Policies and procedures

Health

All indoor and outdoor areas of the Club are required to be smoke-free
e-cigarettes are also prohibited
Healthy food and drink options are to be available when catering is provided
Free drinking water is always available
Adequate sunshade is available
Safe warm-up practices will be observed
Low strength alcohol or non-alcoholic drinks must be available when alcohol is available at activities or events
No activities or promotions that encourage the rapid consumption of alcoholic drinks should be available at activities or events
If alcohol is available at the Club it must always be served in standard-sized drinks
Under no circumstances will the Club encourage drunkenness

Sun protection

The following policy is in place to help Mount Helena Tennis Club players minimise the risks of overexposure to UV.

Rationale

The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the main cause of skin cancer. UV damage also causes sunburn, tanning, premature ageing and eye damage. Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. Two in three Australians will develop some form of skin cancer before the age of 70.

Sunburn and other UV damage are common while playing or watching sport when people are exposed to the sun’s UV radiation for long periods of time.

Sporting clubs and organisations have a responsibility under health and safety legislation to provide and maintain a safe working environment for staff, volunteers, players and spectators. By minimising UV harms, you will help to fulfil this obligation and duty of care.

Sun protection times

The sun protection times from the Bureau of Meteorology forecast the time of day UV levels are due to reach 3 or higher. At these levels, sun protection is recommended for all skin types.

A combination of sun protection measures is needed during the daily local sun protection times.

To assist with the implementation of this policy, club officials, coaches and participants are encouraged to access the daily local sun protection times at sunsmart.com.au, on the free SunSmart app or SunSmart widget (on the club website) and in the weather section of the newspaper.

Schedules, fixtures and rule modifications

Where possible, training, events and competitions are scheduled to minimise exposure to UV and heat.

Where it is not possible to avoid peak UV and heat periods, the following interim steps are taken to minimise the risk of overexposure to UV and heat illness:

Warm-up activities are limited in duration and intensity.
The duration of the activity is reduced.
Activities start earlier in the morning or later in the evening.
Rest breaks and opportunities to seek shade and rehydrate are increased.
Officials, coaches and senior members act as role models by wearing sun-protective clothing and hats, applying sunscreen and seeking shade wherever possible.

Sun protection measures

Clothing

The Club recommends that players and officials wear

Tops/jerseys are made from UPF (UV protection factor) 50+ material and have long sleeves and a collar.
Tops/jerseys are loose-fitting and lightweight.
Where the competition uniform does not provide adequate sun protection, participants are reminded to apply SPF30 (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen to all exposed skin and wear covering clothing whilst not on the field.

Sunscreen

The Club promotes SPF30 (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen and provides it free to participants.
Participants are encouraged to apply sunscreen 20 minutes before training or playing and to reapply every two hours or immediately after sweating or towelling dry.
Sunscreen is stored below 30°C and replaced once it is past the use-by date.
Participants are encouraged to apply a generous amount of sunscreen (the equivalent of one teaspoon per limb).
The first aid kit includes a supply of SPF30 (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen.

Hats.

Caps and visors do not provide adequate sun protection to the face, ears and neck and are not recommended for extended sun protection but may be used, in combination with sunscreen on parts of skin not covered, as an interim measure for on-field play or training.

Shade

When not actively playing or between individual events, participants are able to rest in shaded areas.
The shade is available for spectators
Presentation ceremonies are carried out in the Club House
Participants and officials rotate to cooler, shaded areas.

Sunglasses

Participants are advised to wear sunglasses that meet the Australian standard (ASNZS 1067:2016).

Education and information

The times when sun protection is required (as determined by SunSmart’s daily local sun protection times) are communicated to participants and spectators.