Shannon Athletic Club

Health and Safety Policy

1. Introduction

Shannon Athletic Club (SAC) is committed to promoting and supporting the physical and mental wellbeing of its members, including athletes, coaches, volunteers, parents/guardians, visitors and committee members. The club recognises that a safe, inclusive and supportive environment is essential for participation, enjoyment, personal development and athletic achievement.

This policy sets out the club’s commitment to health, safety and wellbeing and explains how SAC will work to prevent accidents, manage risks, respond to incidents and promote positive physical and mental health across all club activities.

2. Purpose of the Policy

The purpose of this policy is to:

· Promote a culture of health, safety and wellbeing within the club.

· Provide a safe and supportive environment for all members and visitors.

· Ensure club activities are planned and delivered with appropriate regard for risk and safety.

· Support injury prevention, safe training practices and appropriate emergency responses.

· Recognise the importance of mental health and signpost members to support where needed.

· Clarify the responsibilities of the committee, coaches, volunteers, athletes, parents/guardians and members.

3. Scope

This policy applies to all Shannon Athletic Club activities, including training sessions, competitions, club events, fundraising activities, meetings, social events and any activity organised under the name of the club. It applies to all members, coaches, volunteers, parents/guardians, committee members, officials and visitors.

4. Policy Statement

SAC will take reasonable steps to provide and maintain a safe environment for members and visitors. The club will promote safe systems of activity, encourage members to report hazards or concerns, and ensure that incidents are recorded and reviewed so that lessons can be learned.

The club is a voluntary community sports organisation. All members are expected to take personal responsibility for their own behaviour and safety, and to act in a way that protects the safety and wellbeing of others.

5. Roles and Responsibilities

Health and safety is a shared responsibility across the club.

· The Club Committee is responsible for approving this policy, ensuring it is reviewed regularly and supporting a culture of safety and wellbeing.

· The Chairperson/Secretary, or another nominated officer, will ensure that health and safety matters are included on committee agendas where required.

· Coaches and activity leaders are responsible for planning sessions safely, checking the activity area, responding appropriately to accidents or concerns, and ensuring athletes train within their ability.

· Volunteers and officials must follow club procedures, report hazards or incidents, and support safe delivery of club activities.

· Parents/guardians are responsible for ensuring children arrive prepared for activities, are collected on time and have any relevant medical information shared with the club where appropriate.

· Athletes and members must follow instructions, use equipment safely, behave respectfully and report injuries, hazards or concerns promptly.

6. Physical Health

· Physical Activity: SAC encourages all members to participate in regular physical activity appropriate to their age, ability, development and fitness level. Training will be structured to promote fitness, endurance, strength and enjoyment in a safe manner.

· Injury Prevention and Management: Coaches will promote appropriate warm-ups, cool-downs, progressive training and correct technique. Members should not train or compete when injured or unwell. Where an injury occurs, appropriate first aid or medical support will be sought.

· Medical Information: Parents/guardians and adult members are encouraged to inform the club of any medical condition, allergy or additional support need that may affect safe participation. Information will be treated sensitively and shared only with those who need to know for safety purposes.

· Hydration and Nutrition: Members are encouraged to bring water to training and events and to support their physical wellbeing through appropriate hydration, food, rest and recovery.

· Return to Activity: Members returning after illness, injury or a significant break should do so gradually and, where appropriate, follow medical or physiotherapy advice.

7. Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing

· Supporting Mental Health: SAC recognises that mental health is as important as physical health. The club will aim to create a positive, respectful and inclusive environment where members feel valued and supported.

· Access to Support: The club is not a counselling or clinical service, but coaches and committee members can listen, signpost and encourage members to seek appropriate support. In an emergency or where there is immediate risk, emergency services should be contacted.

· Mental Health Awareness: The club will encourage coaches and volunteers to build awareness of stress, anxiety, bullying, exclusion and other wellbeing concerns so that concerns can be responded to early and respectfully.

· Positive Club Culture: Bullying, harassment, intimidation, discrimination or abusive behaviour will not be tolerated. Concerns should be raised with a coach, committee member, Children’s Officer or Designated Liaison Person, as appropriate.

8. Healthy Relationships and Social Support

· SAC promotes positive relationships between athletes, coaches, volunteers, parents/guardians and the wider community. Respect, inclusion, teamwork and clear communication are central to club life.

· The club will encourage social connection through appropriate club activities, team-building, community events and opportunities for members of all ages and abilities to participate.

9. Safeguarding and Welfare

SAC is committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults. The club will follow the requirements and guidance of Athletics Ireland, Sport Ireland and relevant Irish legislation and child safeguarding procedures.

The club will maintain appropriate safeguarding roles, including a Club Children’s Officer and Designated Liaison Person, and will ensure safeguarding concerns are reported and managed in line with club safeguarding procedures.

· Adults working with children or vulnerable members must complete required vetting, training and safeguarding processes as set out by the club and Athletics Ireland.

