RCC Safe System of Work for Training at Acre Bottom during global Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
- Background
Since 13 May 2020, people in England have been permitted to participate in sport with people in their household or one person from another household in England in an outdoor setting.
Please note the following:
This change in restrictions only applies in England and does not apply in Wales.
The change is for participation in sport outdoors only.
Social distancing measures (staying two metres away from people outside your household) still apply.
The change does not permit the reopening of pavilions for changing, social or hospitality purposes.
This change does not permit participation in team sports within or between clubs. ECB recommended the suspension of recreational cricket on 18 March 2020 and with the sole exception of the specific and controlled use of outdoor cricket facilities outlined in this guidance that remains the case.
This means that as of 13 May 2020, cricket clubs in England are able to:
- Reopen their outfields for outdoor sport activity that complies with the Government guidance and maintains social distancing.
- Reopen their cricket nets in a way that maintains social distancing on an ‘every other net’ basis – so if a club has a two-bay net they can reopen one of those bays, if they have a three-bay net, they can reopen bays one and three and so on.
A representative of the club should be on site at all times while outdoor facilities are open for use.
When outdoor nets and outfields are closed and there is general open access, closed signage should be clear and visible to inform the general public that the facilities are not available for use.
Club buildings (including changing rooms and bar) and any other communal areas are to remain closed. At this stage keeping these areas closed will reduce social interaction to help reduce the transmission of COVID-19.
2. Understanding the hazard
The transmission of COVID-19 is thought to occur mainly through two routes;
- Respiratory droplets generated by coughing and sneezing. These can be breathed in if in closed contact to a person coughing.
- Through contact with contaminated surfaces, this is where bodily fluids from an infected person are spread onto a surface, others who touch that surface with their hands then put hands in mouth or eyes may become infected.
In addition to respiratory secretions, COVID-19 has been detected in blood, faeces and urine.
3. Prior to the training session
In preparing to attend a training session, we ask that each member of the coaching team and ALL players review the Government and NHS guidance on Coronavirus to maintain good hygiene – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Players and coaches should not attend the venue if they have:
- A high temperature – feels hot to touch an individual’s chest or back
- A new, continuous cough – this means a person has started coughing repeatedly.
If anyone has either of these symptoms or lives with other people who are showing symptoms they must not attend.
Following government advice we recommend that people do not attend the venue if they fall into any one of the below groups:
- Have contracted the virus and still within 7 day isolation period.
- Are living with an individual who has contracted the virus and are within your 14 day isolation period.
- Have underlying health issues which may be impacted by Coronavirus.
- Are 70 years of age or over?
- Are pregnant.
- Have a weakened immune system.
Prior to attendance please familiarise yourself with government guidance.
To operate the facility safely and minimise the risk of spreading COVID-19, a controlled booking system will be put in place.
This will be run by:
Senior training Andy DALBY (Cricket Chairman)
Junior training Phil CROFT (Junior Cricket Chairman)
The following time slots for Senior Training are:
Tuesday
1800hrs – 1845hrs
1900hrs – 1945hrs
2000hrs – 2045hrs
Thursday
1800hrs – 1845hrs
1900hrs – 1945hrs
2000hrs – 2045hrs
This will ensure a 15 minute handover period for each lane (1/3/5 only)
The club will also:
Ensure they have all the appropriate and up-to-date insurance.
Continue to comply with data protection law including not sharing personal details of participants with others without having a legal basis for doing so (e.g. avoid making booking management system ‘live’ with personal details for all to see).
Andy DALBY or Phil CROFT will nominate an approved representative to monitor the operation throughout the training session.
The nominated person will make themselves aware of the current guidelines set out within:
DETAILED GUIDANCE FOR CLUBS ON RETURN TO USE OF CRICKET GROUNDS
15 May 2020
It is the responsibility of that person to ensure that the wickets are put out and that all current guidelines are adhered to throughout the session.
4. During the Training
The designated person will ensure all coaches and players follow the advice for good hygiene, including regular hand washing and refrain from handshakes.
