A C T I V I T I E S
? ACTIVITY 2 ?
Hazard Recognition
In this activity, the learners will examine closely one of their favourite activities - rollerblading. While it is a very enjoyable hobby (or even a method of transportation!), it is not as easy as it looks. This sport involves moving at high speeds on small wheels on irregular surfaces. This combination of hazards requires a person to have good skills as well as quality equipment that is kept in good condition.
Have students think about the following:
Recognition -
Have they been rollerblading before?
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Where do people go roller-blading?
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Assessment -
What parts of the body are most at risk?
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Are they familiar with the surface they will be skating on (pot-holes, bumps, etc.)?
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Control -
Do they wear the proper type of protective equipment?
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Are they keeping an eye out for surface irregularities?
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Most rollerblading accidents have the following risk factors:
- failure to wear protective equipment
- loss of balance
- skating too fast
- irregularities of the surface.
Knowledge of these risk factors should help them understand why the following safety steps are important:
WEAR protective clothing, including gloves, knee protection and a helmet.
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SKATE where you know what the surface is like such as a roller-blade park.
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BE on the lookout for potholes, cracks in the pavement or other bumps if
using public trails (such as a city bike path). Some cities may have by-laws
that do not allow skating on streets or sidewalks. They might want to call
their local city hall or municipal office to see what the local law is.
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WARM up muscles before skating to prevent strains and pulled muscles.
Source: Adapted from "Safety Sense at Play" by H. Grafftey. Safety Sense Enterprises, Inc. Ottawa, ON
