Protection
The Foundations of a Gymnastics Club covered the essential policies that clubs need, and the Developing a Gymnastics Club covered the additional policies that clubs should consider having in place. In this section we will cover the importance of reviewing your policies and risk assessments, we will also look at some additional health & safety considerations when running an event.
Assessing my club…
Do you complete an annual review of policies?
It is important to involve the correct people when reviewing your policies. This will often include your Welfare Officer, but may also include other members of staff and parents, depending on the policy being reviewed.
Do you follow the British Gymnastics Safe Trips when your club takes gymnasts on trips away from the club?
There are even more considerations if the trip is abroad or overnight. Permission from British Gymnastics must be obtained at least 4 weeks before the trip for any trips involving an overnight stay.
There are additional things to consider when taking gymnasts on trips away from the club, including completing additional risk assessments and. Ensure you are familiar with the guidance in the link below before planning any trips.
Do you complete an annual review of risk assessments?
Risk assessments should be reviewed annually to ensure that they are still up to date. Remember to update risk assessments any time you add new equipment or change the activites that you are offering. You may also need to create additional risk assessments such as young persons or expectant mothers, if your workforce changes and includes these people.
Do you complete an annual equipment check?
Equipment checks should be completed by an approved company at least annually, with regular recorded checks being made by coaches. Any defective equipment should be taken out of use immediately and repaired or replaced. When choosing an approved company, ensure that they are familiar with the equipment used in gymnastics.
If you work in a hired facility, confirm who is responsible for equipment checks in the facility. this will likely be determined by who owns the equipment.
Do you understand the additional Health & Safety considerations needed when you hold a special event such as a display or competition?
Where possible, allocate a member of staff to be the designated health & safety person for the event. Having one person to focus solely on health & safety means things are less likely to be missed.
As your event will have procedures out side of your norms you will need to complete additional risk assessments and identify additioanl health & safety procedures to ensure the safety of everyone at your event. Some things you will need to consider include external contractors, staging, lighting, spectators, food and beverage, the list goes on!
Does your club have a cash reserve and financial planning in place for resilience, club growth and development?
It is important to have a cash reserve for emergency spends outside of your control. Financial planning will allow you to plan ahead for any big spends, and budget accordingly for these.
Remember
Action
Set a date to review your policies, risk assessments and complete equipment checks.
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Call the Club line 0345 5150680* memberservices@british-gymnastics.org For more information about member benefits visit https://www.british-gymnastics.org/member-benefits
