SACMA Club RISK ASSESSMENT  1 Jan 2013

Activities usually carried out by the club at designated training venues.

A thorough program of warm-up exercises carried out at the beginning of every practice.
Control of numbers in the hall at any one time exercised by the principal Instructor in charge of the session especially during sparring and whilst using weapons.
All members are issued with a copy of the Risk Assessment and are expected sign a membership declaration relating to the clubs code of conduct annually.
All members are to be issued with a copy of the clubs rules and regulations upon joining and annually thereafter
Any member with any condition that might affect theirs or another members Health and Safety must notify the Principal Instructor on duty immediately.
All injuries/accidents must be reported by a member of the club to the Principal Instructor on duty who will provide First Aid Cover, contact the emergency services where required and complete an accident report form

HAZARD

CONTROL MEASURES IN PLACE

RISK FACTOR

FURTHER CONTROL MEASURES

1. Direct Physical/Personal Injuries

Strained or Torn Muscles and Ligaments through improper warm-up or improper partner work.

Thorough warm-up with Instructor using correct warm-up techniques

Low/Medium

Latecomers are informed that they must take responsibility for warming up in their own time before joining the class. For all clubs first aid incidents, the members are clear that they are required to report the injury  to the principal Instructor on duty who will ensure the correct management of the injury and record its occurrence

Dislocation of Joints; specifically toes.

Appropriate protective equipment to be worn during sparring when this is most likely to occur.  Established students may spar lightly but  responsibly with new students until such equipment has been purchased by them providing they are aware of the risks and do so voluntarily 

Medium

Quality protective sparring equipment is recommended to all students in addition appropriate footwear is also advised for  routine training 

Bruising to arms/legs/torso caused by blocking or by falling.

Coach class at acceptable levels of contact and teaching of the importance of correct timing and technique.

High

The level of contact during training,
(particularly whilst sparring or two man combinations) to be determined by experience and grade. All students are expected to act sensibly and responsibly.

Broken Facial bonesdue to excessive contact whilst training with partners.

Careful supervision of partner training/sparring in addition to careful coaching at acceptable levels of contact.

Low

Sparring or the training of combinations between students is not determined exclusively by grade.  However all students must respect each others experience and take this into account whilst training

Concussion caused through excessive contact with partners or as a result of a fall during sparring or pair work.

Careful supervision of partner training/sparring in addition to careful coaching at acceptable levels of contact. Advise Instructor drawing his/her attention to dangers of contact with obstacles or if the level of contact from another student is considered to be  inappropriate

Low

Only experienced members are allowed to spar with each other using heavier contact; providing, both consent to this. Beginner and Intermediate level sparring is more rigidly regulated to minimise the risk of injury. Although not compulsory, all students are encouraged to consider the merits of wearing head guards to prevent injury, particularly from falling.

Loss of teeth caused through excessive contact to the mouth whilst training with partners.

Careful supervision or partner training/sparring in addition to careful coaching at acceptable levels of contact. Gum-shields are mandatory.

Low

Students are encourage to purchase a gum shield that protects both the upper and lower teeth, though the choice is theirs
Beginner’s sparring is very rigidly regulated.

Broken Skin and cuts through excessive contact by partner or contact with jewellery.

Prohibit the wearing of any form of jewellery during training. If jewellery can not be removed then it should be taped over. Toes and finger nails must be kept short

Low

The correct sparring equipment does provide an element of protection during sparring as nails are fully or partly covered

Blisters/Cut Feet

Predominantly a problem experienced by novices, as the body becomes more conditioned through continuous training the skin becomes more robust and less likely to blister/cut.
Novices are encouraged to train regularly.
The session instructor is responsible for making sure that the training area is free from debris.

High

Any blood on the floor / mats must be cleaned immediately using appropriate cleaning material available in the dojo or at the front desk of the sports centre. Prior to any practice floor / mats must be inspected for blood stains, and cleaned when necessary.

Muscle fatigue, cramp, sore/stiff joints, pulled and strained muscles, ligaments and tendons, etc.

It is important that all students take part in the warm-up at the beginning of the class, so as to stretch all the necessary muscles and joints used during a session. This not only reduces the chances of injury during practice, but also reduces the likelihood of post-training  issues

High

Members should notify the Instructor if they are feeling well and also whether they have any injuries prior to commencing a session.
The Instructor has the right to stop members from training, if he/she feels that they are unfit or unwell or if they have any condition that might affect theirs or another members health and safety

Injury to head, neck or spine.
This could arise in the circumstances described above but is identified separately because of its potential for more permanent disablement.

Injuries of this nature are extremely rare, and the small risks that do exist are reduced still further by observance of good etiquette and by being observant and considerate to others during practice.

Low but with potentially very serious consequences.

During class activities first aid will be sought in the event of a head injury, where appropriate an Ambulance will be called; this applies to all  potentially serious injuries or incidents of a Health and Safety nature

Unconsciousness caused by blow to the head.

