2. RISK MANAGEMENT IN SPORT AND RECREATION:Programming, Equipment and Facility Safety Presented At: NEW JERSEY ASSOCIATION FOR HEALTH, PHYSICAL EDUCATION, RECREATION AND DANCE February 9, 2004 Presented By: Leonard K. Lucenko, Ph.D.

3. Our Litigious Society n We Do Live In A litigious Society n Consumer Product Safety Commission Injury Statistics n Teachers, Coaches Being Sued n Large Monetary Awards n Devastating Effects on Programs

4. Risk Management-Your Legal Duty of Care There Are Certain Duties Imposed by Society and Courts You Must Know and Understand These Legal Duties Priority One: Safety of the Participants

5. Your Role in Risk Management Understand Reasonable and Prudent Doctrine “In Loco Parentis” Prevent Unreasonable Risks Anticipate Problems and Protect Players from Foreseeable Dangers

6. The Results of a Lack of Risk Management Mind Set n Exposure to Risk of Injury and Litigation n Physical and Emotional Injuries n Catastrophic Injuries - Fatal, Life Threatening or Life Altering

7. US. Consumer Product Safety Commission n National Electronic Injury Surveillance System n Sports Injuries Compiled by National Youth Sports Safety Foundation n Other Organizations

9. Your Legal Duties: A Growing List Supervision Instruction Safe Facilities Safe Equipment Warning and Caution Coaching/Management Expertise

10. Your Legal Duties Competitive Matching (Example: Coed Wrestling; Coach Wrestling) Emergency Action Plan First Aid and CPR Record Keeping Spectator Safety

11. Profiles of Some Litigation Cases n The Goal Posts n Javelin - Two in NJ n The Gymnasium Floor Condition n Baseball on March 1st: Head First Sliding on Frozen Field n Improper Placement of Bullpen n Track and Field: Hammer Throw n Lack of Buffer Zones

12. Profiles of Litigation Cases Indoor Practice Configuration Defective Mask & Other Equipment Neglect of Rules: No Mask Warm-Up; No Exam Rotten or Lack of Supervision Lack of Shin Guards; Goggles; Chest Protector Applicability to All Facilities and Equipment Lack of Protective Netting in Hockey, Baseball

13. Profiles of Litigation Cases n Coercion to Practice Before Medical Exam: Fatality n Early Return to Practice Despite Doctor’s Prohibition n Refusal to Provide Safety Equipment n And Many More

14. What You Need To Do n Know How Do To Prevent Injuries? n Prevent Litigation n Review Tips for Risk Management n Professional Literature n JOHPER; Reporter, etc n NJAHPERD, NJRPA n AAHPERD, NRPA, NFSHAA, NJSIAA

15. ADDITIONAL SOURCES n Internet: Sports Safety Group n Recreation Safety Group n Amusement Safety Group n Other Sources on the Internet n Invited to Join Sports Safety Group

16. Football Safety Video Tape n Prevent Paralysis Dr. Joseph Torg Dr. Joseph Torg Dick Vermiel Dick Vermiel INJURIES CAN BE PREVENTED INJURIES CAN BE PREVENTED Safety Equipment Safety Equipment Facilities Facilities Instruction and Supervision Instruction and Supervision Available NFSHAA Available NFSHAA

17. What is Risk Management? n Understanding Defects and Conditions Which May Cause Accidents and Injuries n Elimination of the Hazardous Conditions n Do Not Minimize any Hazards

18. RISK MANAGEMENT: How To Prevent Unreasonable Risk n Inspect and Maintain Safe Facility n Detect Obvious and Hidden Hazards n Eliminate Hazards; Warn of Presence n Evaluate Equipment and Facility Use and Anticipate and Protect From Foreseeable Dangers n Do Not Create Hazards

19. Equipment and Facility Safety Inspection n Annual, Seasonal n Daily Prior To The Arrival of The Participants n Reasonable and Prudent

20. EQUIPMENT/FACILITY DEFECTS: Gymnasium Glass in Door Field Conditions: Holes, Ruts, Grass Buffer Zone for Soccer/Football Field Padding of Protrusions Secure the Attractive Nuisance Comodio Cordis: Dangerous Machines

21. Supervision n This is the “Number One” issue in Equipment/Facility litigation in Recreation and Sports n Provide General and Specific Supervision n Actively Supervise Equipment/Facility

22. Supervision n Is this the teacher in the office? n Is This the Coach in the Office n Any Supervisor of Children

23. Supervision n Presence and Active Control of Participants and Environment n Constant and intensive monitoring n Passive presence is not supervision n Practice preventive supervision

24. Legal Duties n Safe Facilities and Equipment n Risk Prevention Mentality n Inspect and eliminate hazards n MSU Brookdale Park; Hockey Rink n Monmouth Drain; Football/Softball Fields n Do not practice or play on defective fields n Report/Write to authorities and insist that corrective measures are taken

