Updated – COVID-19 Return to Football Plan and Risk Assessment

Image Rotator Safeguarding

COVID-19 Return to Football Plan and Risk Assessment

 

Assessment ID COVID19 football Revision Number 2021 V3
Date of Assessment 11/04/2021
Description of the risk assessment In line with the FA Covid-19 guidance document “Covid-19 guidance on re-starting outdoor competitive grassroots football” The Beeches 1954 has created this risk assessment / plan to enable the return of football. This football risk assessment / plan should be read in conjunction with the clubs main Covid-19 RA – “COVID-19 managing risk whilst open and trading version 1, 1.1. and 2. The RA is in 3 distinct parts pre football, during football and after football. NB This update is prior to football returning w/c 12/04/2021 and part 1 of the RA is complete. The RA outlines the FA guidelines and then sets out the actions / controls that we will or have put in place. For most part 2 and 3 controls remain the same. There are a few small amendments relating to the FA stopping supporters attending.
Reference No of Linked Assessments COVID-19 MAIN
Lead Assessor Chris Dudley.
Assessors signature  
Others involved in the assessment Leon Murray, Neil Arnold, Daniel Murray and Dave King (football coach).
Club Representative  
CR Signature  
Date for review Periodically during the pandemic and post pandemic to ensure new guidelines as issued by the government and the FA are adopted. NB this is a working document

 

 

BEFORE any football activity takes place:

 

Who Topic Required Action Actionee Target

Date

 Completed

By
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beeches 1954

 General ·       Club management and football administrators should read and understand the relevant FA and Government guidance documents regarding Covid-19. These include – ‘Providers of outdoor football facilities, including clubs’ and ‘Covid-19 guidance on restarting outdoor competitive grassroots football’.  

Chris Dudley / Leon Murray

  

 

01/08/2020

  

 

CD / LM 30/07/2020

 
·       Clubs / teams should ensure they are affiliated to the local County FA for the 2020/21 season ahead of any match play.

Tividale FC is affiliated to Birmingham FA as W-BIR7488

 Leon Murray

 

 

  

01/08/2020

 Leon Murray

28/06/2020
·       All clubs must identify a Covid-19 officer who will be responsible for developing a Covid-19 plan and risk assessment prior to the restart of any activity. The Covid-19 officer should continually monitor how compliance is being observed within the club. The Covid-19 officer should consider establishing a Covid-19 group to be responsible for producing and implementing the Covid-19 risk assessment and to oversee the safe return to play.

·       This is Christopher Dudley

  

 

 

 

Committee

  

 

 

 

01/08/2020

  

 

 

 

01/07/2020
·       Clubs should also check the insurance policies they have in relation to all football activities (e.g. personal accident and public liability), specifically any changes to insurance provider’s advice and guidance on returning to competitive play, ensuring full compliance with its terms.

We have checked with the FA and we are allowed to play football. (LM)

  

 

Dan Murray

  

 

01/08/2020

  

 

07/08/2020
·       The Covid-19 officer at each club will be responsible for clearly communicating all relevant guidance to its players, coaches and volunteers.  

Chris Dudley

  

Ongoing

  

30/07/2020 and ongoing
Arrival at venues Clubs/facilities should consider further mitigations to ensure safe arrival at venues, including:

• In line with current Government guidance, all participants (players, coaches, club and match officials, volunteers, spectators etc.) should check for symptoms of Covid-19. If an individual is symptomatic and/or living in a household with a possible Covid-19 infection they should remain at home and follow Government guidance. In addition, any participants who have been asked to isolate by NHS Test and Trace because they are a contact of a known Covid-19 case, must not exercise outside their home or garden and must not exercise with others;

A self assessment form has been created and advice has been issued relating to checking, self isolation and test and trace.

 

  

 

 

 

 

Committee

  

 

 

 

 

01/08/2020

  

 

 

 

Chris Dudley

26/07/2020
• Clear signage (e.g. for one-way systems) to manage entry, parking arrangements, traffic flow and general movement around the venue which ensure social distancing can be maintained.

