Please find attached a copy of the L&M Health and Safety Policy. This document intends to set out what MUST be done by member groups of L&M and intern their members. As this will be a part of the constitution, and is already referred to in it, failure to comply to these policies will, in effect, mean that the person/group is breaking the rules of membership of L&M (the constitution) and could therefore be deemed by a court not to be covered by the insurance. For this reason I have made this document as general as possible, and have written it with the remit that everything we did last year was correct. As I said before, this document contains the MUSTS, the Health and Safety Guidelines, containing the SHOULDS / ADVICE, is also attached. These two documents are the separation of the Health and Safety Guidelines that we are currently operating, produced by the previous HSO, into the MUSTS and SHOULDS.
Steel Theatrical Props You will probably notice that the term weapon is not used in this document. This is a deliberate attempt to allow our weapons not to be classed as OFFENSIVE WEAPONS under the Prevention of Crime Act 1953, and as amended by the Criminal Justice Act 1988 and the Offensive Weapons Act 1996. The term Steel Theatrical Prop is not used to describe the materials the weapons are made of, merely to classify them for the purpose of this document. For example, as I was unsure as to how bows may be classed legally, in the context in which we use them, they too are referred to as steel theatrical props (strung) despite being made of wood. Guns, having a legal classification did not fall under this heading. Both this document and the guidelines are currently being updated. If you have any suggestions or comments please do not hesitate to contact me. Colin Dalton Health and Safety Officer
Livery and Maintenance Health and Safety Policy
1. Definitions
1.1. An event shall be considered to begin at 14.00 of the day before the first day of public display at that site and end at 18.00 on the final day of public display at that same site, unless otherwise specified by the organising group or Council.
1.2. The first “event day” of an event shall be considered to begin at the start of the event and end at 24.00 on the first day of public display, with each subsequent event day running for 24 hours from this time, or until the end of the event, whichever is sooner, unless otherwise specified by the organising group or Council.
1.3. The hours of public display shall be considered to be the period of time that the site is open to paying members of the public during the days that Livery and Maintenance (L&M) are contracted to provide services to the client. This information will be available to all member groups.
1.4. A “Steel Theatrical Prop (STP)” shall be defined as any reproduction arm, excluding those using Black Powder, that has been agreed for use by the organising group or Council.
1.5. A “combatant” shall be defined as any member aged over 16 years of age, of any member or guest group who participates in a combat display or combat demonstration.
2. Risk Assessments and Camp Layout
2.1. The organising group must do a risk assessment and a full site survey for every L&M event, at least 2 weeks prior to that event.
2.2. Details of steep banks, protruding rocks or walls and any other dangerous areas along with all access routes, egress routes, an emergency procedure for that event and any other relevant information gained from the site survey, must be available to all member groups, and therefore their members, and the insurance company.
2.3. The organising group must lay out campsites so that there is a minimal risk of transfer of fire from one tent to another, and so that emergency services can gain access to any part of the camp quickly, taking into account any physical constraints of the camping area.
2.4. All member and guest groups must send a representative to any meetings during an event where details of that event will be discussed. It is the responsibility of this representative to pass on information obtained from these meetings to the members of their group.
3. Fires, Fire Safety and Cooking
3.1. Fires must not be left unattended and accessible during the hours of public display.
3.2. Fires must be placed a safe distance from any tent or other structure.
3.3. Each fire must have a device in close proximity that is able to extinguish the fire.
3.4. Plastics, canisters, aerosols and batteries, or any other object that warns against it, must not be placed in or in the direct proximity to the fire.
3.5. Sharp utensils, including those used to cut wood, must not be left unattended and accessible during the hours of public display.
3.6. All persons using axes of any size to chop wood, must wear shoes, and ensure that they are not wearing any loose clothing that may get tangled in the axe. They must also ensure that there are no persons or obstacles around them
3.7. No food must be given to members of the public.
4. Membership
4.1. Every member group shall provide L&M with a membership list of that group, and ensure that all members of whatever age have paid membership be it as a family or single member.
4.2. L&M shall provide each member of each member group with a membership card that proves their membership to L&M and therefore that they are covered by the insurance obtained by L&M them for that year.
4.3. Every member group shall ensure that every member of that group provides them with information of any health condition that is relevant to the activities in which that member will participate.
5. Emergency Procedure
5.1. All member groups must provide L&M with a complete list of all those attending an event on each event day. This list should be handed to the Health and Safety Officer (HSO), or their deputy, as soon as feasibly possible.
5.2. In the case of an emergency, the emergency procedure established in conjunction with the clients for that event shall be followed. Each member shall report to their captain, who will intern report to the HSO or their deputy, ensuring all persons listed on the lists from 5.1 are accounted for.
5.3. The organising group must make available to all member groups a list of person(s) who are able to administer first aid at that event, and the location of emergency equipment.
5.4. All accidents shall be reported to the HSO or their deputy who shall record the accident. This record will be open to inspection by any member of any member group. The HSO and Council shall, when required, review this policy to minimise a reoccurrence of the accidents recorded.
6. Arenas and Stewarding
6.1. The arena(s) shall be considered to be the area(s) in which any combat display, combat demonstration or other dangerous activity takes place.
6.2. A double barrier of at least 6ft must surround all arenas and be erected by the organising group before the hours of public display begin.
6.3. Under certain circumstances the organising group may, with the agreement of the Council, the client and any other relevant party, allow an arena not to comply with 6.2 if the nature of the activity taking place in the arena, or the physical location of the arena itself, are such that a double barrier is not necessary, or, in the case of time of erection, it is not possible to do so.
6.4. Unless performing a recognised role and under the direct control of a nominated adult, no person under the age of 16 may enter the arena during combat displays and combat demonstrations.
