they can decide whether any further action is needed. If parents/caregivers cannot be reached, we try emergency contacts. We decide at the time which staff member will liaise with whānau. Our communication processes follow privacy requirements.
If a student is unwell and repeatedly coughing or sneezing we may ask them to wear a mask and/or go to the sick bay to be collected by parents/caregivers.
School responsibilities
We have adequate first aid supplies and qualified first aiders to manage injuries and illness. See First Aid Training and Supplies.
If someone is injured or becomes ill at school or school-related activities, responding staff assess the situation and take appropriate actions to keep everyone safe, including asking for assistance as needed.
Immediate response
- If someone is ill or injured at school, relevant staff are notified. This may include certified first aiders, a school nurse, the principal, senior management, office staff, and/or the classroom teacher.
- In a medical emergency, we call emergency services immediately.
- Responding staff administer first aid as appropriate to the injury or illness. We ask the person if there are any factors to be considered (e.g. health conditions, medication), check medical records if appropriate (e.g. student individual plan), and/or may contact parents/caregivers and/or emergency contacts to determine the best course of treatment. See Health Support.
- A person who is ill or needs first aid (and is able to be moved) is treated in the sick bay and the office is informed. If the person is unable to be moved, staff secure the scene and keep unnecessary people away.
- If someone suffers a head injury, we provide appropriate first aid and contact emergency services if needed. If the injured person remains on site, staff monitor for signs of concussion (including delayed concussion). Parents/Caregivers of students, and the principal, are notified of all head injuries. We report head injuries that require more than first aid to WorkSafe.
- In the event of an injury or illness that requires medical treatment off-site (by a doctor or emergency services), trained staff administer first aid until the person is passed into the care of health professionals.
- If someone is bitten, we take appropriate actions to avoid infection (e.g. washing the wound, advising parents/caregivers that they may wish to consult with a medical professional).
If necessary, we preserve the site if it is a notifiable event and/or activate our managing traumatic incidents policy. See Managing Traumatic Incidents.
Managing blood and body substances
If an incident involves blood and body substances, we:
- may ask the person to deal with their own blood or body substances to reduce the risk of infection (e.g. apply their own plaster)
- do not allow students to attend to each other's injuries or touch body substances
- follow appropriate hygiene measures, including waste disposal and cleaning surfaces.
Good practice includes:
- ensuring hands are clean (e.g. washing hands, using a hand sanitiser) before and after administering first aid, and before wearing gloves
- using personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, masks, and eye protection to create a protective barrier between ourselves and the substance
- putting used gloves, PPE, first aid supplies, wipes, tissues, etc. in a sealed plastic bag, and following usual waste disposal procedures
- disposing of needles and other sharp implements safely (e.g. sharps containers)
- disinfecting surfaces and equipment that had contact with any blood or body substances
- ventilating areas as needed.
In the event of toileting accidents, students are given clean underwear and clothing. If necessary, a parent will be contacted and asked to come and change their child.
After treatment
We support any injured or ill person to return to normal activities or leave the school site.
- A student may need to be collected by their parents/caregivers or emergency contact and signed out into their care.
- If parents/caregivers/emergency contacts cannot be contacted, a staff member may need to take the person to a doctor or medical centre.
- If a person is collected by emergency services, a staff member may accompany them, if appropriate.
If warranted by the nature of the incident, the school follows up with the affected person and/or their whānau to check on their wellbeing and recovery.
- Support systems are in place for any students returning to school after a health-related absence.
- Ill or injured staff are assisted with support and rehabilitation.
- Others affected by an incident are also offered support if needed.
Responsibilities of others
We expect everyone at school or school-related activities to take care of their health and notify school staff if they need support. We expect parents/caregivers to inform the school of any student illness or injury that may require attention at school.
Anyone with an ongoing illness is expected to stay away from school if they may be infectious. See Infectious Diseases.
If the student is unable to attend school, we expect parents/caregivers to follow school attendance reporting requirements. See Student Attendance.
Related topics
Legislation
- Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
- Health and Safety at Work Act (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations 2016
- Education and Training Act 2020
Resources
: Term 3 2025, Term 3 2022
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