Portable Goal Post Risk Management: Safety Policies and Anchoring Techniques

1. GOAL! US Youth Soccer 2008 adidas Workshop & Convention February 7 - 9, 2008 David L. Lawrence Convention Center Presented By: Pullen Insurance Services, Inc.

2. Portable Goal Post Risk Management • Associations must implement portable goal post safety policy • Policy needs to address: • Portable goal anchoring TECHNIQUES • Inspection prior to each activity – portable goals are frequently moved • Warning of players and parents of dangers of unsecured goals to include supervision. • Both coaches and parents are RESPONSIBLE for the supervision of players while on fields.

3. Portable Goal Post Risk Management THREE fatalities reported in 2007 involving unsecured portable goals.

4. Reducing Goal Post Related Liability Claims • Eliminate homemade goals. Do not manufacture or design your own goal posts • Eliminate club owned goals on public property—reduces liability exposure on a 24/7 basis. Let field owners supply goals • If club owns portable goals on public property, implement inspection procedures for maintenance, security, and storage. • Any unanchored goal can be tipped with catastrophic results.

5. Reducing Goal Post Claims Cont. • Never perform any type of installation or maintenance on the goals. This should be done by an independent contractor with liability insurance • Never enter into a lease of premises agreement with a field owner where the club assumes the liability for goal posts which it does not own • Perform periodic inspections of all field locations. Keep records and notify owners in writing of any deficiencies

6. Reducing Goal Post Claims Cont. • Coaches must always inspect goals prior to use especially when goals are secured with ground anchor pegs. • Always properly secure portable goals at the conclusion of play if goal is not anchored in a permanent/semi-permanent position. • Never allow horseplay on or around the goals. • Goals need to ALWAYS be anchored when they are in an upright position. • Coaches and parents must supervise all activities. It is a shared responsibility. Get the message out!

7. Outdoor Portable Goal Anchoring Techniques • Semi Permanent Ground Anchors • Base of anchor and not goal frame secured in ground by concrete • Best option • Good for all soil types • Portable Anchor Pegs • 12” & 16” lengths • Convenient but only for the proper soil condition • Soil Type – hard or clay • Portable Anchor Pegs • Convenient • 15” length • Sandy soil conditions

8. Goal Safety Guideline Standards • Consumer Product Safety Commission www.cpsc.gov/ • First to raise issue of homemade goals • Safe handling and storage guidelines • American Society for Testing and Materials www.astm.org • ASTM F1938-98 highlights installation, use and storage of full size goals • ASTM F2056-00 specifies safety and performance requirements to reduce chances of injury and fatalities

9. Proper Goal Inspection Look/Check • Anchors • Hardware • Structural integrity • Nets • Warning Labels • Storage

10. Proper Goal Inspection Anchors: Proper anchor bag placement Properly anchored goal Poor anchor bag placement Unanchored goal

11. Proper Goal Inspection Hardware:

12. Proper Goal Inspection Structural Integrity: Corners in good shape Cracked welds

13. Proper Goal Inspection Nets:

14. Proper Goal Inspection Warning Labels:

15. Proper Goal Inspection Storage: -Goal inspection pictures courtesy of: KWIKGOAL -Safety Resource Guide: KWIKGOAL Safety 1st Program www.kwikgoal.com/safety_first.shtml