COMMITMENT TO HEALTH AND SAFETY

It is of prime importance to the Tring Rugby Football Club (hence forth known as ‘the Club’) to carry out its business in such a way as to avoid harm to its staff, its contractors, players and all others who may be affected directly or indirectly by its activities. Health & Safety has equal status with other primary business objectives. Safe working practices and due consideration of environmental impact and staff welfare are vital to the overall efficiency and success of our club business. It is everyone's responsibility and consequently forms an integral part of the duties of all staff. The Club is committed to obtaining the highest achievable standards of health and safety.

AIMS

The continuous improvement of workplace safety.
To provide a safe and healthy working environment.
To eliminate the use of products and practices that are found to have an adverse effect on people, equipment or the environment.

OBJECTIVES

To conform to requirements of the Health and Safety at work Act and associated Regulations and Codes of Practice.
To establish and maintain effective systems and plans for managing the health, safety and welfare of all staff, in addition to the environmental impact of our operations.
To ensure that all risks are properly assessed and controlled.
To establish and maintain clear written standards and procedures to control the risk to health, safety and the environment and to ensure that these are adhered to.
To ensure that all Club staff are competent and able to perform their tasks safely, through the provision of adequate training information and supervision.
To maintain an effective system of consultation with our staff on health, safety and environmental issues.
To ensure that all accidents are properly investigated and appropriate corrective actions are taken.
To promote an increased awareness of safety and a responsibility for the environment amongst all staff.
To maintain an effective system of monitoring and reviewing health, safety and environmental performance.
This policy and attendant procedures will be regularly reviewed and up-dated annually to reflect changes in legislative, organisational, operational and management arrangements.

Signed …………………………………………………. Date …………………………………
Hon Secretary
Signed …………………………………………………. Date …………………………………
Club Chairman

1. Responsibilities

1.1 The Club Chairman, Committee Members, Tring RUFC Officials and all Team Managers and Coaches are responsible for ensuring that;
• The Club’s Health and Safety Policy is implemented and that, as far as is reasonably practicable a safe working environment exists in their areas of operation,
• The activities carried out in their areas of operation are conducted in such a manner as to minimize the risk to health and safety.

1.2 In compliance with Section 7 of the Health & Safety at Work Act all workers, users and visitors have an obligation to take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and other persons who may be affected by their actions and co-operate with the Club to enable any such duty to be complied with.

1.3 All persons must;
• Observe all safety rules,
• Abide by the instructions issued in the interests of minimizing risks to health and safety,
• Report any hazardous situation to the Club secretary who in turn shall advise the Committee,
• Co-operate in suggesting to the Club Secretary any improvements that could minimize risks to health and safety.

Day to day responsibility for the implementation of the policy is detailed in the table below:
A named official of the club will be named for each fixture in the event of any issues arising
Tring RUFC Manager Name Responsibility
Grounds M Walters Grounds & Parking Areas
Buildings M Firth Clubhouse & Containers
Catering Manager Kitchen
Bar Manager Bar & Cellar
Head Coaches See Fixture Book Ensuring that the playing areas are safe before training or playing matches.
Match Officials Referees The referee has the final say when deciding that a pitch is, or is not fit to be played on.
Welfare Director Chris Freestone Health & Safety, Welfare
Appointed First Aider Nigel Nutkins First Aid
Lead Physiotherapist Alexander Bowles Physiotherapy, Sports Injuries

1.4 All individuals have a responsibility to co-operate with the above named persons to achieve a healthy and safe workplace and to take reasonable care of themselves and others.

1.5 Whenever any individual notices a health or safety problem that they cannot put right, they should inform the person named above without delay.

1.6 The monthly Tring RUFC Committee meetings, or any other meeting specifically called to discuss Health & Safety issues, will be the forums to raise any issues relating to Health & Safety. Where issues arise that need immediate resolution it will be the responsibility of the Chairman, the Hon Secretary and the Director of Finance to authorise remedial action.