25. n Check equipment before each practice, game and use n The Goal Posts - Secure, Attached and Unusable for Chins n The Catcher’s Mask n Wear The Required Helmet n Indoor Baseball Nets n Replace and Remove Worn Equipment

26. n All required/recommended safety equipment must be worn n Helmets, Chest Protectors n Shin Guards, Goggles, Flak Jackets n Do not permit misuse of equipment n Do not alter the integrity of equipment; No Home Made Equipt. n Protrusions, Obstructions n Hockey Nets Encircling Rink

27. Cautions and Warnings n Verbal Cautions about Potential of Injury Every Session: Written n Signage and Posters n Video and Film Viewing n Paralysis n Irvine California n Warning it Could Happen To You

28. Cautions and Warnings n Print, Distribute and Enforce Safety Rules for Equipment/Facility n Do not Encourage or Permit Improper Use of Equipment/Facility n Ongoing Discussion of Safety Rules and Issues n Strict Adherence to Safety Practices n Do not Close one or Both Eyes

29. Emergency Medical Plan n Certified in First Aid and CPR n Develop an Emergency Plan n Practice and Rehearse the Plan n Emergency Communication System; Cellular Phone

30. Record Keeping n Statute of Limitations for Litigation n 18 Yrs. plus two Yrs. n Steps taken to Prevent Injury- Risk Management n Why Injury Occurred; Do not Admit Wrong Doing n Witness Statements with Complete Documentation n Photographs or Videos n File in Safe Place

31. Record Keeping n Complete Records n Accurate Description of Events n Conditions which led to Injury n Do not Discard Annually; Keep in File 13 Years

32. OUTDOOR FACILITIES n COW PASTURES AS FIELDS; INJURIES WAITING TO HAPPEN n HOLES, RUTS, STONES, ROCKS n NO BUFFERS; OBJECTS TOO CLOSE; TALL GRASS; NO GRASS; n LACK OF ANNUAL, SEASONAL AND DAILY INSPECTION; MAINTENANCE

33. OUTDOOR FACILITY SAFETY n LACK OF SPECTATOR PROTECTION n NETTING ALONG FIRST/THIRD LINES n NETTING BEHIND HOME PLATE n WHERE IS THE MOST DANGEROUS AREA?

34. OUTDOOR FACILITY SAFETY n DANGEROUS SURFACE n LACK INSPECTION, MAINTENANCE n DANGEROUS BUFFERS? n DETERIORATED AND DELAPIDATED CONDITION

35. BASKETBALL RISK MANAGEMENT OUTDOOR PADDING n PADDING n BLEACHERS n BASKETS n OUTDOOR PADDING

36. BASEBALL FACILITY AND EQUIPMENT n NETTING AND FENCING n PLAYER EQUIPMENT; ANNUAL AND DAILY CHECK n BASES: HOLLYWOOD; MOVEABLE n WALL PADDING n WARNING TRACK n COW PASTURE IN OUTFIELD

37. Baseball Equipment/Facility n On Deck Circle n Ticket Booth/Entry Gate n Back Stop Space Requirements n Practice Configuration: Keep out of Line of Throws n Applicability and Supervision

38. Boy Killed In Baseball Mishap By RICHARD PEREZ-PENA A 12 -year-old boy taking batting practice with his Little League team in Brooklyn was killed yesterday by a baseball fired from a pitching machine, the police said. Michael Marano, a member of the St. Athanaslus Bantam Outside team, went into cardiac arrest when hit him in the chest at about 7:16 P.M., said Detective Robert Mladinich.

39. GYMNASTICS SAFETY n Equipment/Facility in Litigation n Inspect n Instruct: Progression n Performer Readiness n Spotting n Supervision n Prevent Catastrophic Injuries

40. SOCCER RISK MANAGEMENT n MOVEABLE GOAL SAFETY n ANCHOR SYSTEM n THE COW PASTURE n THE CEMENT FIELD n MANDATORY SAFETY EQUIPMENT n INDOOR RISK MANAGEMENT

41. SOCCER RISK MANAGEMENT n Consumer Product Safety Commission n Newspapers n The Internet n Moveable Goal Alert n Proper Signage

44. GYMNASIUM RISK MANAGEMENT n PLAYERS WILL RUN INTO GLASS n BALLS WILL HIT GLASS n ALL GLASS AREAS-SAFETY GLASS

45. GYMNASIUM AND BASKETBALL RISK MANAGEMENT n PADDING n BLEACHERS n BASKETS n DOORS

46. Indoor Baseball Practice n Station Configuration n Don’t Throw Ball Into Pedestrians n Unsuspecting Team Mates n Glass Doors or Windows n Plan the Practice Organization

47. FACILITY CLUTTER n STORE AND LOCK EQUIPMENT n ATTRACTIVE NUISANCE n ELIMINATE CLUTTER IN WALKWAYS n ELIMINATE CLUTTER IN GYMNASIA

