Health and Safety Policy

Chepstow RFC understands that there is a legal and moral obligation to keep people safe, regardless of the size of the Club, its income, or whether there are paid employees (including players). Organisations with fewer than 5 employees are not required by law to have written risk assessments. However, as Chepstow RFC operates with volunteers, we recognise our legal responsibility and duty of care toward them and therefore, we will aim to achieve the same high health and safety standards required of organisations with 5 or more employees.

Chepstow RFC commits to providing a safe environment for all members, volunteers, workers, and the public when they are taking part in Club activities or on Club premises. This policy clearly explains Chepstow RFC’s commitments around this, and how the Club will meet them. This policy does not form part of any contract and Chepstow RFC may update it at any time.

Procedure

Competent persons

The person with overall and final responsibility for health and safety within Chepstow RFC is the Club Secretary. Their contact details are: Chepstowrfcsecretary@outlook.com.

The person with day-to-day responsibility for ensuring that this policy is put into practice is Frank Maguire, Club Steward. Their contact details are: frank.maguire@hotmail.co.uk

Responsibilities

This policy outlines the health and safety responsibilities of Chepstow RFC. Club members and other members of the public are also have a responsibility to:

Follow instruction and training received about Club activities and use of equipment.
Take reasonable care of their own and other people’s health and safety (because other people may be affected by things that members do, or do not do).
Co-operate with Chepstow RFC on health and safety matters.
Correctly use all equipment provided by Chepstow RFC and not interfere with or misuse anything provided for health and safety.
Report all health and safety concerns to the appropriate people (named above).

First aid

Qualified first aiders are: See Appendix 1

First Aid facilities are located: In the Club House and with each team's first aider.

Telephones are located: In the Club House

Emergency services

In the event of an emergency, contact 999 and ask for either the police, the fire service or ambulance service as appropriate. Provide the operator with details of the emergency, and the location and contact details of Chepstow RFC (below). Remain on the line until you are told that you can disconnect the call.

The address is: Chepstow Rugby Football Club, Burnt Barn Road, Bulwark, Chepstow.
The postcode for satnav is: NP16 5UP
The phone number is: 01291 624818

Fire

Chepstow RFC will ensure that:

A suitable and sufficient written fire risk assessment is carried out, that steps are taken to minimise or eliminate risk, and that the assessment is reviewed regularly.
The correct fire fighting equipment is available.
Generic Emergency Evacuation Procedures (GEEP) are available. The GEEP for the Club is that on hearing the alarm:
- Remain calm
- Leave the building or area immediately using the nearest safe exit
- Do not run – leave in an orderly way
- Do not stop to collect personal belongings
- Do not use any lifts
- Gather at the assembly point, which is the Club Car Park.
- Stay out until told by the emergency services that it is safe to return.
Where necessary, Chepstow RFC will develop Personal Emergency Evacuation Procedures (PEEP) for anyone who may need assistance in an emergency e.g., people with disabilities, young children, frail people, or people with a temporary condition which may hinder their escape, such as a broken leg.
Escape routes such as corridors are well signposted and kept clear.
Clear instruction / training is provided in relation to the fire risks, preventative measures, and what to do in the event of a fire. This training must be repeated regularly.
Fire safety related procedures are tested regularly, such as evacuation drills.
Fire safety equipment / systems are serviced and tested regularly, such as fire extinguishers, fire warning (alarm) systems, emergency lighting systems, electronic door release mechanisms etc.
Every activation of the fire alarm system is logged, including false alarms. The cause will be recorded together with any action taken to avoid a repeat occurrence.

Risk

Chepstow RFC will proactively manage health and safety risks in the Club, for example risks associated with premises, activities, and equipment. Organisations with fewer than 5 employees are not required by law to have written risk assessments. However, as Chepstow RFC operates with volunteers, we recognise our legal responsibility and duty of care toward them and therefore, we will aim to achieve the same high health and safety standards required of organisations with 5 or more employees.

Premises

Organisations responsible for premises must ensure that their buildings comply with health and safety regulations. Chepstow RFC will assess the safety of premises in order to reduce risks associated with hazards such as slips and trips, manual handling, storing things at height, hazardous substances, electrical equipment or moving equipment, and the security of premises. Premises includes pitches, spectator areas, club house, bar area, changing rooms and showers, car parks etc. Consideration will be given to vulnerable people such as children, people with disabilities etc.

Activities

Chepstow RFC will assess the risks involved with any specific activities, such as normal play / training, tours etc. Particular consideration will be given to vulnerable people such as children, people with disabilities etc.

In addition to risks associated with health and safety, Chepstow RFC will also consider risks associated with premises and activities in relation to finance, legal issues, event management and the Club’s reputation.

Fire

Under various Regulations and Acts, all public and community buildings must reduce the risk of fire. Chepstow RFC will seek professional advice from the local fire service in respect of this.

