1. General Statement of Policy

It is the duty of the The Blossomfield Club Ltd (the Club) Governing Committee to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of employees, volunteers, members and their guests whilst they are present at the club, in compliance with all relevant Club rules and legal requirements.

Employees, volunteers, members and guests have a duty to take reasonable care of their own safety and that of other persons who may be affected by their actions or omissions whilst they are at the Club or at one of its events. Members of the Club must exercise full control and supervision over any children.

Each employee and volunteer will be given such information and instruction as is necessary to enable the safe performance of activities.

It is the duty of the Committee to ensure that all processes and systems are designed to take account of health and safety and are properly supervised at all times.

Adequate facilities and arrangements will be maintained to enable employees, members and guests to raise issues of health and safety.

Competent people will be appointed to assist management in meeting the Club’s statutory duties including specialists from outside the Club.

Every employee and volunteer must co-operate with the committee to enable compliance with all statutory duties. The successful implementation of this policy requires total commitment from everybody. Full details of the organisation and arrangements for health and safety are set out in parts 2 & 3 of this document.

This policy will be regularly monitored at committee meetings to ensure that the objectives are achieved. It will be reviewed and, if necessary, revised in the light of legislative or organisational changes.

The Club hold a current public liability insurance policy to mitigate against any unforeseen events. 17 Club Chairman

2. Organisation and Responsibilities

2.1 Overall Responsibility

The Club’s Governing Committee is ultimately responsible for all matters including those regarding health and safety.

2.2 Organisational Responsibility

Each section committee is responsible for ensuring that the safety policy is implemented within their own particular areas of responsibility. Organisers of club and other tournaments should address areas of risk to ensure that safe conditions are maintained. Where risks are identified the event organiser must ensure that these are rectified, so far as is reasonably practicable.

The committee is responsible for the following:

• ensuring that members and guests are aware of safety procedures
• ensuring that all its premises fixtures and fittings are maintained in good repair and safe working order
• establishing that all equipment used are suitable for the task and are kept in good working condition, this includes the regular servicing and maintenance
• providing adequate training, information, instruction and supervision to ensure that events are conducted safely
• taking immediate and appropriate steps to investigate and rectify any risks to health and safety arising
• bringing to the prompt attention of the club’s management any health and safety issue that requires their attention
• ensuring that all accidents and "near misses" are properly recorded and reported and that an investigation is carried out to determine causal factors
• maintaining safe access and egress to the club building at all times.

 

2.3 Employee and Volunteer Responsibility

All Club employees and volunteers must:

• take reasonable care for their own health and safety
• consider the safety of other persons who may be affected by their acts or omissions
• exercise full control and supervision for any children within their care during club activities.
• operate in accordance with information provided this policy.
• refrain from intentionally misusing or recklessly interfering with anything that has been provided for health and safety reasons
• report any hazardous defects in premises and equipment, or shortcomings in the existing safety arrangements, to a committee member without delay
• not undertake any task for which authorisation has not been given

2.4 Members Responsibilities

All members must:

• take reasonable care for their own health and safety and comply with all safety procedures advertised by the Club
• consider the safety of other persons who may be affected by their acts or omissions
• ensure that any guests or visitors they invite on to the host club’s premises are made aware of their responsibilities towards health and safety
• exercise full control and supervision for any children within their care while on club premises
• refrain from intentionally misusing or recklessly interfering with anything that has been provided for health and safety reasons
• report any hazards or potential hazards in premises and equipment, or shortcomings in the existing safety arrangements, to a committee member without delay
• not undertake any activity for which authorisation has not been given

 

 

 

2.5 First Aid

The Club should maintain suitable numbers of first aid personnel to deal with minor accidents and emergencies at the club. The Governing Committee will ensure the professionals are fully trained in First Aid by recognised providers in accordance with statutory requirements. Identities of first aiders will be displayed in the dedans and beside the court.

The Club has provided a defibrillator within the bar area of the club.

2.6 Emergency Procedures

Signage will give details of emergency procedures designed to deal with imminent danger and to allow employees, members and guests to move to a place of safety.

2.7 Information and Communication

The Governing Committee will be responsible for the dissemination of relevant information regarding health, safety and welfare to all members and any guests.

Matters arising in connection with health and safety will be discussed at committee meetings, as a standing agenda item. A formal review of Health and Safety matters will be conducted on a regular basis.

3. Details of Policies and Arrangements

3.1 Planning and Review

Planning

In order to ensure regular attention to this policy, the Club will allocate responsibilities to members of the Governing Committee, other volunteers and staff as appropriate.  These will include; regular inspections of the site, testing of emergency systems and procedures and review of risk assessments.

Review  

Reviews will be conducted regularly and changes implemented as required.

3.2 Emergency Procedures

3.2.1 Fire Emergency

Awareness

Signs showing exit routes, exits, location of equipment and location of assembly points will be prominently placed and well maintained.

Staff and committee members present during an emergency are to ensure that club members and any visitors respond promptly.

Extinguishers

Extinguishers are located around the Club. Red portable extinguishers which contain water should not be used on electrical fires or flammable materials.

Professionals and cleaners are to ensure that Fire extinguishers are not to be used as door props.

Fire Procedure

In the event of discovering a fire, break the nearest fire call point glass (usually located at exits on fire escape routes). This will initiate the fire alarm to evacuate the building. From a safe place, call the Fire Brigade.

On hearing the continuous fire alarm, those present in the building are to leave the building immediately by the nearest fire exit; professionals and committee members to check that members and visitors have left the area. Areas such as toilets, changing rooms and isolated areas are to be checked by them provided it is safe to do so. Doors and windows to be closed if there is time and it is safe to do so.

If the nearest exit route is blocked by smoke, those present are to leave by the nearest safe alternative route.

Professionals/Committee members to ensure that members of the club and others who have evacuated do not cause an obstruction to the incoming fire brigade. Special consideration must be given to the evacuation and marshalling of children.

Professionals and committee members to account for occupants of the building at the assembly point after an evacuation to assist the emergency services with decisions about entering parts of the building which may be hazardous.

At the assembly point, the person in charge must check that all persons known to be on the premises are accounted for. The person in charge of the assembly point must be informed if someone is suspected to be still inside the building.

Maintenance and Testing

Fire exits to be maintained at all times and  never  blocked. Fire doors must not be wedged open.

Emergency facilities to be checked during routine inspections, e.g. escape routes unobstructed, fire extinguishers, fire notices current.

Detection systems and alarms should be tested on a regular basis.

A fire risk assessment to be carried out and be reviewed periodically.

3.2.2 First Aid and Accident Reporting

First Aid

The Governing Committee is to maintain suitable numbers of first-aiders to provide first-aid treatment. First-aiders will be trained and qualified in accordance with statutory requirements. The identities of first-aiders will be displayed on club notice boards.  

First Aid Kit

A first-aid kit and an inventory of supplies must kept available at all times.

Accident Reporting

All accidents and near-misses that could have resulted in injury to be entered in the accident book which is kept in behind the bar in the club.

Review

The causes of accidents must be reviewed at the time they occur and remedial action taken if necessary and practicable to do so.

3.3 Risk Assessment

A Risk Assessment which is fundamental to ensuring good Health and Safety standards, for anyone working in, using or visiting the club, should be carried out regularly. The objective is to identify those hazards which are reasonably identifiable, to evaluate the risk they present and implement preventive and protective measures to reduce the risk to a reasonable and practicable level. The objective is not to reduce the level of risk to zero.

3.4 Training and Competence

It is essential that all staff have sufficient training, appropriate to their duties, to ensure that Health and Safety risks are reduced to an acceptable level.