Safety Officer & Safety Guidelines

To provide a safe, positive recreational experience for all participants, it is necessary to implement policies and procedures to help prevent accidents and injuries before they happen. 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. Sport Club Safety Officers, other club officers, club members, coaches and instructors should emphasize safety during all club related activities. To prepare for emergencies, please review the University of Texas Emergency Preparedness Pocket Guide.

2. 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.

3. 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. 

4. Encourage all members of your organization to have a physical examination and to 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.

5. 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.

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

7. 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.

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

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

10. 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.

• If the lightning detection system (THORGUARD) warns of lightning in the area (one long horn blast), cease all activities and evacuate the area. There will be three horn blasts when the area is safe.

  • THORGUARD is located at the Charles Alan Wright Fields at the Berry M Whitaker Sports Complex as well as the Caven Lacrosse and Sports Center at Clark Field. 

NOTE: A flashing light signifies one long horn blast has already been dispatched, and the area is unsafe. 

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

In the event of an emergency requiring medical attention please note the following services offered by University Health Services. 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.  

Urgent Care is also open for limited hours on the weekends and on many official UT holidays. An after-hours fee is charged for patient visits to Urgent Care on Saturdays, Sundays and UT Holidays. Operating hours of some UHS services change during semester breaks, during summer semesters and on holidays.

LiveSafe App

Designed to prevent 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.

Core features include:

• Report Tips – Start a two-way chat with UTPD officials. Submit tips related to safety concerns. Attach a photo, video or audio file. Send tips anonymously if you choose.

• Emergency Options – Quickly access 9-1-1. UTPD can leverage location data allowing faster response time. App users can receive important broadcast notifications. UTPD can utilize geo-fencing for safety messaging and check-ins across the globe.

• SafeWalk – Invite up to three friends, family members, or colleagues to virtually walk or drive with you. Both app user and companion(s) have panic button capability. Virtual companions don’t need to have the LiveSafe app.

• Receive alerts about incidents in your area.

LiveSafe Core Platform Demo:  https://livesafe.wistia.com/medias/kc0y5i2vup