Sports Grounds Safety

Following a series of major accidents and deaths at Sports Grounds, the need to ensure the safety of sports grounds became apparent.

The Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975 placed this control with Local Authorities, and the Fire Safety and Safety of Places of Sports Act 1987 made it a duty of Local Authorities to enforce the Acts.

Large buildings used for major sports events and with a capacity of 10,000 or more spectators, now require a safety certificate under the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975.

Smaller sports grounds with covered stands and a capacity of 500 or more spectators, require a safety certificate under the Fire Safety and Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987.

Other sports grounds which don't need a certificate, should ensure that people working at the ground (as well as spectators) are not put at risk. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, protects people using these buildings as well as those working in larger certificated venues.

In order to issue a Safety Certificate, we will need to look at a range of factors, including

  • Structural integrity of the stand/stadia
  • Provisions for means of escape
  • Adequate fire precautions
  • Emergency services co-ordination
  • Provision of suitable management strategies (ie. stewarding, crowd control, match day safety arrangements, evacuation procedures, contingency plans etc.).

If you need a safety certificate for a Sports Ground or to change the details of an existing certificate, or you need a safety certificate for a Sports Stand or to change the details of an existing certificate, the application forms and information you need may be found here.

If you are worried about a sports ground premises that you think may not have a safety certificate or is not being properly maintained, you should contact us so that we can carry out an investigation.

Last Modified: 05/12/2018
For more information contact:

Commercial Services

Tel: 01633 647263

Email: commercial.services@torfaen.gov.uk

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