Adelaide Swords Club Health and Safety Policy

Effective 1 February 2018 Review Date 1 February 2019

Date 1 February 2018 Version 5.1

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HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY

PURPOSE

This policy is designed to promote work health and safety within the Adelaide Swords Club. The committee of the Adelaide Swords Club wishes to promote safety in the club and seeks the cooperation of all club members and visitors for that purpose. It is an individual and shared responsibility; therefore, there are many ways in which club members can reduce the risk and incidence of injury and accidents.

Although the sport of fencing is low risk, accidents can happen in any environment. It is the objective of the committee to reduce the incidence of accidents and subsequent injuries to an absolute minimum. The guiding principle when participating in fencing, whether training with a coach or bouting, should be that common sense is always the best guide.

CONTENTS:

1. Safety Procedures

1.1 General Safety Requirements.

1.2 Equipment Requirements.

1.3 Equipment Standards.

1.4 Beginners.

1.5 Safety on the Piste.

1.6 Safety Procedures: accidents.

2. Roles and responsibilities

3. Codes of Behaviour

Appendix A – Piste layout and fencing attire Appendix B – Legal Responsibility Appendix C – The running of classes

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1. SAFETY PROCEDURES

1.1 General safety requirements

1.1.1 The most common fencing injuries are either strained muscles or ankle/knee injuries. All persons participating in training, lessons and bouting should remember the following principles:

• Warm up thoroughly. • Understand the importance of correct footwork. Footwork sessions are run twice each week. All members should attend as often as possible. • Always wear indoor sports shoes that provide suitable high impact protection and good grip.

1.1.2 The floor of the hall can be slippery. Persons training and bouting should exercise caution. If the floor becomes too slippery, stop fencing and alert a committee member.

1.1.3 Adequate space must be left between pistes to allow for blade movements and foot traffic. Ground leads and extension cords should be neatly laid to minimise the risk of tripping/slipping. Fencers should avoid leaving the piste while still connected to a spool to reduce obstruction by spool wires.

1.1.4 Fencing bags and other personal items should be stored away from pistes and practice areas.

1.1.5 Always obey the instructions of club coaches and officials. Be cognisant of advice given by members of the club in relation to safety issues.

1.1.6 Any member of the club seeing a person not complying with this safety policy should point this out to the person and politely ask them to take the steps necessary to comply. In the unlikely event that the person refuses to comply, an official of the club should be advised so that an appropriate action can be taken.

1.2 Equipment Requirements

1.2.1 Individual lessons:

A coach should wear (at minimum): mask, glove and coach’s padded jacket. A student should wear all equipment required by the coach conducting the lesson, but the minimum required by this policy is: mask, glove and appropriate footwear.

1.2.2 Group lessons:

Students are required to wear suitable athletic clothing during non-weapon training. For weapon training students are required to wear a breast plate (for women), plastron, jacket, mask, glove, long pants or breeches and long socks (pulled up so that no skin is exposed), and appropriate footwear.

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1.2.3 Bouting (individual or group):

Fencers are required to wear breast plate (for women), plastron, jacket, mask, glove, long pants or breeches and long socks (pulled up so that no skin is exposed), and appropriate footwear.

1.3 Personal Protective Equipment:

1.3.1 It is the responsibility of individual fencers to ensure that the equipment they are using is in a safe condition, and ensure the repair or replacement of any personally- owned equipment. Fencers should check their own equipment regularly for any faults.

1.3.2 It is the responsibility of the committee to repair any broken equipment that belongs to the club. If a fencer notices a piece of equipment that is unsafe or needs repair, they should bring it to the attention of the armourer/committee/coach.

Masks: Fencers must wear masks of appropriate size conforming at least to the minimum safety standards as recommended by the Australian Fencing Federation. Masks must be checked for the following weaknesses and defects, if necessary by a qualified armourer: • Weaknesses in the steel mesh, softness, holes or excessive deformation of the hard shell from the original shape. • The bib not properly attached or revealing gaps between it and the mask, or curling up. • Poor means of retention on the head, making the mask liable to come off. Fencers must wear a mask back-strap or some other approved method of mask retention.

Attempts must not be made to repair the steel mesh of a mask. If the mask is weak or damaged, it must not be used.

Jackets & Breeches: Fencers must wear jackets of appropriate size conforming at least to the minimum safety standard as recommended by the Australian Fencing Federation. • Where breeches are required, fencers must wear breeches of appropriate size conforming at least to the minimum safety standard as recommended by the Australian Fencing Federation. • There should be a minimum of 10cms (4 inches) overlap between breeches and jacket when the fencer is on guard. • Jackets should fasten on the opposite side to the sword arm, or at the back. • Breeches should reach and stay below the knee whilst fencing. • For general training within the Club, breeches may be replaced by full-length trousers or tracksuit trousers of sufficiently strong material. • Clothing must not be used which is damaged, shows visible tears or weakened by excessive use.

Plastrons:

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Fencers must wear plastrons of appropriate size conforming at least to the minimum safety standard as recommended by the Australian Fencing Federation.

