1. Risk Management For The Sport Administrator

2. EXAMPLES OF RISKS
Organization is sued when a rugby scrum collapses, plaintiff alleges mismatching of players
Coach, club and arena are sued for failing to ensure a safe skating surface
Instructor is sued for failing to follow proper progression in instruction
Member of club complains of harassment and abuse by a coach
Player challenges selection decisions made by a committee
Hockey player injured by an illegal check sues coaches and officials for failing to enforce the rules

3. Why Manage Risk? Reduce injuries to participants
Improve your defense against litigation
Reduce insurance costs/meet requirements of insurers
Meet requirements of funding agencies
Protect volunteers
Improve customer service and public image
Help you to govern more effectively
Reduction in injuries means fewer claims and court actions
Most importantly---Safer programming

4. What is Risk Management?
Process by which an organization identifies, assesses, controls and eliminates or minimizes the risk of bodily injury or financial loss arising from it’s activities

5. What is Risk Management?
Proactive approach to reducing the risk of injuries

6. Steps to Control Risk Step 1: Risk Categories
What are the major risk categories involved?
Example:
People
Facilities
Equipment

7. Steps to Control Risk Step 2: Areas of Risk
For each risk category who/what might be affected?
Risk Category: Equipment
Protective Equipment, Emergency Equipment, Footwear

8. Steps to Control Risk Step 3: Risk Components
What risk components should be examined?
People: Participants, Staff, Parent
Facilities/Equipment: Inspection, Maintenance

9. Steps to Control Risk Step 4: Identification of Risks
For each risk component how are the specific risks identified? (audit questions)
People: Participants, Staff, Parents:
Facilities and Equipment: Checklists

10. Steps to Control Risk Step 5: Action Plans
According to the risks identified what action plans need to be implemented to minimize or eliminate these risks?
Example:
- Develop a waiver form
Restrict Height/Age

11. Insurance Comprehensive general liability insurance
provides broad coverage for liability to other persons (personal injuries or property damage caused to other persons)
Other Insurance
Accident Insurance/Worker’s Compensation
Property Insurance
Automobile Insurance

12. "Insurance is not a substitute for good risk management"

13. Types of Risk in Sport PHYSICAL RISK
The risks, dangers and hazards that are inherent in the sport activity. These risks are unavoidable, reasonable and in many cases, desirable
LEGAL RISK
The risk that the organizers & participants of the sport activity will behave negligently. This risk is not inherent in the sport, nor is it desirable, reasonable or acceptable

14. Waivers
Definition: A written contract where the participant accepts the legal risks of negligence which allows them to participate in an activity.
Purpose:
limits the liability of a company due to risks in an activity
helps participants to make an educated decision on participating
with respect to minors, informs parents of involvement

15. WAIVERS - 3 ESSENTIALS
Description of risks you are asking participant to accept - including both physical risks of the sport & legal risk of your negligence
Participant’s “release” or “waiver” of liability - the backbone of the waiver is the participant’s knowing relinquishment of their right to sue you
Participant’s acknowledgement - that they have understood the terms of the waiver - and are signing it voluntarily

16. Waivers Cont’d What Type of Events should Utilize a Waiver?
Training, pre-event activities, events, travel, post-event, Repeating Events (i.e.. season)

17. Waivers Cont’d The Effective Waiver
Simple, concise wording include all risks and those involved
ensure participants actually read and understand the terms/Risks Involved
no outside pressure to sign
signed before participation in the activity
signed in person and with a witness
no alcohol around
always check proof of age if unsure
stored safely and for a long time

18. Waivers Cont’d Minors informed consent form
neither parents nor minors can sign their rights away
way of informing parents of risk
not a contract but can be upheld in courts with high risk activities

19. Waivers Cont’d When Waivers Work as a Defense
written and used properly and specific to the activity
signed voluntarily, prior to event
used with a negligent claim and uses the word “negligence”
clearly written
evident it was actually read and understood

