HEALTH & SAFEY POLICY

Last updated: 07/09/2026

Grappling looks dangerous because, done carelessly, it can be. This Policy is how Stoa Grappling Ltd (“Stoa Grappling”, “we”, “us”, “our”) at 35 Chiswell Street, London EC1Y 4SE (the “Club”) keeps training safe for everyone who trains, works or visits here. It’s part of our Membership Terms and Conditions — agree to our Terms, and you’re agreeing to this too.

Read this alongside our Hygiene Policy, Club Etiquette & Code of Conduct and Junior Members & Safeguarding Policy — they cover the detail: infection control, mat conduct, and junior-specific procedures.

1. Why this policy exists

1.A  Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and grappling are contact sports — injuries happen. This Policy is how we spot, reduce and manage that risk as far as we reasonably can. We can’t make grappling risk-free, and by training with us you accept the inherent risks set out in our Terms and Conditions.

1.B  It covers every class, open mat, seminar and activity we run, and everyone who takes part: Members, Junior Members, Parents/Guardians, guests and visitors.

2. Who’s responsible

2.A  Overall responsibility sits with Stoa Grappling’s management. Day-to-day, that’s our Head Coach — deciding what’s safe to teach a given group, keeping an eye on instructor conduct, and calling a halt to anything that isn’t safe.

2.B  Instructors run their own classes safely: checking the mat and kit before use, supervising properly, and handling injuries and incidents as set out below.

2.C  You’re responsible too — train within your ability, follow instructor guidance, tell us about anything relevant under clause 5, report injuries and hazards promptly, and look after your training partners (tap early, go easy with less experienced partners, and stop the moment someone taps or submits).

3. Risk assessment

3.A  We keep a written risk assessment covering the mat area, sparring and live rolling, any strength and conditioning equipment, the wider premises (floors, doors, fire exits), and junior classes specifically. We review it at least once a year and after any significant incident — ask and we’ll show you.

3.B  Where it flags a risk, we do something about it: supervision, maintenance, capping class sizes, or matching training partners sensibly by size, experience and intensity.

4. First aid

4.A  At least one first-aid-qualified instructor or staff member is on hand for every scheduled class. A first aid kit is kept on-site, and its location is clearly displayed.

4.B  We don’t currently have a defibrillator (AED) on-site, though we may add one in future as the Club grows. If you’re trained in its use and one is needed, our first aid kit’s location is displayed at the Club.

4.C  Need first aid mid-session? Tell your instructor straight away, or get a training partner to flag it for you if you’re not able to.

5. Medical disclosures and pre-existing conditions

5.A  When you join — and any time your circumstances change — tell us about any medical condition, injury or other factor that could affect your ability to train safely. The list below covers common examples, but it’s not the full list: if you’re ever unsure whether something matters, tell us anyway and we’ll work it out together.

Tell us before your first session if you have:

• A heart condition, or a history of fainting, dizziness or chest pain during exercise. Why it matters: Grappling involves sudden exertion and positions (e.g. chokes, compressions) that can be relevant to cardiac and circulatory conditions.

• Epilepsy or a seizure disorder. Why it matters: Instructors need to know how to respond safely if a seizure happens on the mat.

• Asthma or a respiratory condition. Why it matters: Grappling can restrict your breathing temporarily (e.g. in control positions); we need to know if you carry an inhaler.

• Diabetes. Why it matters: Exertion affects blood sugar — instructors should know what to watch for and how to help.

• A recent injury, surgery, fracture, or joint problem (including previous concussion). Why it matters: We may need to adapt what you do in class, or ask for medical clearance before you go back to full contact.

• Pregnancy. Why it matters: We’ll talk through sensible modifications with you — some contact drilling isn’t advisable during pregnancy.

• Any condition affecting balance, consciousness, or your ability to tap out or communicate distress. Why it matters: Grappling relies on being able to signal submission or distress promptly.

• Any medication that could affect your ability to train safely (e.g. blood thinners, sedatives). Why it matters: Some medications increase bruising/bleeding risk or affect alertness during contact training.

5.B  We keep this confidential, in line with our Privacy Policy, and share it only with instructors and staff who need to know it to keep you safe.

5.C  Telling us about a condition doesn’t automatically stop you training — usually it just means agreeing some sensible precautions (avoiding certain positions, bringing an inhaler to class). Occasionally we’ll ask for written clearance from a doctor before you start or return.

5.D  For a Junior Member, it’s the Parent/Guardian’s job to disclose this at registration, and to keep it up to date.

6. Injuries and incidents

6.A  Hurt yourself, however minor? Tell the instructor running the session there and then. We log every injury in our accident book — what happened, who was involved, and what we did about it.

6.B  For a Junior Member, we’ll let the Parent/Guardian know the same day for anything needing first aid beyond a minor graze, and call immediately for anything more serious.

6.C  If someone’s taken straight to hospital, or an incident meets the threshold under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR), we’ll check whether it needs reporting to the Health and Safety Executive, and do so if it does.

6.D  Spot a near miss or hazard — damaged matting, loose equipment, a slippery floor — even if nobody was hurt? Tell us. We’d rather fix it before someone is. See clause 8.

7. Training safely

7.A  Our instructors have the experience to run classes properly, and for junior classes, the safeguarding checks and training set out in our Junior Members & Safeguarding Policy.

7.B  New Members get an induction before any live sparring or rolling — how to tap out, what counts as a submission, and the rule that you stop the instant a partner submits.

7.C  Instructors can dial back intensity, pair people by size, experience or weight, or stop something outright on safety grounds — and that’s not up for debate.

7.D  Wear proper training kit (see our Hygiene Policy), keep your nails short, and remove jewellery, watches and anything else that could cause injury before training.

8. Facilities, equipment and spotting hazards

8.A  We inspect the training mats and equipment regularly, and instructors check the mat area before every session for visible damage, gaps or hazards.

8.B  Spotted damaged matting, faulty equipment, or any other hazard? Tell a member of staff straight away, or email info@stoagrappling.com. Anything posing an immediate risk gets taken out of use until it’s sorted.

9. Fire safety and emergency evacuation

9.A  Fire exits at the Club are clearly marked and kept clear at all times. Evacuation procedures are displayed on-site — take a look at your nearest exit the first time you visit.

9.B  If the fire alarm sounds, or we need to evacuate for any other reason: follow instructor and staff directions, leave by the nearest available exit, and head to the assembly point. Don’t stop to collect belongings.

10. Keeping this up to date

10.A  We review this Policy at least annually, and whenever something significant changes — an incident, a change in the law, or a change to our facilities or activities. The current version is always on our website and at the Club.

11. Questions?

11.A  Got a question about this Policy, or a health and safety concern to raise? Email info@stoagrappling.com.

This Policy forms part of, and should be read together with, our Membership Terms and Conditions.