Chest Guards: It is compulsory for women to wear rigid chest protection. It is recommended that girls wear rigid chest protection (shaped or flat) from the age of ten or from the onset of puberty if earlier.

Gloves: The gauntlet must be long enough to cover approximately half the forearm and remain over the sleeve of the jacket whilst fencing. Gloves must not have any opening other than the one for the body wire; they should be inspected regularly for any holes and tears.

Socks and shoes: Socks should always be covered by the bottom of the breeches, so that no bare skin is showing. Suitable indoor trainer type shoes should be worn.

See Appendix A for an example of appropriate fencing attire.

1.4 Weapons:

Weapons – General: Note: The FIE has laid down equipment standards that fencers must observe in order to compete in the Olympic Games, in World Championships and in all 'A' grade/ World Cup/Satellite and Zonal events. Other competition organisers may also demand these standards.

Weapons should be regularly inspected and checked to ensure they are in a safe, usable condition. Almost all serious fencing injuries are caused by penetration by a broken blade, so please pay particular attention to the following section.

Weapons – Blades: To reduce the risk of broken blades, never use a blade (or fence with someone who is using such a blade) if any portion displays obvious kinks or excessive plasticity that may lead to a break - e.g. irregular or uneven curve or inability to correct such a bend. Any sharp bends indicate weakness in the blade. Any mild bends should be straightened by an experienced fencer. DO NOT use a blade that you know to be defective.

Weapons - Tips Weapon tips should conform to the FIE requirements. Sabre blades should be checked regularly as wear and tear risks reducing the tip size, making the penetration risk higher. The point of a non-electric foil or épée (including a dummy electric foil blade) must be covered with a commercially produced plastic button in good condition or an integrated button.

Weapons – Guards Continuous use of a weapon can leave sharp edges round the guard circumference, which are a potential hazard. Such guards must not be used. Guards which are dented enough to risk trapping a point must not be used.

1.5 Beginners

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Beginners should be given instruction on safety principles (e.g. never raise your blade when people around you are not wearing masks) and how to dress themselves properly with the equipment. Beginners should be instructed by a coach or experienced fencer who will be responsible for ensuring that safety principles are upheld. Senior fencers are expected to be role models for beginners.

1.6 Safety on the Piste

• Never raise your point or cross blades without putting on your mask and ensuring your opponent has their mask on and is ready to begin. • Be aware of your surroundings: Don’t step out on to the piste area without making sure it’s safe. Be aware of coaches’ lesson trajectories – do not get in the way. • Do not drive your opponent in to a wall or a hazard. • Be mindful of your fencing distance • If you are repeatedly colliding with your opponent, stop fencing until you can correct the error. • Stop fencing IMMEDIATELY if you think something is wrong, of if your opponent indicates something is wrong, or if your opponent falls over. • Do not fence if you know your or your opponent’s equipment (especially blades) is faulty. • Aggressive fencing is tolerated; violent uncontrolled fencing is not. Nothing you do should cause intentional pain or harm.

Dangerous fencing The committee and coaches have the authority to warn any fencer whose behaviour could cause injury to an opponent, him/herself, or other people in the club. Dangerous behaviours include hard or brutal hitting, jostling or violent physical contact, using unsafe protective clothing and weapons. The committee and coaches have the right to expel a fencer they deem to be a danger to themselves or others.

See the Appendix for an example of how to set up the Piste’s to minimise trip hazards and provide adequate space between the Piste’s for fencing.

1.7 Safety procedures: accidents

In the event of an accident, do not panic, keep the injured person calm and comfortable, and contact the following:

• Any club member with first aid or medical training • The fencer’s emergency contact if required • Urgent medical assistance (if required) 000

There is a first aid box in the storage cupboard. Please note that small items (e.g. bandaids) should be replaced, and reusable items washed and returned. If something is missing, or if you take the last of an item, contact the committee. The first aid box is to be audited by an appropriate representative of the club as required.

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2. OH&S ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

2.1 Club Committee, Officials

• Integrate, promote and monitor occupational health, safety and welfare into all aspects of fencing and the club. • Make a First Aid Kit available, and keep it stocked and maintained. • Maintain clothing and equipment at regular intervals and remove and repair/replace any that are unsafe. • Ensure all fencers are familiar with the club's occupational health, safety and welfare policy. • Bar any person behaving in such a manner to cause injury.

2.2 Coaches

• Provide information, instruction and supervision to enable all beginners to fence safely. • Ensure appropriate fencing etiquette is taught and followed at all times. • Ensure participants have warmed up. • Provide support to all fencers.

2.3 Club Members/Visitor Fencers

• Become registered / licensed with Fencing SA so they have the benefit of insurance cover. • Procure own appropriate personal protective equipment at standard for high intensity work. • Protect own equipment from being damaged. • Observe rules where applicable. • Fence and train in a safe manner. • Observe all safety instructions to avoid unnecessary risks. • Be responsible for safe fencing conduct. • Make proper use of personal protective equipment whenever necessary and when instructed to do so. • Report any unsafe conditions that may come to their attention to club officials. • Keep club clean and tidy. • Be safety conscious at all times. • Club members, fencers and visitors must not misuse or damage any equipment provided to them on loan in the interests of health, safety or welfare nor place themselves at risk or any other person through their actions. • Be familiar with the hazards that may occur in the fencing environment. • Ensure the use and wear of protective safety equipment that is provided for when fencing on the piste. • Ensure equipment is maintained and generally taken care of.

