Managing Injuries and Illness
At Paparoa Street School, the poari matua ensures that the kura 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 kura and kura-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 tumuaki and poari matua 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 kura or at kura-related activities that take place off kura grounds. Notifiable events apply to all affected workers, ākonga, manuhiri, and contractors if they are injured while involved in kura activities (on or off kura grounds), work being done on behalf of the kura, or using kura 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 
Paparoa Street School notifies parents/caregivers when an ākonga has an illness or injury that requires rest at home or attention from a doctor and we provide an update on the physical condition of the ākonga. 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 kaimahi will liaise with whānau. Our communication processes follow privacy requirements.
If an ākonga is unwell and repeatedly coughing or sneezing we may ask them to wear a mask and/or go to the health room to be collected by parents/caregivers.
Kura 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 kura or kura-related activities, responding kaimahi 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 kura, relevant kaimahi are notified. This may include certified first aiders, a kura nurse, the tumuaki, kaiārahi matua, tari kaimahi, and/or the classroom kaiako.
- In a medical emergency, we call emergency services immediately.
- Responding kaimahi 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. ākonga 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 health room and the tari is informed. If the person is unable to be moved, kaimahi 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, kaimahi monitor for signs of concussion (including delayed concussion). Parents/Caregivers of ākonga, and the tumuaki, 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 kaimahi 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 ākonga 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, ākonga are given clean underwear and clothing. If necessary, their parent will be contacted and asked to take their tamaiti home to change them. Any assistance with toileting accidents at kura is only carried out by an appropriate kaiako or a trained support kaimahi, and another kaimahi is present.
After treatment
We support any injured or ill person to return to normal activities or leave the kura site.
- A ākonga 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 kaimahi may need to take the person to a doctor or medical centre.
- If a person is collected by emergency services, a kaimahi may accompany them, if appropriate.
If warranted by the nature of the incident, the kura follows up with the affected person and/or their whānau to check on their wellbeing and recovery.
- Support systems are in place for any ākonga returning to kura after a health-related absence.
- Ill or injured kaimahi are assisted with support and rehabilitation.
- Others affected by an incident are also offered support if needed.
Responsibilities of others
We expect everyone at kura or kura-related activities to take care of their health and notify kaimahi kura if they need support. We expect parents/caregivers to inform the kura of any ākonga illness or injury that may require attention at kura.
Anyone with an ongoing illness is expected to stay away from kura if they may be infectious. See Infectious Diseases.
If the ākonga is unable to attend kura, we expect parents/caregivers to follow kura attendance reporting requirements. See Ākonga 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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