Emergencies, safety and Injury

Under no circumstances should unnecessary risks be taken

• Fire emergency
• Injury or medical emergency
• Unauthorised persons
• Hostage situation
• Missing child
• Equipment safety
• Security

DGC is committed to the planning and training of all members in emergency management, ensuring that all reasonable steps are taken to maintain the safety and welfare of member at all times.

In demonstrating managements "Duty of Care", we will make every reasonable effort to provide a working environment that minimises incidents of risk or personal injury, ill health or damage to property. This includes:

• establishing emergency and evacuation plans
• providing emergency facilities
• informing those affected about actions for protecting themselves

Coaches will have the responsibility of ensuring they are familiar with all emergency procedures.

Fire and evacuation drills should be conducted randomly and regularly. DGC will ensure that "hands on" drills and in-service training further support their staff. The Head Coach will be responsible for ensuring an emergency evacuation drill is undertaken at least twice a year.

Fire emergency

In the event of a fire:

• stop all activity and remain quiet
• the most senior coach present will assume the role of the Fire Warden and delegate someone to:
  • check toilets, storeroom and office
  • telephone the emergency services stating name and position, telephone contact number, location, emergency type, casualties and/or unaccounted people, assistance required and known hazards
• if evacuation is necessary, proceed as directed to the nearest and safest exit
• if the fire is small, the Fire Warden may extinguish it with a fire extinguisher or building fire hose, ensuring the correct extinguisher for the type of fire is used. If you are not sure, check the label of the extinguisher.
• if the fire is large, very smoky or rapidly spreading, evacuate the building immediately, activating the nearest fire alarm to warn other occupants
• assess the situation and decide on the safest exit, taking the roll book
• move members quickly in an orderly manner to the designated assembly area outside the building, closing the door behind you
• seat members and call roll. Report any missing person to the Fire Warden
• do not re-enter the building until directed by the Emergency Services
• attend to those in need of first aid

Injury or medical emergency

In the event of an injury occurring whilst attending gymnastics:

• Stop all training at the place of injury
• Ensure the rest of the class is safe (ie. do not leave them unsupervised)
• The most senior qualified first aid personnel must attend the injured person and assess the nature of the injury and give directions regarding necessary treatment
• If the injury is not serious, administer first aid and inform the parents at the conclusion of the class. The first aider must wear gloves and follow current first aid procedures
• If the person is seriously injured, do not move them unless there is a life-threatening danger (eg. falling debris, fire, explosion)
• Stay with the injured and make them as calm and comfortable as possible
• A response person should be requested to contact the parents and inform them of the situation, ensuring not to alarm them unnecessarily. If the parents cannot be contacted, the coach has the discretionary right to call an ambulance stating
  • the nature of the injury
  • address and phone number where calling from
• An accident report must be completed and submitted to the Head Coach within 24 hours of the accident, regardless of the severity of the injury.
• The report must be recorded in the "Accident Report Book"
• Any questions relating to accident reports should be directed to the Head Coach
• When cleaning up the scene of the injury, wear rubber gloves, thoroughly clean all areas contaminated by blood, using hot water and disinfectant.Wipe all areas with chlorine bleach. Place any blood contaminated items (including cleaning and first aid supplies ) into a plastic bag and seal it. Label bag "contaminated by blood" and take to Royal Darwin Hospital for disposal. DO NOT PLACE IN THE GARBAGE.

Unauthorised persons

In the event of an unauthorised person attempting to remove a child from the club premises:

• remain calm
• call other staff to remove the child from the immediate area of the unauthorised person
• do not attempt to apprehend or interfere with the unauthorised person, except in the case of self protection
• if possible, get a good description of the person. Note height, weight, sex, ethnicity, approximate age, clothing, method and direction of travel and name if known.
• if a vehicle is involved, note the licence number, make, model, colour and any other outstanding features of the vehicle
• telephone the police and the parent or guardian
• full report is to be written and forwarded to the Management Committee within 24 hours of the incident

Hostage situation

In the event of the Club being under siege:

• remain calm
• remain with the children at all times
• protect the children from possible dangers
• do not aggravate the perpetrator
• alert emergency services if the opportunity arises and it is SAFE to do so
• evacuate children and staff only when it is safe to do so
• when emergency is over, contact all parents immediately
• full report is to be written and forwarded to the Management Committee within 24 hours of the incident

Missing child

In the event of a child is missing from the club:

• ensure the rest of the class is safe (ie. do not leave them unsupervised)
• re-check immediate areas, including all inside, outside and adjoining areas
• telephone child's parent/guardian
• telephone police and provide:
  • child's name
  • address
  • time noticed missing
  • detailed description

Equipment safety

The Head Coach will check all equipment as required, to ensure its safety.

Security

DGC aspires to providing a secure environment for gymnasts, parents and staff.

Gymnasts are encouraged to hire a locker from the Club for $5/term for the secure storage of clothing and equipment during and between training sessions. Staff are provided with a locker for storage of personal items.

All staff members are required to complete a police check prior to commencing employment.