Wigan Walkers FC - Health and Safety Policy

The Policy needs to reflect the potential for operating at different venues and in compliance with the pre-existing H&S Policy of the ‘Host’ venue, and which addresses both the playing of the game as well as the environmental venue(s). 

• P layers to know the Walking Football Association ‘Laws of the Game’ (LOTG) and comply with them.

• To review and reflect the recorded risk assessment of the ‘Host’ premises as appropriate  and relevant to activities of the Club  

• The Club shall have an appointed member with responsibility for Health and Safety issues  

• Consistent with the Aims & Objectives of the Club, members should be encouraged to undertake initial First Aid Training Courses and Refresher Courses when appropriate to  maintain up-to-date qualification. Members will be encouraged to become qualified  referees, thus helping regulate the conduct of games.

• New members to be made aware of the Club’s Health and Safety Policy, comprehend its importance and follow all guidance 

• Periodically reinforce the importance of the Policy to members and conduct occasional  ‘simulated’ exercises, testing out Club First Aid equipment and the skills of trained First  Aiders 

• Highlight and make aware the Emergency procedures, including Fire Drill, assembly point(s), location of First Aid equipment (defibrillator), nearest landline telephone (and its  number)  

• Check that players remove jewellery, watches etc and store away safely, or ensure that it is covered by use of wrist bands etc.

• Prior to playing, players to prepare with adequate ‘warm-up’ exercises commensurate with their general level of fitness to minimise physiological injury 

• Players to consider and engage in ‘warm-down’ exercises at the end of sessions  

• Players are advised to wear shin pads on all occasions when actively playing  

• Keep a Club Accident Book and have it available for reporting all injuries, accidents or dangerous occurrences, ensure all members are aware of its location.

• Members to be aware of the correct method of moving items of equipment, such as goal posts, mobile goal frames etc and to ‘buddy-up’ when doing so 

• Club members to be aware of the correct footwear appropriate and consistent with advice for use on different surfaces  

• Club members are to be encouraged to supply adequate personal details should they be subject of injury or in any emergency, such as next-of-kin, pre-existing medical conditions (e.g. asthma, diabetes, blood group), with their consent and in accord with any Data  Protection issues .

Conclusion 

Having read, or otherwise been made aware of, the Club Health and Safety Policy, it is the responsibility of every member to comply, thereby protecting their health and the safety of fellow members and others.