Little Athletics Victoria has updated its Heat Policy which is now in effect – for a full review of the updated policy please click here. The new policy reviews not only the Temperature (Air Temperature) but also Relative Humudity.
This policy is activated when any of the following apply:
- Forecast temperature is above 26C.
- A Heat Heath Alert is issued for the relative region of Victoria in which the event will
take place. - A total fire ban has been declared.
While the policy is activated when the forecast temperature is above 26C, modifications are
more likely to be required at much higher temperatures and/or humidity.
LAVic, Regions, Centres and Clubs will promptly communicate any potential or actual
changes and mitigation strategies if there is a risk of exertional heat illness to participants
USING THE HEAT POLICY
To obtain a forecast of temperature and humidity for the upcoming 7 days:
i. Visit: http://www.bom.gov.au/places/ and enter the location/post code;
ii. Click on: “DETAILED 3-HOURLY FORECAST”;
iii. Select the specific day/date of enquiry;
iv. Identify the column with the nearest time to the planned competition/practice;
v. Note the “Air Temperature (˚C)” value;
vi. AND IN THE SAME COLUMN, note the concurrent “Relative Humidity (%)” value
found towards the bottom of the entry for that date.
Refer to the following chart to determine the relative risk of planned Little Athletics activities.
Note: Little Athletics activities scheduled to take place during conditions forecast as ‘Extreme’ should not proceed.
The aim of LAVic’s Heat Policy (the Policy) is to:
- Protect the health, safety and wellbeing of everyone who participates, including
athletes, volunteers, families, coaches and officials. - Detail strategies for participation to continue with appropriate mitigation and risk
management strategies in place. - Provide guidance to event, competition and training organisers regarding the
effective management of hot and extreme weather conditions.
Should a person wish to make any enquiries in relation to this Policy, please contact the
Little Athletics Victoria Chief Executive Officer at office@lavic.com.au.
This policy applies to the following activities where LAVic and our Regions, affiliated Centres
and Clubs have a duty of care to participants:
- Weekly Centre competitions
- Centre Championships
- Centre Competition trials
- Open Days
- Centre training
- Camps
- Clinics
- Social activities
- Working bees
- Education courses
- LAVic State & Region competitions
This policy is activated when any of the following apply:
- Forecast temperature is above 26C.
- A Heat Heath Alert is issued for the relative region of Victoria in which the event will
take place. - A total fire ban has been declared.
While the policy is activated when the forecast temperature is above 26C, modifications are
more likely to be required at much higher temperatures and/or humidity.
LAVic, Regions, Centres and Clubs will promptly communicate any potential or actual
changes and mitigation strategies if there is a risk of exertional heat illness to participants
Requirements for LAVic, Regions, Centres and Clubs to determine heat risk levels include:
- Assessing the risk of any upcoming training sessions, activities, competitions or events.
- Obtaining local weather forecast before and on the day of training sessions,
activities, competitions and events.
Making Decisions
- Weekly Centre/Club competitions & training are the responsibility of the Centre/Club
committees. - Centre Championships are the responsibility of the Centre committees.
- Centre Competition trials are the responsibility of the Centre committees.
- Centre Open Days are the responsibility of the organising Centre Committee.
- Camps are the responsibility of the organising body.
- Social activities are the responsibility of the organising body.
- Working bees are the responsibility of the organising body.
- State education programs such as skills clinics, training courses and training squads
are the responsibility of the LAVic Education Manager and CEO. - Region events are the responsibility of the Region Competition Director, the LAVic
Competitions Manager and the CEO. - State competition events are the responsibility of the LAVic Competitions Manager
and the CEO.
