Information/Risk Assessment CMFC April 2006-04-10

Cumnor Minors Football Club (CMFC)

Health and Safety Policy

September 2008

CMFC health and safety policy concentrates on applying common sense to the use and maintenance of pitches and facilities, to ensure that as far as is reasonably practical, there is a safe, healthy and fun environment in which to carry out the club’s football activities. It is recognised that CMFC is part of the community and will take into account community feeling when making decisions. CMFC is committed to meeting the FA Charter Standard best practice guidelines.

The use of any local authority or private facilities should already have a health and safety policy in place and it each individual’s responsibility to ensure that the club abides by this information. For the 2008-2009 season these facilities include:

John Mason school
Tilsley Park
Matthew Arnold school
Cumnor Primary school

Information about the above is available at The Closes clubhouse

CMFC is organised and run by volunteers, mostly parents recruited from personal contacts. However, all volunteers have a moral responsibility to act with integrity, to make time to ensure safety is maximised for club members and visitors, and to report any situation which may pose a threat. Volunteers need to be aware of the key findings of the risk assessment.

It is recognised that by the very nature of sport, a totally accident free environment is not achievable. However it makes sense to try and mitigate risk caused by negligence.

All volunteers will be provided with the equipment and training to make this policy achievable`

All references to children include anyone under 18

There will be a comprehensive risk assessment on an annual basis, organised by the management committee, to coincide with a clean up of the facilities, and in the event of any major problem.

Legislation that supports this policy:

The Children’s Act 1989

Disability Discrimination Act 1995

Training

Training needs to be relevant to the ages of the group. It needs to be appropriate with respect to timing, equipment used, venue and travel, the season (indoor/outdoor), and have an appropriate ratio of adults to children.

Matches

This will involve home and away matches, including tournaments. Again it is necessary to ensure age appropriate equipment and timing. Travelling arrangements will need preparation and weather conditions need to be taken into account. Specific matches such as parents' matches and parents versus children need special consideration to ensure safe and fair play.

Social Events

CMFC organises some social events with the aim of providing an opportunity for members to socialise, and to raise funds. Suitability of the premises will be taken into account. Parents will recognise their own responsibility towards their children at these events, but it is sensible for all adults (committee members and others) to take a general responsibility for ensuring children are not exposed to dangers from lack of supervision and poor adult behaviour resulting from excess alcohol.

Travelling to away matches/ Tournaments and Trips

These circumstances present particular risk. There is a separate file of information compiled by the Football Association (FA) held at The Closes clubhouse. See www.TheFA.com/GOAL/child protection for downloads.

Facilities

The Closes and clubhouse is owned by Cumnor Parish Council (CPC). CMFC has the responsibility of maintaining the pitches and clubhouse facilities to make sure they are safe and comply with the rules laid out by CPC.

People with special needs

The facilities we use need to be accessible and safe for all. CMFC recognises that it has particular responsibilities towards people with special needs, especially with respect to emergency procedures. Compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act (1995) has meant changes to the facilities.

We actively seek to meet the special needs of children notified to the club by parents.

Meetings

These are organised regularly for the committee, and on occasions for parents of particular age groups to discuss pertinent issues as well as for orientation and welcoming to the club and educational purposes. Thought needs to be given to the venue used and timing of events.

Visitors to the facilities CMFC needs to consider the health and safety of visiting teams, referees, contractors undertaking work, course leaders and the general public.

Checklist for The Closes -training and matches

Have you:

Unlocked the gate?

Placed parking signs and cones?

Unlocked clubhouse and garage doors?

Checked toilets/sinks are clean

Turned on the electricity? – step-stool access by male toilets

Turned on the hot water heater? –access under kitchen sink

Turned on the mains water?-access in male toilet area

After training/matches

Turned off the electricity?

Switched off the hot water heater?

Turned off the water?

Swept out all rooms?

Left clean all sinks and toilets?

Collected and disposed of any litter and rubbish from the clubhouse and pitches?

Closed and locked all doors and windows?

Collected and stored parking signs and cones?

Closed and locked gate?

Yes?

Thank you

Annual reminders…

Please make things safe and easy for everyone by following these guidelines. Make sure spectators and visiting teams know about them too.

Pitches and Clubhouse

Available for our use:

Ÿ Saturday 9am - 1pm and Sunday 12noon - 4pm, 1 September to 15 May

Ÿ Tuesday and Thursday evenings 6-8.30pm (spring/autumn only, daylight permitting).