We have created a guidance document that is sent to opponents prior to games explaining our matchday procedures. This explains meet and greet, restrictions re COVID-19 re changing rooms etc.

 

 

  

Committee

  

01/09/2020

  

Leon Murray

30/08/2020
 

Changing rooms and showers

 Use of changing and shower facilities must follow Government advice on the use of indoor facilities when available.

If these facilities remain closed, exceptions may be made where safety and safeguarding measures require their use. For example, to supporting players with disabilities, or when a child needs a change of clothing etc.

Changing rooms will only be available for storing player change of footwear etc. Toilet facilities for players and football staff will be allowed. Access will be governed by the football management. Note: this may change depending on future Government guidance.

 

  

 

 

Covid-19 officer

  

 

 

01/09/2020

  

 

 

Chris Dudley

27/07/2020

Updated

01/09/2020
Toilets Toilets should be open pre-match or training, during the match or training and for 30 minutes afterwards.

See also main RA for actions taken re toilets. Changing room toilets will be open with access limited to players / match officials as requested. Cleaning will conform to existing RA.

 

Covid-19 officer

  

01/09/2020

  

Chris Dudley

27/07/2020
  NHS test and trace Clubs and facility providers must support NHS test and trace efforts by collecting name and contact information on participants at both training and matches. This information should be stored for a minimum of 21 days in-line with the Government Recreational Team Sport Framework and collected/processed in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and in line with GDPR principles. It should be used only for the purpose of NHS test and trace.

All teams have been informed of this and managers will identify all participants at football training / matches. We also have a full list of player signings plus management personnel details. Supporters are requested to scan in as they enter or write details at gate. We will keep details only as long as GDPR and Data Protection Act law requires.

 

  

 

Committee

  

 

01/09/2020

  

 

29/07/2020

And ongoing
 

Everyone

(i.e. players, coaches, match officials, league officials, volunteers, parents/ carers, spectators, clubs and football facility providers)

  

Covid-19 self assessment

 

 All players, officials, volunteers and spectators must undergo a self-assessment for any Covid-19- symptoms. No-one should leave home to participate in football if they, or someone they live with, has any of the following:

• A high temperature (above 37.8°C);

• A new, continuous cough;

• A loss of, or change to, their sense of smell or taste.

 

Players and officials have been advised to self assess before travelling to the club or the “away” venue. The club has created a crib form to advise players and officials of the symptoms.

 

 

 

 

Committee

  

 

 

 

01/08/2020

  

 

 

Chris Dudley

25/07/2020
 

Everyone

(i.e. players, coaches, match officials, league officials, volunteers, parents/ carers, spectators, clubs and football facility providers)

  

Travel to training and matches

 All participants and other attendees should follow best practice for travel, including minimising use of public transport. Participants should walk or cycle if possible. People from a household or support bubble can travel together in a vehicle.

TFC players, officials and supporters should travel separately to matches and training wherever possible. The guidance outlined by the FA will be adhered to where this is not possible.

  

Football Committee / Covid-19 officer

  

 

 

01/08/2020

  

 

 

29/07/2020

Also  to be monitored
PLAYERS, MATCH OFFICIALS AND COACHES Changing, showering and use of toilets • Where possible, players, match officials and coaches must arrive changed and shower at home;

• Toilets should be open pre-match, during the match and for 30 minutes afterwards.

In line with the FA and Government guidance players, match officials and coaches have been advised to change at home.

See also main RA for actions taken re toilets. Changing room toilets will be open with access limited to players / match officials as requested. Cleaning will conform to existing main RA

 

  

 

 

Covid-19 officer

  

 

 

01/09/2020

  

 

Chris Dudley

27/07/2020

 

DURING all football activity:

 

Who Topic Required Action Actionee Target

Date

 Completed

By
 

EVERYONE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Social distancing in training

 ·       Competitive training is limited to 30 persons including coaches at the moment given current guidelines.

·       2m (or 1m+) distancing is practised wherever possible during training “sets” and particularly during breaks.

