Health and Safety in your Club Rotary International District 1070 Health and Safety Officer John Steedman (Ashby-de-la-Zouch)

Who is responsible? Where does the buck stop, President? Everyone has a responsibility to be aware of potential danger to anyone at any event Only 40% of Clubs in the District have a named Health and Safety Officer – are we taking this seriously? What do Clubs need to do to meet their responsibilities?

Structure and Discipline Each organiser of an event is responsible for ensuring that a Risk Assessment is carried out That task can be delegated – minutes of organising meetings should make it clear who is responsible We live in a litigious world – keep a record of your actions to prove that thought has been applied

How to assess risk Keep it simple Consider who is vulnerable to what

How to assess risk WHO The Personnel – the people responsible for setting up and taking down, building apparatus to be used etc. The Performers – the people who are providing the service – whether they are artistes or even Santa on his sleigh The Audience – those receiving the service

How to assess risk WHAT – Major categories Space and separation Movement and escape routes Equipment Heat sources Food Hygiene Medical care

How to assess risk A tip for methodology Do a mental walk through of the event from beginning to end, playing the role of each WHO category encountering all the obstacles in the WHAT category Note potential hazards – ask awkward questions – better before than after Liaise with suppliers of places and sub- contractors to ensure that they are fulfilling their obligations to you and you to them

Make use of the assessment It is not possible to remove all risk – so Give warnings or increase separation Devise rules of behaviour and pre-brief or announce them to all categories of WHO so that all involved know what to do in the event of a WHAT risk occurring Ensure adequate safety equipment is to hand and that enough people know what to do with it

Review After every event that a Risk Assessment has been prepared for, review it Record the potential improvements – incorporate them into the event next time

Action Go back to your clubs and appoint a Health and Safety Officer if you have not got one. They will be the Club’s conscience – they can stand back from the organisation of an event and dispassionately analyse the assessment of risk Consider your liability – protect yourselves – you would in business – let’s be business-like

Helpline If your Club needs any advice I am happy to help Telephone