Safety Officers

To provide a reasonably safe and positive recreational experience for all participants, it is important to establish a program designed to prevent accidents and injuries before they happen. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that every club implement and practice the following safety guidelines.

Each club will one member, to be directed to the Rec Clubs Manager, who will oversee all safety-related issues pertaining to club practices, tournaments, competitions, or any other club-sponsored event. The safety officer will be the primary contact to the Rec Club Manager for communication of the information below, as well as have the following responsibilities:

• Familiarity with all risk management protocols and procedures

• Understand and complete necessary Accident/Injury or Incident Reports

• Implement and enforce all COVID-19 safety policies and procedures

• Use IMA First Aid Office when in proximity to IMA, or summon appropriate response personnel (EMT, Athletic Trainer, etc.) when away from IMA .

Injury/Accidents

All accidents or injuries sustained during a club activity should be reported. Safety Officer should submit an Injury Report Form within 24 hours of the occurrence.

UW Facilities - Indoors

• Report any accidents/injuries immediately to the IMA Front Desk and/or the First Aid Office. These staff members can provide First Aid/CPR assistance.

UW Facilities - Outdoors

• First Aid/CPR assistance can be summoned by going to the IMA Front Desk and/or the First Aid Office or by calling the Front Desk at 206-543-4590.

Summoning Medical Personal

• Safety Officers should summon the appropriate medical personal when needed by calling 911. Anytime 911 or additional medical personal are summoned Safety Officer need to notify the IMA Front Desk at 206-543-4590.

• When calling 911, the dispatcher may ask:

  • What is the situation, description of accident/injury

  • Location

  • Who needs help, age, gender, number of people

• Stay on the line until the dispatcher tells you to hang-up

Incidents

All incidents during club activity (practice, home or away events) should be reported. Safety Officer should submit an Incident Report Form within 24 hours of the occurrence. Examples of incidents which should be reported include but is not limited to:

• Theft

• Vehicle break-ins

• Personal or rental vehicle accidents

• Player ejections during competition

Report Forms

Injury and incident forms can be found on the Officer Forms and Resources webpage.

Risk Management Responsibilities

Club officers, club members, volunteer coaches and instructors must emphasize safety during all club related activities.

Club officers should develop and practice safety guidelines relevant to their sport.

Inspect fields, facilities and equipment prior to every practice session, league game, and special event.

Report unsafe conditions to the IMA Front Desk (IMA Member Services or call 206-543-4590) immediately. Do not use facilities, or equipment if they are unsafe.

COVID-19 Safety Responsibilities

Enforce and implement COVID-19 safety guidelines required by the Rec Clubs Program and your National Governing Body.

Implement a plan for how proof of vaccination or negative test result check will take place. Info non-uw members or groups participating in the event how the check will be completed.

Perform proof of vaccination or negative test results check at all in-person hosted events that include non-uw members.

Inform non-uw members or non-uw groups of this policy in advance.

Verify proof of vaccination of all volunteers. Deadline for volunteers to be vaccinated is October 18. Unvaccinated volunteers should not be approved to volunteer.

Do NOT collect any documentation or records for proof of vaccination.

Create club equipment sanitation plan. Purchase necessary sanitation materials.

First Aid/CPR Certification

It is recommended that Safety Officers are First Aid/CPR Certified. First Aid/CPR Classes are offered quarterly at the IMA, and the Rec Clubs Manager can arrange for training for Safety Officer.

A Safety Officer should be at every in-person activity. Clubs are more than welcome to have multiple safety officers should they choose to.

Clubs are encourage to purchase their own first aid kits to have available at all club activities. The Rec Clubs Office has first aid kits to check out on a limited basis.

Insurance Requirements

Some Rec Clubs are required to obtain accident/medical and liability insurance through their National Governing Body and/or National Association as appropriate for their organization and members. The follow list of clubs are required to obtain insurance. Should you have questions on how to purchase insurance, reach out to the Rec Clubs Manager. If you have already purchase insurance for you club for the academic year, email the Rec Clubs Manager a copy to keep on file.

• Boxing

• Kayak

• Rowing

• Rugby - Men's & Women's

• Sailing

• Ski - Alpine

• Triathlon

• Wrestling

Physical Exam

It is strongly recommended that all members of clubs have a physical exam prior to participation in club activities. The University Hall Health Center can provide this service for a fee.

Participant Insurance

UW Recreation does not provide accident/medical coverage for participants. It is recommended that participants obtain their own personal coverage. Students may obtain additional information on student accident/sickness insurance by contacting:

Student Insurance Office

Room 459 Schmitz Hall

206-543-6202

stdins@uw.edu

Concussions

UW Concussion Management Protocol Concussions and other brain injuries can be serious and potentially life threatening injuries in sports. Research indicates that these injuries can also have serious consequences later in life if not managed properly. In an effort to combat this injury the following concussion management protocol will be used for UW Sport Club athletes suspected of sustaining a concussion.

A concussion occurs when there is a direct or indirect insult to the brain. As a result, transient impairment of mental functions such as memory, balance/equilibrium, vision may occur. It is important to recognize that many sport-related concussions do not result in loss of consciousness and, therefore, all suspected head injuries should be taken seriously. Coaches and fellow teammates can be helpful in identifying those who may potentially have a concussion, because a concussed participant may not be aware of their condition or potentially be trying to hide the injury to stay in the game or practice.

When a participant shows signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion, the athlete shall be removed from practice or competition and evaluated by a trainer, first aid attendant or doctor. No athlete should return to play the same day where concussion is suspected. Because symptoms of concussion can often be delayed, athletes should be closely monitored on the sideline for deterioration.

If a Rec Club athlete sustains a concussion when participating in UW hosted event:

• Initial evaluation done by a trainer or first aid attendant. Students will be referred 911/Doctor if the following signs are present:

  • deterioration of neurologic function

  • loss of level of consciousness

  • decreased respirations or irregular respirations

  • decreased or irregular pulse

  • unequal, dilated, or non-reactive pupils

  • mental status changes, lethargy, difficulty maintaining arousal, confusion, or agitation

  • seizure activity

  • cranial nerve deficits

  • vomiting

Any student thought to have a concussion shall not return to activity for the remainder of that day. Injury form should also be submitted to the Rec Clubs Manager within 24 hours, as well as follow up in person.

• Injury forms reviewed daily by the Rec Clubs Manager; if concussion is suspected on injury/accident form, The Rec Clubs Manager will be responsible for contacting club member via email or phone to check on their condition. If club member is found to be exhibiting delayed signs and symptoms of a concussion such as: signs and symptoms persist beyond 24 hours, post-concussion symptoms interfere with activities of daily living or reporting of repeated concussions, Rec Club Manager will advise the club member to seek further medical treatment and require a doctor’s note before being allowed to continue play in any future activity.