48. PLAYGROUND SAFETY n AGE APPROPRIATE EQUIPMENT n HEIGHT OF APPARATUS STRUCTURE n SURFACE MATERIAL; CONCRETE JUNGLE; PACKED EARTH n INSPECT AND MAINTAIN n SUPERVISE: ENFORCE RULES; n CONTROL ACTIVITIES

49. WEIGHT ROOM SAFETY n ORIENTATION AND IN SERVICE TRAINING OF STAFF AND USERS n FREE WEIGHTS n TREADMILLS n RECUMBENT BIKES n STEPPERS n MACHINERY SAFETY

50. WEIGHT ROOM SAFETY n MEDICAL HISTORY n SPOTTING n SPEED OF MACHINERY n CONDITION OF MACHINERY n INSPECT: SECURE IF UNUSABLE n WARM UP/ COOL DOWN n CAUTION/WARN/SUPERVISE

51. ICE HOCKEY SAFETY n PROTECT PLAYERS, COACHES, REFEREES n PLAYERS MUST WEAR ALL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT n REFEREES MUST WEAR HELMET AND FACE PROTECTOR n COACHES SHOULD WEAR HELMET?

52. FACILITY SAFETY n PADDING OR SECURING DANGEROUS STEEL BEAMS; BENCH n SPECTATOR SHIELDING ALL AROUND THE RINK n ROLE MODELS MUST STOP FIGHTING n STOP UNNECESSARY HITS; PREVENT CATASTROPHIC INJURIES

53. HOCKEY RINK n Complete Lack of Netting n Some Netting Only Behind Goals n Very Few Completely Around Rink n Fans Will Not Like It!!

54. FACILITY LIABILITY n Municipal and Board of Education Neglect and Deterioration n Potential for Catastrophic Injuries n Foreseeabiltiy, Predictability n Callous Disregard for Safety of Participants

55. FACILITY LIABILITY n Warning Track? n Wall Padding at End of Track? n Condition of Track n Condition of Wall

56. APPLICABILITY n Principles Apply To All Sport and Recreation Facilities and Equipment n You Will Be Held To The Standard

57. Injuries: Heat Heat Related Injuries and Deaths: From Youth to Professionals; Recent Horror Stories Tragedy is that Heat Injuries are 100% Preventable Coaches should never minimize the potential of heat injury

58. Injuries: Heat Baltimore Orioles Steve Bechler, Died Another Oriole Player Fainted Korey Stringer, Vikings 2002, Died

59. Injuries: Heat Heat Acclimatization; Know the process Water deprivation by coach does not make the players TOUGH Water breaks mandatory for every player On Demand water availability Practice Time, Duration, Rest; Alternative Activities

61. Injuries: Heat Practice Time during hottest part of day: 10 am to 2 pm, should be curtailed Early morning and Early evening when it is cooler Gradually increase duration

62. Injuries: Heat Rest in the Shade every 15-20 minutes Intensive monitoring of players by staff Learn what to do in case of heat illness Immediately cool the body Call 911

63. Heat INDEX Heat INDEX Review Heat Index for the day: Newspaper, Radio, Weather Service Know what heat index combination can do the core temperature of the body

64. Heat INDEX Heat INDEX Know the danger signs and act Get the player to hospital

65. Weather Emergency: Lightning LIGHTNING: Weather Related Safety Issues Do not minimize danger of Lightning

66. Lightning NCAA: 1997-98 Sports Medicine Handbook: Excellent Reference YOU have ultimate responsibility for your players in case of injury Establish a clear Lightning Policy

67. Lightning Learn: Flash-to-Bang method of determining distance Count of 30 or less Indicates immediate removal of players Divide count by 5 to determine actual distance

68. Weather Emergency: Lightning If YOU believe there is a lightning emergency, pull the players off the field even if you need to countermand the umpire First attempt to convince umpire May be a controversial move for you unless you have a clear policy

69. Lightning Several Deaths: LKL Kentucky Female Soccer Player Examples of Other Sports: Baseball/Softball

70. Lightning In Case of Emergency: Get the Players to Safety Immediately Inside Building is Best Location Inside a car, windows shut, will provide protection

71. Lightning Emergency The dugout is last resort if you have no time to move players to building Never seek shelter under a tree, flag pole, open fields at high point, metal objects, bleachers, storage sheds

72. Lightning Emergency The dugout is last resort if you have no time to move players to building Never seek shelter under a tree, flag pole, open fields at high point, metal objects, bleachers, storage sheds

73. Lightning Emergency Do not permit players to resume activity for 20-30 minutes after last sign of thunder or lightning Develop and Refer to your SOP for Thunder and Lightning Storm procedures

74. Summary and Conclusion n Failure to be in Risk Management Mind- Set can lead to Injury Exposure n Litigation Exposure n Knowledge of Risk Management can lead to safe Program n You need to develop and implement Risk Management Program n Always Consider Potential Consequences and Err on the Side of Safety