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SECTION 1 - SAFETY FIRST
It is the expressed policy of the NWHA that safety shall always be the most important consideration at all events. Safety shall the FIRST PRIORITY of each Member at all times. Disregard of the NWHA Safety Policy and/or the safety of people or property may result in the imposition of sanctions as set out in SECTION 2A and SECTION 3 below. The term “Member” includes both NWHA Members and Guest Members. The term “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Northwest Historical Association.
The individual Unit Commanders shall be responsible for the adherence to and enforcement of the NWHA Safety Rules.
SECTION 2 - SAFETY RULES
A. INTENTIONAL ENDANGERMENT
Any Member who performs or threatens to perform an intentional act that causes, or could have caused, danger or injuries to others or him/herself, or causes, or could have caused, damage to or destruction of property may be expelled from the NWHA by majority vote of the Board.
B. PERSONAL SAFETY
1. PHYSICAL HEALTH
a. Reenacting is a physically strenuous hobby not recommended for those with physical conditions that might limit this type of activity. Any member who has any medical condition, injury, or ailment that may limit his or her participation shall consult a doctor before participating in an NWHA event.
b. Members shall assure that their individual participation in any activities at each event attended is at a level commensurate with their own health.
2. SMOKING AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE
a. Smoking shall be allowed only in designated safe areas.
b. No illegal drugs are allowed at NWHA events at any time.
c. No alcoholic beverages are allowed at NWHA events until all firearms and edged weapons are secured.
d. The use of any intoxicating substance to the extent of impairment shall not be allowed at NWHA events at any time.
3. WATER CONSUMPTION IN THE FIELD
a. Members are responsible for providing their own water at events. Sufficient water shall be consumed to prevent dehydration and to avoid heat injury.
b. Members shall determine the potability of any water consumed from any source and are advised to not drink water from streams, ponds, or other natural sources.
4. ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
The natural environment contains many potential hazards to which a member may be exposed while participating at an event. These hazards include, but are not limited to, insects, spiders, snakes, poison ivy, poison oak, other hazardous vegetation and wildlife, falling rocks, falling trees, precipices, holes in the ground, contaminated water, pollution, chemicals, insecticides, herbicides, unexploded munitions, barbed wire, broken glass, etc. Members shall exercise due caution and take appropriate preventive care.
C. FIRE SAFETY
Open fires shall be allowed only in designated areas and only at designated times. It is recommended that all personnel carry an entrenching tool for fire fighting purposes. If an event coordinator determines that an event requires entrenching tools or other fire-fighting equipment, all persons attending that event shall carry the required equipment. Members are advised that firing blank ammunition can cause fires.
D. FIREARMS SAFETY
1. GENERAL FIREARM SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
All firearms shall always be treated as if they are loaded and ready to fire. Firearms shall not be left where the public can have easy access to them without appropriate supervision. Each member shall be observant and prevent the occurrence of unsafe situations. The safety device of the weapon or its functional equivalent (e.g., closed bolt) shall be used to help prevent accidental discharges. Firearms shall be maintained in such a manner that their maximum safety is assured. Safety devices shall not be defeated or removed. Bores shall be unobstructed except for any required blank firing adaptor. Any weapon whose muzzle has come into contact with any other object shall be immediately unloaded and checked for bore obstructions prior to firing. Any weapon deemed unsafe shall be immediately unloaded and removed from the tactical battle area, and shall not be reloaded until its safe condition has been approved by a Unit Commander.
2. FIREARM SAFETY RANGES
Direct fire of any firearm is prohibited toward an individual within twenty-five (25) feet of the muzzle. Each member shall insure that the area downrange of his/her weapon is clear and must be alert to the locations of all persons within that range.
3. FIREARM LOADING
Firearms shall not be loaded or discharged until authorized by a Unit Commander or appointee. Weapons shall be unloaded in barracks, during formations, during lunch breaks, while the member is in a “dead pool”, during staged photographs, while being transported to and from the battlefield in a vehicle, and at any other time when it is not expected the weapon will be used.
4. LIVE AMMUNITION
The possession of live ammunition by any member is prohibited at NWHA events. Possession of live ammunition will be considered “Intentional Endangerment” as defined in SECTION 2A above.
5. BLANK AMMUNITION
Each member is personally responsible to insure that he/she possesses and uses only the safest blank ammunition available.
6. AMMUNITION AND WEAPONS SAFETY CHECKS
Prior to the commencement of a tactical battle, the Unit Commander of each Unit present or his/her designee shall check the ammunition in the possession of each member of his/her Unit to insure possession only of approved blank ammunition and shall check the weapons in the possession of each member of his/her Unit for any unsafe conditions, including bore obstructions, loose blank firing adaptors, etc. The Event Coordinator shall insure that each Unit Commander has reported the results of the ammunition and weapons check prior to commencement of the tactical battle. Prior to returning to a barrack or bivouac area, each Unit Commander or designee shall insure that all weapons in the possession of the members of his/her Unit are unloaded.
E. EDGED AND OTHER WEAPONS SAFETY
Knives, bayonets, and other edged weapons and tools shall be sheathed except for use while cooking, as tools, for digging, or for staged photographs. Other weapons not otherwise covered in these Safety Rules must have the approval of the Board.