All other formal use by CMFC only with prior approval of Cumnor Parish Council (contact Jacqui Bock, Clerk to the Parish Council, cumnorparish@btconnect.com or 01865 860950).

Neighbours and gardens

Ÿ Ted Mott’s garden (to left of main pitch): access to retrieve balls via stile by one adult who is confident with dogs. This dog can/will bite!

Ÿ All other gardens: retrieve balls by calling and asking at the front door. If no reply, leave it until the next opportunity. Do not enter any garden without the owner’s knowledge and permission.

Ÿ Philip Powell’s ditch (thatched cottage at top of field): do not dump grass clippings or anything else in this ditch.

Ÿ Martin Law’s garden (to right of main entrance gate): no parking on the grassed area adjacent to the garden hedge. This area must be coned off at all training sessions and matches.

Parking

Ÿ On the grassed area at the bottom of the large pitch only when dry.

Ÿ Overflow parking for home teams available at Cumnor Cricket Club until further notice.

Ÿ Cone off 15-20 metres either side of the main entrance at all matches, immediately on arrival at The Closes. Absolutely no on-street/kerb parking in Appleton Road.

Ÿ Keep disabled parking bays clear for visitors who need them.

Litter and cleaning

Ÿ Check all pitches thoroughly for litter after every training session and match. Collect and dispose of all rubbish.

Ÿ Clean out white liners after each use, and dispose of surplus mixture behind the garage.

Ÿ Observe and act on the reminders posted in the Clubhouse.