2: First Aid

TRFC seeks to promote welfare and safety though;

2.1 Injuries & Accidents:
• All injuries sustained by players must be handled in line with the TRUFC First Aid Policy as identified in 2.2

• All other accidents must be recorded in the Accident Book that is held behind the bar in the Clubhouse and reported to the Welfare Director who will be responsible for informing the Local Environmental Health Department where necessary.

2.2 Medical Facilities:
• Each TRUFC Squad will be provided with a First Aid Kit as recommended by the RFU and required under current first aid regulations.
• Each age group will have a minimum of two qualified first aiders who have attended a RFU approved first aid course
• Free access to the First Aid room and its facilities and the playing area should be available at all reasonable times.
• Qualified first aid/medical/medical personnel must be available during training/playing of games/club house opening times and functions.
• Access for Ambulances must be available at all times.
• Access to a telephone (landline and/or mobile) must be available at all times.
• Nominated Tring RUFC First Aider Nigel Nutkins 07950809851
• Nominated Tring RUFC Lead Clinician Alexander Bowles

3: Playing

3.1 Playing and Training Areas:
• All means should be taken to ensure that all areas for playing/training etc are safe and free from dangers and hazards, i.e. pot holes, sharp objects (stones glass), animal waste, uneven surfaces, puddles of water etc

3.2 Playing Equipment:
• All training/playing equipment is fit for the purpose and does not constitute a danger to anyone using it, i.e. scrum machines are maintained and serviced regularly and hold a current safety certificate.
• Tackle bags/contact pads & suits, post protectors are all in good condition and must be suited to a player’s size and ability.
• Marker flag poles should flex on impact with no sharp edges, goalposts should be padded.
• All equipment should be checked prior to training sessions and matches.

3.3 Playing Development:
• The teaching/coaching or playing development of players as well as the refereeing of the game of Rugby Football must be carried out under all RFU rules, regulations and directives. Careful consideration as to the age and ability of players must be taken when introducing or developing any contact skill or situation.
• Coaches MUST NOT ASK OR ALLOW any adult or youth to take part in or help in training, playing or fun sessions of any kind, organized by the Club, who does not have the relevant qualification, training or club’s authorization to do so.
• Lead contacts;
• John Ball, Director of Rugby
• Jon Westcott, Chairman, Mini and Juniors section

4. Environment

4.1 Ground Equipment:
• All ground equipment (tractors, mowers etc) and ground supplies (seed fertilizer etc) are stored in a dedicated and secure area. Signs displaying “Hazard Keep Of” should also be displayed.

4.2 Clubhouse and Storage Areas:
• Any dangerous or hazardous areas identified, must be cordoned off and clearly signed and quickly rectified.
• Emergency exits clearly identified and kept free, storage areas satisfactorily secured, fire extinguishers clearly visible and marked.

4.3 General Fire Safety:
• All escape routes will be checked on a regular basis by committee members
• All fire extinguishers will be checked for availability and interference on a weekly basis by Mark Firth
• All fire extinguishers will be serviced annually
• Fire alarms will be tested weekly by
• Fire alarms will be serviced annually

5. Training

5.1 All workers and volunteers will receive training necessary to ensure that they are able to do their jobs safely. This will be reviewed as per legislative requirements and best practice ideals

6. Contractors and Visitors

6.1 All contractors and visitors must report to the Chairman or nominated deputy before commencing any work.

6.2 Before any work is carried out the contractor/visitor will be warned of any known hazards they are likely to encounter.

6.3 The contractor/visitor must warn the Chairman or nominated deputy of any work that may pose a hazard to anyone else

6.4 On completion of any work the Chairman or nominated deputy must be notified before the contractor leaves the premises.

7. Hazards

7.1 The workplace risk assessments identify the known hazards and control measures required to reduce, to an acceptable level, the risk of injury from those hazards. All staff must follow the measures laid down

8. Review

8.1 The Health and Safety Policy and relevant Risk Assessment will be reviewed as and when changes in current policy or current situations pertaining to health and safety dictate such a review, and at least annually.