Blackpool & Fleetwood Yacht Club
Health and Safety Policy
Contents:
1 Introduction
2 Safety Policy and Procedure
2.1 The Policy
2.2 Revision
3 Reporting
4 Safety Team
5 Workplace Monitoring
5.1 Electric supply and appliances
5.2 Boilers
5.3 Gas Appliances
6 Responsibility for Safety
6.1 Personal equipment
7 Sailing boats
7.1 Buoyancy
7.2 Safety Equipment
7.3 Operations
8 Complaints (Non-racing)
9 Officer of the Day (OOD) and Senior Instructor duties
10 Safety Boats
10.1 Safety Boat Manning
10.2 Safety Boat Equipment
11 Tractor Code of Practice and Operating Procedures
12 The Boat Hoist Code of Practice and Operating Procedure
13 Emergency Plan and Procedures
13.1 Purpose
13.2 Emergency Arrangements
13.3 Emergency Situations
13.4 Emergency Procedures
13.5 Fire on the water
13.6 Other Emergencies
14 Serious Accidents and Incidents on the water involving persons
14.1 Serious Accidents and Incidents off the water involving persons
14.2 Minor accidents involving persons
14.3 Near miss incidents
15 Accidents
15.1 First Aid/Emergency facilities/Defibrillator
15.3 Accident Procedure
15.4 Accident Reporting Procedure
16 Safeguarding
17 Appendices
BFYC Training Section Operating Procedure
BFYC Major Incident Procedure and Crisis Communications (BFYC Emergency Action Plan)
BFYC Child Protection Procedures
BFYC Vulnerable Adults Protection Policy
RYA Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy and Guidelines
Blackpool and Fleetwood Yacht Club
Health and Safety Policy Document
1 Introduction
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 places a duty on EVERY ORGANISATION to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the Health, Safety and Welfare at Work of all their employees. It also places a duty on EVERY EMPLOYEE to support the employer without objection.
The scope of the Act extends to the Health and Safety of persons other than employees who may be affected by 'work' activities, for example, club members and visitors who are on club premises.
In the case of Blackpool and Fleetwood Yacht Club, the 'Employer' is regarded as the 'Club' and the 'Employees' will refer not only to paid employees but also to club members and visitors.
The employer's duties cover: -
a) The provision and maintenance of plant and systems of work that are safe.
b) Arrangements for ensuring safety in connection with the use, handling, storage and transport of articles and substances.
c) The provision of information, instruction, training and supervision to ensure the Health and Safety at Work of Employees.
d) Any place of work under the employer's control is safe.
e) The provision and maintenance of a working environment for Employees that is safe, without risks to health, and adequate as regards facilities and arrangements for their welfare at work.
The term 'so far as is reasonably practicable' recognises that the 'ideal' may not be possible in all cases given the limits on the available resources and levels of potential risk. It does not, however, exonerate the employer from taking all steps possible (including making the maximum use of its existing resources and calling for more where appropriate) to meet its Health and Safety obligations.
The Commodore has a duty to ensure there is a written statement of the general policy for the Health and Safety at Work of employees, members and visitors and the arrangements in force for carrying out that policy (this document). This statement, and revisions of it, must be brought to the notice of all employees and members.
2 Safety Policy and Procedure
2.1 The Policy
Blackpool and Fleetwood Yacht Club ('the Club') recognises its duty to provide for the Health and Safety of all its Employees, Members and towards any person who uses its services and premises.
The objective of this Policy is to minimise injury or ill health caused to any person as a result of the Club's activities.
Blackpool and Fleetwood Yacht Club undertakes to provide and maintain: -
a) A safe environment.
b) Safe plant, equipment and operating systems.
c) Safe arrangements for the storage, handling, transport and use of materials and articles.
d) Sufficient information, instruction, training and supervision to enable all Employees and Members to avoid hazards and to contribute positively to their own Health and Safety as well as that of colleagues, clients, visitors and where appropriate, contractors.
