Padel United UK Health & Safety Policy

Padel United UK Health & Safety Policy: Last Updated: December 2025 – Next Review: December 2026

Approved By: Padel United UK Management Team

1. Introduction

Padel United UK is committed to providing a safe, welcoming and enjoyable environment for all players, spectators, staff and visitors across our multi-club padel sites. Whether our courts operate as standalone facilities or are connected to partnered leisure centres, the health, safety and well-being of everyone on site remains our highest priority.

This Health & Safety Policy outlines our responsibilities, the responsibilities of our players and visitors, and the arrangements we have in place to maintain safe, well-managed padel facilities.

2. Health & Safety Policy Statement

Padel United UK is committed to:

Providing and maintaining padel courts, clubhouses, walkways, and associated facilities that are safe and fit for purpose.
Ensuring that every club undertakes regular, recorded risk assessments of courts, buildings, equipment, and all activities undertaken on site.
Implementing health and safety measures arising from each assessment, and reviewing them at least annually.
Ensuring that all staff, coaches and volunteers are aware of and trained in relevant safety procedures.
Ensuring that leisure-centre–based clubs have clear links with onsite trained first aiders and emergency personnel.
Providing access to adequate First Aid facilities and ensuring trained first aiders are available at leisure centre based clubs during staffed operating hours.
Recording and reporting all accidents, dangerous occurrences, and incidents to our insurers and safety advisors.
Making sure that emergency procedures, evacuation plans and contact details are clear and accessible to all players and staff.
Reviewing and improving safety procedures annually or following any significant incident.

3. Responsibilities

3.1 Padel United UK Management

The Management Team holds overall responsibility for:

Ensuring this policy is implemented across all clubs.
Providing appropriate resources for health & safety compliance.
Ensuring the appointment of a Club Health & Safety Lead at each site.
Ensuring risk assessments, inspections and maintenance records are conducted and documented.

3.2 Club Health & Safety Leads

Each club will appoint a competent staff member who is responsible for:

Day-to-day monitoring of safety measures.
Maintaining accident books and first aid records.
Ensuring staff understand emergency and operational procedures.
Coordinating with leisure centre personnel where applicable.
Reporting hazards and ensuring prompt action is taken.

3.3 Coaches, Staff & Volunteers

All staff and volunteers must:

Co-operate on health & safety matters and follow the procedures outlined in this policy.
Immediately report hazards, injuries, unsafe behaviour, or damaged equipment.
Not misuse or interfere with safety equipment.
Ensure players are using facilities appropriately.

3.4 Players & Visitors: Your Responsibilities

All players and visitors have a duty to:

Take reasonable care for your own health and safety and that of others.
Wear appropriate padel footwear with non-marking soles and suitable grip.
Take care when entering or leaving courts, especially via gates, walkways or wet areas.
Report hazards – such as wet surfaces, damaged nets, broken glass, lighting issues or unsafe behaviour – to a member of staff immediately.
Use equipment correctly and avoid tampering with court fixtures or electrical equipment.
Follow staff instructions during emergency situations or evacuations.
Respect site rules regarding car parks, walkways and restricted areas.
Take personal responsibility for belongings – items left on site are stored at the owner’s risk.

4. Weather Conditions, Refunds & Court Safety

Padel United UK courts are regularly inspected and maintained for safe play by our maintenance teams. However, weather may affect playability. Players must take particular caution during wet, icy, windy or stormy conditions.

If courts become unsafe or unplayable due to weather, sessions are fully refundable or credited.

Players should contact their local Club Manager to request a refund or credit.

To ensure fairness and safety:

Staff may close courts if they are deemed hazardous.
Players must not enter courts closed for safety reasons.
If lightning or extreme weather occurs during play, players must vacate courts immediately.

5. First Aid & Accident Reporting

5.1 First Aid Facilities

All clubs provide:

A stocked First Aid kit, located clearly in the clubhouse or partner leisure centre.
Access to trained first aiders (leisure centre staff depending on location).
Emergency contact numbers posted onsite.

5.2 Accident Reporting

All accidents, near misses, or incidents must be reported as soon as possible.

An Accident/Incident Report Form is available at every club.
Completed forms should be given to a club staff member/ leisure centre staff member or placed in the designated submissions box.
Where first aid supplies are used, this must be recorded and reported for replenishment.
Serious incidents will be reported in accordance with RIDDOR where required.

6. Fire Safety

Padel United UK ensures:

Each club has a fire risk assessment and a nominated responsible person.
Fire extinguishers are inspected annually by a qualified contractor. (Where applicable)
Escape routes are kept clear at all times.
Emergency signage is visible and well maintained.

In the event of a fire:

Do not attempt to tackle a serious blaze.
Raise the alarm and call emergency services.
Evacuate immediately to the designated assembly point—do not return to the premises.

7. Court, Building & Grounds Safety

7.1 Courts

We ensure that:

Playing surfaces are free from potholes, debris, standing water and trip hazards.
Glass walls, metal structures and net posts are regularly inspected.
Floodlights and electrical installations are maintained and PAT tested as required.
Damaged courts or equipment are closed off until safe.

7.2 Buildings & Clubhouses

Toilets and changing areas are kept clean and hygienic.
Cleaning chemicals are stored safely and used correctly.
Faulty lights, tiles, flooring or fixtures are repaired promptly.
Roof access and storage areas are restricted.

7.3 Car Parks & Walkways

Traffic routes must be kept clear.
Players must use designated parking areas and avoid blocking access routes.
Care must be taken when crossing car parks or accessing courts.

8. Equipment Safety

All electrical equipment is PAT tested regularly.
Damaged equipment must be reported and removed immediately.
Only authorised staff may adjust floodlights or electrical systems.
Volunteer and staff equipment for maintenance tasks is provided and maintained.

9. Manual Handling

Any movement of heavy items (e.g., nets, maintenance equipment) must follow safe lifting guidelines:

Assess the load and ask for help if needed.
Bend at the knees, keep your back straight, and lift using your legs.
Ensure clear visibility when carrying large items.

10. General Housekeeping

To maintain a safe environment:

Floors must be kept clean and dry.
Wet areas should be signed and avoided until safe.
All rubbish must be disposed of in designated bins.
Hazardous materials such as cleaners or fuels must be stored securely.

11. Lost Property & Personal Belongings

Padel United UK is not responsible for personal items left in clubhouses, courts or walkways. Players must remove all belongings—including water bottles, clothing and equipment—after play.

12. Review of Policy

This Health & Safety Policy will be reviewed:

Annually by the Management Team.
After any serious incident or near-miss.
When there are significant changes to operations, equipment or legislation.

Updates will be communicated to all staff and posted prominently online and onsite.