Health and safety is an important area for clubs to address at all levels of the game. In a number of cases where clubs are run solely by volunteers there is no statutory responsibility, although all clubs and their individual members should aim to emulate the standards demanded by health and safety law. This section covers some general areas of health and safety acting as a guide to the sort of level of standards that your club should be aiming to achieve. Clubs at the higher level of the game, particularly those which have designated spectator areas and undertake in the employment of staff, are bound by some of the legislation under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (where clubs would owe a duty of care as an employer to any employees and to the general public whilst spectating at their grounds). Under this act all employers have a legal responsibility to ensure the safety, health and welfare of all persons who shall have need to access to their premises.

Spectator Safety
It is the responsibility of all clubs to ensure that all practicable measures are taken for the health and safety of spectators at every level of the game. A number of larger grounds will be bound in law by the Fire Safety and Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 through the issuing of safety certificates, however members and committees of all clubs at whatever level of the game need to consider the safety of all spectators including those with disabilities and children. Advice on safety for spectators should be sought from Local Authorities together with police, fire and ambulance officers.

Safer Sports Grounds (SSG) Programme
The SSG programme is a lottery funded scheme currently available for the provision of ground safety improvements for spectators at Zurich Premiership and National Division 1 clubs. This will include works to improve spectator safety, the provision of better access, safer terracing, provision for disabled spectators, the replacement of unsafe wooden stands and the replacement of defective asbestos cladding. For further details contact the Community Rugby & Operations Department at the RFU.

Ground/Clubhouse Safety
It is recommended that all clubs have a nominated person to oversee all matters regarding to the health and safety of the ground and the clubhouse. They should aim to ensure where possible that there is separate storage for ground equipment, cleaning equipment and general equipment.

First Aid
It is recommended that all Community Rugby clubs have at least standard 1st aid equipment (see below) and a trained person on match days and at training nights. Larger clubs competing above level 8 should also have easy access to a special medical facility. Zurich Premiership and National Division 1 grounds should be equipped with first-aid points in line with local authority guidelines.

Guidelines for Standard First Aid Equipment Box:

• Guidance Card
• Individually wrapped sterile adhesive dressings (assorted sizes) x 20
• Sterile eye packs with attachment x 2
• Individually wrapped triangular bandages x 6
• Safety pins
• Medium sized individually wrapped sterile wound dressings x 6
• Large individually wrapped sterile wound dressings x 6
• Extra large individually wrapped sterile wound dressings x 6

Boxes should be clearly labelled and accessible and emergency first aid should only be given by a qualified first aider. A list of all first aiders should be clearly communicated to the whole club i.e. in club handbook or on the notice board. Under no circumstances should analgesics be administered by first aiders or kept in the first aid box.