1 maryland state youth soccer association june 1, 2008 goal post safety

1Maryland State Youth Soccer Association June 1, 2008

Maryland State Youth Maryland State Youth Soccer AssociationSoccer Association

June 1, 2008June 1, 2008

Goal Post SafetyGoal Post Safety


Goal Post Safety Goal Post Safety Mortality and Morbidity Weekly ReportMortality and Morbidity Weekly Report

Centers for Disease Control Centers for Disease Control

March 11, 1994March 11, 1994

““Epidemiologic Notes and Reports Epidemiologic Notes and Reports Injuries Associated with Soccer Injuries Associated with Soccer

Goalposts --- United States, 1979-1993”Goalposts --- United States, 1979-1993”

Analysis of 27 injuries and deaths associated with Analysis of 27 injuries and deaths associated with soccer goalposts.soccer goalposts.


Goal Post Safety Goal Post Safety Analysis of DataAnalysis of Data

CDC report submitted to Consumer Product CDC report submitted to Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Safety Commission (CPSC)

18 of 27 cases were18 of 27 cases were FATAL FATAL 23 of 27 were MALE23 of 27 were MALE Mean AGE of all cases = 10 years oldMean AGE of all cases = 10 years old Head Trauma – principal cause of Head Trauma – principal cause of

deathdeath


Goal Post Safety Goal Post Safety Analysis of Data – Status of Analysis of Data – Status of

GoalpostsGoalposts 26 of 27 goalposts involved were 26 of 27 goalposts involved were METALMETAL 23 of 27 goalposts were 23 of 27 goalposts were PORTABLEPORTABLE 25 of 27 cases where goalposts fell 25 of 27 cases where goalposts fell

FORWARDFORWARD Crossbar striking the victimCrossbar striking the victim

18 goalposts18 goalposts – – NOT ANCHOREDNOT ANCHORED 1 goalpost1 goalpost – – POORLY ANCHOREDPOORLY ANCHORED 3 goalposts – 3 goalposts – ANCHORED PROPERLYANCHORED PROPERLY 5 goalposts – status unknown5 goalposts – status unknown


Goal Post Safety Goal Post Safety Analysis of Data – Location Analysis of Data – Location

15 cases occurred on a SCHOOL 15 cases occurred on a SCHOOL FIELDFIELD

11 cases - LOCAL / PRIVATE FIELD11 cases - LOCAL / PRIVATE FIELD

There are between 225,000 – 500,000 There are between 225,000 – 500,000 portable goalposts in the United portable goalposts in the United States with 12 million players under States with 12 million players under the age of 18 playing soccer.the age of 18 playing soccer.


Goal Post Safety Goal Post Safety Analysis of Data – Analysis of Data –

CircumstancesCircumstances 4 4 incidents occurred during a soccer incidents occurred during a soccer

GAMEGAME

4 incidents occurred during 4 incidents occurred during PRACTICEPRACTICE

19 incidents occurred during times 19 incidents occurred during times NOT involving a GAME OR NOT involving a GAME OR

PRACTICE.PRACTICE.


Goal Post Safety Goal Post Safety Analysis of Data – SupervisionAnalysis of Data – Supervision

All 27 incidents were witnessedAll 27 incidents were witnessed 6 6 cases –ADULT was directly supervising (visual contact)cases –ADULT was directly supervising (visual contact) 8 cases – ADULT was in vicinity (not in visual contact)8 cases – ADULT was in vicinity (not in visual contact) 4 cases – victim was 4 cases – victim was climbingclimbing the goalpost the goalpost 7 cases – victim was 7 cases – victim was swinging / chin-upsswinging / chin-ups on crossbar on crossbar 6 cases – victim involved in 6 cases – victim involved in liftinglifting the goalpost the goalpost 4 cases – goalpost fell forward due to 4 cases – goalpost fell forward due to WIND GUSTWIND GUST

20 mph wind gust can topple a goalpost that is unanchored20 mph wind gust can topple a goalpost that is unanchored


Goal Post SafetyGoal Post SafetySafety RecommendationsSafety Recommendations 1990 – CPSC (Voluntary labeling standard)1990 – CPSC (Voluntary labeling standard)

Warning labels on crossbar and postsWarning labels on crossbar and posts

1992 – Manufacturers adopted standards to 1992 – Manufacturers adopted standards to anchor the goalposts using stakes, etc…..anchor the goalposts using stakes, etc…..

4 stakes are recommended (2 on rear, 2 4 stakes are recommended (2 on rear, 2 on sides), counterbalances with on sides), counterbalances with

sandbags, etc., etc., etc.,sandbags, etc., etc., etc.,

Goalposts not used should be secured to Goalposts not used should be secured to permanent structure with goal-face permanent structure with goal-face down on ground or disassembled.down on ground or disassembled.


Goal Post SafetyGoal Post SafetyRecommendationsRecommendations

Design / Construction Guidelines Design / Construction Guidelines Design change to increase the Design change to increase the depth of the goal with more weight depth of the goal with more weight farther away from the goal farther away from the goal opening.opening.

Lighter material for the posts and Lighter material for the posts and crossbarcrossbar

Heavier rear framework and ability Heavier rear framework and ability to fold when not in use.to fold when not in use.


Goal Post SafetyGoal Post SafetyRecommendationsRecommendations

Anchoring / Securing /CounterweighingAnchoring / Securing /Counterweighing1.1. Auger Style anchor – “helical” screwed into groundAuger Style anchor – “helical” screwed into ground

2.2. Peg or Stake (varying lengths) – driven into groundPeg or Stake (varying lengths) – driven into ground

3.3. J-Hook shaped stake – hammered at an angle J-Hook shaped stake – hammered at an angle

4.4. Sandbags or counterweight – artificial turfSandbags or counterweight – artificial turf

All goals must be stored properly when not used.All goals must be stored properly when not used.

Remove the net, place goal frames face to face, Remove the net, place goal frames face to face, and secure to permanent fence or structure.and secure to permanent fence or structure.


Soccer Goal Post SafetySoccer Goal Post SafetyAre we getting the Are we getting the

message?message? Risk Management Report by Lori Windolf Risk Management Report by Lori Windolf

Crispo, CPCU. Executive VP, Bollinger, Crispo, CPCU. Executive VP, Bollinger, Inc.Inc.

“…“…there has been no appreciable there has been no appreciable reduction in goal-related claims, reduction in goal-related claims, despite the safety guidelines that despite the safety guidelines that have been put in place by soccer have been put in place by soccer associations.” associations.” 20022002


Goal Post Safety Goal Post Safety What can be DONE?What can be DONE?

Soccer State organizations, Clubs, Leagues, Parks Soccer State organizations, Clubs, Leagues, Parks and Recreation, Schools, Camps, Private soccer and Recreation, Schools, Camps, Private soccer facilities should ATTACK this issuefacilities should ATTACK this issue..

1.1. WrittenWritten safety guidelines and standards safety guidelines and standards2.2. EducateEducate coaches, league officers, referees, coaches, league officers, referees,

parents.parents.3.3. Empower Empower coaches, officers, referees to enforce coaches, officers, referees to enforce

safety standards.safety standards.4.4. Communicate Communicate safety guidelines to ALL members safety guidelines to ALL members

of your soccer association and COMMUNITY.of your soccer association and COMMUNITY.


THANK YOU !

1 maryland state youth soccer association june 1, 2008 goal post safety

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