1. USATF Annual Convention Orlando, FL December, 2016 Rory Osborne
Liability and Safety
USATF Annual Convention
Orlando, FL
December, 2016
Rory Osborne

2. Introduction
Active discussion – ask questions or interject at any time
Question period at the end
This is not an exhaustive presentation

3. Introduction (cont’d)
I’m not an attorney!
Shelby Sharpe
Organizational and personal liability
Making a meet safer by complying with what the law requires
Help avoid preventable injury or death and the consequences

4. Olympic Trials
What percentage of the 134 officials selected for the 2016 Olympic Trials were actually selected to be responsible for safety?

5. Legal Standard for Liability
“When an injury or death occurs, if the cause is the failure to act as an ordinary reasonable person in planning the meet, liability for the injury or death can occur. If the planner is acting on behalf of an organization, which is almost always the case, the organization will be liable for the planner’s conduct. In the event the planner has deliberately ignored a known danger, then the liability can be for punitive damages.”

6. Legal Standard for Liability (cont’d)
“Court will hold the planners and Organization liable for a hazard that a reasonably prudent person could have discovered by an inspection of the venues, if not corrected before the meet occurs.”

7. Examples Implements lost in the lights
Broken areas of a runway or throwing circle
Standing water
A seating area in harm’s way
Overlapping venues, including the track, that was not corrected by scheduling
Missing pole vault box collar

8. Questions
Did you, or someone on your behalf, inspect the competition and practice venues before you began planning this meet?
Did you establish throwing protocols to keep those events safe and assign someone to see that they were followed?
Did you create the schedule to avoid uncorrectable hazards?
Did you take into account the personnel needed to keep the event and those around it safe?
Did you determine the training and experience needed for those who are specifically responsible for safety concerns?

9. What meets does this apply to?
The size of the meet is not the issue!

10. The Field of Play General considerations
Determine how you get to your areas.
Assure the area surrounding the venue has no discoverable hazards, and check to see what other events might be occurring.
Assure you have safe implements/equipment.
Assure only designated officials and volunteers are in the competition area, and all others are at a safe distance.
Determine locations of coaches boxes, and media and spectator areas.
Know your marshals/escorts/medical support.
Know the procedures for severe weather.

11. The Field of Play (cont’d)
The Track
Take precautions to assure no collisions or noise intrusions will occur at the start of the race.
Secure the finish line from obstructions for the runners and the timers.
Assure the area adjoining the finish line is safe for the entry and exit of relay runners.
Assure proper presence, height, and placement of hurdles and barriers.
How would you address possible collisions: talk to the marshal(s) assigned.

12. Relays

13. Hurdles

14. Steeplechase

15. The Field of Play (cont’d)
Horizontal Jumps
Assure the equipment is appropriately placed to avoid injury.
Check the runway, the landing area, and the area adjacent to these for discoverable hazards.
Take precautions to assure no collisions will occur on the runway or at the end of the pit.

16. The Runway

17. Field of Play (cont’d)
High Jump
Assure the equipment is appropriately placed to avoid injury.
Check the run-up apron, the landing area, and the area adjacent to these for discoverable hazards.
Take precautions to assure no collisions will occur on the run-up apron or the landing area.

18. The Field of Play (cont’d)
Pole Vault
Assure the equipment is appropriately placed to avoid injury.
Check the runway, the landing area, and the area adjacent to these for discoverable hazards.
Take precautions to assure no collisions will occur in the run-up or landing areas.

19. Traffic Control

20. The Field of Play (cont’d)
Throws
Check the runway/circle, the landing area, and the area adjacent to these for discoverable hazards.
Be aware of competing events in adjacent areas and what, if any, safety steps should be taken.
Assure that officials/volunteers are a safe distance from the runway or cage.
Assure that only officials/volunteers are within the venue and they are not standing where implements will land.
Assure all officials/volunteers always face the throwing area when the thrower is in the ring or on the runway.
Check that appropriate flagging and/or marshals are on the sector line areas.

21. Marshals Usually are only used at larger meets
Other officials need to be cognizant/responsible, but have other things to focus on.
Should have proper training
Marshals should be attired so as to be easily identified.
Arrive before other officials and before warm-ups
Keep people from entering the field of play
Do not have responsibility for toilet duty – escorts duty
Are not part of the officiating crew
The Chief Marshal is responsible for visually inspecting every venue of the field of play, for assuring that any potential hazards are corrected, and is accountable to Meet Management.

22. Marshal Guidelines
Assure the field of play is accessed only by working officials, competitors, and authorized/credentialed individuals.
Assist in securing the starting area from physical encroachment and sound interference.
Assist in securing the finish area so that the order of finish and the timing is accurately determined.
Assure that umpires have a clear line of sight throughout completion of the race.
If requested, occupy the lane of a disqualified runner who refuses to leave.

23. Marshal Guidelines (cont’d)
Secure and monitor field event competition areas, including coaches and media boxes when present.
See that competitors, coaches, and trainers do not engage in unsportsmanlike conduct within the competition area.
Secure every area where an injury occurs to permit access only by appropriate personnel.
Do not touch the injured athlete unless requested to do so by the designated medical staff.

24. Secure the Area

25. Touching the Athlete

26. Touching the Athlete

27. Assisting Injured Athletes

28. Marshal Guidelines (cont’d)
If no escorts are available, and only when the safety of the venue is not compromised, assist in escorting competitors during and following competition.
Assist in the enforcement of competition uniform, use of electronics, and unauthorized assistance rules.
Report any individual refusing to follow directions to the Meet Referee.

29. Marshal – Random Notes
Do not assume an official is making a good decision.
Take special care during warm-ups: this is often the most dangerous time.
Introduce yourself to the medical person in your area and agree on procedures for injuries.
Be aware and amenable to team trainers in time of injuries to their athletes.
Watch for things such as rakes being placed
in a potentially dangerous way.

30. Assisting Injured Athletes

31. Dangerous Warm-ups

32. Marshal – Random Notes (cont’d)
Communicate a warning protocol to athletes who might be in the line of fire of throws.
Photographers
No one should be on both knees or prone near sector lines.
Let photographers get their shots.
Stand with them if necessary.
Check for safety of remote cameras.
Check the netting on the cages.
Do not hand water to athletes.
Be present at the steeplechase water jump.

34. Water Jump

35. Marshal – Random Notes (cont’d)
Assist with race dropouts.
Clear the area of individuals not necessary for the conduct of the event, even if they are credentialed.
Watch for poles and rakes intruding on indoor tracks .
Assist with hydration of officials.
Assist in keeping the field of play clean.
Remain as unobtrusive as possible.
Always approach with, “Can I help you…”
The next slide is for mature audiences only

36. Be on the Lookout

37. Questions/Statements
Thank you…