Health and Safety Policy

Introduction

  1. CMFG is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all members, spectators, and visitors involved in our HEMA and Buhurt martial arts activities. This policy outlines our approach to managing health and safety in training sessions, events, and other club activities.

Responsibilities

  1. Head Instructor – Holds overall responsibility for health and safety within the club, ensuring all training and activities are conducted safely and in accordance with best practices.

  2. Club Welfare Officer – Acts as the second-in-command for safety, assisting the Head Instructor in ensuring health and safety standards are maintained and addressing any welfare concerns.

  3. Committee Members – Support the general health and upkeep of the club, ensuring equipment is in good condition and facilities remain safe.

  4. All Members – Have a duty to follow safety guidelines, use equipment properly, and report hazards or injuries.

Risk Assessment

  1. Regular risk assessments will be conducted to identify potential hazards associated with training, equipment, and facilities. Identified risks will be mitigated through appropriate measures such as:

  2. Use of proper protective equipment (PPE)

  3. Safe and structured training sessions

  4. Ensuring equipment is regularly inspected and maintained

  5. Enforcing a controlled and disciplined training environment

Protective Equipment

  1. All members are required to wear appropriate protective gear suitable for the activity being practiced (HEMA or Buhurt). This may include:

  2. Helmets, gloves, and padded clothing for HEMA

  3. Full steel armor and regulation helmets for Buhurt

  4. Additional padding or supports as necessary

  5. Masks and helmets must always be worn if there is any chance that a weapon could go anywhere near a face or head

First Aid and Emergency Procedures

  1. A fully stocked first aid kit will be available at all training sessions and events.

  2. At least one member trained in first aid will be present during training sessions.

  3. In the event of an injury, immediate first aid will be provided, and if necessary, emergency services will be contacted.

  4. All injuries, no matter how minor, must be reported to the Club Welfare Officer and recorded in the incident log.

  5. An incident book will be available at training sessions to record incidents.

  6. The care and maintenance of the incident book is the responsibility of the Club Welfare Officer.

Code of Conduct and Safe Practice

  1. All training should be conducted with control, respect, and adherence to club rules.

  2. Dangerous behavior, reckless conduct, or unsportsmanlike actions will not be tolerated.

  3. Members should maintain good personal hygiene and ensure their gear is clean and in good condition.

  4. Any issues regarding physical or mental well-being should be communicated to the Club Welfare Officer or Head Instructor.

Removing people from practice

  1. At any time, the instructor may tell someone who is consistently posing a safety hazard that they should sit out or leave the practice.

  2. This can include non-fencers; audience and any other non-participants who are present may still be capable of distracting participants, getting in the way of participants, or otherwise posing risks

Equipment

Hygiene and Equipment Maintenance

  1. Shared equipment must be cleaned and checked regularly.

  2. Members are encouraged to maintain personal equipment and report any damage.

  3. Training areas should be kept clean and free from hazards.

Personal Equipment

  1. Any personal equipment brought to training must be inspected by the Head Instructor or Club Welfare Officer before use.

  2. They have the final say on whether equipment is deemed safe and fit for use in training.

  3. Equipment that is damaged, unsuitable, or does not meet safety standards will not be permitted.

  4. Members are encouraged to regularly check and maintain their personal gear to ensure it remains in good condition.

Waivers and Insurance

  1. All participants are required to sign a waiver before engaging in any training sessions or club activities.

  2. The club maintains public liability insurance to cover incidents that occur during organized events and training sessions.

  3. It is the responsibility of individual members to obtain their own personal insurance if they wish to have additional coverage for injuries or accidents.

Review and Compliance

  1. This policy will be reviewed annually or when significant changes occur within the club.

  2. All members must acknowledge and comply with this policy as a condition of participation.

  3. By maintaining strict safety standards and fostering a culture of responsibility, CMFG aims to create a safe and enjoyable environment for all participants.

Approved by: Meriel Rodgers

Role: Club Welfare Officer

Date: 18/02/2025