Health & Safety Policy

April 2026

POLICY STATEMENT

5th Element Jiu Jitsu Academy CIC is committed to providing a safe, clean, and well-managed training environment for all members, coaches, staff, and visitors. We recognise that martial arts training carries inherent physical risk, and we take proactive steps to minimise that risk through qualified coaching, proper equipment, clear procedures, and a culture that prioritises the welfare of every person on the mat.

This policy has been developed in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, and the standards set by the British Martial Arts & Boxing Association (BMABA).

SCOPE

This policy applies to:

All coaches, assistant coaches, volunteers, and staff
All members and trial participants
All visitors to the academy premises
All activities conducted at the academy, at external events, and at competitions held under the 5th Element Jiu Jitsu Academy name

RESPONSIBILITIES

Reece Doran — Head Coach and Health & Safety Lead Responsible for the overall implementation and review of this policy, ensuring coaches are appropriately trained, and that the academy environment remains safe for all members and staff.

All coaches and assistant coaches Responsible for following this policy during every session, conducting themselves in line with safe coaching practice, identifying and reporting hazards, and responding appropriately to any incident or injury.

All members Responsible for training in accordance with the academy's code of conduct, respecting training partners, following coach instructions, and reporting any injury, illness, or hazard to a coach immediately.

COACH QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING

All coaches at 5th Element Jiu Jitsu Academy hold the following:

Current enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check
Current first aid qualification
Safeguarding training recognised by BMABA
Coaching qualifications in accordance with the British Martial Arts & Boxing Association (BMABA)

Every class is supervised by coaches who are first aid trained, ensuring first aid capability is present at every session without exception.

INSURANCE

5th Element Jiu Jitsu Academy holds valid public liability insurance through our affiliation with the British Martial Arts & Boxing Association (BMABA). Insurance documentation is available on request.

Members are strongly recommended to consider personal accident insurance to supplement the cover provided by the academy's public liability policy, as personal accident insurance is not automatically included.

FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT

Training mats Mats are cleaned regularly and inspected routinely to ensure they remain in safe, hygienic, and usable condition. Any damage or deterioration is addressed promptly.

First aid kit A fully stocked first aid kit is maintained on the premises and is clearly accessible to all coaches. The kit is checked regularly and restocked as required.

Accident book The academy maintains a formal accident and incident log. Any injury, incident, or near miss during training or on the premises is recorded with date, time, individuals involved, nature of the incident, and action taken.

Equipment All training equipment (pads, grappling dummies, weights, and any other training aids) is inspected regularly. Any equipment deemed unsafe is removed from use immediately.

Premises The training area is kept clean, free of hazards, and appropriately ventilated. Walkways are kept clear of obstructions at all times.

MEMBER HEALTH AND FITNESS

Before beginning training, all members (or parents/guardians of junior members) are required to:

Complete a health declaration as part of the membership agreement
Disclose any medical conditions, injuries, or physical limitations that may affect safe participation
Inform coaches promptly of any change in health or new injury

Members are expected to train within their own physical limits and to stop if they experience pain, dizziness, or any concerning symptom. Pushing through pain or injury is not encouraged — it is actively discouraged as a matter of policy.

Members returning to training after injury or illness are expected to disclose this to their coach before participating.

TRAINING PRACTICES

Partner safety Training partners are expected to apply techniques with control at all times. The responsibility for a partner's safety rests with both individuals in any drill, sparring round, or technical exchange.

Submissions When a training partner signals submission — verbally, by tapping, or by any other indication — the technique must be released immediately. Failure to do so is a serious breach of conduct and will be treated accordingly.

Level-appropriate training Students train within their appropriate programme level to ensure partner pairings, intensity, and technical complexity are suited to their experience and development.

Warm-ups Sessions begin with physical preparation appropriate to the class level and content, reducing the risk of injury during higher-intensity work later in the session.

Hygiene Members are expected to attend training with clean kit, trimmed nails, and appropriate personal hygiene. Open wounds must be covered or the member asked to sit out until healed. Skin infections must be reported to a coach and the member may be asked to refrain from training until resolved.

INJURY AND INCIDENT RESPONSE

In the event of an injury or incident during training:

Training in the immediate area is paused
A first aid trained coach assesses the situation and provides appropriate care
Where injury is beyond the scope of on-site first aid, emergency services are contacted without delay (999)
For junior members, parents or guardians are contacted immediately
The incident is recorded in the accident book with full detail
Where necessary, follow-up contact is made with the member to check on recovery
Serious incidents are reported to BMABA and, where required, to the Health and Safety Executive under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations)

FIRE SAFETY AND EMERGENCY EVACUATION

Fire exits Fire exits are clearly marked and kept unobstructed at all times.

Evacuation procedure In the event of a fire alarm or evacuation instruction:

Training stops immediately
Members exit the building via the marked fire exit in an orderly manner
Coaches ensure all members — including juniors — are accounted for at the assembly point
Emergency services are contacted where appropriate
Nobody re-enters the building until authorised to do so

All coaches must be familiar with the evacuation route and procedure.

Fire safety equipment Fire safety equipment on the premises is maintained in accordance with landlord responsibilities and is not to be tampered with under any circumstances.

RISK ASSESSMENT

Risk assessments are conducted by the Health and Safety Lead covering:

General training activity
Equipment use
Premises safety
External events and competitions

Risk assessments are reviewed annually or following any significant incident or change in circumstances.

JUNIOR MEMBERS

Additional considerations apply to the health and safety of junior members:

All junior classes have a minimum of two coaches on the mat at all times
Training content is age-appropriate and adjusted for physical development stage
Coaches hold current enhanced DBS and safeguarding qualifications
Parents or guardians are contacted immediately in the event of injury or incident
Medical consent for emergency treatment is captured in the Junior Membership Agreement

Further detail on the welfare of junior members is set out in the Safeguarding Policy.

REPORTING HAZARDS

Any member, coach, or visitor who identifies a hazard — whether related to the building, equipment, or training practice — is encouraged to report it to a coach immediately. All reports will be taken seriously and addressed without delay.

VISITORS AND SPECTATORS

Parents, guardians, and other spectators are welcome at the academy but are asked to:

Remain in designated viewing areas
Not walk onto the training mat during sessions unless invited by a coach
Supervise any young children in their care who are not participating in the class
Follow any instructions given by coaches or staff regarding safety

POLICY REVIEW

This policy will be reviewed annually by the Health and Safety Lead or immediately following any significant incident, change in legislation, or change in BMABA guidance.

Policy owner: Reece Doran, Head Coach and Health & Safety Lead Last reviewed: April 2026 Next review due: April 2027