Safety Officer & Safety Guidelines

It is strongly recommended that every club develop, implement, and practice the following safety procedures, utilizing the Safety Officer position as much as possible: 

1. All participants recognize that they are always responsible for their own well-being and the well-being of the group of which they are a part.

2. Each participant shares with the other members the concerns and responsibilities of safety and agrees to follow safe procedures and to avoid unnecessary, hazardous situations. 

3. Encourage all members of your organization to have a physical examination and purchase personal medical insurance prior to participation. The Student Services Building offers students an insurance policy (call 471-4955 for details). This policy no longer covers injuries sustained while competing in a sport club sanctioned event. The national associations governing some sports offer supplemental accident and liability insurance for members. Check to see if your activity provides or offers this type of insurance coverage.

4. Inspect fields and facilities prior to every practice session, game or special event. Report unsafe conditions to the Recreational Sports personnel on duty immediately. If at an off-campus site, report the condition to the proper managing authority. Do not use facilities or equipment if they appear unsafe.

5. Clubs are expected to abide by all local, state, and national health and safety regulations. 

6. Participants are obligated to wear proper dress and appropriate protective equipment. If they choose not to use such equipment, the participants must acknowledge that they are doing so at their own risk.

7. Safety Officers should report all head, neck, and back injuries to the Sport Club Staff and/or Athletic Training Staff.

8. Off-campus clubs should review the facilities' emergency procedures with the Sport Club Office. 

9. We recommend to have at least two members certified in First Aid and CPR available at club practices, games, and events. First Aid and CPR classes are offered by UT RecSports or the American Red Cross of Central Texas in Austin.

Adverse Weather

Cancel outdoor activities if there is lightning, severe weather, tornado watches or warnings, or excessive heat or extreme cold.  Outdoor activities may be cancelled from too much rain/snow or irrigation problems as well. To keep updated about facility closure due to weather, please visit our website under "Weather Alerts". 

• Clubs are not to utilize a field if it is excessively wet.  It is the expectation of the individual club to exercise good judgment.  Please note the ramifications of that judgment, as an improper decision could lead to the field being unplayable for future events.  Clubs that use poor judgment may be placed on probation or suspension for an undetermined period. The Recreational Sports Staff reserves the right to close a field or practice area if conditions are deemed unsafe to participants or the integrity of the field.

• During Field Closures due to rain, Sport Club staff will attempt to reschedule practices to the turf. The staff will take into consideration: sports in season, sports with upcoming competitions, and space available.

  • The Sport Club staff will work with the Intramural Program staff to assess the needs for fields for the night. After confirming space, the Sport Club staff will reach out to your club. Practices may not be confirmed until late in the afternoon for that day. Sport Club staff may adjust practices by moving the start and end time, moving location, and assigning the club a smaller space than normal.

  • Sport Club Staff will not move outdoor sport activities indoors due to inclement weather.

• Indoor activities may be suspended or postponed due to severe weather as well.

• If lightning is seen in the sky, cease all activities and calmly evacuate the area.

• Outdoor RecSports Facilities: If the lightning detection system (Perry Weather) warns of lightning in the area, discontinue all activities and seek shelter.

  • Perry Weather is located at the Charles Alan Wright Fields at the Berry M Whitaker Sports Complex, the Caven Lacrosse and Sports Center at Clark Field, and the Gregory Gym Aquatic Complex. 

  • Student Staff on-site will assist with announcing the weather closure and notifying the club to seek shelter.

  • If Ascension Seton Athletic Trainers are on-site for your event, they will determine when you need to seek shelter and the all clear.

Tornado Watch vs Warning

A tornado watch is when the actual condition in the area may not be presently threatening, there is a strong chance of dangerous winds and a tornado. A tornado warning is when a tornado has been sighted and you should seek shelter immediately. 

• If outdoors, seek shelter immediately. Stay away from windows and take cushioning objects to protect yourself from flying debris.

• City emergency sirens will sound for three minutes followed by seven minutes of silence and then a repeat of the three-minute siren in the event of a tornado warning.

• If on-campus in a Recreational Sports facility, please listen to the facility staff for instructions on the shelter-in place protocol.

UHS Urgent Care Clinic

The UHS Urgent Care Clinic is available for UT students whose injury or illness needs medical attention before the next open appointment. However, the Urgent Care Clinic is not a fully equipped emergency room, and it is NOT open 24 hours a day. If you are experiencing potentially life-threatening symptoms, you should go to a local emergency room or call Emergency Medical Services at 911.

Some medical conditions commonly seen by Urgent Care staff includes:

• Lacerations needing stitches

• Allergic reactions causing rashes or swelling

• Wheezing or asthma not responding to prescribed medications

• Significant abdominal pain

• Conditions requiring intravenous re-hydration therapy such as heat related illnesses or significant vomiting or diarrhea

• Migraine headaches

• Common eye injuries or foreign bodies in the eye

• Sprains, strains, suspected broken bones and similar orthopedic injuries

If your condition is or becomes more serious than the facility can accommodate, they will arrange for your transfer to a local hospital emergency room.

If possible, call the 24-hour Nurse Advice Line (512.475.6877) before coming in to UHS. The nurses can help determine if the Urgent Care services are appropriate for your symptoms or if going to an emergency room, making an appointment or caring for yourself at home is most appropriate. For Urgent Care Clinic Hours of Operation and Other Important Information, see the Healthy Horns Website.  

LiveSafe App

Designed to reduce crime and enable better incident response, LiveSafe technology includes an app for smartphone users connected to a cloud-based dashboard that will be monitored by UTPD dispatch and other officials within UTPD.

Equipment

Any equipment purchased by the club through university accounts is considered University property. Allocation may not be used for equipment or uniforms that are kept by the club members. ALL CLUB EQUIPMENT DEEMED AS ESSENTIAL SAFETY EQUIPMENT MUST BE PROFESSIONALLY INSPECTED ANNUALLY AT THE INDIVIDUAL CLUB’S EXPENSE. Should a club not return university property, a fine will be assessed. 

Equipment Inventory

An equipment inventory form is submitted by each club at the end of the Spring semester and is kept on file for University record.  Each club is required to log inventory, as it is purchased and discarded/broken. To find out more information, view Equipment Inventory Form on the Paperwork Resource Page.

Discarding & Selling Equipment

Before discarding equipment, contact the Sport Club office to ensure the item does not need to be taken to Surplus. Depending on the equipment type and value, the Sport Club staff may be able to assist the team with selling the item. The Sport Club staff will work with the team and surplus to sell the item.

Equipment Storage

Make arrangements for storage before purchasing or acquiring equipment. Storage is the responsibility of the organization and Recreational Sports cannot guarantee space. Clubs are responsible for appropriately storing all their sport equipment. Storage locations should be kept locked. If a club currently has storage, the club is responsible for the cleaning and upkeep of the space.

Reserving Equipment

Depending on availability, the following items may be checked out from the Sport Club Office for special events. Reserve this equipment as early as possible to ensure availability. Items may include water coolers, ice chests, clipboards, tables, and chairs.