Administrative Procedure 219: Sun and Extreme Temperature Safety

Legal References

Education Act: Section 264 Duties of Teacher: Pursuit of Learning; Section 286 Duties of Supervisory Officers: Assist Teachers; R.R.O. Reg. 298 Operation of Schools: Section 11 Duties of Principals: Supervise Instruction, Outlines of Courses on File; R.R.O. Reg. 298: Section 20 Duties of Teachers: Effective Instruction; The Ontario Curriculum - by grade: K-Grade 8; by subject: Grades 1-8; Ontario Secondary Schools Grades 9 to 12 Program and Diploma Requirements 1999; Ministry of Education Policy/Program Memorandum 161 Supporting Students with Prevalent Medical Conditions in Schools

Related References

Administrative Procedure (AP) 180 First Aid and Medical Emergencies; AP 266 Field Trips and Excursions; AP 314 Supporting Students with Prevalent Medical Conditions in Schools; Form 219 Sample Sunscreen Letter

1. Direction on Sun and Extreme Temperature Safety

The Director of Education provides this administrative procedure to:

promote a healthy school environment which supports and promotes sun safety as well as extreme heat and extreme cold protective practices for students and staff through words, actions and modeling;
increase student, teacher and community awareness of skin cancer and other skin damage caused by UV radiation;
increase student, teacher and community awareness of when exposure to extreme temperatures can cause serious, sometimes life-threatening, health problems. In order to keep safe, you should know how to prevent heat and cold related health problems, as well as to know what to do if there is an extreme temperature event;
encourage all members of the school community to protect their skin from UV radiation, particularly at high-risk times such as lunch times, sporting events, and outdoor excursions; and
encourage members of the school community to protect their bodies from hypothermia and their skin from frostbite when extreme cold and wind cause the human body to lose heat, and to protect themselves from adverse health effects which can result from exposure to extreme heat: heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

2. Responsibilities of the Principal

2.1 Bring to the attention of all staff Administrative Procedure 219 Sun and Extreme Temperature Safety (at the beginning of each school year and in early spring and late fall as appropriate).

2.2 Make decisions about when to hold indoor recess as dictated by weather conditions; that is, cold weather alerts, wind chill warnings, and UV warnings provided by Environment Canada. When weather conditions are questionable, principals may consult the Environment Canada website.

2.2.1 Students need an opportunity to be physically active. However, weather conditions sometimes warrant indoor routines or a reduced activity level; for example, during extreme heat, high UV, wind chill and/or extremely cold temperatures.

2.2.1.1 Extreme Cold: When temperatures are below -20°C principals should seek information about the impact of wind chill values and refer to the wind chill chart in the Appendix C (note that wind chill will only appear in the forecast if the wind chill is equal to or greater than -25°C). With a wind chill of up to -27°C, Environment Canada states the risk of frostbite is low providing students are properly dressed for the weather. When the wind chill exceeds -28°C the risk of frostbite is higher when students are exposed for 30 minutes or more. Principals should consider limiting outdoor time to 30 minutes or less (see Appendix B: Extreme Cold Fact Sheet for more information).

2.2.1.2 Extreme Heat: When the temperature reaches or exceeds 3°C, principals should seek information about the humidex and refer to the humidex chart in the Appendix E (note that a humidex advisory is issued by Environment Canada when temperatures are expected to reach or exceed 30°C with a humidex of 40°C or greater). When the humidex is greater than or equal to 40°C, students and staff should be encouraged to take cooling precautions, and physical exertion should be restricted. If the humidex is 40°C or more, principals should consider an indoor routine. To avoid heat-related illness, students and staff should be encouraged to drink plenty of water, avoid going out in the summer-hot sun, try to stay in the shade as much as possible, and wear a hat (see Appendix A: Extreme Heat Fact Sheet for more information).

2.2.1.3 Very High to Extreme UV: When UV values reach or exceed 3, principals should seek additional information from Environment Canada and refer to the UV index chart in the Appendix D (note that Environment Canada includes UV values in forecasts when values reach 3 or higher). When the UV index is 3-7, students and staff may follow a regular routine with precautionary measures such as using sunscreen, seeking shady areas, and wearing proper clothing. When the UV index is 8-11, principals may consider limiting outdoor time, and measures should be taken to limit exposure to the sun’s rays by seeking shady areas and using proper sun protection and clothing, especially during the hours of 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. If the UV index is 11 or greater, principals should consider keeping students indoors during recess and lunch hour.