The Club emphasizes the importance of the following in achieving this objective: -
a) The responsibility of the Management Committee and Chairs of Committee's for the safety of all people, premises, plant and equipment under their control.
b) The responsibility of all Employees and Members to avoid hazards and to contribute positively to their own health and safety, and that of others.
c) The importance of ensuring that hazards are identified and dealt with before accidents occur.
d) The need for an ongoing review of all systems of work to maintain the possible procedures and to reduce the possibility of accidents.
e) The need for the reporting and investigation of potentially hazardous incidents (whether or not personal injury or ill health has resulted) as a means of anticipating and preventing the occurrence of further incidents of a more serious nature.
2.2 Revision
The Management Committee will: -
a) Review its principles at intervals of not more than 4 years.
b) Make detailed alterations from time to time as may be appropriate.
c) As far as possible provide the resources necessary to meet statutory requirements and to take all reasonably practicable measures necessary for the objective to be achieved.
d) Monitor the achievement of the objective of the Policy across all the Club's undertakings and activities.
3 Reporting
Health and Safety is a standing item on Main Committee Meeting agendas. The Health and Safety Officer will report all matters of concern. In the case of an incident/emergency occurring outside of the committee cycle, the Commodore must be informed.
4 Safety Team
All Flag Officers, Management Committee, Main Committee Members and Chairs of Committees are regarded as part of the Safety Team. Any person who has a concern regarding Health and Safety is to immediately bring it to the attention of the Safety Officer, the Chair of the appropriate Committee, or a member of the Management Committee. The Main Committee will consider Health and Safety at every meeting.
5 Workplace Monitoring
Chairs of Committees are expected to formally monitor workplaces and operating procedures on a regular basis to ensure that hazards and risks are minimised by the completion of the site-specific risk assessments. Monitoring is expected to be ongoing.
See Appendix for Risk Assessment
5.1 Electric supply and appliances
The club electric supply will be inspected and tested in accordance with the requirements of BS7671.
5.2 Boilers
The clubs water heating boiler and warm air heating boiler will be checked annually and a record kept.
5.3 Gas Appliances
The clubs gas system will be checked annually and a record kept.
6 Responsibility for Safety
Whilst the Club will do its utmost to ensure the safety of those sailing from its facilities, all members, employees and visitors must accept that there is a degree of risk inherent in the sport of sailing and by joining the Club acknowledge that they voluntarily accept that risk.
Safety boat cover will normally be provided for racing and formal teaching sessions. Outside these periods safety boat cover will not generally be provided and members must be aware of their own capabilities, the prevailing and forecast conditions if going afloat without safety cover. They are advised to notify someone of their intentions, including expected return times.
6.1 Personal equipment
Personal Floatation Devices:
Club members are advised to wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD)
The Club provides students on training courses with buoyancy aids of the appropriate CE number, or lifejackets for non-swimmers.
The PFDs will be checked for serviceability annually and a record kept of these tests. They may be immersion tested at the discretion of the Principal/ Senior Instructor. Instructors are to check that buoyancy aids fit correctly and are fastened in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions before students go afloat on each occasion.
Buoyancy Aids must NOT be used as seats, cushions or padding. They will be stored in a manner to prevent damage or deterioration.
Protective Clothing:
Club Members must be aware of the dangers of hypothermia. Appropriate immersion clothing is recommended especially at times when the water temperature is low.
Instructors are to ensure students are appropriately dressed.
Helmets:
Club Members must be aware of the dangers of head injury during sailing. The club will provide suitably approved helmets for junior students if it is considered there is a high risk of head injury. See Training Centre Operating Procedures
Helmets will be checked for serviceability annually and records kept.
Footwear:
Club members are to be aware of the danger of foot injury on boats and when launching and recovering. Suitable footwear is to be worn at all times even when on the shore.
Students must wear suitable footwear at all times. Instructors will check students' footwear before beginning training.
