1. Statement
The Committee recognises that while involved in club activities, staying in our huts or helping to maintain them, our members, guests and visitors face a variety of hazards. It also recognises that the Club has a duty of care to all members, guests and visitors as well as specific statutory obligations.
The Committee is determined to do whatever is within their control to reduce the risks associated with these hazards as far as is reasonably practicable, and to ensure statutory obligations are addressed.
2. Aims
- to provide huts that are safe to use
- to encourage safe practices by those using our huts
To help achieve these aims, the Committee will appoint a Health and Safety Co- ordinator. Where necessary guidelines will be in place to ensure that these aims are met, and these will be made available to all members, guests and visitors to our huts.
This policy and any guidelines will be reviewed by the committee or anyone appointed by them on a regular basis, at least annually.
3. Organisation
The affairs of the Club are managed by a Committee. The post-holders can be found in the Handbook published each year and supplied to every member. The Committee can appoint other members to undertake specialist tasks. The Committee steer Health & Safety policy and it is their role to promote a strong culture of safety in all aspects of club activities.
In addition specialist committees report to the Committee – the Huts Management Sub- Committee (HMSC) and the Publications Sub-Committee (PSC).
As they relate primarily to hut use, Health & Safety matters are managed by the HMSC who appoint the Health & Safety Co-Coordinator. The role of the H&S Co-Coordinator is to provide advice on a range of Health & Safety related topics and to assist with the implementation and review of the Health & Safety policy.
4. Huts
The CC manages 8 huts in England Wales and Scotland; Ynys Etws, Cwm Glas awr, Helyg, May Cottage (Wales); The Count House, The Bob Downes Hut, Grange Old School (England); Riasg (Scotland). These huts are managed by the Huts Management Committee (HMSC). Each hut has a Custodian. The role of the Custodian includes promoting safe use of the huts, assessing risk and ensuring safe systems.
5. Safety Management System
“If this incident happened yesterday, what action would we take to prevent it……..? So, we should take that action today!”
Risk Assessment
Risk Assessments will be completed for all huts and for Maintenance Meets, and for other exceptional activities arranged by the Club. The findings will be available to all who
may be affected by the residual risks. Risk Assessments will be posted in the hut or at the venue if elsewhere. The HMSC will review risk assessments.
Accident Reporting
Accidents on club premises should be reported in the Accident Book found in (the first aid box) each hut. The first response is by the Custodian who reviews these reports and takes action or advises the HMSC on action. Accidents should be reviewed by the HMSC and taken into account when reviewing hut risk assessments.
Chemical Safety
Care is needed with hazardous household chemicals. A safe location for their storage should be found, and appropriate labeling provided. Where children use the hut this should be taken into account, with hazardous substances stored out of reach.
Electrical Safety
Fixed electrical installations must comply with relevant regulations, and must be tested by a qualified person every 5 years. Portable electrical appliances should be visually inspected annually by the Custodian, and withdrawn if found to be unsafe.
Fire Safety
All of our huts are fitted with fire alarm systems and smoke detectors, emergency lighting, and fire fighting equipment; these are tested annually. Fire exits are clearly marked. A fire risk assessment will be completed for each hut and reviewed at least annually.
First Aid
Emergency first aid boxes are provided in all of our huts. Custodians should regularly check the contents and top up. The recommended minimum is:
- First Aid Card
- 20 assorted plasters
- 4 individually wrapped triangular bandages
- 2 sterile eye pads
- Eye bath
- 6 safety pins
- 6 medium wound dressings
- 3 large wound dressings
- 12 pairs disposable gloves
- 1 pair blunt nosed scissors
- 1 pack sterile wipes
- 2 Crepe bandages
- Cling film
- Assorted long cable ties
Gas Safety
Gas installations are tested annually by a ‘Gas Safe’ Registered fitter. Clear instructions for turning gas on/off on arrival and departure are provided. Bottled Gas – There is no need for anyone staying in a hut to disconnect a gas bottle. Only authorised persons will connect or disconnect the bottled gas supply.
Records
A standard form detailing the schedule of work and inspections required for each hut is maintained by custodians and filed in the file storage areas of the club website for ease of access and inspection. All other safety related documentation such as copies of fire inspections is also stored in this way.
Hut Maintenance Meets
From time to time maintenance meets are arranged to carry out essential and routine hut maintenance, the Club recognises this creates an increased level of risk for participants and others. A risk assessment will be completed by the Custodian and the Meet Leader prior to each maintenance meet, and all reasonable preventative steps shall be taken. Only appropriate and serviceable tools, equipment and personal protection will be used.
Young People
All persons under-18 shall be under appropriate adult supervision whilst using huts. Detailed guidance is currently published in the Club Handbook in the Club Huts section (2010/2011p.81). Extra care should be exercised in hazardous areas, including stairs, kitchens, near fires, parking areas and water courses.
Contractors
Contractors working at our huts must be suitably qualified and carry their own Third Party Liability insurance. Custodians should make them aware of any unusual hazards that they would otherwise be unaware of that could affect the work e.g. underground pipes or cables. For major works Contractors are expected to make their own Risk Assessment and respond appropriately.
Climbing and mountaineering activities
This Policy relates to our huts. Regarding climbing activities, particularly when members and their guests are on a club meet, the Committee recognises and endorses the BMC Participation Statement and expects members and guests to accept its principals:
The BMC recognises that climbing and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.
The Club’s stated objective is to encourage mountaineering and rock-climbing. By their nature these are hazardous activities and the Club recognises and endorses the BMC Participation Statement. The Club accepts NO liability for the mountaineering or climbing activities of members, their guests, visitors and others staying at our huts or on our land or attending one of our meets. The Club does encourage the use of appropriate equipment, clothing and choice of venue and route, paying due regard to the experience and strength of the team, and the prevailing conditions. You are encouraged to leave details of your plans, including an estimated return time, in the hut or with someone. You are individually responsible for yourselves, what you decide to do, and for arranging your own insurances. BMC Third Party Liability Insurance is provided for all club members.
Meets
Club meets present an opportunity for members, prospective members, member’s guests and others to get together and participate in their own activities. Meets will not provide led or guided activities or tuition. Meets will have a co-ordinator or leader who looks after the administrative aspects, introduces participants, and acts as a focus during the meet. Neither the Club nor the Meet Coordinator will check the fitness, health or competence of participants for their intended activity, nor is it the role of the Club or the Meet Coordinator to check their equipment.
Approved by the Committee 6th Mar 2011