Safety Officer

Responsibilities – General:

• Assume responsibilities on behalf of the Club for the provisions of the General Safety Certificate issued by Shropshire Council and the Club’s Policy Statement on Spectator Safety.

• Review continually, all stewarding at Croud Meadow and make appropriate recommendations to the CEO, Chair and the Board of Directors for corporate consideration.

• Assume responsibility for the provision of training assessment for all Stewards employed at the Club.

• Assume responsibility for the provision of Gate Operatives on a match day basis under the control of the Head Gate person.

• Act as the representative of the Club in regular consultation with senior members of the West Mercia Police, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, West Midlands Ambulance Service, Shropshire Council and The Sports Ground Safety Authority on matters associated with the safety and security of spectators.

• Represent the interests of the Club and attend all Safety Advisory Group meetings of Shropshire Council.

• Act as the Club Liaison Officer with the ‘Emergency Services’ in the event of an unforeseen incident, ensuring that the CEO, Chair of the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive are kept fully informed of any developments.

   

• Evaluate the performance of the Deputy Safety Officer, Chief Steward, Assistant Chief Steward, Fire Stewards, Stand Managers, Stewards, Gate staff, any specialist Stewards and Safety Camera Operators and initiate any action that may be required.

   

• Co-ordinate, monitor and advise upon all safety and security matters affecting the Stadium.

   

• Monitor stewarding levels on a match day to ensure effective and equitable distribution of staff commensurate with the General Safety Certificate.

   

• Liaise with the Chief Executive on any new legislation and safety related advice affecting the Club and arrange for implementation.

   

• Maintain a close liaison with the local Fire Prevention Officer regarding fire safety at the Stadium and ensure the fire safety instructions are strictly adhered to.

   

• Be aware of the requirements of all Sports Grounds legislation, The Green Guide, Purple Guide and other advisory documents, the Safety Certificate, the License issued by the Sports Ground Safety Authority, Health and Safety Legislation and ensure compliance.

   

• Assume control on behalf of the Club on match days at The Croud Meadow for spectator safety and security, acting in full co-operation with West Mercia Police when necessary.

   

• Assume responsibility on behalf of the Club, for the joint Statement of Intent and Information Sharing Agreement as agreed with West Mercia Police.

   

• Ensure all conditions of the General Safety Certificate are fully complied with.  In the event of any non-compliance for any reason the Safety Officer will inform the Chief Executive and Shropshire Council as soon as possible 

48/24 hours before each Event:

Ensure: -

• That any defects reported at the previous fixture have been rectified

   

• That the fire warning and automatic fire detection systems are tested and action taken to rectify any fault found.

   

• That all communication systems are functioning correctly and action taken to rectify and faults found.

   

• By means of a physical inspection of the ground that there are no hazards to spectators.

   

• That all general safety certificate checks have been carried out and the results recorded

Before each Event:

1. Ensure: -

• Procedures are in force for identifying the sections of the ground to which spectators may be admitted.

   

• Strategic gates are identified and staffed by Stewards or Security Personnel before spectators are admitted to the ground.

   

• Sufficient trained Stewards are in position to monitor and prevent overcrowding of spectators in any areas within the ground.

   

• That the computerised spectator counting system and monitors are fully operational and that, in the event of malfunction, there is a manual counting system that can be immediately introduced.

   

   

• Ensure: -

 

 

• That there are sufficient trained Stewards available, together with sufficient Supervisors, positioned as prescribed in the General Safety Certificate.

   

• That all Stewards are fully briefed, have written instructions of their duties and what is expected of them during the event (the briefing should include details of the anticipated number of supporters expected to attend the match, together with an indication of any possible conflict that may arise between home and away supporters)
• Sufficient trained Stewards are provided and positioned to effect a safe and orderly evacuation of spectators in the event of an emergency.

   

• Sufficient Gate staff is provided to allow egress of spectators into the ground.

   

• That all staff know the location of the Stadium Control Room, who is in charge of safety on the day and the line of communication with the Stadium Control Room.

   

   

• Inspect the Stadium to ensure: -

 

 

• There are no stored combustible or hazardous materials that could present danger to spectators.

   

• That there are no materials that could be used as missiles.

   

• That all ingress and egress routes within the Stadium are clear of obstructions and that the surfaces do not present a hazard to spectators.

   

• That all exit gates are unobstructed.

   

• That all gates open easily and that any drop bolts or securing devices prescribed in the General Safety Certificate are functioning correctly.

