An Introduction to the Sports Ground Safety Authority for Local Authorities
Introduction
The Sports Grounds Safety Authority was established in 2011 to build on the success of the Football Licensing Authority, and the critical role it played in transforming spectator safety at football grounds in the UK over the last 20 years. In this role, wecontinue to carry out our statutory functions under the Football Spectators Act 1989 in England and Wales, and haveexpanded our advisory functions in relation to other sports and internationally.
As the Sports Grounds Safety Authority wehelp to create the conditions for safe and enjoyable experiences for spectators at all sports grounds, not only in England and Wales, but around the world. Weprovide trusted advice and guidance, anduse our experience and commitment to drive continuous improvement. We work in collaboration with our partners to educate and inform, and we will champion innovation in the structures and systems for safety management.
We act as the authority on all matters relating to sports grounds safety, and to offer our knowledge and advice on the application of Sports Grounds Safety publications which are used by a range of sports nationally and internationally. Wealso act as a source of authoritative advice in relation to Accessible Stadia, and we remain committed to ensuring all spectators can enjoy watching sport in safety, security and comfort.
How do we monitor local authorities?
The SGSA is responsible, under the provisions of section 13 of the Football Spectators Act1989 for keeping under review the discharge by local authorities of their functions under the Safety of Sports Ground Act 1975. This legislation covers Wembley Stadium, the National Stadium of Cardiff and all Premier and Football League grounds
The SGSA carries out its statutory review function by a combination of:
- meetings with the certifying authority and other appropriate parties;
- attendance at meetings of the safety advisory group;
- monitoring of the safety certification procedures and records required to be kept under the terms and conditions of the safety certificate; and
- sample checks and observations at the sports grounds concerned on match and non match days.
The SGSA has published guidance on Safety Certification which provides a single source of reference on the principles and procedures governing the safety certification of sports grounds. The SGSA uses this document as a yardstick when keeping under review local authorities which come within its regulatory oversight.
Under the provisions of the Football Spectators Act 1989 the SGSA has the power to insert conditions into any safety certificate by issued in respect of any Premier or Football League ground, Wembley or Millennium Stadium. However, the SGSA seeks at all times to proceed by means of advice, persuasion and agreement and our statutory powers will only be used as a last resort.
Safety Certification
When a club is first promoted to the Football League the SGSA will ask the local authority for a copy of the safety certificate issued under the provisions of the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975 (1975 Act). Under the provisions of that Act, county councils, unitary authorities, metropolitan or London boroughs are responsible for issuing and enforcing a safety certificates in respect of any sports ground in their area which has been designated by the Secretary of State. These are sports grounds that, in his opinion, have accommodation for more than 10,000 spectators, or 5,000 in the case of Premiership or Football League grounds in England and Wales.
As the designation threshold for football clubs in the Football League is lower than the threshold for clubs in the Football Conference it is likely that many newly promoted clubs will need to have their grounds designated. If a newly promoted club has a ground capacity of 5,000 or more, and is not already designated, the local authority should write to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) asking for it to be designated. In addition to the capacity of the ground DCMS will need to know the full postal address of the ground, together with the contact details of the club secretaryand the relevant senior officers in the police and fire service with responsibility for the ground.
A safety certificate should set the permitted capacity for the sports ground together with the detailed terms and conditions with which the ground management must comply in order to operate the sports ground at its permitted capacity. Details on the contents of safety certificates and of the two different styles can be found in the SGSA published guidance on Safety Certification.
Capacity Calculations
Safety of sports ground legislation seeks to achieve reasonable safety by limiting the certified capacity to reflect conditions at the ground. The methodology applied in determining the capacity is therefore particularly important and would become even more so in the event of any investigation following a safety incident at the ground. The SGSA will therefore ask the local authority of any newly promoted club for copies of the following:
- Documented calculations in respect of the capacities of each section of the ground certified in the safety certificate. e.g. documents showing how the holding capacity, entry capacity, exit capacity, emergency evacuation capacity and the final capacity had been arrived at
- The documented assessment undertaken to determine the (P) factor; and
- The documented assessment undertaken to determine the (S) factor
(P) and (S) factors
In order to calculate the holding capacity each part of the ground’s viewing accommodation should be assessed according to its physical condition. This assessment is known as the (P) factor.
Similarly each part of a grounds viewing accommodation should be assessed according to the quality of the safety management of that area. This assessment is known as the (S) factor.
Advice on carrying out (P) and (S) factor assessments and how the factors are applied in determining the capacity of the ground is set out in Chapter 2 of the Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds (Green Guide).
As part of one of the SGSA’s rolling reviews of how local authorities discharge their functions under the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975we produced proformas to enable us to monitor whether all relevant issues had been considered in determining the (P) and (S) factors. We have previously shared these proformas with local authorities who have found them helpful in structuring their assessment of (P) and (S) factors and copies are attached at Appendix 1 and 2.
