SAFETY 1

Risk Assessment & Captain’s Responsibilities on the Day

By

Graeme Hope UoP/UPSU

Sports & Safety Co-ordinator

Why is Safety Important:

The Sport & Leisure Activity field is one of the fastest growing fields in today’s society particularly in HE/ FE institutions.

The H & S of those employed to supervise/ run/ provide activities are protected under H & S Legislation. In terms of being a member of a Club/ Society involved in Sport there is a general ‘Duty of Care’ to consider.

Their have also been changes in Thinking/ Legislation

that has brought Safety to the fore-front in Sport.

Changes in Thinking/Legislation:

• 1994 Colette Fleetwood Incident @ Cwm Glas.

• 1995 Lime Bay Tragedy.

• 1996 CVCP/ SCOP joint report ‘Sport in HE’.

• BUCPEA 1996 ‘Safe Sport in Universities’ Guide.

• BUCPEA ‘Risk Assessments’ CD-Rom.

• HSE Guidelines?

• Liability?

• Student Welfare.

• Staff with Responsibilities for Health & Safety.

What are they?

Why are they Important?

What they Involve?

How can we use them in Sports Context?

Risk Assessments

Risk Assessments:Risk Assessment = Clear & Careful examination ofanything that could cause harm to yourself and others within a particular situation or environment.

Process known as – ‘Risk/ Safety Management’

Measuring Safety is complex, but by doing so we:-

• Reduce Risk

• Protect People

• Ensure Safe Participation

5 Steps to a Risk Assessment:

(Based on HSE Guidelines)

1. Identification of all hazards in the area under review.

2. Identification of those persons at risk.

3. Evaluation of all risks associated with the hazards.

4. Implementation of controls, if necessary.

5. Recording of significant aspects of the assessment and regular review.

Example of Risk Assessment:UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH (NAME OF CLUB) RISK ASSESSMENT

Assessor: Joe Bloggs Position: Club President Date: 01/07/02 Review Date: 01/07/03Activities:

Hazard(s): Something with the potential to People at Risk: Who Risk Factor: What Control Measures in place for identified

cause harm or ill-health e.g. slips, trips, is at Risk - Players, Level of Risk does the Hazard(s): Do these measures minimise/

protruding object(s), falling objects, lone Spectators, Visitors, Hazard present - High, eliminate the risk e.g. training & instruction,working, impacts & collisions, etc. Club Members, Staff. Moderate or Low. coaching, protective equipment, etc.

Risk Assessments – Hints & Tips:

• Generic Templates.

• Provide Examples.

• Guidelines for producing a Risk Assessment.

• Contact NGB’s.

• Feedback.

• Training/ Education.

• Set Deadlines.

• Electronic Formats.

Where to get Help?:• BUSA? (www.busa.org.uk)

• UCS? (www.ucsport.net)

• AMSU? (www.amsu.net)

• USA?

• NGB’s?

• HSE? (www.hse.gov.uk)

• Sports Contacts?

• University H & S Departments?

• Other Union’s/ Uni’s/ Institutions?

• SASA? (www.studentsafety.org.uk)

How they Can Help:

• Work hand-in-hand with Codes of Practice.

• Highlight Problems/ Dangers.

• Help resolve issues.

• Prevent future incidents/ accidents.

• Support funding for Equipment/ Resources.

• Some required under H & S Law (i.e. Facilities).

• Aid future Sports/ Activity Management.

Summary:

• Risk Assessment seen as Good/ Best Practice.

•Don’t try and Re-invent the Wheel.

• If you haven’t got them/ done them someone else has – beg, borrow, steal!

• Keep them Simple – no one will look at 10 page Risk Assessment.

What are they?

Do they realise/ know?

What if something goes wrong?

Captain’s Responsibilities on the Day

What are they:

• Team Sheets/ Selection etc.

• Match Fees/ Report.

• Kit Washing.

• Officials/ Umpires.

• DUTY OF CARE.

• CONDUCT & BEHAVIOUR.

• REPRESENTATIVE OF UNI/ UNION.

• RESPONSIBLE PERSON/PERSON IN CHARGE.

Realisation/ Knowledge:

• Do you know your Captain’s Responsibilities?

• Do your Captain’s realise/ know their responsibilities?

• What does your Institution/ Union do to support your Captain’s with these responsibilities? - Training/ Education. - First Aid/ Health & Safety. - Policies/ Procedures. - Incentives.

What if?:

What happens if something goes wrong or there is An Emergency?

• Are they in Charge?

• What do they do?

• Incident/ Accident Procedure?

• Contact Details?

• Dealing with Others?

• Responsibility extends beyond playing field?

Summary:

However it is important that Captain’s are not the only one’s with responsibilities: -- AU Officers.- Sabbaticals.- Administrators.- Other Club/ Team Committee Members & Players.

• Are we doing enough to help our Captain’s?

• Do we ask too much of them?

• Where do their responsibilities start & end?

• What can we do to help?

graeme.hope@port.ac.uk