Health and Safety for Endurance Officials - some best practice advice and guidance
A. General Considerations
An official is defined as anybody involved in the organisation of a cross-country, trail or road race on race day. In general, the same health and safety standards should be applied to voluntary workers as they would to employees exposed to the same risks.
It is good practice for an organization using volunteers to provide the same level of health and safety protection as they would in an employee/employer relationship irrespective of whether they are strict legal duties or not.
Many Officials and Marshals are very experienced but this information is designed to remind them and inform those less experienced.
Officials should be aware of the hazards associated with endurance events.
1. The Terrain
a) Tripping hazards
b) Slippery and icy conditions
c) Water hazards
2. Clothing
Ensure adequate and suitable clothing, including high visibility bibs or similar, is worn. Officials should take into account the following, bearing in mind how quickly the weather can change:
a) extreme heat or cold
b) wet and muddy conditions.
c) sunburn and dehydration.
d) Snow and ice
3. Communications
a) Officials should ensure that the organiser is aware of any problems. Officials may attempt to solve the problem but must tell organiser.
b) Officials should be aware of the locations of other officials.
c) Officials should have the means to communicate with the organiser and/or other officials
d) Officials should be aware of safety issues
e) Officials should know the general layout of the course- and the location of: water, medical support, spectators etc.
4. Temporary Structures
a) Officials should be aware of hazards associated with the erection of
I. equipment - these include splinters in wood , working at height,
II. ladders, equipment - scaffolding, towers, lifting, manual handling.
b) Any marquee, tent or temporary structure erected as part of an event should be suitable for the purpose intended, of good condition and erected by competent persons.
c) Specialist contractors must be employed to provide marquees or tents.
d) Where persons are erecting equipment, banners etc. at height, a proper assessment of the risk should be taken and working at height regulations must be adhered to.
e) Where heavy objects are required to be lifted officials must be trained in correct manual handling techniques.
f) All contractors must provide their Risk Assessment and Insurance details in
relation to their contracted work.
5. Barriers and Stands
a) The use of barriers on roads is subject to highway/roads authority and barriers must be erected by competent persons.
b) Raised ‘concert style’ barriers must not be used unless monitored by
trained, experienced stewards familiar with their operation.
c) The same criteria equally applies to the erection and use of barriers in parkstadia.
6. Follow up car
a) When driving officials have no special rights or privileges and must
always obey the highway code. No attempt should be made to obstruct other cars or vehicles.
b) Whenever possible cars should be occupied by 2 persons so that communication by mobile phone or radio can be made.
c) A sign should be attached to the rear of the car warning of runners in the road. Signs must not obscure the driver’s view, number plate or lights.
d) If a motorcycle is employed then the driver should wear a high visibility jacket with a warning notice on the back.
B. Specific Considerations
1. Finish
a) Officials should wear appropriate gloves in view of the danger of infection etc. to/from athletes.
b) In particular care should be taken by officials removing or retrieving timing chips (esp. those attached by velcro bands) chips may have traces of blood etc. on them.
2. Drinks station
Officials should wear appropriate gloves especially when dealing with unsealed drinks.
3. Start
a) If involved in the start officials should be aware of who the starter is
b) Officials should make the starter and other start officials aware of any problems observed. i.e. children starting in front of adults.
4. Signs
a)Must be of an appropriate height and in a conspicuous position but not liable to be a safety hazard to runners, spectators or officials.
b)Care must be taken in the erection of signs – where ladders are used correct safety procedures must be taken.
C. Marshals
a) The adequate training and briefing of marshals is crucial for effective event safety
b) Marshals do not have the power to direct traffic and should not try to stop or control moving traffic. Only a police officer in uniform has the power to do this. However, marshals may indicate to competitors which way to go and warn them of any potential hazards.
c) Organisers must ensure that marshals do not exceed their lawful powers and must be warned that they are not immune from prosecution for any unlawful, inappropriate or dangerous actions.
d) The marshals should be familiar with the event’s route, and know all the elements of the event and the briefing must include emergency contacts, and location of refreshments, first aid etc.
e) All Marshals must wear a high visibility jacket, tabard or waistcoat
f) Marshals in following or lead cars must stay within the law.
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