Injury Prevention Policy
Purpose
This policy is to assist in preventing injuries to club member, spectators and the public.
Club grounds, facilities and equipment
At least once a year, a review should be undertake of the Club's grounds, facilities and regular checks (as required) for club equipment via a Risk Review Checklist.
The Risk Review Checklist should cover all aspects of the buildings structure, ground and equipment maintenance. The checklist should also look at the risk of public access to grounds and buildings.
Areas identified as a potential risk are to be corrected as soon as possible by the club or through the property owner ie City of Ballarat via Sports & Recreation.
Safety & Hygiene
In addition to having ice (or equivalent), first aid kits, and a stretcher at your venue, it is the club's responsibility to ensure that the facility is safe and clean. Here are some things to think about:
Safety
Preventing heat illness and hydration
Prefer to the clubs UV Protection Policy
Safe Coaching Practices
Coaches play a significant role in directing safe practices amongst players at both practice and during competition. Some things for coaches to consider:
First Aid Personnel It is optimal for sporting clubs to have a suitably qualified first aid representative operating venue.
First Aid Kits / Equipment
Provide access to an up to date, well equipped first aid kit for individual use.
At club events, ensure access is available to the Club's Defibrillator.
These should be checked and/or restocked regularly to ensure that items used have been replaced and any perishable items e.g. sunscreen, bandages remain in date.
It is also worthwhile ensuring that ice (water type) or medial equivalent is available at the ground to assist with the immediate treatment of soft tissue injuries etc.
Any items use from a first aid kit must be recorded and also notified to the Clubs First Aid Officer as soon as possible, to ensure kit is always full stocked.
When an item is used from the First Aid Kit, regardless of what it is, or the Defibrillator is used, the Injury Report Form MUST be completed. If the form is not completed, the injured person cannot prove that the injury occurred at the club ground or facilities, if at a later date the injury requires professional medical assistance.
NOTE: if the injured person cannot fill in the form, a friend, club member or Club First Aider can complete the form on their behalf.
Keeping Medical InformationIt is good practice for club administrators and coaches to know of any health conditions that may impact participation of a player or volunteer and to understand the course of action in an emergency e.g. Asthma Management Plan and who would administer it.
WAC Medical History form, forms part of this policy and is a separate document.
Club registration form to include the question "Do you have any medical condition/s"
If Yes; a form can be provided at the club grounds or download from the Policies page on the clubs website
Important Note: this information needs to remain confidential amongst those people you have nominated in the question. It is good practice to have one person handle the medical / registration forms and for that person to relay the information to the relevant people.
Forms of this nature should be updated each season and destroyed when no longer needed.
In gathering this information it may be a good idea to:
Emergency & Evacuation Plans
Having emergency and evacuation plans are probably the most important plans your club can have, but they do need to be communicated and displayed so that in the case of an emergency, the procedures roll out smoothly. Many clubs wait until they have a serious incident before they establish plans which is unfortunate. Most actions are quite simple:
Emergency Plan
The following are for inclusion in your plan:
Evacuation Plan
In the case of an evacuation plan the club should include and/or consider:
This policy is to be read in conjunction with the Safety Policy of Archery Victoria.
This policy is to assist in preventing injuries to club member, spectators and the public.
Club grounds, facilities and equipment
At least once a year, a review should be undertake of the Club's grounds, facilities and regular checks (as required) for club equipment via a Risk Review Checklist.
The Risk Review Checklist should cover all aspects of the buildings structure, ground and equipment maintenance. The checklist should also look at the risk of public access to grounds and buildings.
Areas identified as a potential risk are to be corrected as soon as possible by the club or through the property owner ie City of Ballarat via Sports & Recreation.
Safety & Hygiene
In addition to having ice (or equivalent), first aid kits, and a stretcher at your venue, it is the club's responsibility to ensure that the facility is safe and clean. Here are some things to think about:
Safety
- There is a telephone or mobile phone) available in the case of an emergency
- Access for emergency vehicles is well marked and kept clear
- Pre shooting surface checks are carried out as part of shooting preparation. This should be undertaken when shooting away also. Any hazards are removed or rectified e.g. pop up sprinklers, debris
- You have a brush and shovel to sweep up any glass etc and a syringe disposal kit (portable kits can generally be obtained from your council)
- Safety equipment securely fixed ie small portable targets are pegged to the ground
- Spectators have a clear line to identify where they can stand to avoid encroaching on archers whilst shooting
- Facilities more broadly are inspected regularly and there is a system in place for reporting hazards and repair needs
- There is adequate lighting both within and around the facility including carparks to make it safe at night
- There are emergency exit lights and they work
- Fire extinguishers are easy to access and are routinely maintained/serviced
- The first aid, shower, toilet and food preparation areas are thoroughly cleaned after each use. If not, the club should consider developing a volunteer roster or employing a cleaner
- There is a lockable space for any toxic supplies and cleaning fluids
- There is a supply of gloves for cleaning and sealable bags for disposing bloodied or soiled materials
- There are visible checklists for cleaning to ensure it is done thoroughly and safely e.g. reminder to lock away any cleaning products after use
- There are signs in the amenities reminding users to wash and dry their hands thoroughly
- Members are requested to bring their own drink bottle
- First Aid personnel should have a Blood Kit available containing e.g. paper towel, disposable latex gloves, packet of resealable plastic bags, a spray bottle (containing a recommended antiseptic fluid), and plastic bags for clothing.