20. Waivers Cont’d When Waivers do not Work as a Defense
not written/implemented properly (unclear, overly technical, ambiguous)
signing under pressure to participate
no mention of the word “negligence”
does not properly warn of the risks involved
not being aware that what is actually being signed is a waiver

21. In consideration of DPI furnishing services and /or equipment to enable me to participate in paintball games, I agree as follows:    I fully understand and acknowledge that; (a) risks and dangers exist in my use of Paintball equipment and my participation in Paintball activities; (b) my participation in such activities and/or use of such equipment may result in my injury or illness including but not limited to bodily injury, disease strains, fractures, partial and/or total paralysis, eye injury, blindness, heat stroke, heart attack, death or other ailments that could cause serious disability; (c) these risks and dangers may be caused by the negligence of the owners, employees, officers or agents of DPI; the negligence of the participants, the negligence of others, accidents, breaches of contract, the forces of nature or other causes. These risks and dangers may arise from foreseeable or unforeseeable causes; and (d) by my participation in these activities and/or use of equipment, I hereby assume all risks and dangers and all responsibility for any losses and/or damages, whether caused in whole or in part by the negligence or other conduct of the owners, agents, officers, employees of DPI, or by any other person.    I, on behalf of myself, my personal representatives and my heirs, hereby voluntarily agree to release, waive, discharge, hold harmless, defend and indemnify DPI and it's owners, agents, officers and employees from any and all claims, actions or losses for bodily injury, property damage, wrongful death, loss of services or otherwise which may arise out of my use of Paintball equipment or my participation in Paintball activities, I specifically understand that I am releasing, discharging and waiving any claims or actions that I may have presently or in the future for the negligent acts or other conduct by the owners, agents, officers or employees of DPI. This waiver is good till 03/01/06.
MEDICAL PERMISSION AUTHORIZATION
   If the participant is of minority age, the undersigned parent or guardian hereby gives permission for DPI to authorize emergency medical treatment as may be deemed necessary for the child named below while participating in paintball games from this date through 03/01/06
I HAVE READ THE ABOVE WAIVER AND RELEASE AND BY SIGNING IT AGREE IT IS MY INTENTION TO EXEMPT AND RELIEVE DPI FROM LIABILITY FOR PERSONAL INJURY, PROPERTY DAMAGE OR WRONGFUL DEATH CAUSED BY NEGLIGENCE OR ANY OTHER CAUSE.
Print Name Age Date of Birth Phone
Signature Address City, State, Zip
Signature of Parent/Guardian (if less than 18 yrs old) WITNESS:
DATE:

22. The Emergency Action Plan
“A predetermined plan to deal with an emergency in an organized and efficient manner”
Implementing Emergency Action Plan:
Designing the plan/ Pre-planning duties
Assigning the personnel
Practicing the plan

23. 1. Designing EAP/ Pre-planning duties
CPR/First Aid training
Pre-season screening of all athletes
Medical information cards
Establish emergency vehicle routes
Determine closest phone
Post an emergency card next to the nearest phone
Prepare incident/accident report forms
Know locations of emergency equipment
First aid kit
Pre-event safety checks

24. 2. Assigning the Personnel
Before the event, assign a…
Charge Person - person with highest level of training
be responsible for the well-being of the injured person until medical help arrives
Call Person - person who is accessible and present throughout the event
know where phones, make emerg. Call, know emerg. Routes
Control Person - person who is accessible and present throughout the event to control crowd, relay messages, assist charge

25. 3. Practice the Plan
Before the event run through the plan, executing in a scenario applicable to likely risk occurrences for your event/organization.

26. Medical Information Cards
medical history and any present conditions
medical clearance necessary
medical information cards:
-name and contact information
-emergency contact
-family doctor
-any conditions (asthma, allergies, etc)
-health card number

27. Incident & Accident Report Forms
What is the difference between an Incident Report and an Accident Report?
Incident – includes any happening (i.e. Fire Alarm)
Accident – Documentation of Injuries
Why are they important?
follow up for a specific injury
company policy as to what information will be given
may determine patterns of injury
documentation of what happened in the event of legal litigation
signed by witness
Helps to guide future policy and action