3. CODES OF BEHAVIOR

Refer to Attachment 2 of the Adelaide Swords Member Protection Policy.

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APPENDIX A – Piste layout and fencing attire

Piste Layout

Piste layout in the hall as indicated in the photograph below.

Use the floor markings as guides to keep the Pistes straight and orientated correctly relative to each other.

Adequate space between score boxes for 2 Pistes to simultaneously fence – approximately 4 to 5 meters and 2 meters from nearest wall for end Piste.

Spool and power leads to be neatly gathered together when laid out on the floor to prevent trip hazard to fencers moving on the Piste.

Spools are to be positioned at either end of the Piste to allow maximum travel possible in the available hall space, but leaving at least 1 meter of clear space behind the Piste to allow for traffic.

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Fencing Attire

Jacket

Plastron (Females > 10years old to wear breast plate underneath the Plastron)

Glove

Breeches (Tracksuit pants acceptable alternative, but not tights, shorts, ¾ pants or skirts)

Long Socks

Appropriate footwear (Sneakers, fencing shoes or cross trainers)

Not shown: Mask.

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APPENDIX B – Legal responsibility

B.1 A fencer is generally deemed at Law to accept the ordinary risks involved in fencing.

B.2 Examples of ordinary risks that a fencer is deemed to accept are accidents arising from breakage of blades, or from normal bodily contact with an opponent, arising in the normal course of a bout. However, a fencer may possibly be legally liable if he injures an opponent by an action that is illegal under the Rules of fencing or is recklessly violent.

B.3 All fencers are strongly recommended to obtain the insurance cover provided by registering with Fencing South Australia (FSA). This cover is provided automatically among the benefits of membership.

B.4 Fencers can limit the risk of legal liability by fencing within the Rules and ensuring that their equipment is safe.

B.5 The Rules for Competitions make it clear that each fencer is responsible for the safety of their own equipment and that the organisers and referees are not responsible. Organisers of competitions will normally wish to include a clause on entry forms, - and brochures advertising competitions seeking to exclude liability. A suggested form of words is as follows:

"Each fencer is personally responsible for making sure that his or her clothing and equipment conform to the Australian Fencing Federation (AFF) rules and are in good condition. Neither the AFF nor the organisers of the competition, nor any official or referee involved in the competition is responsible for these matters, or for any accident, loss or damage to persons or property however caused".

B.6 The degree of liability that may fall on organisers and referees is unclear and depends on the particular circumstances. In any event, they should take care to ensure so far as is reasonably possible that the Rules governing safety of equipment and conduct are properly enforced.

B.7 When fencers under the age of 18 are entering a competition, they must have the consent of a parent or other person in ‘loco parent is’ to take part and the entry process must make provision for this.

B.8 The AFF has an indemnity policy against legal liability. The insurers have agreed that all FSA registered competitions fall within this policy.

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APPENDIX C – The running of classes

C.1 Never allow fencers to begin or continue fencing if their clothing or weapon is inappropriate, or unsafe (see these Safety Guidelines). Remember, it is the coach/instructor’s responsibility that fencers are always safely attired and equipped.

C.2 All fencers must, when they are not fencing or practising, carry their weapons either by the pommel with the points towards the floor or by gripping the point, with the weapon hanging down vertically.

C.3 All fencers must be taught not to put on their masks using both hands while holding a weapon – but to put the mask on first.

C.4 NEVER give the instruction to begin fencing without checking that all fencers are wearing their masks correctly.

C.5 All fencers must be told to stop fencing immediately if a mask falls off, a blade breaks or a point or button falls off.

C.6 The instructor must identify unsafe practices, even if those involved are not under his control. The law recognises that all instructors have a duty of care to ensure that all those who take part in fencing do so without endangering themselves or others.

ADDITIONALLY THE FOLLOWING APPLY SPECIFICALLY FOR CHILDREN’S CLASSES

C.7 Generally no more than twelve children per coach/instructor should fence at any one time (a larger number may be appropriate depending on the age, experience etcetera of the pupils). If the ratio in the group is higher than this, the group should be split into relays for fencing activity (larger numbers can take part together in footwork and games with weapons). In the case of groups of young children fewer than twelve may be an appropriate maximum.

C.8 Never allow fencers to act irresponsibly with equipment.

C.9 Always make your fencers aware of the potential hazards of mishandling their weapon.

C.10 Ensure all masks are fitted correctly before allowing fencers to start fencing, and make sure that they do not remove them before being instructed to do so (reminder: For all sparring with plastic weapons a plastic facemask specifically designed for this purpose or regulation fencing mask should always be worn).

C.11 With children aged under 8 ensure that any regulations applicable to this age group are complied with.

C.12 The club maintains a central register of qualified coaches who are required to have a DCSI check.

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