7 Sailing boats
7.1 Buoyancy
Club members are to ensure that their boats have sufficient buoyancy and this is maintained in satisfactory working order.
Club owned boats are to be visually inspected annually and undergo an immersion test or pressure test as required if they appear damaged and a record is to be kept of these tests. Maintenance will be carried out as and when identified by an instructor.
7.2 Safety Equipment
Water Users are advised to carry bailers, paddles, anchor and a means of attracting attention (whistle, flare, radio).
Instructors are to ensure that any sailing boat leaving the shore with students embarked is in a seaworthy condition and that the prescribed equipment is carried.
7.3 Operations
See Appendix
BFYC Training Section Operating Procedure
8 Complaints (Non-racing)
Any Club Member who has a complaint about the Club, its Officers, Members or Employees conduct is advised to set the complaint in writing and send it to the Club Secretary who will:
a. Record the receipt of the complaint
b. Present the complaint to the Main Committee
The Committee will:
a. Investigate the complaint.
b. The Club will respond in writing to the complainant via the Club Secretary advising the outcome and any actions to be taken.
9 Officer of the Day (OOD) and Senior Instructor duties
The Officer of the Day (OOD) is responsible for all aspects of safety whilst boats are on the water. The safety boat crews will take their instructions from the Officer of the Day or the Senior Instructor (during training sessions) The Officer of the Day or Senior Instructor shall delay racing or training until there are sufficient adequately crewed safety boats available.
The number of safety boats on the water shall reflect the strength of the wind and the experience of those sailing. No club sailing activities may be undertaken unless a fully staffed and equipped safety boat is operational.
The Officer of the Day or Training Officer should increase the number of safety boats where he/she feels there is a need for more cover, ensuring there are enough safety boats deployed across the sailing area taking into account the prevailing conditions, numbers of craft sailing and experience of crews to provide a quick, safe, response with priority given to gybe mark areas. If conditions are such that adequate safety cover cannot be provided by the available safety boats, racing/instruction must be abandoned and craft recalled to the shore.
Areas of Operation
The geographical areas in which activities are to remain are to be established prior to going afloat.
The normal operation area is that bounded by Shard Bridge and Fairway Buoy.
This area may be extended for racing through the setting of the course. Sailing courses leaving this area may only do so as part of an organised expedition or a new operating area being established.
See Appendix
BFYC Training Section Operating Procedure
10 Safety Boats
The Club will ensure that the safety boats and equipment are checked regularly to ensure correct operation and that any defects are rectified& appropriate equipment as advised by the RYA, is carried.
Safety boats are to be inspected annually and this is to be recorded.
SMOKING IS NOT ALLOWED on any craft on which combustible fuel is carried.
See Appendix
BFYC Training Section Operating Procedure
10.1 Safety Boat Crewing
Operated in accordance with the BFYC Safety Boat Operating Procedures
See Appendix
BFYC Training Section Operating Procedure
10.2 Safety Boat Equipment
See Appendix
BFYC Training Section Operating Procedure and RYA Guidelines
11 Tractor Code of Practice and Operating Procedures
RYA Guidance notes for RYA Affiliated Clubs See RYA Guidance note 2 – Page 5 (Purpose Sub Para 4 )
a) The tractor shall only be used in conjunction with club activities
b) The tractor shall only be driven by competent members as deemed by the Club
Management Committee (See appendix ‘Approved Operators and Drivers)
c) The tractor shall be driven at an appropriate speed for the activity
d) When reversing during club activities there should be someone guiding the tractor
to ensure there is no one behind the tractor
e) Tractor shall be refuelled away from smokers or other naked flames, close to
the boat house where spillage kits may be accessed. All fuel shall be filtered to
keep out water and dirt that may cause the engine to fail at a critical time. Fuel
tanks shall not be over- filled.
f) If in doubt do not use the tractor, ask for help.
