SAFETY 1

1. SAFETY 1 Risk Assessment & Captain’s Responsibilities on the Day By Graeme Hope UoP/UPSU Sports & Safety Co-ordinator

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Risk Assessments What are they? Why are they Important? What they Involve? How can we use them in Sports Context?

5. Risk Assessments: Risk Assessment = Clear & Careful examination of anything 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

6. 5 Steps to a Risk Assessment: (Based on HSE Guidelines) • Identification of all hazards in the area under • review. • Identification of those persons at risk. • Evaluation of all risks associated with the hazards. • Implementation of controls, if necessary. • 5. Recording of significant aspects of the • assessment and regular review.

7. Example of Risk Assessment:

8. Risk Assessments – Hints & Tips: • Generic Templates. • Provide Examples. • Guidelines for producing a Risk Assessment. • Contact NGB’s. • Feedback. • Training/ Education. • Set Deadlines. • Electronic Formats.

9. 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)

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. Captain’s Responsibilities on the Day What are they? Do they realise/ know? What if something goes wrong?

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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?

16. Summary: • 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? • 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.

17. graeme.hope@port.ac.uk