Health and Safety Policy

1. Statement of Intent

Bishops Castle Town Football Club is a voluntary organisation run by a team of volunteer coaches, managers and committee members.

The Club is committed to ensuring that every child or young person who participates in football does so in an enjoyable, safe and healthy environment.

The health, safety and wellbeing of all participants is our highest priority and takes precedence over the game itself.

We:

• Provide clear guidance, instruction and expectations to all volunteers
• Ensure appropriate qualifications and competencies are maintained
• Follow all FA and County FA safeguarding and safety requirements
• Promote a culture where safety is everyone’s responsibility

2. Responsibilities

Club Committee

• Ensure appropriate health and safety measures are in place
• Support coaches in meeting FA training and safeguarding standards
• Monitor and review safety practices

Team Managers and Coaches

The Team Manager/Coach is the responsible person for their age group and is the primary control measure for health and safety.

They must:

• Hold valid FA Safeguarding and FA Emergency Aid qualifications
• Hold an FA‑accepted Enhanced DBS check (where required)
• Ensure sessions are safe, appropriate and supervised
• Conduct dynamic risk assessments for all sessions and fixtures

3. General Safety Requirements

Equipment

Managers and Coaches must ensure:

• All players wear shin pads
• Footballs are safe and undamaged
• Footwear is safe, with no dangerous studs or worn blades
• Referees are supported in checking equipment where required

Jewellery:

• All jewellery must be removed before play
• Tape is not an acceptable alternative
• This is in line with FA/FIFA Laws of the Game (Law 4)

4. Playing and Training Venues

Managers and Coaches must check all facilities for hazards before use, including:

• Playing surfaces (pitch, sports hall, all‑weather pitch)
• Goalposts (secure and stable)
• Changing areas (safe and appropriate)
• Equipment (safe and correctly positioned)

If any hazard presents a risk and cannot be controlled: ➡️ The session or match must not take place

All concerns must be reported:

• To the venue site staff
• To the Club Secretary for follow‑up

5. Risk Assessment

Bishops Castle Town FC uses dynamic risk assessment as its core safety approach.

Managers and Coaches must:

• Identify hazards before each session
• Assess risk of harm
• Implement control measures
• Stop activities if safety cannot be ensured

Whilst venues are maintained by owners (schools, facilities), the Club retains responsibility to:

• Identify local or temporary hazards

• Act immediately where risks arise

6. First Aid and Medical Readiness

At every session or match:

• A qualified First Aider must be present
• A fully stocked First Aid kit must be available
• A mobile phone must be accessible
• Emergency contact details must be available

Managers/Coaches must also have:

• Accident Report Forms
• Head Injury / Concussion guidance (including recognition tools)
• Medical Emergency Action Plan

7. Goalpost Safety

The Club strictly follows FA Goalpost Safety Guidelines.

Key requirements:

• All goalposts must be securely anchored
• Portable goals must be secured per manufacturer instructions
• No climbing, swinging or misuse of goals
• Regular inspections must take place

Additional restrictions:

• Metal cup hooks must not be used
• Only approved net fixings (plastic clips, tape, grips)
• “Homemade” or altered goalposts must not be used

Unsafe goalposts must never be used under any circumstances.

8. Pitch Inspection and Weather Conditions

Managers must assess whether pitches are safe before play.

Matches must be postponed where conditions include:

• Frost or frozen ground
• Waterlogged surfaces
• Deep mud or standing water
• Unsafe surface stability

Key principle: ➡️ If in doubt, the match must not be played

The Referee has the final decision, but Coaches must act responsibly and not apply pressure to proceed.

Player safety must always take priority over:

• Fixture schedules
• Travel inconvenience
• Desire to play

9. Parental Responsibility

Children remain the responsibility of their parents/carers at all times, including:

• Arrival
• Participation
• Departure

The Club provides appropriate safeguarding measures; however:

• Parents/carers should not leave young children unattended
• Any supervision or transport arrangements made privately are the parent’s responsibility

10. Indoor Sports Hall Safety Controls

Before entering:

• Inspect floor, equipment and surroundings
• Remove hazards or cancel session if unsafe

During sessions:

• Secure all equipment and nets
• Mop and cordon off wet areas
• Ensure correct footwear and shin pads are worn
• Keep first aid kit and phone accessible

After sessions:

• Store equipment safely
• Remove all waste
• Ensure hall is left clean and organised

Smoking is not permitted at any time.

11. Outdoor All‑Weather Pitch Controls

Managers must:

• Inspect surface, goals and enclosure before use
• Ensure gates remain closed during sessions
• Maintain safe separation between groups
• Ensure correct footwear (no metal studs or blades)

Additional rules:

• Only players and officials allowed in the enclosed area
• No dogs permitted on facility grounds
• Equipment stored safely after use
• Sessions must end on time and area cleared before next group

12. Monitoring and Reporting

All health and safety concerns must be:

• Reported immediately
• Recorded where necessary
• Escalated to the Club Secretary if required

Serious incidents must follow Club Safeguarding and Incident Reporting procedures.

13. Policy Review

This policy will be:

• Reviewed annually
• Updated in line with FA and Shropshire FA guidance
• Communicated to all coaches and volunteers

14. Our Commitment

Bishops Castle Town Football Club is committed to:

• Protecting all participants from harm
• Promoting a culture of safety and responsibility
• Ensuring football is a positive, safe and enjoyable experience

Safety first. Always.