  

Coaches

  

01/08/2020

  

29/07/2020

 

 
Social distancing around matches Competitive match play is now permitted, however, in all settings before and after matches all participants should practise social distancing.  

N/A

 

  

N/A

 

  

N/A
 

 

 

EVERYONE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EVERYONE

 

 

 

  

Other Covid-19 modifications – in matches (and training where applicable)

 This point is instruction from the FA that should be followed

• Pre-match handshake should not happen. Instead players will be asked to hand-sanitise before kick-off;

• Team talk huddles should not take place. Team talks can take place, as long as social distancing is observed and held outdoors where possible;

• Warm-ups/cool-downs should always observe social distancing;

• Coaches, other team staff and substitutes are allowed, but must also always observe social distancing on touchlines/dug-outs. Social-distancing must also be observed during interactions when a substitution is being made;

• Match preparation meetings by officials should be held by video call;

• Set plays – free kicks: referees and coaches should encourage players to get on with the game and not unnecessarily prolong set play set-up, such as defensive walls;

• Set plays – corners should also be taken promptly to limit prolonged close marking and goal posts should be wiped down before matches , after matches and at half time.

• Goal celebrations should be avoided;

• Interactions with referees and match assistants should only happen with players observing social distancing;

• Small-sided football should be modified to provide more regular hygiene breaks in activity. Players should be discouraged from touching boards at any time, with tackling against boards discouraged. Referees should consider stopping play when this happens.

• Youth football coaches are encouraged to limit persistent close proximity of participants during match play (where young participants may be more likely to cluster around the ball) and provide regular hygiene breaks in activity.

All guidance from the FA (as above) has been extracted and condensed into an information sheet. The sheet will be used as a discussion document for Committee and football officials. It will also be made available to players. This was discussed at meetings with players and football management. Each team has been given copies and management will ensure compliance and monitor.

      
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Covid-19 officer & Committee

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

01/08/2020

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

29/07/2020

And to be

monitored

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Social distancing during breaks (e.g. halftime) All participants must remain socially distanced during breaks in play, with spaced areas for equipment and refreshment storage for each individual including officials and substitutes. Coaching staff and substitutes, should, for example, spread out and avoid sharing a dug out or bench if social distancing cannot be observed. Players and officials should also observe social distancing during sin-bin instances.

 

Water bottles or other refreshment containers should in no circumstances be shared. Participants are advised to bring their own drinks or refreshments, in a named container.

 

After activity participants must maintain government mandated social distancing for social interaction. This includes in any available changing rooms, showers, and any clubhouse facilities or other venue participants congregate in afterwards.

 

Any payments relating to the fixture (match fees, referee fees or facility fees) should where possible, be made in a cashless manner. The FA Matchday app allows affiliated teams using Full-Time to receive cashless payments from their players.

 

Again information points will be extracted and made available to players and officials.

See above for shower and toilet actions. Clubhouse activities are covered in the COVID-19 MAIN risk assessment.

Our preference is to pay electronically depending upon the wishes of the officials.

  

 

 

 

 

Covid-19 officer, football director

 

  

 

 

 

 

01/08/2020

  

 

 

 

Chris Dudley / Leon Murray

29/07/2020
Use of equipment The sharing of equipment must be avoided where possible. Where equipment is shared, equipment must be cleaned before use by another person.

Participants should take their kit home to wash it themselves, rather than have one person handling a large quantity of soiled materials. Where kit absolutely has to be shared or kept together (e.g. last-minute stand-in players, shortage of kit, or an essential club function),

person handling it must wash or sanitise their hands immediately after and appropriate cleaning arrangements for the kit must be made.

Players have been advised that they should turn up ready to play however, kit availability may be an issue for all players given numbers involved. If we have to wash kit ourselves then we are aware of the sanitisation actions we have to take.

 

 

  

 

 

 

Football committee

  

 

 

 

01/09/2020

  
 

Ball transfer

 The nature of football means that the ball is not frequently handled. When the ball goes out of play it should not be retrieved by non-participants and should be retrieved using the feet rather than the hands where possible. Where there are breaks in the game, or training, if throw-ins or handling has occurred the ball should be disinfected.

