Bespoke Ride Sports Services is committed to providing a safe, secure, and supportive environment for children and young people who participate in our fitness, swimming, running, and cycling programs. BR recognises and accepts its responsibility to maintaining a safe practice to ensure the well-being, comfort and security of children and adults under its care by protecting them from physical and environmental hazards.

Therefore, Bespoke Rides Services provided a safe practice guideline for all its staff, volunteers, and partners to set out the policies and provide guidance on Safe Practice in training and water safety whether at a pool, open water swims, cycling and running tracks as well as in the gym. It aims to keep everyone involved.

1. Scope

1.1 The following policy has been revised and updated to provide a valuable and accurately informed working document. It is intended to inform and support the following:

1.1.1 BR managers.

1.1.2 BR Swimming and Triathlon Coaches.

1.1.3 BR staff.

1.1.4 BR volunteers.

1,1,4 BR Partners, contractors, and third-party providers.

2. Purpose

2.1 Ensure that all Bespoke Ride Sports Services athletes, children and young people are safe and protected from physical and environmental hazards.

2.2 Implement and maintain effective health and safety management systems to identify and mitigate potential hazards and risks associated with the Company’s operations.

2.3 Comply with all relevant health and safety legislation, regulations, and guidelines set forth by the Dubai Sports Council, and best practices concerning safe practice in training and water safety regulations.

2.4 Guide our staff, volunteers, and partners on how to maintain a safe practice, detect, identify and respond to any potential hazards.

2.5 Provide appropriate health and safety training to all employees, contractors, and volunteers to ensure they are aware of their responsibilities and obligations under this policy;

2.6 Ensure that all incidents and accidents are reported and investigated promptly to identify the root causes and prevent recurrence; and

2.7 Continuously review and improve this policy and associated health and safety management systems to ensure they remain effective and relevant.

3. Definitions

3.1 BR: Bespoke Ride Sports.

3.2 Member/Athlete: refers to any person who enlists in any BR class, training program or facility.

3.3 Children: refers to any person under the age of 18 years.

3.4 Physical Hazards: factors or conditions within the environment that can harm your health, including and not limited to: falls, heat and cold stress, dehydration, noise, entrapment and drowning.

3.5 Environmental Hazards: any single or combination of toxic chemical, biological, or physical agents in the environment, resulting from human activities or natural processes, that may impact the health of exposed subjects, including pollutants such as heavy

metals, pesticides, biological contaminants, toxic waste, industrial and home chemicals.

3.6 Staff: refers to all employees of Bespoke Ride Sports Services, including full-time, part-time, and temporary staff.

3.7 Volunteers: refers to individuals who offer their services on a voluntary basis to Bespoke Ride Sports Services.

3.8 Partners: refers to third-party providers who have a contractual relationship with Bespoke Ride Sports Services to deliver programs or services to children and young people.

3.9 HSO: Health and safety officer.

3.10 EAP: Emergency Action Plan.

4. Responsibilities

4.1 BR managers:

4.1.1 Completing risk assessments – member of staff, volunteers, and partners carries a copy of emergency contact numbers.

4.1.2 Ensuring all staff, volunteers, and partners have read and understood the emergency action plan.

4.1.3 Ensuring all staff, volunteers, and partners accompanying pupils have read and understood the current policies.

4.1.4 Ensuring all staff, volunteers, and partners are qualified to support the delivery of updated safe practice procedures, safe guarding and emergency action plan (EAP).

4.1.5 Ensuring relevant training and necessary qualifications are in place for staff, volunteers, and partners, and maintain a central record of staff qualifications and training, along with an up to date medical and health information.

4.1.6 Provide regular training and support to all staff, volunteers, and partners.

4.1.7 Ensure staff, volunteers, and partners are confident and competent, have the appropriate experience, and character to carry out their role.

4.1.8 When using pools other than their own, requesting the pool’s Normal Operating Procedure (NOP) and Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and ensuring that accompanying staff read these and sign to show an understanding of their responsibilities during the visit to the pool.

4.1.9 Encouraging open communication and feedback between athletes, children and young people, their parents or guardians, and HSO, staff, volunteers, and partners.

 

4.2 Health & Safety Officer:

4.2.1 Developing and implementing health and safe practice policy, procedures, and guidelines in accordance with local regulations and industry standards.

4.2.2 Provide guidance and support for BR staff, volunteers and partners and offer a variety of relevant training.

4.2.3 Conducting regular risk assessments to identify potential risks in our programs, facility, and services and taking appropriate measures to manage these risks.

4.2.4 Have a responsibility for ensuring safety measures are followed in training sessions and swimming in all maintained facilities.

4.2.5 Ensuring that all facilities and equipment used in our programs and services are safe and appropriate for athletes including children and young people.

