Safety at Sports Grounds and Sporting Events
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Phone: | 024 7637 6144 | |
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Safety at sports grounds and sporting events
The Safety at Sports Grounds Act 1975 and the subsequent Fire Safety and Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 are two pieces of legislation of which few people are aware.
Building Control are responsible for enforcing the recommendations contained in the "Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds" published by The Stationery Office and often known as the Green Guide. The Guide lays down detailed advice related to such matters as adequate structure, provisions of gangways, fire escapes, crash barrier design and engineering services, all necessary to comply with the Acts. When all matters related to Safety are in place a Safety Certificate can be issued.
The Building Control section is responsible for providing advice and guidance on Safety at Sports Grounds, in relation to:
- Crowd control
- Means of escape
- Structural stability
- Access for disabled
To ensure compliance with any conditions of the Certificate regular inspections are carried out on match days.
Building Control works to protect public safety, and co-ordinates the Safety Advisory Group which includes other agencies:
- The Police Service
- The Fire Service,
- The Ambulance Service,
- St John Ambulance Association
Sports grounds can be divided into three categories which can be outlined as:
- Designated sports stadia with a capacity for 10,000 spectators.
- Sports grounds with one or more regulated stands, with a capacity of 500 spectators.
- Sports grounds which do not have regulated stands.
The Building Control Team can review the following items during an inspection and comment on:
- Safe Capacity
- Safety Management
- Stewarding
- Structures and Components
- Circulation General
- Exit routes unobstructed
- Controlled Ingress
- Stairs / Ramps
- Concourses & Vomitories
- Emergency Procedures
- Barriers
- Seating Accommodation
- Standing Accommodation
- Disabled Facilities / Areas
- Fire Safety
- Communications
- Electrical / Mechanical
- Medical Provision, First Aid
- Media Provision
- Tidiness
Large complex buildings used for major sports events and with a capacity of 10,000 or re spectators, require a safety certificate under the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975.
Smaller sports grounds with covered stands and a capacity of 500 or more spectators, also require a safety certificate under the Fire Safety and Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987.
Other sports grounds which don't need a certificate, should ensure that people working at the ground (as well as spectators) are not put at risk. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, protects people using these buildings as well as those working in larger certificated venues.
Smaller sports grounds with covered stands and a capacity of 500 or more spectators, also require a safety certificate under the Fire Safety and Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987.
Other sports grounds which don't need a certificate, should ensure that people working at the ground (as well as spectators) are not put at risk. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, protects people using these buildings as well as those working in larger certificated venues.
Safety advisory group
In the final report of the inquiry into the Hillsborough stadium disaster, Lord Justice Taylor recommended that each local authority set up an advisory group (now generally known as a safety advisory group - SAG).
The purpose of a SAG is to assist the local authority in exercising its functions. To achieve this, it consists of appropriate members of its own staff together with representatives of the police, fire and ambulance services.
The purpose of a SAG is to assist the local authority in exercising its functions. To achieve this, it consists of appropriate members of its own staff together with representatives of the police, fire and ambulance services.
For advice contact:
Head of Building Control
Northern Warwickshire Building Control Partnership
024 7637 6144
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