· Coaches and volunteers must maintain appropriate boundaries and follow the club’s code of conduct.

· Parents/guardians should ensure children are signed in/out or collected in accordance with club arrangements where applicable.

· Any safeguarding concern must be taken seriously and reported promptly to the appropriate club safeguarding person.

10. Risk Assessment and Hazard Reporting

The club will aim to identify and manage risks associated with its activities. Risk assessment may be formal or informal depending on the nature of the activity, but safety must always be considered before training, events or activities begin.

· Coaches or activity leaders should check the training area before sessions and remove, avoid or report hazards.

· Hazards may include unsafe surfaces, poor lighting, damaged equipment, weather conditions, traffic risks, trip hazards, unsafe buildings or inappropriate behaviour.

· Members, parents/guardians and volunteers are encouraged to report hazards or near misses to a coach or committee member as soon as possible.

· The committee will review reported hazards and agree reasonable actions to reduce risk.

11. Training Sessions and Club Activities

Training sessions and activities should be organised with safety, inclusion and age-appropriate participation in mind.

· Sessions should be planned and supervised by suitably experienced coaches or approved activity leaders.

· Athletes should be grouped appropriately by age, ability, event and training need where possible.

· Attendance records should be kept where practical, especially for juvenile training sessions.

· Members should wear suitable clothing and footwear and bring water.

· Training may be cancelled, moved or adapted where weather, ground conditions, lighting or other risks make participation unsafe.

· Parents/guardians should remain contactable during juvenile activities and comply with any club arrangements regarding drop-off, collection or supervision.

12. First Aid, Accidents and Incidents

SAC will take reasonable steps to ensure first aid arrangements are available during club activities.

· A stocked first aid kit should be available at regular training sessions and club events.

· Coaches and volunteers will be encouraged to complete first aid training where possible.

· All accidents, incidents and near misses should be recorded on the club accident/incident form as soon as possible after the event.

· Serious incidents must be reported to the Chairperson/Secretary and, where relevant, to Athletics Ireland, insurers, parents/guardians or statutory bodies.

· Emergency services should be contacted immediately where there is serious injury, sudden illness or risk to life.

· A defibrillator location should be known to coaches and volunteers where available, and emergency access arrangements should be considered for events.

13. Emergency Procedures

In the event of an emergency, the priority is to protect life and prevent further harm. The person in charge should:

· Stop the activity if necessary and make the area safe.

· Call 999 or 112 if urgent medical, fire or Garda assistance is required.

· Provide first aid within the limits of their training and competence.

· Ensure children or vulnerable members are supervised and kept calm.

· Contact parents/guardians or emergency contacts as appropriate.

· Record the incident and inform the club committee as soon as possible.

14. Facilities, Equipment and Grounds

SAC will aim to ensure that facilities, equipment and grounds used for club activities are suitable and safe for their intended use.

· Equipment should be checked regularly and damaged or unsafe equipment should be removed from use.

· Storage areas should be kept tidy and safe, with heavy or hazardous items stored appropriately.

· Members should not use equipment without permission or without appropriate instruction.

· Any issue with facilities, buildings, lighting, surfaces, access routes or toilets should be reported to the committee.

· Where the club uses facilities owned or managed by another organisation, SAC will comply with the reasonable safety requirements of that organisation.

15. Events, Competitions and Public Activities

For club events, competitions, fundraising activities or public activities, the club will consider safety arrangements in advance. This may include event risk assessment, stewarding, first aid, traffic management, insurance, permissions, weather plans, safeguarding, accessibility and communications.

Event organisers should ensure roles are clear, volunteers are briefed, emergency arrangements are known and any incidents are recorded.

16. Communication and Training

The club will communicate relevant health and safety information to members, coaches, volunteers and parents/guardians through appropriate channels such as email, WhatsApp, meetings, notices, registration forms or the club website/social media.

The club will encourage relevant training for coaches and volunteers, including safeguarding, first aid, coaching qualifications, disability inclusion, mental health awareness and any other training considered appropriate.

17. Equality, Inclusion and Accessibility

SAC is committed to providing opportunities for participation in a welcoming and inclusive environment. The club will make reasonable efforts to support members of different ages, abilities, backgrounds and needs to participate safely.

Where a member requires additional support, the club will work with the member, parent/guardian or relevant support person to consider reasonable adjustments, while also considering the safety of the individual and the wider group.

18. Data Protection and Confidentiality

Any personal, medical, safeguarding or incident information collected by the club will be handled sensitively and in line with data protection requirements. Information will only be shared with those who need it for safety, welfare, safeguarding, insurance or legal purposes.

19. Review and Monitoring

This policy will be reviewed annually by the committee, or sooner if there is a significant incident, change in legislation, change in Athletics Ireland guidance, or change in club facilities or activities.

The committee will use accident reports, hazard reports, feedback from coaches and members, and safeguarding or welfare learning to improve club practice.

20. Approval

This policy was approved by Shannon Athletic Club Committee.

Shannon Athletic Club

Founded 1969