Report injuries immediately to the  principal instructor
All members should be clear of the need to know who and how to report accidents.

Low

Immediate First Aid to be administered if appropriate + Ambulance called if necessary.

Dizziness, hyperventilation and nausea.

Dizziness and hyperventilation can occur during strenuous exercise in less well-conditioned people, and is generally alleviated by improved physical condition. Nausea can also result from eating a large meal too soon before training.

Low

Members to refrain from exercise, first aid to be considered, as with all incidents members should be advised to consult a doctor particularly if symptoms persist

Dehydration

Large quantities of fluid can be lost from the body during strenuous exercise, particularly in hot weather. It is important to ensure adequate hydration before training, and to re-hydrate adequately when training is over.

Medium

In anticipation of strenuous training sessions, particularly in summer, members are encouraged to bring water bottles to training and the coaches will allow for regular breaks to enable them to re-hydrate.

Seizure through contra-indications or over exertion

Instructors are to advise novices of physical exertion levels that will be encountered and so provide reasonable recovery periods during training, particularly after demanding elements of training

Low

Club aware at the beginning of term of any medical issues of its members which may prove to be a problem when taking part in the sport.
The membership form includes a section for members to state any medical issues they might have, so that the club and the instructors can be aware of it.  

2. General Risks

Enrolment of novices with no prior experience of Martial Arts into the Club

Introductory sessions are run for novices to participate in. At these sessions the beginners are informed that Kung Fu like all martial arts involves high levels of physical exertion as well as moderate to high levels of physical contact. Additionally, because of the nature of the sport, the club may contain a wide range of ability from novices to black belts.
As a result all training sessions will involve a warm up session; students are split into group when it becomes necessary Advanced/High Grades &Beginner/Low Grades
Low grades will be restricted to only practising techniques that they have been taught. Close supervision by the coach at the session is standard.

The Club follow the British Kung Fu Association Syllabus for gradings. Training is split between syllabus and teaching techniques that allow advancement through the grades and a fitness/conditioning/sparring session. Novices are taught techniques relevant to their grade and experience and are permitted to exercise at a rate they feel comfortable with. Sparring is not compulsory to begin with though considered necessary at some point to develop individuals self defence skills 

Qualifications/Registration and Insurance of Instructors

All Instructors should be of Black sash level and recognised as such by the BKFA, they should also be suitably insured and have  appropriate First Aid training

Low

It is the responsibility of the Coaches/Instructors to ensure their Insurance details are kept up to date

Lack of Qualified Instructor at each session.

There is always a qualified instructor at each session to guarantee safe practice. If for any reason a qualified Instructor is not in place then the session is cancelled.

Low

None.

Specialist and Safe Equipment.

The only specialist equipment used by the club is that for sparring and bladed/pointed metal and wooden weapons required for progression through the syllabus. No items are provided by the club, members must purchase their own

Low

Students

Spectator injured by collision with, or being landed on by, a member.

This is a slight risk in the more cramped conditions of the Sarum 76 premises

Spectators are warned of possible collision with the members while they are training. The coach makes sure that sparring partners are kept away from the spectators’ area.

Low

Spectators to be seated away from the main club activities

Lack of knowledge of new members medical conditions.

New members are told to report any medical conditions to the coach.

Salisbury Lau Gar Kung Fu Club to ensure that all new and existing members at the start of each term are informed of Risk Assessment, Code of Conduct included within the clubs ‘information to students’ and risks identified by completing the annual club membership form

Fire

Club Instructors are aware of exits from the building and are responsible for clearing the Training Halls Hall if the Fire Alarms sound.
Club Instructors and members are to inform the Premises management/landlords of any incident and if premises are blocked  

Low

Facility Issues e.g. faulty lighting, heating, ventilation, mats etc which could result in an accident and/or injury.

Forest Edge Lau gar Kung Fu Club notifies the Facilities Manager of any facility faults which need to be repaired.
 

Low

Road accidents in hired minibuses, cars or coaches when travelling to matches/competitions.

Students typically make their own way to events such as competitions which are very rare, lifts are arranged between members

Low but potentially fatal

3. Competitions

Regional, National and International competitions

All competitions entered are organised by various governing bodies. These governing bodies always have First Aiders present at the venues.

Medium

4. Weapons Training

Risk of injury from weapons training

Students predominantly Black sashes as part of their progression within the  BKFA syllabus, train with a variety of wooden and metal weapons; that are both pointed and have blades and tips with varying degrees of sharpness. All members are expected to act responsibly, be aware of other people close to them and be conscious of the very serious consequences of an accident caused by training with them. Usage within the club is dictated by space, numbers training, grade and experience. 

Low risk of injury however the consequences could be fatal

Members are expected to obtain personal accident insurance through the BKFA, and sign an annual declaration acknowledging the risks attached to weapons training and that they are exposed too them. Recklessness and negligence will not be tolerated, the Health and Safety of all members is paramount. Students are expected to train with discipline, mindful of the potential consequences of training with such weapons