Background

COREhealth is committed to ensuring that Tai Chi remains a safe exercise/sport undertaken for health reasons; should there be any cause for concern about a student's safety the session (for the student or class as a whole) will be terminated immediately. In the event of an incident or accident, a formal log of the incident will be made by the coach and/or senior student.

Contact Numbers

All instructors will have access to the club membership list; this includes contact numbers for all members.
Parents of Junior members will be at Tai Chi Sessions with their children. An attendance register will be kept for club sessions.

Insurance

As an improved instructor of either Tai Chi Union of Great Britain and/or Long Fei Tai Chi association all COREhealth Instructors will carry professional, third party and public liability insurance for club sessions and events.

Operations

When in sole charge of a group, the lead instructor is required to have a valid 1st Aid Certificate (not less than 3 years old), or the presence of another member who holds a valid 1st Aid certificate

  • Junior members of the club are required to be accompanied by a responsible adult; given this COREhealth asserts that DBS checks and Safeguarding training for its instructors is optional.
  • Use of drugs, alcohol, vaping (e cigarettes) and smoking is forbidden at all Tai Chi sessions.
  • Students should advise the Coach or Instructor of any special needs or medical conditions before undertaking Tai Chi

Definitions (Training and Capabilities)

Novice  Tai Chi Student who is learning the fundamentals of Tai Chi and has normally practiced for less than 2 years
Intermediate or Improver Tai Chi Student who has progressed to the longer Tai Chi forms requiring balance / standing on one leg and going low. Intermediate students will not have progressed to Sword forms. Normally 2-4 years experience
Advanced Students Tai Chi students who have progressed to the longest Hand forms requiring endurance concentration and balance. They will normally have remembered the shorter (8-16 and 24) routines and will have progressed to the Sword Routines. Will have been practicing Tai Chi for more than 4 years.
Basic Instructor Tai Chi Union of Great Britain Basic Instructors (B)- are continuing their apprenticeship in Chinese internal arts and able to teach at a basic level; they will usually still be training on a regular basis with their own instructor.
Intermediate Instructor Tai Chi Union of Great Britain Intermediate Instructors (I)- practice Chinese internal arts to an acceptable level and will be able to instruct routines that they have demonstrated the ability to perform to an acceptable level. Intermediate Instructors can lead sessions provide they carry insurance and a suitable First Aid trained person is at the session.
Advanced Instructor Tai Chi Union of Great Britain Advanced Instructor (A).- normally will have at least 8-10 years experience of practising Chinese internal arts in depth. They will have been examined by a Senior Instructor or by the Technical Panel of the TCUGB against a wide range of routines. Advanced Instructors must carry Insurance and a valid First Aid certificate to practice. 

CORE health Indoor Session Risks and actions

Hazard Risk Control Measures Prob
Safety & Emergencies  (L) First Aid and Safety
  • At least one Coach/Instructor or Student is to have a valid First Aid Certificate and bring a First Aid kit to the Venue.
  • In the absence of a Coach, the Senior Student is responsible for ensuring the session is safe.
  • Coach to know the location of the nearest Accident and Emergency - Normally Yeovil District Hospital.
 VL
Equipment (L) Swords, Fans etc 
  • All Students are to ensure their equipment is safe to use.
  • Under no circumstances will sword to sword fencing be allowed
 VL
Overexertion (M) Muscular injury
  • All students will warm up and warm down. 
  • This may be coach led or with students undertaking their own warm up/down.
 L
General - steps and stairs (M) Slips, trips, falls – personal injury in stairs area. 
  • Where present, normal care to be taken on steps and stairs when arriving at or leaving the training rooms.
  • There are no steps/stairs in use as part of Tai Chi sessions.
 L
Loss of balance during Tai Chi (M) Physical injury – muscular or falls
  • All to wear suitable foot wear to prevent slips and provide grip.
  • All to be reminded  to work within their own limitations and move within their capabilities.
  • Continual training and practice - staged approach to balance work
 VL
Tai Chi Knee (M) Damage to knee ligaments
  • All Novices to  have importance of keeping Knee in line with the foot, especially when moving the weight to the back foot.
  • Coach to periodically remind all students of this and look for correct posture in sessions
 VL
Manual Handling Not Applicable   VL
Push Hands (M) Off balance, Falls and other physical injuries
  • When doing push hands, working with a partner, students to be closely  supervised.
  • To be carried out with Intermediate and Advanced students
  • Continuous observation by the coach
 VL
Physical collision (M) impact (sword to student) or collision
  • Coach to ensure that suitable spacing is maintained especially if/when using swords.
  • Swords to be normally restricted to Intermediate and advanced students
 VL

 COREhealth Outdoor Sessions additional risks (including World Tai Chi Day)

Hazard Risk Control Measures Prob
Poor Weather (L) Exposure, Rain
  • Weather forecast to be checked 48 hours prior to start and 24 hours to start for GO/NO GO decision by Organiser 
 VL
Wind (L) Overexertion, induced falls
  • In consistent wind speeds above 20mph, routines with swords to be carefully examined (dynamic risk assessment)
 VL
Cold Weather (L) Hypothermia,
  • Dress appropriately for conditions.
  • Students monitor themselves and others in cold conditions.
  • Consider cancelling the session
 VL
Hot Weather (L) Heat stroke / sunburn / dehydration
  • Dress appropriately for conditions and bring suitable cool drinks / water.
  • Where possible, run session in the shade.
  • Group members monitor themselves and others in hot / sunny conditions.
  • All members advised to wear hats and consider sun-cream at start of session. 
 L
Rubbish (L) Cuts, other injuries
  • Avoid rubbish.
  • Bring a first aid kit.
  • Ensure practice area is clear before start of session.
  • If practicable, move to an alternative area or venue.
 VL
Uneven Surfaces (M) Loss of balance, trips and falls
  • Visual inspection of practice area.
  • Ensure group members have suitable foot wear.
  • Identify hazards.
  • If practicable, move to alternative area or location
 L
Other Venue users (M) Collision, Conflict and lack of Consideration
  • Choose an area not likely to conflict with other users (not on the golf course or a football pitch); Select location carefully.
  • Consider needs of others/general public before proceeding with Tai Chi.
  • Where necessary, seek permission from land owner/council for larger groups
 L
Animals or rodents (L) Direct contact – personal injury
  • Where possible, avoid leaving objects, food or drink that might attract dogs or other animals.
  • Choose location carefully.
  • Consider alternate location/venue and/or cancelling session.
 L
Nuisance (L) Noise from Tai Chi and/or Tai Chi Music
  • Consider the needs of others and above all be polite to all members of the public. 
  • Keep volume levels to a minimum where necessary.
  • If other users complain, consider continuing without music.
  • Consider cancelling the session in face of continuing conflict/nuisance
 VL
Nuisance (L) Members of the Public
  • Possible adverse reaction from member of Public to Tai Chi Exercise or encourage "enthusiastic" participation (e.g. those under the influence of Alcohol or drugs).
  • Be polite, listen and consider stopping the session.
  • Consider relocating to a different area or venue.
 VL
Public Participation (M) Physical injury – muscular or falls
  • Ensure suitable foot wear to prevent slips and provide grip - consider taking shoes off.
  • All to be reminded  to work within their own limitations and capabilities - identify any special needs
  • Reinforce and demonstrate "Tai Chi Knee" and its avoidance.
  • Where possible, distribute experienced Tai Chi students amongst the public to assist, demonstrate and monitor.
  • Keep to simpler routines that do not include postures requiring balance
 L