Safety Advisory Groups (SAG)
The SAG exists primarily to provide specialist advice to the local authority so that it may effectively discharge its functions under safety of sports grounds legislation. In practice, it also provides the vital forum within which the local authority and other agencies may develop a corporate approach to spectator safety at the sports grounds concerned, while each exercising its own responsibilities. Detailed advice on the membership of SAG’s, it’s management and the frequency of its meetings is contained in the SGSA’s guidance on Safety Certification.
Although the SGSA inspectors will seek to regularly attend the SAG they are not a member of the group. They are independent advisers who are present only at the specific invitation of the local authority. This should be made clear in the SAG’s terms of reference.
Monitoring by the local authority
Under section 10B of the 1975 Act, it is the duty of the local authority to enforce the provisions of the Act and of the Regulations made under it and, for that purpose, to arrange for the periodical inspection of the designated sports grounds within its area. Further statutory guidance is given in Home Office Circular 72/87. The SGSA requires all local authorities which come within its statutory oversight to provide it with copies of reports of any inspections undertaken by the local authority at any Premier or Football League grounds.
Policies and procedures
Setting out the policies and procedures a local authority will follow in discharging its responsibilities under the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975not only demonstrates that the authority owns and understands the key issues involved, but also provides the authority with the opportunity to set out its objectives and the roles of individual staff in delivering those objectives.
It provides for greater consistency and efficiency when staff or organisational changes result in responsibility for sports grounds safety being taken on by new staff, as well as ensuring that those delivering the service are aware of the performance standards.
To assist local authorities develop appropriate policies and procedures, or to review existing ones, the SGSA has produced guidance which explains what should be included in an authority’s policies and procedures for the issue and review of a safety certificate, for the monitoring of compliance with the terms and conditions of a safety certificate and for the enforcement of the 197 Act. The guidance also includes examples of policies and procedures and can be accessed using the links below. (Ctrl and Click to follow link)
Developing Policies and Procedures -pdf (316kb)
Developing Policies and Procedures-word (313kb)
Local authority self assessment
To help inform our regulatory approach to monitoring how local authorities are discharging their responsibilities under the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975we ask local authorities to review their performance in ten key areas of the safety certification process. Those 10 areas are:
- Calculation of capacity
- Performance of the safety advisory group
- Issue and ongoing review of the safety certificate
- Monitoring of compliance with the safety certificate
- Written procedures
- Policies
- Governance of the safety advisory group
- Training and experience of staff
- Enforcement
- Business continuity and succession planning
For each of those 10 areas we have identified the characteristics against which the performance should be assessed on a scale of 1 to 5. Over the coming months your local inspector will discuss and agree with the lead officer responsible for safety certification process each of the assessments and this will thenbe used to help inform the level of our involvement with your authority during the current season.
The outcome of the self assessments undertaken by all the local authorities for whom we have statutory oversight collectively informs the nature of our rolling reviews of how local authorities are discharging specific aspects of their safety certification responsibilities. In previous years those reviews have focused in detail on:
- How the local authority monitors steward training
- The issue and review of the safety certificate
- The monitoring of the safety certificate
- The running of the Safety Advisory Group
- The calculating of the ground capacity
- The development of policies and procedures
- The frequency and extent of during performance inspections
- Compliance with the statutory guidance on annual inspections
If you would find it helpful your local inspector will be able to provide you with further details of the detailed questions local authorities were asked as part of these reviews and any published overview of our findings.
Contacting the SGSA
Your local SGSA Inspector is:
Contact details:
Our Head Office address and contact number -
SPORTS GROUNDS SAFETY AUTHORITY
East Wing 3rd Floor
Fleetbank House
2-6 Salisbury Square
London
EC4Y 8JX
Tel: (0)2079306693
Staff
The members of our Secretariat are -
Karen Eyre-WhiteChief Executive
Guy Longhorn Finance and Office Manager
Nikki RutherfordSafety Certification and Licensing
Stephen Podd Deputy Finance and Office Manager
Jason Clotworthy IT/Website Manager
Caroline HaleHead of Communications
Our Inspectors are:
Lou Elliston 01494-580149/ 07977-551021
Martin Girvan01604-875181/ 07977-551015
John Perkins 01626-779275/ 07977-551447
Rick Riding 01772-725259/ 07977-551013
Ian Smith 01332-523961/ 07977-551452
Sue Storey 01159-455612 / 07714-602036
Geoff Galilee0208-3605319 / 07860-777705
Ken Scott 01915-294310 / 07841-779388
Keith Sears07540-502545
Assistant Inspector:
Mark Smith 01777-861304/ 07595-821928
Introduction for Local Authority July 20151
Appendix 1
Club:
Current (S) factor:
Date of (S) factor assessment:
Who undertook the assessment: The Green Guide recommends the assessment of the (S) factor should be undertaken by competent persons with knowledge and understanding of the ground, its operation and the general principals of safety
Does the written record of the (S) factor assessment contain any evidence that the following indicative questions have been answered in considering the appropriate factor and if so what is that evidence?