4.2.6 Providing appropriate first aid equipment and trained personnel at all times during programs and activities.

4.2.7 Developing emergency procedures, and ensuring that they are communicated to all relevant employees.

4.2.8 Ensuring that all employees receive appropriate health and safety training and that training records are kept up-to-date.

4.2.9 Ensuring that all staff, volunteers, and partners are aware of and comply with any relevant health and safety regulations and legislation.

4.2.10 Ensuring that all safety-related equipment and systems are tested and maintained to the required standards.

4.2.11 Investigating accidents, incidents, and near misses to determine their root causes and to prevent their recurrence.

4.2.12 Properly record incidents and investigations results to incorporate new solutions into the health and safety management system.

4.2.13 Keep direct contact with BR managers for concerns or areas for improvement.

4.2.14 Providing advice and guidance to line managers on health and safety issues.

4.2.15 Monitoring and reviewing health and safety performance, and reporting on the same to senior management.

4.2.16 Keeping up-to-date with changes in legislation and best practice relating to health and safety.

5. Operating Procedures for Health and Safety:

5.1 BR is committed to ensuring the health and safety of all athletes, children and young people participating in our programs and services. We will achieve this by:

5.1.1 Providing a safe and healthy environment for all activities and programs, ensuring that all facilities and equipment are regularly maintained and meet relevant safety standards.

5.1.2 Ensure our partner’s facility follows the appropriate periodic and regular maintenance of equipment and the swimming pool.

5.1.3 Ensuring all staff, volunteers, and partners have received training in health and safety practices and are familiar with emergency procedures and protocols.

5.1.4 Ensure the safety and well-being of our students, we will adhere to the following Student-to-teacher ratio guidelines:

5.1.4.1 Swimming Classes:

5.1.4.1.1 For children aged 3-4 years, the maximum ratio of students to teachers will be 4:1.

5.1.4.1.2 For children aged 5-7 years, the maximum ratio of students to teachers will be 6:1.

5.1.4.1.3 For children aged 8 years and above, the maximum ratio of students to teachers will be 10:1 for beginners and intermediate levels and 15:1 for advanced levels.

5.1.4.2 Running and Cycling Classes:

5.1.4.2.1 For children aged 3-4 years, running and cycling classes are not available.

5.1.4.2.2 For children aged 5-7 years, the maximum ratio of students to teachers will be 10:1.

5.1.4.2.3 For children aged 8 years and above, the maximum ratio of students to teachers will be 20:1.

 

5.1.5 The ratios used by BR are following the regulations and guidelines set forth by the Dubai Sports Council and the UAE government.

5.1.6 BR monitors and review our student-to-teacher ratios regularly to ensure they remain appropriate and effective for each class and level.

5.1.7 BR recognises that maintaining appropriate student-to-teacher ratios is critical to ensuring the safety and quality of all programs and services. Adhering to these guidelines, allows all students to receive the individual attention and support they need to develop their skills and achieve their goals.

6. Monitoring and Review

6.1 The BR safe practice stance is made clear to all staff, volunteers, and partners by ensuring that all partnership, funding, commissioning, and venue leasing/booking criteria include a requirement to address health and safety issues, emergency action plan, facility, equipment, and pool structure, and maintenance plan.

6.2 BR is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for all athletes including, children and young people participating in our programs and services. BR will work to ensure that all staff, volunteers, and partners are aware of and committed to policies and practices.

6.3 BR guarantee the proper implementation of our safe practice policy and continuously monitors and reviews the operation to ensure that the intentions concerning health and safety are taking place.

6.4 BR conducts quarterly evaluation rounds of our programs and services to evaluate actions, effectiveness, and to detect areas for improvement to maintain the service excellence concerning health, and safety.

6.5 BR seeks feedback from athletes, children, parents/guardians, staff, volunteers, and partners on our operations and practices to ensure that all needs and expectations are met.

7. Staff Requirement in Education and Training

7.1 Everyone in contact with athletes, including children and young adults has a role to play in their protection. All staff members, including coaches and teachers, must meet specific requirements to ensure the safety and well-being of children and young people participating in our programs and services. These requirements include:

 

7.1.1 Completing the necessary internal training conducted by BR’s HSO.

7.1.2 Possessing a valid First Aid certificate from a recognized training provider.

7.1.3 Possessing basic life support training or an equivalent qualification.

7.1.4 Completing mandatory training and holding relevant certification on health and safety practices.

7.1.5 Undergoing a thorough background check and providing evidence of their clear criminal record.

7.1.6 Providing references from previous employers or relevant authorities.

7.1.7 Completing mandatory coaching qualifications.

7.2 BR will ensure that all staff members are aware of their responsibilities health and safety and have received adequate training and support to carry out their roles effectively. We will also conduct regular performance reviews to ensure that all staff members continue to meet the required standards and expectations.