Risk Assessments

Blackwater Tai Chi is a Wutan (UK) Martial Arts school (hereafter ‘Wutan Martial Arts’ or ‘Wutan’). The assessments below apply to Blackwater Tai Chi.

The following risk assessments for students cover all training locations for Blackwater Tai Chi. Please follow any specific guidance provided by a training venue or location and adjustments your instructor may make according to the environment and conditions at the time.

Adult students are expected to participate in the preservation of their own health and well being. Instructors will not be liable for the indisciplined or reckless behaviour of students. Parents / guardians play an important role in the management of the safety of their children.

Important notes

1. Training will almost exclusively occur indoors.

2. Training will not include the application of throws or joint locks.

3. Training will not include any kicks, punches or other strikes intended to make contact.

4. Training with wooden sticks, wooden staffs and wooden swords may be included from time to time.

5. Training with sharp and/or metal edged weapons will not be included.

Indoors

Performing class exercises

1. Risk:

   1. Students may suffer injuries such as bruises, swelling, sprains or twisted joints from falls

2. Mitigation:

   1. Instructor to check hall obstructions

   2. Instructor to check the degree of friction the surface provides, e.g. slippery or high friction

   3. Instructor may make modifications to exercises based on a student’s reported health condition etc.

3. Assessed as:

   1. Before mitigation: Medium impact, medium probability

   2. After mitigation: Medium impact, low probability

Partner Exercises (Empty hand)

1. Risk:

   1. Students may suffer injuries to the face, hands, arms, legs and body such as bruises, swelling, sprains or twisted joints from partner exercises

2. Mitigation:

   1. Instructors will advise, supervise and caution new students in appropriate and safe technique

   2. Protective equipment will be used where applicable

   3. Soft surfaces (mats etc.) may be used where there is high risk

3. Assessed as:

   1. Before mitigation: Medium impact, medium probability

   2. After mitigation: Medium impact, low probability

Application Practice / Sparring / Weapons Training

1. Risk:

   1. Students and bystanders may suffer injuries to the face, hands, arms, legs and body such as cuts, bruises, swelling, sprains or twisted joints from weapons training, application practice or sparring (controlled fighting) within a lesson

2. Mitigation:

   1. Instructors will advise, supervise and caution all students in appropriate and safe technique

   2. Instructors and students ensure that bystanders keep a safe distance

   3. Protective equipment will be used where applicable

   4. Soft surfaces (mats etc.) may be used where there is high risk

   5. Training weapons are blunt edged and designed to minimise risk

3. Assessed as:

   1. Before mitigation: High impact, high probability

   2. After mitigation: Medium impact, medium probability

Transport of training weapons

1. Risk:

   1. Members of the public may suffer needless fear and emotional distress seeing training weapons being openly used for practice or displayed in public. It is forbidden to carry uncovered training weapons in public. Failure to comply may subject the student to prosecution and/or bring the high reputation of Wutan into disrepute

2. Mitigation:

   1. Students must transport all training weapons to classes or organised events in properly designed and secure cases / bags etc.

   2. Students must not use training weapons in public spaces unless it is in the context of an organised event or demonstration

3. Assessed as:

   1. Before mitigation: High impact, medium probability

   2. After mitigation: Low impact, low probability

Outdoors

The following additional harms may be present when training outside.

Uneven surfaces

1. Risk:

   1. Students may suffer injuries such as bruises, swelling, sprains or twisted joints from falls

2. Mitigation:

   1. Teacher to check for uneven footing or obstructions and to alert Students

   2. Teacher to check the degree of friction the surface provides, e.g. slippery or high friction and to alert students

   3. Instructor to re-assess ground surface if conditions change during lesson due to rain, etc.

   4. Instructor to warn students of any issues found with the ground

   5. Instructor to make suitable adjustments to forms being practiced etc. due to ground – avoid sudden movements on slippery surfaces or twisting motions on high friction surfaces such as tarmac

   6. Instructor to advise students of the need for suitable footwear

   7. Instructor to caution students known to have poor balance.

   8. Students are required to raise relevant health conditions etc. so that the teacher can make adjustments to the exercises

3. Assessed as:

   1. Before mitigation: Medium impact, medium probability

   2. After mitigation: Medium impact, low probability

Adverse weather conditions

1. Risk:

   1. Students and other students may be exposed to the sun, wind, rain and extreme temperatures resulting in injuries.

2. Mitigation:

   1. Students are expected to bring applicable clothing including footwear, hats, sun protection etc.

3. Assessed as:

   1. Before mitigation: Low impact, medium probability

   2. After mitigation: Low impact, low probability

Members of the public and large pets

1. Risk:

   1. Students may be impacted by large pets and members of the public causing falls and injuries.

2. Mitigation:

   1. Exercises typically occur in private areas with limited and controlled access (exceptions being when students may participate in demonstrations)

   2. Warn students of any pets or livestock present

3. Assessed as:

   1. Before mitigation: Medium impact, low probability

   2. After mitigation: Low impact, low probability

Animal waste

1. Risk:

   1. Students may come into contact with animal waste leading to infectious diseases

2. Mitigation:

   1. Instructors check for the presence of any animal waste

   2. Students are expected to be vigilant for animal waste and to alert instructors so that it can be removed

   3. Materials (soap and water etc.) are available for cleaning hands etc.

3. Assessed as:

   1. Before mitigation: Medium impact, low probability

   2. After mitigation: Low impact, low probability

Insects

1. Risk:

   1. Students and other students may be exposed to biting / stinging insects causing irritation and discomfort and the possibility of infectious diseases

2. Mitigation:

   1. Students may bring insect repellent as required and should familiarise themselves with the risks associated with e.g. ticks

3. Assessed as:

   1. Before mitigation: Medium impact, low probability

   2. After mitigation: Low impact, low probability

Concealed broken glass, pottery shards, barbed wire or other sharp items

1. Risk:

   1. Students may step, sit or fall on small concealed sharp objects causing cuts and scratches

2. Mitigation:

   1. Instructors monitor the training area for possible hazards

   2. Students are expected to be vigilant for hazards and to alert instructors so that they can be removed.

   3. Basic first aid supplies are available

3. Assessed as:

   1. Before mitigation: Medium impact, low probability

   2. After mitigation: Low impact, low probability

Plants with sharp thorns, spikes or stings

1. Risk:

   1. Students may step, sit or fall on plants causing cuts and scratches

2. Mitigation:

   1. Instructors monitor the training area for possible hazards

   2. Students are expected to be vigilant for hazards and to alert instructors so that they can be removed.

   3. Basic first aid supplies are available

3. Assessed as:

   1. Before mitigation: Medium impact, low probability

   2. After mitigation: Low impact, low probability

COVID-19

Rules which MUST be Followed:

You MUST NOT attend the class if you or members of your household:

1. Show symptoms of COVID-19

2. Have received a positive test result for COVID-19 within the last five days

3. Are awaiting the outcome of a test result for COVID-19

4. Have been instructed to self-isolate

Please also:

1. Inform the class teacher if you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last seven days

2. Wear a mask during partner / contact training when requested to do so by your instructor

Revision history

• 06-Oct-2024

• 22-May-2024