Health and Safety

Top Ten Risks: Preventing Accidents

In an effort to eliminate or reduce risks, which could cause severe injury or fatality, with the
input of our members, the committee highlights the following risks at our tennis club.
Please read carefully. If you can identify other risks which are not listed, then please get in
touch with Suzie Bowman at info@downshiretennis.co.uk. Please remember all accidents are preventable and a small amount of time and focus will reduce harm to yourself, to other club members and visitors.

1) Vehicle movement and Interface with People

Drivers please take care when driving or reversing in the car park area or entering or leaving park street or OCR sites.

Use hitting wall on the left hand side of the clubhouse as using the hitting wall on the right
hand side is an ongoing risk from vehicle movements.

Ensure children stay away from moving vehicles and drivers watch out for children.

Entering or leaving OCR site can involve a significant hazard from speeding vehicles on Old
Coach Road.

2) Fall from Heights

Do not climb on clubhouse railings, roof, fire escape or perimeter walls or fencing.

Do not lean over or climb on the balcony.

3) Slips/ Trips / Falls

Warm up stretches/ exercises can help prevent injuries.

Wear the correct footwear to minimise the risk of slipping and falling.

Take care not to play in icy conditions.

Take care not to slip on wooden slats situated on the floor of changing rooms.

Remove spare balls from courts to avoid trips.

4) Fencing/ Posts/ Wall

Avoid running into fencing/ net/ light posts and wall (especially on court 1 at Park street.)

5) Cuts/ Eye Injury

Take care when opening ball tins – razor sharp edges and put steel lids in the bin.

Take care when hitting balls back to sever also balls should not be aimed at people – risk of
eye injury.

6) Maintenance/ Building repair/ Dome

Take care on all occasions-in dome in particular- in stormy conditions.

7) Machinery

Avoid going within range of mechanical rake/ tractor or any other equipment.

8) Electrocution

Stay away from all electrical equipment, unless trained in its use.

9) Poisoning and Disease

Ensure all hazardous substances are locked in store.

10) Fire

Ensure fire doors/ escape are always free and easily accessible.