6.5. No person under the age of 12 may enter an arena whilst a combat display is taking place.
6.6. No person may sit between the barriers.
6.7. Whilst a combat display or demonstration is taking place, no part STP or projectile may cross either barrier.
7. Combat Demonstration
7.1. A “combat demonstration” shall be considered to be any part of the event where STP’s are used in a context where majority of the display consists of choreographed use of the STP’s by the combatants.
7.2. All combatants must wear sufficient protection that the combatant feels is adequate for the combat demonstration in which they are participating.
8. Combat Displays
8.1. A “combat display” shall be considered to be any part of the event where STP’s are used in a context where majority of the display does not consist of choreographed use of the STP’s between the combatants.
8.2. All combatants who enter an arena where a combat display is taking place must wear the following: Sufficient layers on torso that the individual feels are adequate protection; A helmet that is not formed by spinning; Gloves; Footwear.
8.3. Any person who enters an area whilst projectiles are being shot must wear a helmet not formed by spinning.
9. Use of Steel Theatrical Props (STP’s)
9.1 All member and guest groups must ensure that all combatants within that group are trained to a standard that the group feels adequate in any STP that that combatant may use.
9.2. No STP must be left unattended and accessible to members of the public during the hours of public display.
9.3. STP’s must never be taken to a public house or other similar venue.
9.4. No person may use any STP if under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
9.5. The target area for all STP’s shall be the area between a horizontal line through the middle of the sternum and a line joining the ankles, excluding the genitalia, knees, wrist and hands. Blows must only be aimed at the target area.
9.6. All member and guest groups must ensure that all STP’s to be used by their members are checked for any damage to their construction, and that they conform to the relevant standards, prior to every use by their members.
9.7. Any person under the age of 18 years must have written parental or guardian consent in order to participate in any Combat display or demonstration. The member or guest group must make this available to the HSO or their deputy on request.
9.8. Edged STP’s
9.8.1. Edged STP’s that are carried during combat displays/demonstrations must have points and edge width that conform to the agreed standard, which will take on board sharpness of edges, weight, length and contact area. They should be clean, as free from rust as possible and free of burrs. 9.8.2. Blows must be pulled and given with the minimum amount of force necessary to deliver the hit. 9.8.3. When using edged STP’s that are designed for use with both hands, both hands must keep a firm and static grip on the STP during the delivery of the blow 9.8.4. During combat displays, combatants must not deliberately use their STP to hook any part of their opponent.
9.9. Strung STP’s and their Projectiles
9.9.1. Arrows must never be directly shot or aimed at any person. 9.9.2. “Blunts” shall be defined as an arrow that has a rubber bung in place of the head. 9.9.3. All arrows shot during combat displays must be blunts 9.9.4. All blunts are to be checked before combat and checked by the arrow collectors during arrow distribution during combat displays before being handed back to the combatants. A person(s) shall be appointed to be responsible for this checking by the organising group or Council. 9.9.5. No strung STP that is used during combat displays may be of heavier poundage than 50lb. 9.9.6. Strung STP’s must be drawn to the minimum length to give a realistic flight during combat displays. 9.9.7. The organising group or Council has the authority, on an individual basis, to allow non-combatants to shoot strung STP’s during a combat demonstration that only includes the use of strung STP’s, when that non-combatant is under the direct and constant supervision of a nominated adult. 9.9.8. During combat demonstrations, ensure that there is an object, be it a backdrop or grass bank, to limit the range of the sharp arrows. 9.9.9. During combat demonstrations that use sharp arrows, a line must be marked out, be it virtual or physical that is perpendicular to the direction of the flight of arrows towards the butt. 9.9.10. No person may stand forward of the line from 9.8.9 whilst arrows are being shot. 9.9.11. All combatants must ensure that all other combatants have finished shooting before crossing the line from 9.8.9 to retrieve arrows. 9.9.12. In circumstances where a special display is being carried out where the line from 9.8.9 cannot be perpendicular to direction of flight, then a nominated person shall ensure that all participants are happy with the situation and that 9.8.10 and 9.8.11 are adhered to at all times.
9.10. Projectile STP’s
9.10.1. All Projectile STP’s must be set up and tested for range well in advance of the beginning of the combat display/demonstration in which they are participating. 9.10.2. The projectiles must be of a soft composition and of the minimum mass to allow for authentic flight distance.
10. Black Powder Devices
10.1. All member and guest groups must ensure that all persons within their group carrying Black Powder have the appropriate licences, and have them on site at all times.
10.2. All member and guest groups must ensure that all persons within their group carrying Black Powder devices have the appropriate licences, and have them on site at all times.
10.3. All Laws regarding Black Powder must be adhered to at all times.
10.4. Never fire a Black Powder device when any person is within the area where the blast may reach them.
10.5. All member and guest groups must ensure that all combatants within that group are trained to a standard that the group feels adequate in the use of Black Powder devices and Black Powder.
10.6. Black Powder or Black Powder devices must not be left unattended and accessible at any time.
10.7. No person may carry or use Black Powder or a Black Powder device if under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
10.8. The organising group must ensure that the site for the event is registered with the correct bodies for any storage of Black Powder.
10.9. When firing a black powder device aim away from the audience. If firing a salute in their direction for dramatic effect, aim well above their heads
10.10.The greatest care must be taken when firing a black powder device to ensure that all procedures are carried out thoroughly. Simple mistakes, such as failing to sponge out the barrel between shots, can lead to dangerous incidents and serious injury.
11. Games
11.1. A “game” shall be defined as an activity that has been given special dispensation to parts of this policy due to the nature of that activity. Each game must be authorised by the organising group or council to take place at that event.
Health & Safety 