Preventing heat illness and hydration
Prefer to the clubs UV Protection Policy
Safe Coaching Practices
Coaches play a significant role in directing safe practices amongst players at both practice and during competition. Some things for coaches to consider:
- Monitoring athletes physical wellbeing and reducing / removing training and competing accordingly
- Ensuring good hydration by directing drink breaks
- Ensuring safety equipment is worn and/or in place
- Ensuring that equipment including safety equipment is in good repair
- Ensuring training and competition surfaces are free from hazards and suitable for use
- Ensuring that training practices are suitable for the maturation of the player and modifying where necessary
- Reminding members to undertake sun protection measures between September and March
- Avoid athletes standing around in colder conditions
- An Injury Report Form is available and located with the First Aid Kit.
- Completed form to be given to the Club's First Aid Officer within 1 week of the injury.
- The First Aid Offer and Club President to conduct a review of the circumstances resulting in the injury and take approximate action to prevent future injuries, where possible.
- Part of their role could be making a follow up phone call to the injured person
- Filing and storing Injury Record Forms for at least 7 years
First Aid Personnel It is optimal for sporting clubs to have a suitably qualified first aid representative operating venue.
- Maintain a database of club members who have first aid qualifications and are prepared to provide first aid if and when required.
- Appoint a First Aid Officer to receive and conduct a review of lodged Injury Reports; maintain First Aid Kits, Defibrillator Unit and Injury Report forms and record keeping.
- Ensure that an adequate number of members are familiar with the use of the Defibrillator unit.
- Organise a meeting of all first aid personnel to run through injury recording procedures and to ascertain any further training needs ie Defibrillator Unit
- Having a statement for signing on your registration form indicating agreement that in the case of an emergency an ambulance will be contacted and/or medical assistance sought at the expense of the member or parent / guardian in the case of a minor
- In the case of juniors, keeping parent details and contact numbers on file for immediate contact.
First Aid Kits / Equipment
Provide access to an up to date, well equipped first aid kit for individual use.
At club events, ensure access is available to the Club's Defibrillator.
These should be checked and/or restocked regularly to ensure that items used have been replaced and any perishable items e.g. sunscreen, bandages remain in date.
It is also worthwhile ensuring that ice (water type) or medial equivalent is available at the ground to assist with the immediate treatment of soft tissue injuries etc.
Any items use from a first aid kit must be recorded and also notified to the Clubs First Aid Officer as soon as possible, to ensure kit is always full stocked.
When an item is used from the First Aid Kit, regardless of what it is, or the Defibrillator is used, the Injury Report Form MUST be completed. If the form is not completed, the injured person cannot prove that the injury occurred at the club ground or facilities, if at a later date the injury requires professional medical assistance.
NOTE: if the injured person cannot fill in the form, a friend, club member or Club First Aider can complete the form on their behalf.
Keeping Medical InformationIt is good practice for club administrators and coaches to know of any health conditions that may impact participation of a player or volunteer and to understand the course of action in an emergency e.g. Asthma Management Plan and who would administer it.
WAC Medical History form, forms part of this policy and is a separate document.
Club registration form to include the question "Do you have any medical condition/s"
If Yes; a form can be provided at the club grounds or download from the Policies page on the clubs website
Important Note: this information needs to remain confidential amongst those people you have nominated in the question. It is good practice to have one person handle the medical / registration forms and for that person to relay the information to the relevant people.
Forms of this nature should be updated each season and destroyed when no longer needed.
In gathering this information it may be a good idea to:
- Discuss the relevant management plans with the participant and/or parents and what the club volunteers can and can't be expected to do
- Keep the relevant equipment, telephone contacts in the First Aid Kit
- Provide resources for First Aid personnel to participate in additional training e.g. anaphylaxis training.
Emergency & Evacuation Plans
Having emergency and evacuation plans are probably the most important plans your club can have, but they do need to be communicated and displayed so that in the case of an emergency, the procedures roll out smoothly. Many clubs wait until they have a serious incident before they establish plans which is unfortunate. Most actions are quite simple:
Emergency Plan
The following are for inclusion in your plan:
- Knowing who will be in charge and the roles that varying people need to play beforehand (this may have to be allocated for every team and induction may be required)
- Having access to a telephone that works (Note in areas that where mobiles are out of range for 000, try 112)
- Having the venues street address visible near the phone as well as the club phone if applicable
- Emergency telephone numbers being displayed close to the telephone e.g. Ambulance, police, hospital
- Having details of prior medical conditions and the necessary responses in an emergency
- Ensuring clear access for emergency vehicles
- Provision of first aid kits, first aid rooms, ice
- Employing a first aid provider in the case of an event where insufficient first aid is available e.g. St John's Ambulance at a major event.
Evacuation Plan
In the case of an evacuation plan the club should include and/or consider:
- Contact with the agency with which the lease arrangement is held e.g. council to clarify and review their evacuation procedures and broader plans for the venue if in a high fire risk location
- How the club will alert members, spectators to evacuate e.g. access to a PA system or alarm
- Display of the evacuation plan and how the procedures will be communicated to member
- Exit signs that are lit (and working)
- Who will be in charge of the evacuation - display of Fire Warden details
- Display of the names and photographs of the people who will take charge if needed
- What areas need to be checked e.g. toilets and who will be responsible for undertaking that check
- Where everyone evacuated should gather
- Access to fire extinguishers that are maintained and have had their scheduled check
- Placement of a fire blanket in kitchen areas
This policy is to be read in conjunction with the Safety Policy of Archery Victoria.