12 The Boat Hoist Code of Practice and Operating Procedure
The Boat Hoist may only be operated by competent, trained individuals and it is the responsibility of the Ship’s Husband to ensure its maintenance and safe operation.
a) The Hoist is for the sole use of launching and retrieving boats from the water and moving boats on the boat park
b) Only members authorised and trained to do so are to use the Hoist.
c) At least two persons should retrieve a boat when using the Hoist.
d) All bystanders should keep clear of the hoist, when in operation.
e) If bystanders move into the operating area or a boat snags or slips the operator shall stop the operation immediately and only re-commence when all unauthorised people are clear or when the boat being transported is secured
13 Emergency Plan and Procedures.
13.1 Purpose
This document defines the arrangements and procedures to be followed in the event of an emergency at Blackpool and Fleetwood Yacht Club.
See Appendix
Major Incident Procedure and Crisis Communications
BFYC Emergency Action Plan
13.2 Emergency Arrangements
Blackpool and Fleetwood Yacht Club Members shall appoint a Health and Safety Officer at the Annual General Meeting of the Club. The Health and Safety Officer shall be a member of the Main Committee.
The Health and Safety Officer (or their nominee) shall:
a) Identify scenarios that may lead to an accident or emergency at the Club.
b) In conjunction with the Club Training Officer, ensure that training is carried out so that Members or paid staff are familiar with the procedures.
c) Provide and arrange for the maintenance of equipment for use in an emergency.
d) Ensure the collation and updating of Risk Assessments for all areas of operation
13.3 Emergency Situations
The following emergency scenarios should be considered.
a) Fire (in the clubhouse or other buildings or on a boat).
b) Fuel spillage or leak (in the grounds, in a building or on a boat).
c) Gas leakage.
d) Accident, Injury or illness to personnel (on land or on the water)
13.4 Emergency Procedures
A fire risk assessment shall be carried out at least annually and/or after changes have been carried out to the building structures or layouts and a record kept.
Emergency Procedures in the event of Fire
Preservation of life is the primary consideration when a fire is or may be discovered. This should be remembered at all times and in all circumstances. Only tackle a fire using hand held extinguishers if you feel confident to do so and if you have adequate means of escape. Never put yourself in any danger.
Actions to be taken on discovering a fire.
a) Raise the alarm by shouting 'FIRE'.
b) Sound the alarm using the hand bell on the bar if it is safe to do so.
c) Dial 999 and ask for the fire brigade giving your location and the type of fire involved.
d) Only tackle a fire using hand held extinguishers if you feel confident to do so and if you have adequate means of escape. Do not take risks. If the fire begins to get out of control leave it to the Fire Service.
e) Leave the building or area by the nearest safe exit and report to the assembly point (Area south of race office.
f) Do not stop to collect personal belongings or re-enter a building or area.
g) Close any doors you pass through to contain the spread of fire.
h) Instruct people to move well away from the source of the fire, particularly if there is a risk of explosion from flammable or explosive materials (e.g. Petrol, fuel oil or gas).
i) Do not re-enter the building or area until instructed to do so by a responsible person or the Fire Service.
Actions to be taken on hearing a fire alarm.
a) Leave the building or area by the nearest safe exit. Do not stop to collect personal belongings or re-enter a building or area.
b) Close any doors you pass through to contain the spread of fire.
c) Do not re-enter the building or area until instructed to do so by a responsible person or the Fire Service.
Evacuation of occupants with disabilities
Many people with disabilities can evacuate from a building or area if given a little assistance. If you feel able to offer assistance please do so.
13.5 Fire on the water.
In the event of a boat fire on the water the safety of personnel must be considered before the safety of the boat or equipment.