1. Safety policyFor further background information on the issues addressed in these questions see sections 3.8 – 3.10 of the Green Guide and 1.3,1.5, 1.6 and Appendix 3 of Safety Management.
Indicative question / Has the question been considered / What evidence is there that the LA/Club has considered the indicative question?Possible sources of evidence are listed below
What risk assessments of potential hazards and of the likelihood of their occurring have been undertaken by or for the club during the past year or since a specific incident where the contingency plan was used, and what was the outcome? / Date of last revision of contingency plan
What record is there of the involvement of the Chairman and Board in formulating, applying and reviewing the management spectator safety policy? / Minutes of meetings
Is the management written statement of spectatorsafety policy reviewed on an annual basis and are any changes reported to the certifying authority, police and other interested parties involved in the process? / Minutes of meetings. Correspondence between club and LA
What information / training does the management provide about its spectator safety policy to its staff and to spectators? / Club training policy and records
Are the roles of management at all levels, including the safety officer and stewards, fully and clearly defined in the spectator safety policy statement? / Safety policy document
Does the sports ground have its own safety management group including a board member and safety officer where safety issues can be addressed? / Safety policy document / minutes of meetings
2. Safety officerFor further background information on the issues addressed in these questions see sections 3.11-3.13 of the Green Guide and section 2.3-2.7 of Safety Management
Indicative question / Has the question been considered / What evidence is there that the LA/Club has considered the indicative question?Does the club safety officer have a detailed written job description? / Job description
What are the functions, responsibilities and powers of the safety officer in respect of spectator safety policy, maintenance and development of the stadium and individual events / Job description / safety policy
For how many hours a week is the safety officer employed by the club and does he / she have other duties which might conflict with his/her role as safety officer? / Job description
If the safety officer only works part time, is there a suitably trained competent and clearly identified individual at the sports ground who can address safety issues when he / she is not at work? / Safety management structure as per ops manual / spectator safety policy
What are the qualifications / competencies of the safety officer, what relevanttraining has he / she received, is he / she aware of the needs of the post and abreast of safety legislation and requirements? / Details of qualifications / training. Observation during DPI’s
Is there a competentdeputy safety officer who has been tested in the safety officer’s role?
3. StewardingFor further background information on the issues addressed in these questions see section 4.1-4.20 of the Green Guide and sections 2.9-2.13, 3.10 and Appendix 4 of Safety Management
Indicative question / Has the question been considered / What evidence is there that the LA/Club has considered the indicative question?Has a risk assessment been undertaken to identify the equipment, permanent staff, stewards and others necessary to monitor, direct, guide, control and assist spectators during events? / Operations manual / stewarding plan
Does the sports ground operations manual contain a stewarding plan? / Operations manual / stewarding plan
Does the sports ground have, or can provide an adequate number of trained stewards for all level of events? / Steward training records
Are there sufficient supervisors for the stewards, and have these supervisors been properly trained, assessed and qualified? / Training records
What training and assessments have the stewards received? Are the training and assessments conducted by competent persons? How long have they been employed as stewards? / Training records
Where agency stewards are used, are they properly trained, assessed and qualified and does the ground management know of each individual’s level of training and competency prior to the event? / Contract specification / service level agreement / on site training records
Are all stewards, including those not directly employed by the sports ground, fully briefed and provided with a simple check list or aide-memoire card for carrying during the event? / Operations manual / Observation during DPI’s
What code of conduct does the club lay down as to the appearance, bearing and behaviour of stewards and are these enforced? / Code of conduct / Observation during DPI’s
Is each steward provided with high visibility clothing that identifies his / her function and / or post and include a unique identifying number for that individual? / Observation during DPI’s
Are all stewards familiar with the layout of all areas of spectator accommodation, the location of exits, emergency equipment, medical facilities and amenities? / Observation during DPI’s
Do stewards keep gangways and exit routes clear? / Observation during DPI’s
Do stewards remain at their posts and refrain from watching the event or reacting to events on the field at all times? / Observation during DPI’s
Do stewards respond promptly and positively to emergencies or unacceptable behaviour by spectators? / Observation during DPI’s
Do stewards deal effectively with spectators who persistently stand in seated areas? / Observation during DPI’s
4. Safety procedures and systemsFor further background information on the issues addressed in these questions see sections 3.10, 3.14, 3.17-3.22, 3.24, 5.8-5.12, 7.1-7.3, 9.7-9.8, 15.1-15.9, 16.1-16.31 and 18.1-18.3 of the Green Guide and sections 3.1-3.18, 5.2-5.19, Appendices 1, 4 and 5 of Safety Management