Health & Safety Policy

The Royal Twirling Association (RTA) is committed to ensuring the health, safety, and welfare of all participants, officials, volunteers, spectators, and any other persons involved in or attending RTA events and activities. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety risks and our expectations of all those involved.

The RTA Committee is responsible for ensuring that adequate health and safety arrangements are in place for all RTA events, that risk assessments are conducted, and that all personnel are aware of their responsibilities.

Troupe leaders are responsible for the health and safety of their dancers during warm-ups, rehearsals, and performances at RTA events. They must ensure dancers are fit to participate and have appropriate insurance cover.

All participants have a responsibility to follow health and safety instructions, report hazards, and behave in a manner that does not endanger themselves or others.

A comprehensive risk assessment will be carried out for every RTA event and competition. Risk assessments will identify potential hazards, assess the level of risk, and set out the control measures to be implemented.

Risk assessments will cover the venue and its facilities, the competition floor and performance areas, spectator areas, backstage and warm-up areas, equipment, fire safety, and emergency procedures.

Risk assessments will be reviewed after each event and updated as necessary.

Qualified first aiders will be present at all RTA competitions and events. A fully stocked first aid kit will be available and its location clearly signposted.

In the event of a serious injury or medical emergency, the emergency services will be contacted immediately on 999. The nearest hospital and its location will be identified in advance for every venue.

Any injuries or incidents must be recorded in the RTA Accident Book, including the nature of the injury, treatment administered, and any follow-up actions required.

The RTA will ensure that all venues used for competitions and events meet appropriate safety standards. A venue inspection will be carried out before each event to check fire exits and evacuation routes are clear and signposted, the competition floor is in good condition and free from hazards, adequate lighting and ventilation is provided, toilet and changing facilities are clean and accessible, and the venue has adequate public liability insurance.

Emergency procedures including fire evacuation routes will be communicated to all personnel and announced to the audience at the start of each event. Fire exits will be clearly marked and kept clear at all times.

In the event of an emergency requiring evacuation, the Event Director will give the instruction to evacuate. All persons must proceed calmly to the nearest fire exit and assemble at the designated assembly point. Troupe leaders are responsible for accounting for all members of their troupe.

All equipment used at RTA events, including batons, pom-poms, sound equipment, and staging, must be in good working condition and used appropriately.

Dancers are responsible for ensuring their own equipment (batons, costumes, etc.) is safe and fit for purpose. The RTA reserves the right to prohibit the use of any equipment deemed unsafe.

The RTA reserves the right to cancel, postpone, or modify events in response to extreme weather conditions, public health emergencies, or any other circumstances that may compromise the safety of participants or attendees.

The RTA holds appropriate public liability insurance for its events. Troupe leaders are responsible for ensuring their troupe has its own insurance cover for training, travel, and participation in events.

This policy will be reviewed annually, or sooner following any significant incident or change in legislation. The next review date is March 2027.