Health & Safety_

Statement of intent

Brighton Phoenix Athletics Club is committed to encouraging our members to take part in training and competitions. But the heath, safety and wellbeing of each member is remains our paramount concern.

We recommend our members participate in levels of training dependent on their ability and health. We expect our members to participate within these boundaries. We also expect our coaches and leaders in running fitness to support members within the boundaries of their capabilities.

We aim to provide a safe training environment for all participants, controlling and mitigating all risks where possible.

Policy

To support our health and safety statement of intent we are committed to the following:

Undertake regular, recorded risk assessment of all sporting activities organised 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 giving the appropriate level of training and competition by regularly assessing individual ability
Ensure that all members are aware of, understand and follow the club’s health and safety policy
Appoint a competent member to assist with health and safety responsibilities
Ensure that normal operating procedures and emergency operating procedures are in place and known by all members
Always provide access to adequate first aid equipment including qualified first aider whenever possible
Report and injuries, accidents or near misses sustained during any club activity – please use the reporting form
Ensure that the implementation of the policy is reviewed regularly and monitored for effectiveness

Members' duties

All members must agree to abide by the following:

Take reasonable care for own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by what you do or do not do
Assess your own fitness levels and maturity as a competitor when deciding what training to undertake and which competitions to enter
Inform coaches of and illness or injury, however it is up to you to declare yourself medically fit. Members run at their own risk and the club is not responsible for any incident occurring through a personal medical condition or injury
Wear clothing and footwear suitable for the activity and conditions
Fuel and hydrate adequately for the activity
Cooperate with the club on health and safety issues
Use all equipment provided by the club safely and correctly
Do not interfere with or misuse anything provided for your health, safety or welfare

When running on the road and in public spaces:

Be aware of your surroundings and the activities of other members of the public at all times
When running in the dark make yourself highly visible by wearing high-visibility clothing, and a body/headtorch (a rear facing red light is also recommended)
Take care when crossing roads, at junctions and passing driveways. Ensuring the highway code is followed at all times
When running on the pavement/footpath and other public spaces always give way to pedestrians
Always listen to and follow the instructions given by the coach/leaders.
Run on pavements when possible. If you must run on the road, ensure that you follow the guidance given by the highway code
Where possiblem run as a group of two or more, ensuring at least one of the group members is familiar with the planned route.
Always stick to the routes planned by the coach/leader and ensure that they know you have finished safety before leaving

Running on a track:

Follow the procedures and the instructions of the facilities operators, competition organiser or coach
Tracks can be very busy and sessions require respect and consideration to other users, vigilance and your own common sense. Other athletes and members of the public may also be using the track, maybe less familiar with track etiquette than yourself
If throwing events are being held on the inner field or elsewhere, do not enter this area
Earphones or other such electronic devices are not to be used on the track or field
Do not enter any training or competition event area unless you are taking part
Be aware of the weather and track conditions and only train if safe to do so

Always follow the track etiquette

Overtake on the outside
Warm up in opposite direction in outer lanes
Never walk or stop on the inside lane
Stay in lane and if using lane 1 stay close to the inside of the track
Avoid running two abreast unless overtaking
Pass other athletes with reasonable space
When finishing a repetition, get out of inner lanes
Be aware, look behind and move to recovery phase lanes or to the track infield so as to not interfere with other runners