Safety and Risk Management : Borkowski Articles

Risk Management and Rugby Football

a series of articles by Dr. Dick Borkowski

The Daily Dozen
A quick safety "Check it out" list'
by Dr. Dick Borkowski

Every time you walk on the pitch, stick the following DAILY DOZEN on your clipboard. As I have said many times before, each club should assign at least one person to this task. Crown someone the Safety Czar.

First, remember the major safety concerns are:

Permitting inexperienced, unfit individuals to play. Because you played football does not mean you are prepared to play rugby.
A lack of qualified coaches. This is quickly changing because of the current coaching certification program run by the USA Rugby Football Union.
Very poor field conditions for many fledgling programs.
The unskilled, lack of knowledge and misinformed player who plays outside the spirit of the game. Not only are they susceptible to injury - they often cause injury to others.
The lack of understanding by many of our educators.
Slogans such as "Give Blood, Play Rugby."
The game is only a prelude to the "beer blast."
Any sign of a head injury means immediate removal from participation. There are various suggestions regarding what to do, when one can return to play and what questions to ask the injured player. Don't let the player return. Seek medical help. Require a return to play form signed by a doctor.
Cervical and spine related injuries must be lowered and hopefully eliminated.
Because most rugby is volunteer operated, it does not mean you will be held to a lower standard of safety for those in your charge or the courts. In general, the older one is, the more he/she is expected to be responsible. Do not rely on this generality.

The following will keep you sensitized and vigilant to the goal of lowering the chance of injuries. That, as I have also said many times, will lower the chance of lawsuits to coaches, administrators and unions.

CHECK IT OUT!

CHECK OUT THE RECORD KEEPING (such as insurance, eligibility)
CHECK OUT YOUR PRACTICE PLAN
CHECK OUT THE LAW BOOK
CHECK OUT THE ENVIRONMENT
CHECK OUT THE TEAM EQUIPMENT
CHECK OUT THE INDIVIDUAL PLAYER’S EQUIPMENT
CHECK OUT THE COACH (Is he or she qualified?)
CHECK OUT THE CONDITION OF THE PLAYER
CHECK OUT COMPETITION MATCHING (Have you avoided the mismatching of players?)
CHECK OUT THE SUPERVISION (Do you have enough?)
CHECK OUT THE MEDICAL AND EMERGENCY PLAN

CHECK OUT YOUR "CHECK OUT" PLAN AGAIN

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