   

• That copies of the Ground Regulations are displayed at all entrances to the ground.

   

• That all exit and directional signs are in place, are in a reasonable condition and illuminated (if appropriate).

   

   

• Ensure that the following equipment/systems are tested and where necessary faults rectified: -

 

 

• CCTV system

   

• Loud hailers

   

• Steward radio system.

   

• Temporary lighting.

   

• Firefighting equipment.

   

• Turnstile monitoring system.

   

• Any equipment provided by the Club for use by the Emergency Services (to be tested in liaison with the relevant service)

   

   

• Ensure: -

 

 

• That the medical support personnel as required by the General Safety Certificate are available.

   

• That the first aid room, equipment and materials are in accordance with the provisions of the General Safety Certificate.

During each Event:

• The Safety Officer or an appointed Deputy should be in attendance within the Stadium Control Room.  The sole duty of that person during the course of the event shall be that of Safety.

After each Event:

• Ensure that all litter and combustible waste or other materials are cleared from the ground.

• Inspect the ground to ensure it is free from signs of damage that might be of potential danger, and as appropriate, ensure that any action is taken to rectify any faults found.

• Liaise with the Police and other services to ensure any lessons from the event are considered for fixtures.

Mid-season:

• Check the stewarding arrangements to ensure there are sufficient Stewards available and they have, or will, all receive the appropriate training.

Annually:

• Carry out a detailed annual inspection of the ground for signs of damage, which may create a potential danger to members of the public.  Such an inspection should be visual and include boundary walls, fences, gates, elements of structure and all safety installations.  Any defects found must be recorded and action taken to rectify them as soon as possible.

• Provide as required by Shropshire Council copies of all records of test/inspections maintained by the General Safety Certificate.

Contingency Plans:

• In association with Shropshire Council and the Emergency Services, produce plans to cover various contingencies up to and including the evacuation of the ground, or any individual part of it.  These plans should not be confused with the Police, Fire Service and Ambulance Service’s own major incident plans.  Matters to be covered can include power failure, emergency communication, procedures for sounding the alarm and fighting fires, the evacuation of spectators including the disabled, the treatment of casualties and procedures for the assumption of operational control by the Police.

• Test the plans annually by way of an exercise.

• Review all Contingency Plans before the start of each season and immediately following any alteration to the ground or changes in the Club’s operating procedures.

Training:

1. Ensure that all staff who are on duty for matches receive training in or are made aware of, as appropriate: -

• Their duties as Stewards, Gate Operatives, Car Park Attendants and any Specialist Safety Personnel.

   

• The action to be taken in the event of fire or other emergency.

   

• Basic first aid knowledge.

   

• The Club’s Contingency Plans.

   

• The Club’s Spectator Safety Policy and Health and Safety Statements.

Records:

• Ensure the maintenance of records of all safety tests and/or inspections as required by the General Safety Certificate.

• All records shall be kept at the Club’s premises and be available for inspection by any duly authorised person.

Travel Arrangements:

• Ensure that the Travel Plan requirements are fully implemented on match days and consult, as necessary, with bus and coach operators and with Supporters Organisations.

• Prepare annually for the Liaison Group, data collected at each home fixture, to ensure that such reviews address any particular issues relating to supporter travel.

• Annually, in conjunction with West Mercia Constabulary and Shropshire Council, review the efficiency of parking arrangements – both on and off – site and report the findings to the Liaison Group.

• Collect and store statistics and data, to be made available on request to the Liaison Group, on the travel behaviour of supporters (home and away), for each home fixture.

Stadium Management:

• Identify, organise and oversee all necessary repairs and maintenance to on site facilities and ensure that all work is carried out in line with best practice and that the work is of a high quality and finished within a reasonable time.

• Liaise with outside contractors on site to ensure health and safety guidelines and legislation is being complied with.

• Ensure an effective security system in place to safeguard the onsite facilities.

• Ensure that all necessary records are maintained to comply with Legislation and best practice for the keeping of documentation in connection with the stadium.

• Liaise with other Departments at the Club relating to Match/Event operations.

• Ensure that any equipment used at the stadium is maintained as per manufacturer guidelines and legislation

• Ensure that any new staff receives a health and safety induction.

• Ensure sufficient staff (both match and non match day) have received basic first aid training and fire awareness.

• Liaise with other departments throughout the organisation regarding health and safety issues

• The list is not exhaustible and you will be responsible for any other tasks reasonably expected to fall under the remit of a stadium safety officer.