Employer responsibilities
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To provide for the health, safety and welfare if all of their employees or those who work for them.
- To provide a written health and safety policy.
- To ensure the safety of customers and participants who visit their premises
Employee responsibilities
- To abide by the facility rules and regulations at all times
- To ensure that by their own actions they do not endanger and other staff or participants
Manual handling operations regulations 1992
Working within the sports industry can sometimes mean you have to do a lot of carrying of equipment and supplies ect. The manual handling operations regulations 1992 act says that any staff who participates in such work must have appropriate training to ensure safe practice at all times and prevent any injuries from occurring.
Personal protective equipment at work regulations 1992
This act requires all employers to provide the necessary protective clothing or equipment to all employees; these include hard hats, gloves and any other needed equipment. Sports participants can also be forced to wear protective equipment due to laws set down to reduce risk of harm to life or simply injury.
COSHH 2002
Due to this regulation, employers must ensure that anyone who uses chemicals or substances that could cause harm to others is aware of the safe practices relating to the handling, use and storage. In leisure centers a wide range of harmful toxic substances are used to maintain swimming pools Jacuzzi’s ECT. Therefore it is important that the chemicals are stored correctly and all staff is trained regularly on the safe practices involved with using these chemicals. It is the employer’s job to provide these members of staff with the correct equipment for using these chemicals (gloves and overalls).
Health and safety (first aid) regulations 1981
Accidents happen regardless of and regulations set down, therefore it is important to be prepared as they can happen when we least expect them. The key behind these regulations is to ensure that there is trained first aider within any company, organizations or leisure center and a fully stocked first aid kit available at all times. The qualified first aider whom provides any sort of treatment must record details of any accidents and must also record exactly what treatment was given.
Children act 1989
Within sports and leisure centers there are many activities which are aimed at children, for example half term coaching sessions. This act is to ensure the safe practices whilst working with children. This act is to protect children and states that anyone who works with them must;
- Obtain clearance from the police and criminal record bureau before he or she may work with children
- Be suitably qualified
- Be trained to recognise the signs of abuse
- Be trained in methods of dealing with abuse, and in reporting procedures and referrals.
The types and signs of illness related to sports participation
Asthma: this is a common illness which can e induced through exercise; it is a condition which affects the respiratory system by narrowing of the air passages. Due to the passages narrowing a performer can find it hard to breathe, and may start to wheeze and feel a sudden tightness in the chest.
Many different things can trigger an asthma attack, such things like pollen, animal hairs, exercise, peanuts, dust and other substances.
The signs of an asthma attack
- Tightening of the chest
- Recurrent breathlessness
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Coughing
Heart attack
Heart attacks can be caused through a sharp increase in stress mounted onto the heart for certain sports. It is characterised as a pain in the chest. Most heart attacks are due to a clot or blockage within the coronary artery; causing a lack of oxygen to that’s part of the heart causing it to become damaged or even die.
Signs of a heart attack
- Crushing feelings or tightened chest
- Pain n the neck, jaw or arms
- Breathlessness
- Sweating
- Rapid, weak or irregular pulse
- Nausea or shock
- Fall in blood pressure
Viral infections
Viral infections such as influenza, the common cold...ECT
Signs:
- High temperature or fever
- Sore throat
- Aching muscles and joints
- Headaches
- Shivering
Hypoglycaemia
Diabetes is a major disorder which affects a persons glucose and sugar levels. Within the pancreas the body creates insulin, this is a chemical used to lower the levels of glucose around the body however diabetes sufferers have the problem of insulin not being effective at all.
Signs of hypoglycaemia
- Fast and strong pulse
- Sweating
- Shaking
- Confusion
- Aggression
- Rapidly losing consciousness