We will allocate a volunteer to recover footballs from around the ground. When this occurs a “new” disinfected ball will be introduced. Recovered balls will be disinfected ready for reintroduction later. Disinfectant and hand sanitisation will be available by the dugout area.

  

 

 

Football committee

  

 

 

01/09/2020

  

 

 

 
Shouting There is an additional risk of infection in close proximity situations where people are shouting or conversing loudly. This particularly applies indoors (e.g. inside clubhouses) and when face to face. If possible, players should therefore avoid shouting or raising their voices when facing each other during, before and after games. This is included within The FA’s Code of Behaviour.

Players and officials are aware of the risks caused by shouting and have been advised as above however during football play communication is necessary so players should be aware of the face to face restrictions and consequences. Match officials are critical in guiding and controlling this during the game.

  

Football officials and match officials

 

  

 

01/09/2020

  

LM / CD / DK

30/07/2020
  Spitting Everyone should refrain from spitting. If you need to sneeze or cough, you are encouraged to do so into a tissue or upper sleeve and advised to avoid touching your face. Ensure any tissues are disposed of in a sealed bin as soon as possible.

The FA have issued guidance to referees and players / officials may be booked / sent off if not adhered to.

  

Advisory only

  

N/A

  

29/07/2020
 

Clubs

  

Code of Behaviour

 

 In Appendix 1 you will find the Code of Behaviour The FA has produced to ensure a commitment for all involved to adhere to Covid-19 adaptations. The Covid-19 officer for each club will be responsible for communicating the code of behaviour to all players, coaches and volunteers within the club. Participants must be clear that they are opting in to participating as defined in The FA’s guidance about risk and risk mitigation.

This has been reproduced and made available to all players. A copy is also filed in the clubs documents.

 

 

 

 

Covid-19 officer

 

  

 

 

 

01/08/2020

  

 

 

Chris Dudley

25/07/2020
 

Medics

  

Treatment of injuries

 The FA has produced a detailed First Aid Guidance document for First Aid.

Injuries during play should still be treated as participant health and safety is of utmost importance. In all cases but particularly where medical treatment is needed, the best form of protection is through rigorous cleaning, personal hygiene and regular hand hygiene.

PPE should be worn when treating players.

Items used in treatment should be disinfected as soon as possible.

  

 

Football Committee / Covid-19 officer / physio

  

 

 

01/09/2020

  

 

 

29/07/2020

 
MATCH OFFICIALS Social distancing Match officials should observe The FA’s guidance in the same way as participants are required to.

There is a pre match meeting between officials and COVID-19 officer (or representative) prior to the match to discuss matchday requirements on the day.

  

Match officials

   

N/A

  

N/A
NEW POINT

Supporters during matches

 

 Social distancing The FA has stated that supporters are NOT allowed at this stage of the pandemic for adult teams. Youth football are allowed to have a parent / guardian present.

Supporters are required to sign in for test and trace requirements. This will be done by scan or by leaving details at the gate on entry if supporter doesn’t have a phone. Parents should use the left hand stand. Social distancing guidelines exist (2m or 1m plus PPE) and we have been instructed by the FA to monitor this and use the PA system to control this if we observe any persons not observing the rules.

  

 

The Beeches Football

officials

  

 

31/03/2021

  

 

12/04/2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

AFTER all football activity

 

Who Topic Required Action Actionee Target

Date

 Completed

By
 

 

PLAYERS, MATCH OFFICIALS AND COACHES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

Hygiene

 Hands should be washed at the earliest opportunity and personal equipment should be wiped down with a disinfectant.

Individuals should take their own kit home to wash it themselves, rather than have one person handling a large quantity of soiled materials. Where kit absolutely has to be shared or kept together (e.g. last-minute stand-in players, shortage of kit, or an essential club function), each person handling it must wash or sanitise their hands immediately after and appropriate cleaning arrangements for the kit must be made.

Coaches are encouraged to maintain a record of the regular cleaning of club or team equipment that players use, and review the risk assessments you undertake in between sessions, learning from any changes you need to apply

After a match all participants will be advised to handwash and sanitise personal equipment.

