Policy Statement
Blackwater Valley Runners (BVR) is strongly committed to encouraging our members to take part in training and competition with and for the club, but the health, well-being and safety of each club member is always our paramount concern. We provide a choice of training runs at different distances and paces, and other training activities, and expect our members to select an appropriate group dependent on age, ability and experience. BVR is committed to provide a safe training environment for our members, coaches, and other volunteers as far as is reasonably practical. We also organise open races where we are committed to provide a safe environment for all participants, volunteers and spectators as far as is reasonably practical.
Commitment
In support of the H&S policy statement, we are committed to the following duties:
- Undertake risk assessments of all activities undertaken by the club.
- Create a safe environment by putting health and safety measures in place as identified by the assessments.
- Ensure that all coaches and group leaders are given the appropriate level of training by providing leadership guidance, and encouraging them to take suitable England Athletics courses.
- Ensure that equipment is stored safely and is in a good, safe condition for use.
- Ensure that all members are aware of, understand and follow the club’s H&S policy.
- Appoint one or more committee members to deal with health and safety responsibilities.
- Ensure that normal operating procedures and emergency operating procedures are in place and known by all members.
- Ensure that the club has access to adequate first aid facilities (first aid box, defibrillator).
- Maintain an Incident report form for logging injuries or accidents sustained during any club activity or whilst on the club premises.
- Ensure that the club has civil liability insurance through membership of the Association of Running Clubs (ARC), and follows the terms of the insurance policy.
- Ensure that the implementation of this policy is reviewed regularly and monitored for effectiveness.
Committee Responsibilities
The BVR Committee has overall responsibility for H&S policy. Committee members, coaches, and volunteers have day to day responsibility for ensuring that the policy is put into practice.
On the committee, the following roles are involved to ensure that H&S standards are maintained/improved:
- H&S Officer – risk assessments, monitoring the condition of club equipment, incident reporting, disseminating information to members.
- Chair – consulting members.
- Race Director – race risk assessment, race day H&S implementation, disseminating information to race volunteers and participants, monitoring and review of procedures.
Club Member Responsibilities
Club members have a duty to:
- Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by what they do or not do.
- Co-operate with the club on health and safety issues.
- Correctly use all equipment provided by the club.
- Correctly store equipment and report equipment that is damaged or needs repair.
- Not interfere with or misuse anything provided for their health, safety or welfare.
External Responsibilities
The club meets at Aldershot Cricket Club (ACC) which has its own H&S policy and is responsible for maintaining the club house and its facilities.
Health and Safety Arrangements
Risk Assessments
- We will provide a Generic Risk Assessment for group runs on the roads and trails in the local area.
- We will provide a separate risk assessment for each open race.
Training
- We will encourage group leaders to take the appropriate England Athletics courses.
- We will arrange for occasional first aid/defib courses to be provided to club members.
Dissemination
- We will provide new club members with all appropriate documentation including our H&S procedures.
- We will notify existing club members of and changes to H&S procedures.
Evacuation and Emergency Procedures
- ACC is responsible for making sure that escape routes from the club house are signed and always kept clear.
- We will ensure that members are aware of club house evacuation procedures.
- We will ensure that members are aware of emergency procedures to follow if an incident occurs away from the club on a club run.
First Aid Equipment
- There is a first aid kit just inside the front door of the club house.
- There is a defibrillator just outside the front door of the club house.