2.2.2 Actively promote sun and extreme temperature protection when appropriate in school newsletters, during assemblies, at school council meetings and at staff meetings.

2.2.3 Communicate to parents/guardians the importance of supplying their children with appropriate clothing or protections for outside activities. In extremely cold weather, students should be encouraged to wear multiple layers of clothing, boots, hats, and gloves, to cover all exposed skin. In hot weather, students should wear light loose-fitting clothing and drink plenty of water.

2.2.4 Ensure sun protection strategies are incorporated into outdoor events. Attention should be paid to the UV index and extra precautions should be taken when it is high. Resources, including a teaching guide, are available through the Canadian Cancer Society website SunSense, referenced below.

2.2.5 Ensure cold protection strategies are incorporated into outdoor events. Attention should be paid to wind chill conditions and extra precautions should be taken when necessary.

2.2.6 Work with the school community to increase and/or maintain shade on school grounds.

2.2.7 If an administrator suspects a student is experiencing an adverse health event related to extreme heat or cold temperatures, medical attention for the student should be sought immediately.

2.2.8 Training on ‘weather’ as a possible trigger for asthma is to be completed under the training requirements of Administrative Procedure 314 Supporting Students with Prevalent Medical Conditions in Schools.

3. Responsibilities of Teachers

3.1 Incorporate sun, heat and cold protection as well as skin cancer and frostbite prevention into appropriate areas of school curriculum.

3.2 Actively promote and model sun and extreme temperature protection prior to and during outdoor activities, sporting events and excursions.

3.3 Encourage students to reapply sunscreen 20 to 30 minutes prior to outdoor activities, to wear sunglasses, and to wear a hat which protects their faces, necks and ears whenever they are outside.

3.4 In extreme cold, encourage students to wear multiple layers of clothing, boots, hats, and gloves, to cover all exposed skin.

3.5 In extreme heat, encourage students to wear light, loose-fitting clothing, to wear sunglasses, hats, apply sunscreen and consider limiting exposure to the sun’s rays by seeking shady areas. Plan for frequent water breaks to ensure that students are adequately hydrated during outdoor physical activity.

3.6 Communicate to parents/guardians the importance of supplying their children with suitable clothing, sunglasses, hats, water and sunscreen (e.g., excursion permission forms, letters to parents; see Form 219 Sample Sunscreen Letter).

3.7 Communicate to parents that, with our winter climate, it is important for students to come to school prepared with clothing which provides adequate protection from very cold temperatures and wind chill factors.

3.8 If a school staff suspects a student is experiencing an adverse health event related to extreme heat or cold temperatures, medical attention for the student should be sought immediately (follow AP 175 Accidents, Incidents and Occupational Illness, and if needed AP 314 Supporting Students with Prevalent Medical Conditions in Schools).

4. Other Supports

4.1 Schools are encouraged to access community partners (e.g., Huron County Health Unit, Perth District Health Unit, Canadian Cancer Society, Environment Canada, Health Canada) as resources to promote sun and extreme temperature safety practices and initiatives.

4.2 When planning special outdoor events (e.g., Track and Field, Winter Carnival), ensure that qualified first aid providers are on site, particularly to deal with illness related to hot temperatures.

5. References

Environment Canada
Health Canada
Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term Care Public Information: Ministry Information - Extreme Cold

Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term Care Public Information: Ministry Information - Extreme Heat (opens in new tab)

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety - Humidex Rating and Work
Canadian Cancer Society - Sunsense

This AP was revised in consultation with personnel representing the Huron County and Perth District Health Units.

Please refer to AP 219 for:

Appendix A - Extreme Heat Fact Sheet (Public Health)

Appendix B - Extreme Cold Weather Fact Sheet (Public Health)

Appendix C - Wind Chill Chart (Brant, Haldimand, Norfolk Catholic DSB)

Appendix D - UV Index Chart (Environment Canada Weather Office)

Appendix E - Humidex Chart (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety)

Revised February 2018

219 Sun and Extreme Temperature Safety