Club Health & Safety Statement
- Policy
The Management of Dolphin RFC, being the General Committee, are committed to compliance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and in doing so will provide for all its members an environment that is as safe and healthy as is reasonably practical and will comply with all relevant statutory requirements.
Dolphin RFC will provide a safe system of operation through the provision of appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision. The co-operation of every member is expected and all members are reminded that statutory obligations are the minimum standard for which they are responsible.
- Scope
The provisions of this statement will apply to all Dolphin RFC members, visitors and outside agencies such as Contractors, ESB, etc. and to any agency that may from time to time have to affect deliveries or to service equipment which is located on the premises.
(a) Chairman
He will ensure that:
- Adequate resources are made available so that the Safety Policy can be carried out efficiently
- The members of the General Committee are fully aware of their responsibilities in relation to occupational safety and health
- All members are accountable for their performance in relation to occupational safety and health
- The Safety Statement is reviewed regularly and its operation monitored
(b) General Committee
They will ensure that:
- Safe systems and practises are incorporated into all activities in the club
- All activities are continually monitored and that any potential unhealthy or dangerous practices are reported and eradicated
- Any specialist or H&S training, if required, is discussed, authorised and put into practise
- Any wilful breach of safety rules is reported and that the club disciplinary procedure is activated if it is deemed necessary
- Responsibilities
(c) Secretary
He will ensure that:
- The Safety Statement is circulated to the appropriate personnel and that it is widely available in the club through notice boards, team managers, etc.
- Any amendments to the Safety Statement as may be made from time to time are included in an updated version as soon as possible
- Any discussion, reports or suggestions relating to the Safety Statement which are raised at General Committee Meetings are recorded and actioned
- Any Accident Reports, Hazard I.D. Reports, H&S Audits etc. are retained as club records and reported outside the club as decided by the General Committee
- Any correspondence relating to Health and Safety is brought to the attention of the General Committee and any subsequent actions are recorded
(d) Grounds Chairman
He will ensure that:
- Machinery such as grass mowers are used only by authorised and experienced personnel
- All equipment and machinery is securely locked away when not in use
- The premises are properly secured when not in use and not available for any ad hoc activities
- Third party contractors do not commence work of any kind unless evidence of insurance and safety legislation compliance is forthcoming. In his absence the Grounds Chairman will request a member of the General Committee to deputise
- Any incursion or unauthorised entry is prevented and, if unable to prevent such, will report such incursion to An Garda Síochána
- Waste and refuse are managed and collected by the appropriate agency.
(e) Bar Chairman
He/She will ensure that:
- All functions in the clubhouse have the prior authorisation of the General Committee
- The documentation in relation to the booking of functions is properly completed prior to the function taking place
- A doorman is in place for all functions, with the exception of after match activities – The Bar Chairman is to review bookings on a case by case basis and engage the services or a doorman/doormen if required.
- That all non-members entering the clubhouse for functions sign the guest book prior to entering the inner premises
- There is always a senior club member present to supervise the function
- The toilets and dance floor are inspected at least once per hour and that all spillages are immediately cleaned up
- Guests do not bring any items onto the premises which could endanger other guests
- All functions are closely supervised and that guests do not engage in ‘horse play’ of any kind
- Persons using disco or musical equipment comply with any instructions from the supervisor
- Non-members who are allowed to prepare functions do not climb above ground level
(f) Coaches
They will ensure that:
- All coaching activities in the various sections are carried out according to guidelines laid down by the Club Coach
- Sufficient coaches are available to ensure safe supervision of any particular section
- Specialist equipment such as weights, scrummaging machines, tackle bags, etc. are used only if there are qualified supervisors present
- Under-age members are not allowed to engage in ‘horse play’ either on their own or their opponents club premisesor on transport hired by the club
- Persons who are not paid-up members are not allowed to use the club’s facilities
- Medical kits are immediately available for both training and matches
(g) Members
They will ensure that:
- They are aware of the provisions of the Safety Statement and that they operate within those provisions at all times
- They take no action which could endanger either themselves or their fellow-members
- They are familiar with the location of fire extinguishers
- They are familiar with all fire exits on the club premises
- They comply with any safety directives which may be issued from time to time
7 (h) Health and Safety Representative
The H&S Representative will be nominated by the General Committee on an annual basis and will be responsible to that body to ensure that health and safety is managed in a proactive manner within the club and that all club activities are in keeping with the maintenance of a safe environment. He will:
- Monitor health and safety issues within the club and make recommendations, if necessary, to the General Committee
- ensure that a number of members are trained on an annual basis in First Aid and the use of fire extinguishers.