I have recently taken a post in a sporting environment as a facilities manager for a stadium and have inherited the H & S responsibility. This is a completely new field for me and I would like some advice on some questions if anyone can help?

1. If the stadium organsies sports training for competition winners, should they sign a disclaimer for insurance purposes (in the case of a sports related injury).

2. Do you need to risk assess the traingin being carried out (again sports related) bearing in mind that there is likely to be a range or ages and abilities (it will be aprofessional coach giving the training)

3. if an injury occurs whilst the traingn is being given and as can often be the case in sporting injuries, leads to a long period of illness, woul this be reportable under RIDDOR?

I apologise if these seem like inane questions, but they are an area of concern.

I would check with your insurers as to what you exact liability is and if this pans out with the activities taking place

Unforunately I have picked up the reponsibilites for the FM of the stadium istelf and looking at thye activities of the rest of the group (the sports management itself)

Nail on the head, as it were Ray. Sporting injuries may be reportable but not because of the injury itself, more to do with the quality of supervision/condition of the equipment/manner of the undertaking etc. Had to advise on this when I visited clients such as the LTA and the RFU when their training schemes for young adults were partially funded by LSC.

Have a look at

http://www.hse.gov.uk/youngpeople/law/riddor.htm

which gives a bit on the final question from Crossman.

Martin

As a FM of a Leisure Centre and Athletics Track i thought I'd add a few comments.

Here's a link to HSE guidance on reporting, some accidents to members of the public no matter whether it is a sporting environment are reportable.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/guidance.htm#what

As previously said you will have to ensure the facility is safe to use, maintained etc etc and risk assessments, inspections will be the ideal way to cover these responsibilities.

As far as activities are concerned if you are providing them you are responsible for all aspects of their delivery, although the coach does have a responsibility for ensuring correct delivery of the training.

You mention a professional coach, be very wary of someone saying they are one without seeing relevant and upto date qualifications and even references.

If you are providing the facility for a club or organisation then I would advise you have a Duty of Care to ensure they are providing safe activities for participants and therefore should ensure staff/coaches are properly qualified, CRB checked and have Risk Assessments(there own), are insured and have method statements in place. This shouldn't scare off any reasonable instructors/clubs as their governing bodies should advise them on these issues.

Happy to advise further if you have any concerns.