F. HAND-THROWN OBJECTS SAFETY
Throwing of unauthorized objects is prohibited.
G. GRENADES AND SATCHEL CHARGES SAFETY
1. All grenade and satchel charge weights are subject to approval by the Board.
2. All grenades and satchel charges shall be made from soft materials approved by the Board.
H. WEAPON-PROJECTED OBJECTS SAFETY (i.e., RIFLE GRENADES, ROCKETS, MORTARS, ETC.)
1. Weapon-projected objects shall not be fired directly at an individual.
2. Weapon-projected objects shall be fired at an angle greater than 45 degrees above the horizontal.
3. All projectors shall be safe, sturdy, and approved by the Board.
4. All projected rounds shall be safe, sturdy, made from soft materials, and approved by the Board.
I. PYROTECHNIC SAFETY
No pyrotechnics (i.e., smoke grenades, flares, etc.) are permitted unless authorized by the Board. All requirements of local, state, and federal authorities shall be observed and complied with by the member using such pyrotechnics, including obtaining any necessary licenses and/or permits. In addition, a functional fire extinguisher and shovels shall be readily available to extinguish any resulting fires.
J. VEHICLE SAFETY
1. All authorized event vehicles shall have fully functional brakes capable of stopping the vehicle under the then-current driving conditions. All vehicles, except motorcycles, shall carry a functional fire extinguisher.
2. The maximum speed for all vehicles is 10 mph unless approved by the Board.
3. All members shall exercise caution and common sense while in, on, or around vehicles.
4. Vehicles shall be driven and parked only in designated areas.
5. The driver of any authorized event vehicle shall not operate the vehicle while conditions exist which limit or interfere with the clear and unobstructed forward, rearward, and/or lateral vision of the driver and/or co-driver.
6. The driver of an authorized event vehicle shall not operate said vehicle in an unsafe manner or be in violation of any speed or other safety guidelines. Violation of this provision will be considered “Intentional Endangerment” as defined in SECTION 2A above.
7. The driver of an authorized event vehicle shall not operate said vehicle while under the influence of anything which impedes safe operation of the vehicle. Violation of this provision will be considered “Intentional Endangerment” as defined in SECTION 2A above.
K. BEHAVIORAL SAFETY
Although it may not give rise to a safety hazard per se, the integrity of any NWHA Event depends in large measure upon the deportment of the event participants and their good faith efforts to abide by the various NWHA Policies. Accordingly, any event participant who willfully violates the provisions of the NWHA Safety Policy or the NWHA Tactical Battle Policy or the NWHA Events Policy, or who by an uncooperative or argumentative attitude detracts from the safety and authenticity of an NWHA Event, shall be determined to be a safety hazard and shall be subject to removal from the event area.
SECTION 3 - SANCTIONS
A. Violation of the NWHA Safety Policy may result in actions being taken against the individual by the Board on behalf of the membership of the NWHA. Ideally, the purpose of any disciplinary action is to make the violator more aware of the need for safe and orderly conduct in this hobby.
B. Sanctions listed below are illustrative only. The appropriate sanction for any unsafe and/or disorderly act shall be determined by the members of the Board in light of the details of the specific act. It must also be borne in mind that this is a volunteer organization, and the power of the Board to impose sanctions is limited.
C. When a violation of the NWHA Safety Policy is alleged and brought to the attention of the Board, the Board shall consult with the Unit Commander of the Unit of which the accused is a member; request that the charge be set out in writing with all pertinent facts and witnesses; and investigate and determine the facts material to the allegation. At a reasonable time prior to considering the charge and assessing his culpability, the Board shall offer the accused an opportunity to respond to the charge with the right to make a personal appearance before the Board when the issue is considered, to include the right to present witness testimony and/or documentary evidence.
D. Recommended sanctions, in descending order of severity are:
1. EXPULSION FROM NWHA MEMBERSHIP
The maximum sanction the Board may impose is permanent expulsion from membership in the NWHA. The individual is permanently barred from rejoining and any information gathered will be forwarded to appropriate law enforcement agencies, if indicated. Generally, expulsion will be limited to repeat violators for safety violations of such a hazardous and/or clearly willful nature that the continued membership of the individual constitutes an obvious risk to the NWHA or its members. Individuals who have violated the terms of other, lesser sanctions may be expelled.
2. RESTRICTION FROM NWHA EVENTS
The violator is banned from all NWHA events for some specified period of time.
3. RESTRICTION FROM SPECIFIED ACTIVITIES
The violator is permitted to attend NWHA events, but is barred from engaging in some specified activity, normally related to the safety rule violated. For example, an individual guilty of a firearms safety violation may be prohibited from carrying or handling firearms, an individual guilty of a vehicle safety violation may be prohibited from driving at events, etc. The restriction will last for a specified period of time.
4. EXTRA DUTIES
Minor safety violations, generally those resulting from genuine ignorance, may be treated by the assignment of some extra task or duty. The purpose of the task is to make the violator more aware of the safety requirements, and to this end it should be some safety-related duty.
5. PROBATION
Any sanction imposed by the Board may be held in suspension contingent upon the individual's acceptable behavior for a specified period of time. Further violations, no matter how minor, may result in the suspended sanction being immediately imposed.
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