Purpose

The safe operation and maintenance of ground equipment is essential to protect players, coaches, volunteers, and visitors. This policy sets out the procedures for using sight screens, covers, spikes, and related equipment at Blythe Cricket Club.

 

Responsibilities

• Grounds Chair & Grounds Team: Oversee maintenance, training, and safe storage of all equipment.

• Captains & Coaches: Ensure equipment is correctly set up and safe before play or training begins. Following completion all equipment is cleaned (if required) and replaced back in safe storage.

• All Members & Volunteers: Required to follow safety procedures when moving or using equipment.

• Club Safeguarding Officer (CSO): Ensures safeguarding considerations for juniors and vulnerable persons are applied

 

Sight Screens

• Positioning & Movement:

  • Screens must be moved with at least one adult present.

  • Juniors must not be asked to move sight screens unsupervised.

• Storage:

  • After use, screens must be rolled back to designated safe zones away from carparks and pathways.

 

Covers (Flat/Sheet & Mobile)

• Deployment:

  • Only home team players or supervised volunteers may move covers.

  • Minimum two people required for flat/sheet covers; mobile covers may require three or more.

• Weather Risks:

  • Covers must not be deployed during lightning storms or in high winds (risk of lifting).

• Storage:

  • Covers should be rolled or folded into designated areas off the playing surface.

 

Spikes (Footwear)

• Use of Spikes:

  • Spiked footwear is permitted on grass playing areas only.

  • Spikes must not be worn in the clubhouse, or artificial nets.

• Junior Players:

  • Juniors should wear spikes only under coach guidance, appropriate to age/ability.

  • U11 and below are generally not required to wear spikes unless playing on senior wickets.

 

General Equipment Safety

• Boundary Markers/Ad-Boards: Must be laid out securely with no trip hazards. Ad-Boards to be secured in safely and not left loose.

• Machinery Access: Only trained grounds staff or authorised volunteers may use mowers, rollers, or mechanical equipment.

• Storage & Access: Equipment sheds must be kept locked, children are not permitted in machinery or equipment storage areas.

• Volunteer Safety: Gloves and closed footwear must be worn when handling heavy or sharp objects.

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Junior Safeguarding

• Juniors must not be asked to move heavy ground equipment.

• Coaches must supervise at all times when juniors assist with light tasks.

• All ground tasks must comply with ECB Safe Hands ratios for supervision.

 

Inspections

• Pre-Season: Grounds Chair to complete a full inspection of all screens, covers, ropes, and related equipment.

• Pre-Match/Training: Captains and coaches must visually check ground equipment before sessions.

• Maintenance Log: Grounds team to keep a written record of inspections and any repairs carried out.

 

Incident Reporting

• Any accident or near-miss involving ground equipment must be reported to the Club Safeguarding Officer and recorded in the Accident Book.

• Incidents must be reviewed at the next Executive Committee meeting, with actions agreed.

 

Review

This policy will be reviewed annually by the Grounds & Facilities Sub-Committee and updated in line with ECB guidance. The updated policy must be published on the club website and noticeboard.