Swim Wales (WASA Ltd)

An Example of a Health & Safety Policy

This page shows an example of a Health & Safety policy for swimming clubs. For quick reference, the main sections of the policy are listed below.

Introduction & Policy Statement

The (Organisation/Club) recognises that it is its responsibility to provide, as far as practicable, for the health, safety and welfare of all its members and others who may be affected by its activities.

The heath and safety of all (Organisation/Club) members as well as members of the public is of great importance to the successful management and operation of (Organisation/Club). In order to assist the (Organisation/Club) in meeting its responsibility and in order to promote and ensure your welfare (as well as others affected by your activities) the (Organisation/Club) must rely upon each member to adopt and maintain a responsible attitude in regard to your own health and safety as well as in regard to the well-being of others.

The (Organisation/Club) philosophy is that, irrespective of blame, accidents are preventable and risks can be contained! Consequently, the (Organisation/Club) operates to a policy of zero accident involvement. As a member of (Organisation/Club) you are not only responsible for your own safety, you are also responsible for the safety of others who may be affected by your actions, therefore you are required to conduct yourself, at all times, in a manner that is safe and responsible.

(Organisation/Club) equipment is both valuable and essential to the training / teaching functions of (Organisation/Club). All (Organisation/Club) equipment must be available whenever required and maintained in a safe condition at all times.

Responsibility of Management

The (Organisation/Club) structure and method of operation requires that all individuals are accountable to the “PERSON IN CHARGE” of their particular activity.

The “PERSON IN CHARGE” reports to the Officers of (Organisation/Club) through the Management Committee.

In addition (Organisation/Club) has established a Health & Safety Management Team who also report to the Management Committee. This team will meet at least 4 times per year routinely, or as required in order to investigate / respond to a particular accident / incident.

The Health & Safety Management Team

The Team (typical) consists of ______ individuals:-

Health & Safety Officer

Ladies Team Captain

Child Protection Officer

Men’s Team Captain

Chief Coach

Person

Promoting good practice

(Organisation/Club) Health & Safety Policy is to promote good practice, and all individuals are required to demonstrate exemplary behaviour in order to create a positive culture and climate, this includes:

Providing children and young people with appropriate safety and protection whilst in the care of (Organisation/Club);
Allowing all staff /volunteers to make informed and confident responses to specific health and safety issues.

The Health & Safety Management Team have particular responsibility for the following:-

1. To receive written submissions of ALL accidents / incidents / injuries within 24 hours of the event.

2. To record ALL accidents / incidents / injuries.

3. To report all injuries, where relevant, to the appropriate authorities e.g. WASA. RIDDOR

4. To investigate ALL matters relating to safety.

5. To investigate all complaints of damage to (Organisation/Club) equipment or to the facilities and / or equipment belonging to others.

6. To refer ALL matters that indicate a possible breach of DISCIPLINARY Policy to the (Organisation/Club) Discipline Committee

NOTE: - In all cases where the need for disciplinary action is required the individual(s) involved have the RIGHT OF APPEAL.

Responsibilities of the Activity Leader (Person in Charge)

The “PERSON IN CHARGE” of any (Organisation/Club) activity carries similar responsibilities to the REFEREE in a gala and is fully accountable to the Management Committee of (Organisation/Club) and through the Committee to the Governing Body for Swimming and to the relevant law enforcement agencies. He / she has a clear “duty of care” to protect and ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, YOUR safety as well as protect and ensure the safety, again so far as is reasonably practicable, of all others who may be affected by your actions.

The “PERSON IN CHARGE” is REQUIRED to take appropriate action whenever safety or discipline matters are breached or when directed to take action by the (Organisation/Club) Management Committee and/or the facility management and/or the Police / Fire Service.

Individual Responsibility

As a member of (Organisation/Club), whether a swimmer or adult YOU are required to promote safety and good behaviour. Quite apart from your specific duty to observe all “rules, regulations and legislation” applicable to swimmers, swimming and swimming pools you are also responsible for the safety of others who may be affected by your own actions.

Individual responsibility to prevent accidents and to behave in a manner that is socially acceptable is not based on who is primarily or legally responsible or at fault. It embodies the concept of “care”, this is one who makes allowances for the lack of ability and / or lack of knowledge on the part of others.

Neither misunderstood instructions, unwillingness to comply with instructions, personal prejudice, carelessness, recklessness, ignorance on your part, or on the part of others, relieves you in any way, of your responsibility to behave at all times in a manner that is safe and socially acceptable. This is particularly important to those individuals who are too young to understand the complexities of such responsibility and place their trust in others to protect their best interests.

Training of staff and volunteers

Best practice includes training after recruitment to help staff and volunteers to:

Analyse their own practice against established good practice, and to ensure their practice always meets their health and safety obligations.
Recognise their responsibilities and report any concerns about suspected poor practice.
Respond to concerns expressed by others.
Work safely / effectively with all peer groups.

(Organisation/Club) requires:

Coaching staff to attend a recognised good practice health & safety workshop,
Non-coaching staff and volunteers to complete recognised health & safety training.
Relevant personnel to receive advisory information outlining good practice and informing them about what to do if they have health & safety concerns.
Attend update training when necessary. Information about meeting training needs can be obtained from WASA, NWASA, and the Health & Safety Executive.

Taking Action

Accident Procedure

All accidents / incidents involving (Organisation/Club) members, whether “home” or “away”, MUST be reported in writing to the Health & Safety Management Team regardless of the amount of damage and / or the involvement of others within 24 hours of the incident. This is particularly important in the event of any injury.

Reporting Injuries

You are required to report ALL injuries involving (Organisation/Club) members in writing to the Health & Safety Management Team within 24 hours of the injury being incurred.

Unacceptable Behaviour

In the event of any incident involving “unacceptable” behaviour the report must outline the reasons why such action being instigated, the events immediately preceding the incident, the actions taken during the incident, the events immediately following the incident, the names of all involved in the incident, and the names of all witnesses to the incident. These documents form the basis of any subsequent investigation and will be used in the event of any disciplinary proceedings arising from the incident.

Warning!

Failure to comply with all safety requirements and /or unacceptable behaviour could mean expulsion from the (Organisation/Club)!

Conclusion

Safety and good behaviour is everybody’s responsibility – it’s NOT an optional extra! This applies not just to your own safety, but also extends to the care of others who may be affected by your own actions. This is particularly important to those individuals who are too young to understand the complexities of such responsibility and place their trust in others to protect their best interests.