During rugby activities, in common with all sports, players, officials or spectators may suffer injury or sudden illness. While the arrangements for spectators and officials are likely to be the same as for any other sport, because rugby is a full contact sport, the arrangements for players will need to reflect this. So as a Club we need to ensure that the correct policies and procedures are in place.

Record Keeping:

As a club it is vital that we record all incidents that require the attendance of First Aid treatment. It is usual for the first aider or appointed person to be responsible for the book, but the Club retains overall responsibility for ensuring that records are maintained.
We ask that the following information be recorded:
- Date, time and place of incident;
- Name and job of the injured or ill person;
- Details of the injury/illness and what first aid was given;
- What happened to the person immediately afterwards (for example went home, went back to work, went to hospital);
- Name and signature of the first aider or person dealing with the incident.
The information kept can help you identify injury and accident trends and possible areas for improvement in the control of health and safety risks. It can also be used for reference in future risk assessments. This record book is not the same as the statutory accident book required under the H&SAW Regulations, though the two could be combined.
If any player requires treatment on the pitch some items of First Aid equipment will have been used and need to be replaced. So please ensure that Caroline Bills is informed on 07581 322469 or 07772 166529 or via email: bills291@btinternet.com so that stocks can be replenished.

Reporting of Injuries:

The Club does have a responsibility when certain incidents will be subject to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 1995. For those there is a legal requirement to report accidents and ill health at work. Information on this is given by the HSE.
As a club it is vital that we record all incidents that require the attendance of First Aid treatment. We ask that the following information be recorded:
The accident Book will need to be completed. It is located in the shed in the top draw of the medical supplies cabinet, but please inform Caroline Bills on 07581 322469 or 07772 166529 or via email: bills291@btinternet.com with as much detail about the incident as possible.

Reportable Injury Events are defined as:

An injury which results in the player being admitted to a hospital (this does not include those that attend an accident and emergency department and are allowed home from there)
Deaths which occur during a game or within six hours of a game finishing

Reportable Injury Event Protocol to be followed:

Provide immediate first aid and arrange transport by ambulance to the hospital
A club or school representative must phone the Sports Injuries Administrator Helpline 0800 298 0102, as soon as the seriousness of the player’s condition is confirmed and certainly within 48 hours of the game or training session in which the injury occurred
Please have a pen and paper ready, along with details of the incident. Out of working hours there will be a recorded message that provides contact details of the Injured Player Welfare Officer (IPWO). You will be asked to email or fax an Injury Report Form (MS Word DOC 34kB)
The IPWO will then establish contact with the club and player or their family in order to confirm the injury, initiate the Pastoral Support Programme, and collect additional information about the injury
The club/school must notify their insurers. The RFU insurers are Marsh Sports Group (Claims), Tel: 0131 311 4254, Fax: 0131 343 6667
Record witness statements. Where a potential insurance or personal injury claim may arise, clubs and schools are advised to retain on file witness statements. These statements must confine themselves to the facts and not include opinion or hearsay, or apportion or infer blame. They must be signed and dated by the person making them.

If you have any queries, you can also contact either the RFU Sports Injuries Administrator or the Injured Player Welfare Officer:

Sports Injuries Administrator (SIA), Community Rugby, Rugby House, Rugby Road, Twickenham, TW1 1DS.
Tel: 0800 298 0102, Fax: 0208 8831 7684
Email: sportsinjuriesadmin@therfu.com
RFU Injured Player Welfare Officer, David Phillips, 16 Holborn Ave, Leigh, Lancashire, WN7 1TT.
Tel: 07894 489 716
Email: welfareofficer@therfu.com
Junior and Mini Players:

If any junior or mini player is injured and requires hospital/GP treatment, an injury report from must be completed and returned to Caroline Bills on 07581 322469 or 07772 166529 or via email: bills291@btinternet.com with as much detail about the incident as possible.

Player Safety & Welfare Advice:

The RFU provides online resources at http://www.englandrugby.com/governance/game-support/medical-and-first-aid/injury-reporting/ and advice helplines covering player safety, injury prevention and the welfare of players.