POLICY:

Paraparaumu Bridge Club Committee recognises that the safety and well being of its members, employees, contractors, and guests while on the club premises is a matter of importance.

It is the policy of the club to make every reasonable effort to prevent accidents, to protect all users from hazards and promote health and safety measures.

The Committee is of the opinion that Health and Safety is the responsibility of all members, employees, contractors, and guests, and makes the following commitments to this end.

All members, employees, contractors, and guests are expected to co-operate with safety practices to ensure that the club premises are a safe and healthy environment.

They will:

• Accept the safety instructions given and use the safety equipment provided.
• Take all practicable steps to ensure their own safety and safety of others while on the premises, and,
• Not cause harm to any other person.

PROCEDURES:

EARTHQUAKE

If an Earthquake occurs you should DROP, COVER, and HOLD.

Drop down on your hands and knees. This protects you from falling but lets you move if you need to.

Cover your head and neck (or your entire body if possible) under a sturdy table or desk (if it is within a few steps of you). If there is no shelter nearby, cover your head and neck with your arms and hands.

Hold on to your shelter (or your position to protect your head and neck) until the shaking stops. If the shaking shifts your shelter around, move with it.

Do not run outside or you risk getting hit by falling masonry and glass.

Earthquake Hazards

The greatest hazard of earthquakes will be falling materials etc.

In a strong earthquake, take cover in a doorway or under a strong table and if neither is available, get as close as possible to the strongest outer wall of the building but clear of windows.

After an earthquake, if personnel have been evacuated from a building they should never return to a building until permission is given by Civil Defence personnel or the supervising Fire Brigade Officer, or a qualified Building Safety Officer.

FIRE SAFETY

Designation of Fire Wardens

The Director shall be designated the Fire Warden for any playing session.

They must know the location of the nearest fire alarm, fire fighting equipment and the nearest exit or escape routes and evacuation procedures, and be able to communicate such knowledge to members, employees, contractors, and guests as and when required.

Members

Members should be aware of the nearest exit or escape route(s) and the evacuation procedures.

Procedures on Discovery or Suspicion of Fire

1. Remove persons from immediate danger, i.e evacuation.
2. Activate nearest Fire Alarm.
3. Dial 111 and give exact location of fire.
4. Confine fire by closing all doors and windows.
5. Attack fire with appropriate fire equipment if safe to do so.

Procedure when the Fire Alarm Sounds

      Alarm Bells will ring continuously

1. Close all windows and doors in your area.
2. Fire Wardens will don high visibility vests and ensure all persons are accounted for.
3. Stay in your area- unless told to evacuate by official personnel. Do not use telephone.

Evacuation

Evacuate the building if directed.

1. Go directly to nearest Fire Exit.
2. Leave building immediately moving quickly and quietly, walk, don’t run, stay calm.
3. Assemble in parking area across the road from the Paraparaumu Bridge Club Rooms.
4. The Fire Warden(s) should be aware of how many people were in the building and do a head count at the assembly area after evacuation to check that everyone is accounted for.

Evacuation Do’s and Don’ts

• DO USE THE NEAREST AVAILABLE EXIT.
• DO NOT STOP TO COLLECT PERSONAL BELONGINGS.
• DO NOT RE-ENTER THE BUILDING.

FIRST AID

If a bridge player or visitor to the club is injured, your knowledge of first aid may be invaluable.

Basic first aid is not usually a problem. Most people are aware of the simple requirements.

However, owing the advancing age of a significant number of our members the risk of Heart Attack or Stroke is increased.

Therefore, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and basic life support should be available.

A defribrillator is available by the door to the office.

An alternative Defibrillator is available at the Coastal Aquatic Centre during opening hours till 9pm apart from Tuesdays 8pm.

Before starting CPR

• Ensure your own safety first, then that of the victim.
• Gently tap the victim and shout “are you all right?” If the victim can respond and there is no further danger from their location, leave the victim in the position they are in. If there is no response, send for help.
• Dial 111 ask for Ambulance and give exact location and details of the medical emergency, and the telephone number of Paraparaumu Bridge Club. Do not hang up until asked to do so.

CPR and basic life support

If Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is required and you know how to perform it then do so. CPR means giving chest compressions at a rate of approximately 120 per minute (2 per second) until the ambulance or Paramedics arrive.

If they haven’t arrived after 10 minutes of CPR then two short breaths are recommended followed by continuation of chest compressions.

MINOR HAZARDS

The Bridge Club environment is considered safe and almost free of hazards.

However, it is recognised that scolding from an accident with hot liquids is a possibility.

In the event of a scold the affected area should be doused under cold water for up to 20 minutes while additional medical assistance is considered.

If required, dial 111 and seek advice.

Adopted by Paraparaumu Bridge Club Committee, 8th February 2021.

Amended 25/11/2021: change location of defribrillator.