TRU RISK & SAFETY
Securing a safe area for training sessions and matches is important. Programs should make every effort to use adequately sodded or turf surfaces to prevent injuries. Fields must be void of hazards such as broken glass, protruding rocks, sprinkler heads and holes. When examining playing surfaces, size, availability, access for emergency vehicles, available parking, lights, and usage requirements should also be considered.
As a member of USA Rugby, all clubs have access to liability insurance which provides protection in case of property damage or bodily injury to third parties. These parties may include the venue owner, coaches, referees, sponsors, spectators and others. Most venue owners will require this type of insurance before a club is allowed to step on the field of play.
Inclement Weather
Use common sense when it comes to inclement weather! Communication is also critical, the Home team should be in regular contact with the Visiting team, the assigned Referee, and the TRU Admin to confirm match changes, cancellations and or reschedules.
If there is any concerns, questions or disagreement between the parties (home, away & ref) regarding the playing of the match please contact the TRU Admin, or TRU President directly for final resolution.
Lightening Policy
The TRU adheres to the USA Rugby Lightning Policy:
Severe Weather & Lightning– General (Venue Specific Policies may over-‐ride these recommendations). In an attempt to educate the public about dangers relating to sever weather the National Weather Service has established a multi-‐level awareness plan.
Level 1 – If you are planning outdoors activities, obtain the weather forecast beforehand. Know your local weather patterns.
Level 2 – If you are planning to be outdoors, identify and stay within traveling range of a proper shelter. Employ the “30-‐30 Rule” to know when to seek a safer location. The “30-‐30 Rule” states that when you see lightning, count the time until you hear thunder. If this time is 30 seconds or less, go immediately to a safer place. If you can’t see the lightning, just hearing the thunder means lightning is likely within striking range. After the storm has apparently dissipated or moved on, wait 30 minutes or more after hearing the last thunder before leaving the safer location.
Level 3 – When lightning strikes, go to a safer location. Do not hesitate. What is a safer location? The safest place commonly available during a lightning storm is a large, fully enclosed substantially constructed building. Substantial construction also implies the building has wiring and plumbing, which can conduct lightning current safely to ground. Once inside, stay away from corded telephones, electrical appliances, lighting fixture, microphones, electric sockets and plumbing. Inner rooms are generally preferable from a safety viewpoint.
If you can’t reach a substantial building, an enclosed vehicle with a sold metal roof and metal sides is a reasonable second choice. Close the windows, lean away from the door, put your hands in your lap and don’t touch the steering wheel, ignition, gear shifter or radio. Convertibles, cars with fiberglass or plastic shells, and open framed vehicles are not suitable lightning shelters.
Level 4 – If you cannot flee to a safer location, take action to minimize the threat of being stuck. Proceed from higher to lower elevations. Avoid wide-‐open areas, including sports fields. Avoid tall, isolated objects like trees, poles, and light posts. Do not consider unprotected open structures such as picnic pavilions, rain shelters and bus stops. Avoid contact with metal fences, metal bleachers, or other metal structures.
Level 5 – If circumstances or a series of bad decisions have found you outside of a shelter, far removed from a safer place when lightning is occurring, there are still measures to be taken. Put your feet together, squat down, tuck your head, and cover your ears. When the immediate threat of lightning has passed, continue heading to the safest place possible.
Level 6 – If the worst happens, there are key Lightning First Aid guidelines. First, if at all possible, call “9-‐1-‐ 1” immediately. Since all deaths from lightning strikes result from cardiac arrest and/or stopped breathing, begin treatment as soon as possible. CPR or mouth-‐to-‐mouth resuscitation is the recommended first aid, respectively.
The threat of injury due to a lightning strike is very prevalent. We unfortunately cannot control the weather, however can decrease the possibility of injury through education and proper precautions. By understanding and utilizing the five levels identified in the National Weather Service plan we can be assured that our teams are safe at all USA RUGBY events.
Lightning Safety Education Resources
National Weather Service www.LightningSafety.noaa.gov
Lightning Safety Institute www.LightningSafety.com/index.html
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Appendix D
RUGBY CODE OF CONDUCT
All Unions, Associations, Rugby Bodies, Clubs and Persons:
1. must ensure that the Game is played and conducted in accordance with disciplined and sporting
behavior and acknowledge that it is not sufficient to rely solely upon the Match Officials to
maintain those principles;
2. shall co-‐operate in ensuring that the spirit of the Laws of the Game are upheld and refrain from
selecting players guilty of foul play;
3. shall not repeatedly breach the Laws of the Game;
4. shall accept and observe the authority and decisions of referees, touch judges, Match Officials and
all other rugby disciplinary bodies, subject to Regulation 17;
5. 5 shall not publish or cause to be published criticism of the manner in which a referee or touch
judge handled a Match;
6. shall not publish or cause to be published criticism of the manner in which Council or any other
rugby disciplinary body handled or resolved any dispute or disciplinary matter resulting from a
breach of the Bye-‐Laws, Regulations, or Laws of the Game;
7. shall not engage in any conduct or any activity on or off the field that may impair public
confidence in the honest and orderly conduct of a Match, tour, tournament or Series of Matches
(including, but not limited to, the supply of information in relation to the Game, directly or
indirectly, to bookmakers or to persons who may use such information to their advantage) or in
the integrity and good character of any Person;
8. shall not commit a breach of Regulation 6 (Wagering);
9. shall promote the reputation of the Game and take all possible steps to prevent it from being
brought into disrepute;
10. shall not commit an anti-‐doping rule violation as defined in Regulation 21;
11. shall not abuse, threaten or intimidate a referee, touch judge or other Match Official, whether on
or off the field of play;
12. shall not use crude or abusive language or gestures towards referees, touch judges or other Match
Officials or spectators;
13. shall not do anything which is likely to intimidate, offend, insult, humiliate or discriminate against
any other Person on the ground of their religion, race, sex, sexual orientation, color or national or
ethnic origin;
14. shall not do anything which adversely affects the Game of Rugby Football, the Board, any member
Union or Association or any commercial partner of the Game. Each Union and Association is under
an obligation to comply with and to ensure that each of its members comply with this Code of
Conduct and adopt procedures to monitor compliance with and impose sanctions for breaches of
the Code of Conduct by Persons under its jurisdiction.