Location/activity	Hazard	Controls
Car Park	Injury from moving traffic	Home team parking at Cricket Club and at negotiated times The Bear and Ragged Staff. See Annual Reminders as attached
Clubhouse Kitchen Toilets Changing rooms Hazardous substances Loft Cupboards Electricity/mains switch Lighting Vandalism Garage	Electric shock Boiling water from kettles/urn First aid kit-problems from lack of or out of date equipment Slippery floor Floor tile removed in male toilet-hole in floor. Risk of ankle injury Hygiene Broken coat hooks Bent shelving Placement of electric heaters-risk to boisterous teenagers of head injury Accidental misuse Unwanted access due to open door Injury from poor storage High on wall in male toilet area. Poor access due to wobbly stool with risk of falling No external lighting causing problems when leaving the premises. Poor access to light switches between kitchen and toilet e.g. ripped door plate leaving sharp edges Injury from poor storage of rakes etc Damage to building from possible ignition of petrol from mower.	Annual assessment of portable electronic goods by qualified electrician. Records kept of all inspections. Need to identify a suitable person. Supervision of children Replace items if first aid kit used. Annual assessment of kit. Dispose of out of date equipment. Identify person responsible. Currently Melanie Calnan No football boots in kitchen area. Warning about possible slipping All responsible for ensuring toilet rolls. Consider disposable towels. Check state of toilets when opening up and closing. Use of bleach weekly. Bleach kept in labelled kitchen cupboard. Replace or remove broken hooks Supervise groups of youngsters in changing rooms Storage of cleaning fluids in labelled cupboard in kitchen-acid cleaners currently stored at home by Ian Hembrow Store substances where access by children is not easily achieved Supervision of children in club house Eliminate hazardous substances where possible and substitute with safer alternatives See Annual reminders for chalk disposal Consider use of more permanent white lines. In discussion with Parish council Secure loft door Sensible storage Use step stool as supplied May 2006 Care with storage of items in this area to prevent injury from unseen items Responsibility of all to report for repair. Contact currently Ian Bridge, Premises manager Reconsider use of extinguisher. Sensible storage No petrol to be stored. Unleaded petrol to be brought to the site for mowing and excess taken away. Mower to be filled and started out of the garage. Use restricted to those who have attended a training session. Laminated set of instructions in garage.
Location/activity	Hazard	Controls
Playing fields/pitches Mower Ditches around the pitches Training and matches Travelling to matches, trips etc Children travelling on their own or attending on their own (training/matches) Weather/playing conditions Emergency procedure-at The Closes	Goal post fixings Injury from insecure posts Obvious hazards such as glass/dog faeces/rubbish. Dogs-fierce barking and possible biting when retrieving balls Trees/bushes Falling branches Thorns Hidden dangers such as barbed wire Injury from improper use or poor maintenance Potential falls Is sportswear and equipment correct for the task? Risk of sports related injury Exacerbation of any medical condition Personal injury through accident Boisterous behaviour could cause the driver problems with concentration Injury or even possible abduction while not supervised Potential risk of injury or neglect due to inappropriate conditions for children Action to be taken in the event of an emergency e.g fire, major accident, sudden illness Fire Tractor Vehicle Kitchen	Ensure posts securely fixed to the ground. Nets secured by plastic cup hooks. Regular inspection Older age groups not to use mini goals. Rota for training on Website. Monitor goal posts at away fixtures/training. See FA goal post safety guide Inspect pitch and remove hazards before training/matches Best way is to use a shovel and place in a hedge Occasional goats stop play but thought to be generally safe Fill in any holes with sand. Ensure all aware of this. Adult only to retrieve balls and limit the occasions per match. See Annual reminders list Condition of trees to be monitored by Parish Council inspection Care in cases of high winds including possible cancellation of match/training Care when retrieving balls. Make children aware of dangers of playing in areas around the pitches whilst not involved in playing Training in proper use. Engine always on idle before any maintenance Regular maintenance-Annual overhaul at Cumnor Garage. Awareness of the existence of the ditches/supervision. Make children aware of expectations Check type of footwear. State of studs. Shin pads must be worn. No jewellery or chewing gum Spectacles-suggest safety specs. Wearing specs will be responsibility of parents/youth Equipment in safe condition and used only for the purpose for which it is intended Check current state of fitness/wellness Adequate warm up and cool down Physical development of child is suitable Develop respect and care for others Consider suitability of adult-v-child matches Ensure asthmatics who use inhalers have one with them. Ensure hard copy of information on children available Adults who transport children must ensure that adequate insurance cover is provided for passengers. A private vehicle should not be loaded in excess of the number of passengers for which it is designed. Seat belts must be worn. Children must not ride in front unless absolutely necessary . Consider another adult in the car Challenge anyone acting suspiciously Parents will recognise their own responsibilities in knowing the whereabouts of their children when training/playing/watching. Children need to be aware of the basic safety steps if approached. Coaches/managers must wait until children are collected Is play postponed due to poor weather, lightning (sheltering in cars is safest option), freezing conditions, poor pitch conditions? Take a photo if away match and opposition officials feel it is safe to play but you disagree. Remember welfare of the child is paramount Use FA emergency procedures guidelines. See hard copy at the closes or www.TheFA.com/goal Accident book-with first aid kit Written guidelines for first aid available with first aid kit Laminated instructions for emergency services to be guided to The Closes. Phone-no local public phone. Best option is availability of mobile phone First aid equipment update-person responsible. List of contents Written guidelines Emergency vehicle access Phone Contact parents Consideration for caring for the other children If parents unavailable accompany to hospital/other named emergency contact Trained first aider list. 3 year refresher period. Consider FA online course (when available)-£14.95 for dealing with specific football injuries If safe adult to check premises for people, windows and doors closed . Two exits always open. Assembly point on large pitch . Heat sensor in kitchen Fire blanket and CO2 cylinder in kitchen No petrol to be stored on premises
Location/activity	Hazard	Controls
Off Site Training Indoor/Outdoor Off site training ctd		See hard copies of local authority and private facilities. Check type of footwear. State of studs. Shin pads worn. No jewellery or chewing gum Equipment in safe condition and used only for the purpose for which it is intended Check current state of fitness/wellness. Responsibility of child/parent to tell Adequate warm up and cool down Physical development of child is suitable Develop respect and care for others Ensure asthmatics who use inhalers have one with them. Ensure hard copy of information on children available Adequate first aid kit. For Tilsley Park trained first aid is available. Any injuries here need to be reported.
Supervision Photography	Injury Neglect Bullying Inability to provide good practice Poor standards of behaviour from the children Dealing with special needs Inappropriate pictures and use	Ratio adult:child. No legal limit over 5 but FA suggest 1:10 for the over 8’s and more for the under 8’s. At least 2 adults available Signed annual consent forms by agreed date Presence of CRB checked adult/First aid qualification Volunteer recruitment policy (eventually!) Complete annual membership information and signed consent form Attendance register-signing in and out Abide by CMFC code and FA guidelines