Here at Ringwood Little Athletics (RLAC) we strive to create a safe and enjoyable environment for our athletes and their families. Most safety precautions involve little more than common sense. To achieve a safe little athletics environment we need co-operation from our officials, volunteers, athletes and spectators.
General Safety around RLAC
To provide the safest environment for our athletes, officials, volunteers, and spectators we encourage everyone to be aware of the events in progress (a discus, shot put or javelin may be thrown further or wider than expected). When crossing the track please be aware of the athletes competing in track events. No one is to walk across the centre of the athletics field. Walk around the inside edge of the track or across the front of the high jump towards the throws cages.
During competition we encourage spectators, families and non-competing athletes to remain behind the fence along the front straight. If spectators wish to view the athletes competing on the back straight, throws or high jump please walk around the outer edge of the track.
We wish to discourage athletes from playing behind the stadiums and near the toilets. This is So so athletes can hear announcements for their events and can be supervised by responsible adults.
No one is permitted to slide down the grass embankment. This is to reduce chance of personal injury and to avoid interruption or distraction to athletes competing on the track.
We encourage our members to adopt appropriate health and safety guidelines when handling heavy equipment and working in the canteen or BBQ. Such as bending knees when lifting. Be aware of hot surfaces and electrical equipment. Do not erect or dismantle tents/marquees single-handed. Use trolleys or work in pairs when carrying heavy equipment.
Unacceptable Behaviour
A member of RLAC Committee will speak to an athlete or parent who displays unacceptable or unsporting behaviour. If the offence is of a serious nature it will be brought to the Centre Executive Committee’s attention for decision. Please refer to the Code of Conduct for a definition of unacceptable behaviour.
Asthma
One in five children is affected by asthma. Many will find that exercise may sometimes serve as a trigger for their condition. It is for this reason that parents, officials and coaches at Centre level must be able to recognise and adequately respond to an attack. Exercise-induced asthma typically occurs in running events of 400m or greater. If exercise induced asthma occurs during coaching or competition:
a. The athlete should immediately stop the activity and be helped to rest.
b. They should be assisted to have 4 puffs, one at a time of their prescribed “reliever” medication (puffer spray) as soon as possible. Athlete takes 4 breaths after each puff.
c. If no improvement has occurred after 4 minutes, they should repeat this dose and an ambulance should be called.
d. The athlete should be assisted to take four puffs every four minutes until an ambulance arrives.
e. If the athlete’s condition improves, they should be kept at rest until their skin colour returns to normal. The parents/guardians should be informed of the attack and a medical check with a doctor advised.
Avoidance of exercise-induced asthma can be through the use of a “preventer”.
(This section on Asthma is taken from Little Athletics Australia website)
Blood Guidelines
a. It is the responsibility of all athletes to maintain strict personal hygiene by covering any cuts or abrasions with an impermeable waterproof dressing.
b. Open cuts and abrasions occurring during an athletic event or athletic training must be reported and treated immediately.
c. Athletes should avoid unnecessary contact with the blood of other athletes.
d. Any athlete with an infectious disease should discuss the potential hazards of participation with a doctor. Chronic carriers of a blood borne disease should also seek medical clearance and advice.
e. An athlete who has an open or bleeding wound (including blood nose), must leave the event at which they are competing until the bleeding is controlled and the wound is covered or dressed.
f. When bleeding cannot be controlled, the athlete must not be permitted to return to the event.
The safe handling of all blood spills must be brought to the attention of all Little Athletics parents and officials.
(This section on Blood Guidelines is taken from Little Athletics Australia website)
In the event of an injury please report to the First Aid Officer located between the Ann Fraser and Peter Oliver stands.