Actions to be taken on discovering a boat fire on the water.
a) Raise the alarm by radioing 'FIRE' using VHF channels 16 &37, to other boats on the water and the shore-based personnel.
b) The shore based personnel shall summon the Emergency Services if the fire gets out of hand giving the location and the type of fire.
c) Those on the water shall only tackle a fire using hand held extinguishers if they feel confident to do so and if they have adequate means of escape. Do not take risks. If the fire begins to get out of control leave it to the Fire Service.
d) Leave the area immediately if the fire gets out of control. Do not stop to collect personal belongings or re-board the boat.
e) Instruct people to move well away from the source of the fire, particularly if there is a risk of explosion from flammable or explosive materials (e.g. Petrol or fuel oil)
f) Do not attempt to re-board the boat until instructed to do so by a responsible person or the Fire Service.
13.6 Other Emergencies.
An emergency is defined as an event which has the potential for:
- Serious and immediate danger to life.
- Significant damage to buildings and/or assets.
14 Serious Accidents and Incidents on the water involving persons.
See Appendix
Major Incident Procedure and Crisis Communications
14.1 Serious Accidents and Incidents off the water involving persons.
See Appendix
Major Incident Procedure and Crisis Communications
14.2 Minor accidents involving persons.
The following procedure should be followed in the event of a minor accident on or off the water.
a) Make the victim comfortable and give First Aid if competent to do so.
b) Summon a First Aider if you are not trained (a list of trained First Aiders is displayed in the clubhouse)
c) If the victim is on the water summon assistance from the shore and/or bring the victim ashore if necessary.
d) Record the accident on the accident report form located in Garage and Main Office. Once completed the forms must be filed in the accident book folder located in the office.
14.3 Near miss incidents
Hazards on or off the water that could significantly injure someone should be reported to the Safety Officer or a Committee member. Where possible the hazard should be made safe but do not place yourself in danger.
Near miss incidents (incidents that could have injured you or someone else) should also be reported to the Safety Officer or a Council member and shall be recorded in the 'Incident and Near Miss’ book (located in the Club Office).
15 Accidents
15.1 First Aid/Emergency facilities/Defibrillator & Reporting
The Club's primary First Aid kit is located in the Clubhouse outside the male changing room. The Defibrillator and Resuscitation Kits are located in the club foyer. There are small First Aid kits in the galley, behind the bar and in the office. First Aid kits are to be maintained fully equipped (at least to H&S standards). They are to be inspected at 3 monthly intervals and a record kept of these inspections. All uses of the First Aid equipment are to be recorded on the accident form.
A telephone is located in the Clubhouse along with a list of emergency numbers.
Any person who sustains an injury requiring more than superficial treatment (plaster), whilst working or visiting the Club premises or who has any occupation related ill health must have that reported to the Health and Safety Officer.
15.2 Accident Procedure
In the event of any accident staff must:
1. Render appropriate First Aid if able to do so
Or contact a qualified First Aider
3. Complete the accident reporting procedure.
15.3 Accident Reporting Procedure
All accidents, other than those of a minor nature, on site and all visitor/work related accidents must be reported using the following procedure:
- The 'Accident book' is to be completed (and passed to the Health and Safety Officer).
- A RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013) form must be completed immediately for accidents involving:
a) Fracture of any bone excluding hands and feet.
b) Severing of a bone (e.g. finger/toe amputated).
c) Penetration injury to an eye.
d) Electric shock requiring immediate medical treatment.
e) Poisoning.
f) Hospitalisation for more than 24 hours.
g) Incapacity to work for more than 3 days.
h) If the injured person is taken directly to hospital from the premises.
In the event of a serious accident/emergency occurring that involves members/visitors to the Club:
See HSE Website: Reporting RIDDOR injury
Refer to Major Incident Procedure and Crisis Communications
DO NOT:
- Make ANY statement to the media. ('No comment' or 'refer to the Commodore' must be the response).
- Release the names of injured participants.
16. The Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults (Safeguarding)
The club will use guidelines produced by the National Governing Body to develop policy statements that are club specific
See Appendix
- Blackpool and Fleetwood Yacht Club Child Protection Procedures
- Blackpool and Fleetwood Yacht Club Vulnerable Adults Protection Policy
- RYA Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy and Guidelines
Document draft completed subject to inclusion of Risk assessments and other appendices