POLICY TITLE: WEATHER POLICY

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "POLICY TITLE: WEATHER POLICY"

Lesley Washington
5 years ago
Views:

BOWLS NSW 2017 / 2018 CONDITIONS OF PLAY 2.19. Inclement Weather.

1 BOWLS NSW 2017 / 2018 CONDITIONS OF PLAY Inclement Weather. The Club, as the Controlling Body, may decide to cancel the match prior to its commencement, Or during play, if they believe that the weather is not likely to be suitable for play to commence Or continue. A Club may have in place a policy under which all play is suspended if certain criteria are reached or met. (eg a threshold temperature which if reached or while exceeded all play is then suspended). Players may appeal to the Controlling Body / Umpire for play to be suspended or abandoned. In a team match, such appeal should be made by the skip (players may request their skip to make The appeal. In a side match, such appeal should be made by the Side Manager (players may request their Side Manager to make the appeal). In all cases, the health and safety of players should be the prime consideration in determining whether play should be suspended and/or abandoned. POLICY TITLE: WEATHER POLICY RELATED POLICIES: RESPONSIBLE OFFICERS: AUTHORITY: APPLICABLE FORMS: Nil Audit, Risk and Policy Committee The Bowls Australia Board Nil APPROVED: July, 2017 NEXT REVIEW DATE: June 2019

2 1. PRINCIPLE 1.1 Bowls Australia (BA) strives to ensure that its members participate in the game of bowls in the safest environment possible and with minimum risk of harm. The safety of players and officials will remain the paramount consideration. This includes ensuring the following BA Weather Policy applies to BA events, nationwide. 1.2 The decision to suspend or discontinue play as a result of weather conditions remains the discretion of the Controlling Body. In BA s case that is: the Competition Manager. 1.3 BA provides the following Weather Policy for use during all BA events. 2. WHERE BOWLS AUSTRALIA IS THE CONTROLLING BODY 2.1 At all events where BA is the Controlling Body, the following methods may be used to assess and monitor the weather at the event s location: Bureau of Meteorology website ( any other appropriate portable measuring device. 3. MONITORING AND MANAGING HOT WEATHER 3.1 Before the start of the event, the Controlling Body will monitor the expected temperatures for the Duration of the event. 3.2 Before the start of play each day, the temperature will be assessed and an announcement to all players Will be made warning them of any expected extreme temperatures, if appropriate. Players will also be made aware that the BA Weather Policy may be invoked during the event. 3.3 When the Competition Manager deems the temperature (as indicated using one of the methods listed in Point 2.1 above) has reached the temperature specified within the Conditions of Play, play will be suspended by the Controlling Body and all players will complete the end they are currently playing and move from the green to a cool, shady area. If the end is declared dead, the end will be replayed if and when the game is restarted. 3.4 When the Competition Manager determines the temperature has fallen below the recommended guidelines, play should resume. 3.5 Players, officials and spectators should at all times be encouraged to wear hats or other sun protection. It is recommended that a hat be part of any uniform and that sunscreen be worn as appropriate. Drinks should be available at every venue where play/competition takes place. Tap water should be available free of charge and in unlimited quantities. 3.6 Where available, shelter should be offered for players and officials not involved in current play. 3. MONITORING AND MANAGING WET/COLD WEATHER 3.1 Before the start of the event, the Competition Manager will monitor the expected conditions for the duration of the event as per If it begins to rain, play will continue until the Competition Manager deems it unsafe to do so or the greens become unplayable. 3.3 In making the decision, the Competition Manager will utilise the methods listed in 2.1 to gain an understanding of the rain patterns in the immediate area. 3.4 When the Controlling Body deems it safe to return to the green, play should resume as per Law 32.

3 4. LIGHTNING 4.1. Lightning can strike without other typical storm characteristics (i.e. thunder, rain and wind) being present When lightning is sighted by the Competition Manager, the Controlling Body will suspend play and all Players will be required to leave the green immediately and move to a safe structure When the Controlling Body deems it safe to return to the green, play should resume as per Law GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR CLUBS 5.1. Clubs should refer to their State or Territory Association Controlling Body s Policy to determine the correct approach to all play not involving a BA event The safety of players and officials should remain the paramount consideration. RIVERINA DISTRICT BOWLING ASSOCIATION Recommendations for Play in Extreme Weather RDBA recommends that each Club consider and adopt the Bowls Australian Weather Policy approved in July The attached temperature/humidity index chart, which shows when play must be suspended and/or cancelled. The Yellow Zone means play must be suspended for 5 minutes for every 20 minutes of play when the temperature/humidity index is in the yellow zone. The Red Zone means play must be abandoned temporarily when the index is in the red zone on the chart. Once the index is in the red zone, play must be suspended and can only be resumed when the temperature and humidity index moves out of the red zone, into the yellow zone AND the Controlling Body deems it safe to resume the event having regard to all factors. If this has not occurred within two hours of play being suspended, the Controlling Body should abandon play for the day and set a day to resume the event. Neither the Controlling Body, officials nor players can agree to continue play once the index is in the red zone, nor can play continue without the 5 minute break every 20 minutes if the index remains in the yellow zone. If you do so, your insurance cover, depending on its terms, may not provide cover so that the club and officials may leave themselves open to legal action, should players or officials suffer ill effects from heat. Sometimes these ill effects are not immediately obvious and may not manifest themselves until the evening or in the following days. The Controlling Body need not and should not wait for a player or official to complain about the conditions before they follow and invoke the BA Policy and should also take into consideration the following: 1. The predicted temperature for the locality; 2. The fact that synthetic greens sometimes conduct and reflect heat differently to grass greens; 3. The hydration of players (cold water must be provided by the Club throughout any Match); 4. The level of player comfort and distress (some medications affect players in the heat); 5. The availability of shade for players and officials; 6. The time of day that play is occurring. (We recommend commencing play earlier or later in the day, if possible to avoid playing in the hottest part of the day); and 7. The effects of a hot wind in increasing uncomfortable playing conditions

5 CONTROLLING BODIES PLEASE USE THIS CHART WHEN NECESSARY APPARENT TEMPERATURE R E L A T I V E H U M I D I T Y % BOWLS AUSTRALIA HEAT POLICY WHEN THIS INDEX REACHES THE YELLOW ZONE, PLAY TO BE SUSPENDED FOR 5 MINUTES EVERY 20 MINUTES WHEN THE INDEX REACHES THE RED ZONE PLAY MUST BE SUSPENDED

EXTREME WEATHER POLICY PORT ADELAIDE DISTRICT HOCKEY CLUB INC.

Name PADHC Extreme Weather Policy Document No: PO-009 Version: 004 Approved by: Management Committee Issue date: 16 January 2019 Review Date: January 2020 EXTREME WEATHER POLICY PORT ADELAIDE DISTRICT