Safety will be the paramount consideration in the selection, design, operation and maintenance of club equipment.
It is not clear whether the Health and Safety at Work Act applies to sailing clubs which are not employers, but it is in the interests of the club members that the spirit of the act be observed.

· Risk assessments, using the RYA approved form, will be undertaken by the Safety Officer, assisted where appropriate by others with relevant experience of the activity, location or equipment which is the subject of the review. Risk Assessments should be reviewed at least once every three years.

2.2. This policy shall be implemented primarily by safety-related bylaws.

The club will continually review, develop and implement safe procedures and practices.
Members are encouraged to bring problems to the notice of the committee and informally to propose and discuss suitable safety measures.
Safety-related bylaws are reviewed by the General Committee. New bylaws are ratified at the next General Meeting of the club so that members may contribute to, and participate in the development of good, safe practice.

2.3. Advice and training in skills relevant to health and safety in the context of the sailing club will be offered from time to time.

· The club recognises that the effective prevention of accidents depends on the Members’ commitment to safety; Members will be encouraged to participate in the development, establishment and observance of safe practices.

2.4. A committee member shall be appointed to take overall responsibility for health and safety matters and shall be known as the Safety Officer.

· The responsibilities of Members, the committee, instructors and the Safety Officer are defined in the byelaws.

· The Safety Officer will exchange relevant information with the RYA and with members.

3. Safety-related ByElaws

3.1 On the water

B.8 Adequate personal buoyancy shall always be worn on the water by all persons except sailboarders using waist harnesses, being sufficiently experienced and competent to use these harnesses in lieu of personal buoyancy.

"Adequate personal buoyancy" means:-

either a buoyancy aid complying with one of the following British Standards: BS EN 393, British Marine Industries Federation Standard for Personal Buoyancy, Ship and Boatbuilders Federation Standard for Personal Buoyancy Aids, or a CE marked buoyancy aid of at least 50 Newtons, for use by swimmers on sheltered waters with help at hand,

or a lifejacket complying with BS EN 395 or BS EN 396 or BS 3595:1981 specification worn and used in accordance with the recommendations, or a CE marked lifejacket of at least 100 Newtons, for use on sheltered waters by non-swimmers.

B.9 Wet suits or dry suits must be worn while on the water between 1 December and 31 March; they are strongly recommended during November and April.

B.10 Parents are responsible for the safety of their children while on Club premises and must supervise them adequately. It is recommended that children under the age of 8 years and older children who are not competent swimmers should wear buoyancy aids at all times.

B.11 Swimming and bathing from the Club premises is not allowed.

B.12 Children under 17 years are not allowed in any rescue boat when it is engaged on rescue duty unless they are being rescued.

B.13 No person under 17 years is allowed to drive a powered craft at the Club.

B.14 If the Race Officer or the Duty Officer decides that a race cannot safely be started or continued, it must be postponed or abandoned. In reaching such a decision, the Race Officer and the Duty Officer should consider the weather conditions and the adequacy of rescue boat cover.

B.15 If the Rescue Officer or the helm or crew of a sailing boat express the opinion that they cannot safely continue to sail, they must be taken ashore as soon as practicable. In a training situation, if an instructor or the helm or crew of a sailing boat express the opinion that they cannot safely continue to sail, they must be taken ashore as soon as practicable.

B.16 The duty crew of each rescue boat shall comprise two people, one of whom must be suitably dressed to enter the water.

B.17 The helm of a power boat fitted with an engine safety lanyard (kill cord) must secure the safety lanyard to his/her person or clothing.

B.18: When a work boat is used for weed cutting purposes, the helmsman must be competent in the operation of the work boat, and be familiar with weed cutting techniques in use at Hunts SC.

B.19 When the work boat is used for weed cutting operations, sailing boats must keep well clear, and come no closer than 50m. In particular, other helms must be aware of the danger of cutting across the stern of a work boat which is towing a cutting blade.

B.20 During weed cutting operations, other helms will obey any instructions from the helm or crew of the workboat.

B.21 Weed cutting operations will not take place during racing. They may take place during training sessions, providing the instructor in charge and the work boat helm have agreed a safe area in which cutting can take place.

B.21 Whilst on the Club premises, members shall take responsibility for their own safety and that of their guests and shall accept that they use the facilities entirely at their own risk. Before inviting any guests onto the Club premises members shall draw their attention to these byelaws.

3.2 Off the Water

NEW: The tractor may only be operated by Members over 17 years old who have a valid UK driving licence, and who have been trained in its operation. (I prefer to keep this as it is; the tractor requires a degree of skill when driving, and a sixteen year old with a motor bike licence would not always inspire confidence, at least in me. Comments??)

NEW: Children under the age of 16 are not allowed in the galley

4. Procedures

4.1 Rescue Boat Operation

Procedures for operating the rescue boat are described in a separate document “Rescue Procedures for Hunts Sailing Club”, July 2002. This is available from the Hunts SC website, and in the Clubhouse.

4.2 Fire in Clubhouse

· Raise the alarm.

· Evacuate the clubhouse by the nearest route(s).

· Last out close the door(s).

· The most senior officer or committee member ashore should establish that all rooms in the clubhouse are empty, by direct observation or by receiving reports from others.

· Call the fire brigade by a 999 telephone call. If the fire is small, it may be possible to attack it using the portable fire extinguishers provided.

4.3 Fire in boat/fuel store

· Raise the alarm.

· Evacuate both boat stores and clear everyone at least 10m from the building.

· Call the fire brigade by a 999 telephone call. If possible advise them of the estimated quantity of fuel present.

4.4 First Aid

· Two First Aid boxes are available which will be regularly inspected and restocked by the Safety Officer. These are situated :-

· (i). In the passage between the Bar and Galley,

(ii). In the left hand boat shed

· A list of those with First Aid qualifications will be published and maintained by the Safety Officer. A copy of this list will be posted next to both of the First Aid boxes.

4.5 Major Accident

4.5.1 Afloat:-

It is the duty of all Club Members, whether cruising or racing, to render assistance to the best of their ability to other sailors in distress. Members must assess the situation and if necessary:-

· Immediately hail for assistance,

· Alert the rescue boat (if available),

· Alert the Principal Race Officer (if racing) who should if necessary abandon the racing in progress,

· Alert those ashore.

4.5.2 Ashore:-

· Alert the Duty Officer,

· Summon a First-Aider,

· Call the Ambulance by a 999 telephone call and advise them of the type/extent of the injury if known.

5.0 Chain of Command

Organized sailing:

Duty Officer

Senior flag officer

Race officer (for all racing and on-water operations)

Training:

Instructor in charge of course

Other instructors

Rescue officer

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