Players, match officials and coaches are welcome to use the clubs bar area but should adhere to the clubs COVID-19 MAIN risk assessment and the changes already in use.

Players should not use the changing areas or showers unless absolutely necessary and in isolation.

Players are asked to wash their own kit if possible.

 

  

 

Covid-19 officer Chris Dudley / Leon Murray / coaches

 

  

 

01/08/2020

  

 

 

 
 

EVERYONE

  

Social distancing

 After training sessions and/or matches, participants must maintain government mandated social distancing for social interaction. This includes in any available changing rooms, showers, and any clubhouse facilities or other venue that participants may congregate in afterwards.

Bars and restaurants, which includes any food or drink facilities inside a clubhouse, have been able to open since 4 July, in accordance with the latest Government guidance.

Guests are welcome to use the club but must adhere to the clubs COVID-19 MAIN risk assessment and the changes we have made to ensure patrons, staff ad members remain as safe as possible.

  

 

Covid-19 officer / football committee

  

 

01/08/2020

  

CD / Directors / LM

23/06/2020

09/07/2020

 
 

 

  

Departing

  

Please depart the building following the flow system and   maintaining social distancing.

  

N/A

  

N/A

  

N/A

 

Hazards:

 

  • Spreading COVID-19 amongst players, officials, staff, members and supporters

By having no additional controls in place then the risks of someone bringing in the disease and spread of the disease is possible.

 

  • Spreading COVID-19 to the wider public community

By having no controls in place this will allow COVID-19 to enter the premises and not be controlled to employees but will spread around the local community and possibly further. This uncontrolled hazard will potentially lead to civil and criminal investigation, claims and prosecutions.

 

Key to risk

Risk values

The risk value is the severity x the probability

 

1 2 3 4 5
1 1 2 3 4 5
2 2 4 6 8 10
3 3 6 9 12 15
4 4 8 12 16 20
5 5 10 15 20 25

 

Key:

Acceptable risk
Risk acceptable with adequate control measures
Unacceptable risk

 

 

Without controls the risk rating is perceived to be significantly high with the severity rating of 5 and the likelihood rating of 5 giving an overall risk rating of 25.

 

This document takes the points outlined by the FA and shows the controls and actions that we can take to help reduce the risk of spreading Covid-19. The document outlines discussion points and actions and names a person or persons responsible for overseeing the progress of these actions to a given target date. There is also space to close and sign the action as complete.

 

NB The controls rely significantly on persons following the controls and acting accordingly. Persons known to be at risk, “shielding” or worried in any way should avoid coming to training and / or matches.

 

We have reviewed the document (05/09/2020) following pre-season friendlies, training and further advice and guidance from the FA and league. We have added a risk relating to supporters as they will be allowed with restrictions and amended some risks given the experiences gained during friendlies.  

 

 

Given the existing controls that have been put in place plus additional updates gained from friendlies plus the extra guidance from the FA and league we are now more confident that the overall risk is adequately reduced. Unfortunately, the severity rating remains at 5 (we are unable to control this while the pandemic remains), however we believe the likelihood is reduced to 3 or even 2? This gives a final overall risk rating of between 10 – 15. Although this still shows on the scale as between unacceptable to acceptable with controls in place we have to view it in line with what is happening nationally as death rates significantly reduce as do the new cases. This will all help to reduce the severity rating which in turn will significantly reduce the overall risk rating.

 

Conclusion:

 

This risk assessment is designed to identify and apply controls to reduce the risk of the spread of COVID-19 whilst preparing for and competing in grassroots football. The assessment shows that we have applied numerous controls to help adequately safeguard everyone involved in local football as well as our members, staff and vulnerable people. We are confident that with the completion of these actions and following the advice of the FA we are as safe as we can be to start football with limited support at The Beeches.

 

The Beeches 1954 takes these responsibilities very seriously and risk assessment is part of the H&S process adopted which includes monthly Committee meetings, staff meetings which all help to identify and remedy new and changing risk.