Introduction
Volunteers are vital to sport, so it is important that clubs that use volunteers that are aware of the health and safety (H&S) requirements of this group of people, as they are of any paid staff. Although there are some key areas of H&S that every sports club should examine, not all are legally binding on clubs who do not pay staff. Having said this, you do need to ensure that your volunteers can work in a risk-free environment, and it could be seen as inequitable if you offer a lower standard of health and safety to your volunteers. By demonstrating your commitment to achieve H&S standards, you will be demonstrating to your volunteers and the outside world, the value you place on them.
Health and Safety Policy
You are strongly recommended to draw up a health and safety policy as this will clarify your procedures and responsibilities as well as making everyone more aware of the issues. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 imposes a duty on every employer “to conduct his undertaking in such a way as to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that persons not in his employment who may be affected, are not thereby exposed to risks to their health or safety” and “to give persons who may be affected by the way in which he conducts his undertaking, the prescribed information about such aspects of the way in which he conducts it as might affect their health and safety”.
Duty of Care
You have a legal duty for all persons, regardless of the size, income, activity of your sports club or whether you have paid staff or not. Also, if your club has control of a building/premises (e.g. community centres, clubhouses), you have a duty to make sure it is safe to use and complies with all the relevant H&S regulations (e.g. signs must meet the H&S Safety Signs and Signals Regulations 1996).
Here is a summary chart showing the various elements you need to consider:
| Area | Information/Requirements | Examples | Top Tip |
| Basic Principles of H&S | Provision of a clean and risk-free place, to reduce risk of ill-health or injury.
Provision of a safe system of working.
Adequate supervision. | Provide adequate guards for machinery.
Supervision of trainees. | Always document your findings |
| H&S Policy | Provides basis of H&S procedures, practices and responsibility.
Announces club’s commitment to good practice. | The Health and Safety Executive has model H&S policies you can use as a template. | Communicate your policy to your volunteers and stakeholders. |
| Duty of Care | Carry out a risk assessment for all activities – even if to ascertain there is little or no risk! | Undertaking any activity.
Selling food at events.
Fund-raising activities. | Involve volunteers who are most experienced in the particular activity. |
Risk
Assessment | Identification of any likely hazard or risk.
Put in place systems/action plan to reduce or eliminate such risks. | Competitors getting injured. | Read Top Tips: Risk Assessments available from runningsports |
| The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health | Not a legal requirement for volunteers, but it is recommended you take COSHH assessments | Handling chemicals for swimming pools. | Check paint labels for hazardous chemicals.
See the Health & Safety Executive website |
| Fire Assessment | All public/community buildings are obliged to specify minimum level of standards to reduce the risk of fire. | Fire Exit routes. | Consult your local fire brigade and/or the manager of the building/facility |
| First Aid | Volunteer organisations with no paid staff are not bound to do first-aid assessments, but it is recommended as good practice.
An appointed person is someone with basic first-aid knowledge and is available as appropriate. | First-aiders required at competitions and events.
NB Activity centres will have very different need to the Chess Club! | The minimum standards include knowledge of: -
Location of 1st Aid Box, who the first-aider or appointed person is and where they can be found. |
| Insurance | Employer’s liability
Public liability
Personal accident.
Product liability.
Motor insurance. | Required by law
Covers the club in event of injury, death, loss or damage to the property of non-employees. | Make sure your members know exactly which insurance and what the cover is, that affects and protects them. |
Always check with the authorities whether you are required to register your activities with any enforcement authorities. This is normally only required if you are involved in a dangerous activity. However, if you control/are responsible for premises, you will need to register with the local fire authority, and if food is prepared, stored, supplied or sold on five or more days in any five-week period, you must register with the local environmental health department. All clubs, employing staff, must register their existence with the H&S executive/local environmental health department.
Further Information
This website has other useful resources Quick Guides, Top Tips, Role Outlines and information on available training including workshops and workbooks. Alternatively telephone the runningsports Hotline on 0800 363373.
Other Organisations Worth Checking Out
These Top Tips are intended as a general guide, based on legislation at the time of publication. Neither runningsports, its staff, the authors nor reviewers can accept any liability for any loss arising as a result of reliance upon the information contained herein. Readers are strongly advised to obtain professional advice on an individual basis.
