Message Board - Other Sports: Legal Minimum distance between rugby touchline and safety barrier?
29 Apr 2011 by garethd
Hi,
does any one if there is a recommended distance between the touchline of a rugby pitch and the concrete safety rail that runs along side? the reason I ask is that my son has been involved in a serious accident and the distance between the pitch side and bollard is between 2.5m and 2.72m! I have been informed that the minimum should 3m? just need to re afirm this before I can take proper action to get it resolved to stop another person getting a serious injury.
Thanks in advance for any guidance
Gareth
South Wales
Proud to be Welsh :)
29 Apr 2011 by Neil Dixon Last edited 29 Apr 2011
Gareth, sorry to hear this.
Check the RFU website, there may be info on safe distances etc.
Here at School we try and maintain 5m distance and anything within this is padded up, so I don't think the distance away from the pitch is the only issue ( the posts are within the playing area but padded up)
I would be asking why the concrete posts were not padded, and could the pitch not have been made narrower.
29 Apr 2011 by garethd
Hi Neil, thanks very much for the information and guidance I will check out the website.
The pitch is running out quite badly and there isnt a hint of padding on anything around there other than the posts, sadly it has taken a serious injury to my son to highlight a major problem that could of been avoided with a good common sense approach to H&S,
Regards
Gareth
Proud to be Welsh :)
29 Apr 2011 by jrwright
Another point has this iincident been informed to the HSE under RIDDOR? Do any risk assessment exist for this Hazard?
29 Apr 2011 by garethd
Funnily enough I am a saftey manager with a large Landscape company based in South Wales. I asked one of the clubs committee men if they new about accident books and RIDDOR reporting as my son will be off for a long time due to the extent of his injuries, he also works as an electrical apprentice. The reply was a blank stare? I have contacted my Solicitor to get something sorted I have also been onto the WRU to get some answers on technical specs for rugby pitches, i have tried the RFU and there doesnt seem to be anything on there thats relevant.
In terms of risk assessment I dont believe any one could of carried out anything as I would have had this as 'High Risk' and would of insisted on padding as minimum and even asked to have the barriers moved back, one thing that makes it worse is that the pitch is council owned and leased by the club.
Gareth
Proud to be Welsh :)
29 Apr 2011 by Mike
Gareth - sorry to hear of this unfortunate accident.
In my experience, it is unfortunate that it usually takes something like this to get people to stand up and take notice.
Anyway, all of the information that you require is contained here - look under the heading "Perimeter Area", which states that the perimeter area should not be less than 5m where practicable.
I hope this helps, and wish your son a speedy and full recovery.
Mike
29 Apr 2011 by garethd
Many Thanks Mike
regards
Gareth
Proud to be Welsh :)
29 Apr 2011 by jlawrence
The council certainly should have a risk assessment.
Of course there's no bounce, bend your back and put some bloody effort in.
29 Apr 2011 by garethd
well I certainly hope they have something to cover themselves as this is an accident that has been waiting to happen.
I was there as club photographer and stayed the other side of the pitch if I had seen the narrow width, the way I am I would of probably said something :( too late now the damage has been done! split shin down to the bone with severed ligaments, 20 year old very tallented player in extreme pain and possible op to put back together :(
Not a happy chappie, when i get an out come I will post to this thread to let you know how it was dealt with,
Regards
Gareth
Proud to be Welsh :)
29 Apr 2011 by Brian Gibson
Anyone know of the recommended distance on a football pitch.
Our club are to install perimeter fencing around our premier pitch this summer so looking for guidance.
29 Apr 2011 by jrwright
Gareth,
It would be great to be kept informed of the outcome of the incident. I am curious who will eventually report it under RIDDOR council I would guess. Hope ur lad gets better and does not have to have the op.
Brian,
5m sounds a good distance but a risk assesment would be essential as you will be installing a hazard into an area of high risk as stated earlier
James
29 Apr 2011 by Grassman2011
In these situations, where does the risk stop? I doubt that some premier pitch barriers are 5 meters. Many look very close. The temporary stand at the Rec in Bath is only 3 meters, but it is padded all the way.
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