Updated 2024-08-04

Datchet Dashers Health and Safety Policy Statement

“Datchet Dashers is strongly committed to encouraging our members to take part in training and competition with and for the club, but the health, well-being and safety of each individual is always our paramount concern. We recommend levels of training dependent on age, ability and experience and expect our members to participate within these boundaries. Datchet Dashers is committed to ensure that we provide a safe environment in which to train and compete for our members, coaches, and other volunteers as far as is reasonably practical. As an event provider we are committed to provide a safe environment for all participants, volunteers and spectators as far as is reasonably practical.”

Datchet Dashers Health and Safety Policy

To support our Health and Safety policy statement we are committed to the following
duties:

• Undertake regular, recorded risk assessment of the club premises and all activities undertaken by the club.

• Create a safe environment by putting health and safety measures in place as identified by the assessment.

• Ensure that all members are aware of, understand and follow the club’s health and safety policy

• Ensure that normal operating procedures and emergency operating procedures are in place and known by all members.

• Provide access to adequate first aid facilities and qualified first aider.

• Report any injuries or accidents sustained during any club activity or whilst on the club premises to the committee.

• Ensure that the implementation of the policy is reviewed regularly and monitored for effectiveness.

Club Responsibilities for Health and Safety

• Datchet Dashers committee: Day to day responsibility for ensuring this policy is put into practice:

• Committee members & coaches: To ensure health and safety standards are consistently maintained & reviewed including acting upon any reports of personal injury & accidents whilst training with the club. 

• Dashers Relays Organisers: race day health and safety implementation, monitoring and review, race risk assessment.

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Club Member & Volunteer Responsibilities for Health and Safety

• Take reasonable care for your own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by what you do or not do.

• Co-operate with the club on health and safety issues.

• Correctly use all equipment provided by the club.

• Correctly store equipment and report equipment that is damaged or needs repair. 

• Not interfere with or misuse anything provided for your health, safety or welfare. Follow the codes of conduct appropriate to your role/s.

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Arrangements for Health and Safety

• We will complete relevant risk assessments and take the necessary action to address hazards if needed.

• We will review risk assessments regularly but particularly when activities, routes, conditions or venues change.

Training

• We will provide appropriate training to coaches and other volunteers.

• We will ensure that coaches keep their knowledge and licences up to date to ensure they can use equipment safely.

Consultation and Evaluation

• We will consult volunteers routinely on health and safety matters as they arise and routinely when we evaluate our health and safety policy and risk assessments.

• We will share information about health and safety with new members and volunteers.

• We will ensure all members are aware of the procedure to follow if there is an emergency during an activity away from the Dashers clubhouse such as during a club run.

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First Aid

• We have a portable defibrillator available in case of emergencies. 

• We have trained first aiders (level 2 first aid for sport) which include coaches, committee members and other volunteers within the general club membership.

• We will endeavour to ensure there is at least one first aider at every training 

• When participating in the Thames Valley Cross Country League and the Summer Series 5k series the expectation is that the host club will provide some first aid cover.

• First Aid courses will also be offered to members (to increase the available pool of first aiders at the club’s disposal).