Risk identification and assessment

The process of doing a risk assessment involves:

Looking for hazards. This will include physical inspections and looking at what might reasonably be expected to cause harm.
Deciding who might be harmed and how. This will include club members, workers, volunteers, parents, and other members of the public, visiting teams etc. It will also include people who may stray onto the premises without permission.
Evaluating the risks and deciding whether existing precautions are adequate, or whether more should be done. Chepstow RFC will consider how likely it is that each hazard could cause harm, the impact of this, what is already being done to minimise the chances of this happening, and whether more should be done.

Chepstow RFC first and foremost aims to remove risk altogether wherever possible. Where that isn’t possible, Chepstow RFC aims to reduce risks by:

Substituting the risk with something safer.
Separating people from the hazard
Identifying and implementing administrative ways of keeping people safe, such as putting up safety notices, having policies etc.
Promoting the use of personal safety equipment

Risk assessment review

Written risk assessments will be prepared and reviewed or updated at least once a year.

Chepstow RFC will revise the risk assessments if there is evidence that they are no longer valid – for example if there have been significant changes to activities or premises. Risk assessments will also be reviewed if there is an accident, or a change to the law, or regulations. Copies of risk assessments will be kept in the Club and anyone who needs to read them (such as any workers, volunteers, contractors etc) can do so.

Display Screen Equipment (DSE)

“Display Screen Equipment” (DSE) are devices or equipment that have an alphanumeric or graphic display screen and includes display screens, laptops, touch screens and other similar devices. Chepstow RFC does not anticipate that its workers will use DSE as a regular and significant part of their normal work (daily, for continuous periods of an hour or more). However, where workers are regular DSE users, Chepstow RFC will safeguard their health by:

Assessing workstations regularly and ensuring that adequate controls are in place
Providing information and training
Providing eye and eyesight tests on request, and paying up to £30.00 towards the cost of glasses where they are specifically prescribed for DSE use only. Prescriptions for glasses for general use are not eligible.

Portable Appliance Testing (PAT)

Portable appliance testing (PAT) is the examination of electrical appliances and equipment to ensure they are safe to use.

Anyone using electrical equipment is encouraged to look at it before using it and check for signs that it may not be in sound condition, such as damage to the cable or plug, visible internal cabling, burn marks etc.

Some electrical safety defects such as a broken earth wire can only be found by testing. Chepstow RFC will ensure that PAT testing is carried out by an appropriate competent person at appropriate intervals and will keep records of this.

Consent

Chepstow RFC will hold participation consent forms where the participant is under the age of 18.

Insurance

Chepstow RFC will ensure that relevant and sufficient insurance in respect of public and employers’ liability is held. The Club will seek professional advice in respect of this.

Training

All new workers / volunteers will receive instructional training on health and safety. Chepstow RFC will ensure that people involved with Club activities / providing instruction are trained and competent to do so.

Consultation

Chepstow RFC will consult with employees, volunteers and members on matters affecting their health and safety as they arise.

Incident / accidents

Chepstow RFC will record all accidents and incidents in the accident book. This is kept behind the bar. This will be reviewed by the competent person(s) named above regularly so that any patterns can be identified, and steps taken to prevent further incidents or accidents.

Chepstow RFC will also record “near misses”, as these are an important way to identify problems which may become accidents in the future and take action to stop this from happening.

Some specific work-related incidents are reportable to the HSE. Chepstow RFC will comply with this requirement.

Any general concerns relating to health and safety should be reported to the competent persons named above as soon as possible.

Availability and Review

Chepstow RFC will keep this policy available in the Club and on the Chepstow RFC website. Anyone who needs to read it (such as any workers, volunteers, contractors, members of the public etc) can do so.

The Committee will review this policy annually, or earlier if necessary.

Appendix 1

Type	Reg No	Display Name	Teams
First Aider	228067	Kimberley Lear	Under 7s
First Aider	222372	Mike Lear	Under 7s
First Aider	249914	Rebecca Beka Lear	Under 7s
First Aider	229334	Jonathan Taylor	Under 8s
First Aider	198385	Dione Trevelyan	Under 8s
First Aider	229335	Jonathan Taylor	Under 9s
First Aider	220731	Sally Blandford	Under 10s
First Aider	222374	Mike Lear	Under 10s
First Aider	235958	Sarah Bishop	Under 10s
First Aider	198386	Dione Trevelyan	Under 11s
First Aider	259483	Sophie Johnson	Under 11s
First Aider	181673	Matt Barnby	Under 12s
First Aider	181582	Brennig Southway	Under 12s
First Aider	172806	Deborah James	Under 13s
First Aider	45559	Elliot James Bailey	Under 13s
First Aider	164220	Anne Barker	Under 13s
First Aider	14867	Robert Barker	Under 13s
First Aider	160691	Steven Powell	Under 14s
First Aider	143448	Benjamin Smith	Under 15s
First Aider	179457	Joseph Geer	Under 16s
First Aider	45558	Elliot James Bailey	1st Team
First Aider	222371	Mike Lear	1st Team
First Aider	163399	Max Parry	1st Team
First Aider	225997	Dean Thomas	1st Team