To ensure a considered and risk free approach to running the session the following guidance will be strictly adhered to:
- Players entering the facility will do so via the main gate at the rear of the nets.
- The two players will go straight to their pre-nominated lanes (as per the booking system)
- The wickets will already been in position with the lanes coned off accordingly.
- All personal equipment including drinks will be placed at the rear of the run-up by the wall and in line with your designated lane.
- If possible, each player will bring their own ball to bowl with. The player should highlight to the designated person prior to attending if they do not have a ball so one can be assigned. If a ball is assigned by the club, wipes will be provided for the ball to be sanitised on regular occasions.
- Participants will be encouraged to use toilet facilities before attending. The toilet facility will be open. This will be reviewed on a weekly basis.
- Each player should wash their hands prior to arrival. At this time no hand sanitiser will be provided.
- Personal hygiene measures should be carried out at home before and after use of the facility.
- Players will bring their own hand sanitiser where possible. If this isn’t possible they should wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after visiting the club.
- Travel together as a household.
- Avoid public transport.
- Arrive at the start of your time slot to help with social distancing.
- Bring their own playing/training equipment including balls.
- Bring their own filled drinking bottles.
- Avoid touching as much as possible whilst on club premises and use cleaning stations whenever available.
- Do not overstay your allocated time slot; players should be clear of the area by the time the next users arrive.
- Do not stay to socialise.
- If bowling machines are used (at this time RCC have made the decision that this equipment will not be used. This will be reviewed on a weekly basis), please ensure they are cleaned thoroughly between uses with dry-cleaning products and that all balls used are cleaned with disinfectant. This is the responsibility of the bowling machine operator.
- Do not leave private property behind.
- No spitting.
- No saliva or sweat should come into contact with the ball at any time.
As always, the health and safety of participants is paramount – please ensure those using the nets minimise the risk of injury (wear helmets, pads etc). As well as response times being delayed this is vital to avoid any additional stress on the NHS.
Encourage all users to report any infection of their household following use of the facility to allow effective contact tracing and to limit the spread of the virus.
5. After the Training
Players are to leave via the main gates (by the river). Report to the relevant Chairman any concerns relating to hygiene or potential transmission of virus amongst training. Continue to follow hygiene guidelines and National Government guidance.
Please note that the risk assessment is subject to constant review and may change and as the cricket committee continues to monitor government advice.
We will also continue to look into the best ways of working over the coming weeks/months which always put’s your health and safety first.
How to achieve this
Both the Senior and Junior Cricket Committee will:
- Review operating plan after day one and week one and revise if necessary – your facility operation must be fit for purpose and safe for those operating, maintaining and using the site.
- Act on any incidence of infection prior to or after use of the facility and conduct appropriate contact tracing in line with Government methods.
- Be prepared to close the facility in the event of:
- An incidence of COVID-19 infection of a user.
- A change in Government guidance/regulation.
- Constantly review Government guidance. Please also regularly review news updates on the ECB website. This guidance will be updated and is likely to change in response to Government policy and other best practice guidance.
6. Control Measure Considered but NOT Implemented at this stage
1 Use of gloves at all times by learners and trainers.
The use of nitrile gloves for all persons involved in cricket is not required as hand washing routines will be maintained prior to the training and also at the conclusion of the training.
All equipment in use will be washed and/or treated with disinfectant spray. Hand washing remains the government’s no.1 control measure to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
2 Use of face masks at all times by coaches/players.
The use of a surgical face mask throughout training could inhibit active communication in the training which could lead to a greater safety risk to all parties.
Also due to the very nature of the training and kit a face mask cannot be worn.
The control measures of social distancing where possible, the hand hygiene protocols and cleaning regimes, and the declaration that coaches and players are not exhibiting symptoms reduces the overall risk of fluid transfer/fluid droplets.
The designated coach will observe the players throughout and where any person displays symptoms, they will be asked to leave and cleaning regimes enforced (as mentioned above).
This document is for the nets only. The playing field will fall under current guidance set by the government for green spaces.