Health & Safety Policy
NORTON ATHLETIC FOOTBALL CLUB
HEALTH & SAFETY POLICY
Version: 1.0
Effective Date: 1 July 2026
Review Date: Annually
Approved By: Board of Directors
1. POLICY STATEMENT
Norton Athletic Football Club is committed to providing a safe, healthy and secure environment for all players, coaches, volunteers, spectators, sponsors, contractors and visitors.
The Club recognises its duty of care to all individuals using its facilities and participating in its activities.
The Club will take all reasonably practicable steps to:
Protect health and safety.
Prevent accidents and injuries.
Maintain safe facilities.
Promote a positive safety culture.
Comply with applicable legislation.
Health and safety is everyone’s responsibility.
2. PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to:
Promote safe working practices.
Reduce risks.
Protect participants and visitors.
Ensure legal compliance.
Support continuous improvement.
This policy applies to all Club activities.
3. SCOPE
This policy applies to:
Players
Coaches
Managers
Volunteers
Directors
Committee Members
Contractors
Spectators
Sponsors
Visitors
The policy applies across all Club facilities including:
The Highfield
Football pitches
Clubhouse
Changing rooms
Car parks
Storage areas
Future 3G facilities
4. HEALTH & SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES
Board of Directors
The Board shall:
Promote health and safety.
Ensure appropriate policies exist.
Allocate resources where reasonably practicable.
Monitor compliance.
Chairman
The Chairman shall:
Provide leadership on health and safety matters.
Ensure risks are managed appropriately.
Facilities & Infrastructure Officer
The Facilities Officer shall:
Monitor facility safety.
Arrange maintenance.
Report hazards.
Coordinate repairs.
Volunteers and Users
All individuals shall:
Act responsibly.
Follow safety instructions.
Report hazards.
Avoid unsafe behaviour.
5. RISK ASSESSMENTS
The Club shall undertake risk assessments where appropriate for:
Matches
Training sessions
Clubhouse activities
Fundraising events
Construction works
Facility improvements
Risk assessments shall be reviewed periodically.
6. REPORTING HAZARDS
Any person identifying a hazard should report it immediately to:
Club Official
Team Manager
Facilities Officer
Chairman
Examples include:
Damaged equipment
Unsafe surfaces
Electrical faults
Trip hazards
Structural concerns
The Club will investigate reported hazards promptly.
7. ACCIDENT REPORTING
All accidents, injuries and near misses should be reported.
The Club shall maintain an Accident Book recording:
Date
Time
Location
Nature of incident
Individuals involved
Actions taken
Records shall be retained appropriately.
8. FIRST AID
The Club shall seek to ensure appropriate first aid provision is available.
Where possible:
First aid kits shall be maintained.
Qualified first aiders shall be identified.
Emergency contact information shall be available.
First aid equipment shall be checked regularly.
9. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
In an emergency:
Ensure personal safety.
Contact emergency services where required.
Notify Club officials.
Follow emergency procedures.
Emergency services:
999
The Club shall cooperate fully with emergency responders.
10. FIRE SAFETY
The Club shall:
Maintain appropriate fire safety equipment.
Keep exits clear.
Display emergency information where appropriate.
Conduct periodic inspections.
All users must familiarise themselves with emergency exits when visiting Club facilities.
11. ELECTRICAL SAFETY
Electrical installations and equipment should be maintained appropriately.
Damaged equipment must not be used.
Only authorised persons should undertake electrical works.
12. GROUNDS AND PITCH SAFETY
The Club shall seek to maintain safe playing surfaces.
Inspections may include:
Goalposts
Nets
Playing surfaces
Floodlighting
Spectator areas
Unsafe facilities may be withdrawn from use.
13. CLUBHOUSE SAFETY
The Clubhouse shall be maintained to provide a safe environment.
Areas shall be kept:
Clean
Tidy
Accessible
Potential hazards should be addressed promptly.
14. CONTRACTORS
Contractors working on Club property shall:
Operate safely.
Comply with relevant legislation.
Maintain appropriate insurance.
Cooperate with Club officials.
The Club reserves the right to remove contractors who create unacceptable risks.
15. MANUAL HANDLING
Individuals should:
Use safe lifting techniques.
Seek assistance where necessary.
Avoid lifting beyond their capability.
Volunteer safety remains important.
16. SAFEGUARDING
Health and safety shall operate alongside the Club’s safeguarding procedures.
The welfare of children and vulnerable individuals shall remain paramount.
All safeguarding concerns should be reported immediately.
17. ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE MISUSE
The Club operates a responsible approach to alcohol consumption.
Individuals shall not:
Operate equipment whilst impaired.
Undertake safety-critical activities whilst impaired.
Endanger others through substance misuse.
18. FUTURE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
The Club may undertake development projects including:
Clubhouse improvements
Car park improvements
Floodlighting
3G pitch construction
Additional facilities
Appropriate health and safety controls shall be implemented throughout project delivery.
19. INSURANCE
The Club shall maintain appropriate insurance arrangements including:
Public Liability Insurance
Employer’s Liability Insurance (where required)
Property Insurance
The Board shall review insurance arrangements periodically.
20. CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
The Club is committed to continually improving health and safety standards.
Suggestions for improvement are welcomed.
21. REVIEW
This policy shall be reviewed annually or following:
Significant incidents
Legislative changes
Facility developments
Recommendations from insurers or regulators
Approved by Norton Athletic Football Club
Version 1.0
Effective from 1 July 2026
Review Date: Annually
Safety First. Football Always.
#UpTheMillers