GUIDANCE FOR GOALPOST SAFETY

Goal Posts – children as well as adults have been injured by goal posts falling on them. In the summer of 2004 a young boy died as the result of a goal post falling on him at a summer soccer camp. This was not the first death from goal posts falling on children and adults in this country. Evidence available shows that similar incidents have occurred in other countries. These accidents are generally preventable if best practice guidelines are followed in the selection, purchase, installation, erecting, inspection, dismantling and storage of goal posts.

Now that the football season is recommencing we recommend that you ensure the application of best practice to ensure safety for all users of your facilities.

Cover - the cover provided under your public liability policy remains unchanged.

Inspection / Checking Procedures - We are aware that the majority of clients responsible for sports facilities already follow best practice and have an inspection regime in place. For those embarking on the establishment of an inspection / checking procedure you may find the following advice useful:

1. Those responsible for the supervision of sports facilities should ensure the availability of a written procedure to guide staff in the checking and inspection of all goalposts in use
2. Fixed goal posts should be inspected, as a minimum on a weekly basis while all other goal posts should be checked prior to use
3. All inspections should be recorded in writing and all written records maintained
4. Where equipment is found to be faulty it should be removed immediately and stored where access is prohibited so as to avoid error and its use by unsuspecting staff
5. If an adverse event (injury / accident) occurs it should be recorded, notified to management and your insurer and if appropriate a review of the adverse event should be undertaken to identify deficits for improvement