What risks to look out for when organising a motorsport event
The HSE has recently published findings on the competence of motorsport business owners and event organisers when organising racetrack events. Their investigation, in conjunction with Fife council, noted a lack of awareness and understanding surrounding track safety. Therefore, they have published this safety notice as well as action required.
Motorsport event organisers legally are required comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 – This mandates event health and safety, fire safety and employee welfare. Clients should contact Romero Insurance about track safety and insurance implication before running a motorsport event.
What are the Main Safety Risks at Motorsport Events?
Motorsport is officially classed as inherently dangerous. Risk control and mitigation measures should be put in place to reduce many of the dangers. It is important that business owners, duty holders and event organisers understand the importance of following procedure and obeying proper practice.
Motorsports risks are unique to each track. The most common challenges involve pit lane safety, fire management, high speed crashes and spectator areas. Identifying hazards is key to planning a safe event. The HSE’s risk assessment templates are ideal for keeping a record of the steps you’ve taken to manage identified risks.
Legally, motorsports event organisers must put in place appropriate vehicle restraint barriers to protect both drivers and spectators. This a risk management measure unique to motorsport businesses. Failure to use appropriate vehicle restraint barriers may lead to serious safety incidents as well as breaches in regulation and therefore insurance terms.
For the full guide on track health and safety – see the HSE’s managing health and safety at motorsport events guide is ideal for motorsport event organisers
Is there a Lack of Awareness around Track Barrier Safety Regulations?
In partnership with Fife council, there have been reports of improper use of directional segregation barriers. There is a distinct difference between their purpose and the purpose of vehicle restraint barriers, one that should not be misunderstood. The lack of awareness has resulted in the use of untested or unapproved barriers at locations, resulting in a drop in trackside safety standards.
The HSE have placed trackside barrier safety standards as an ‘area of concern’. HSE inspectors can conduct visitations to business premises at any time – read our case study on how a HSE visitation led to an £80,000 fine.
What actions must Motorsport Event Organisers take to ensure barrier safety standards are followed
Knowledge of safety standards and implementation of proper procedure are key duties of both motorsports business owners and motorsport event organisers. Due to the recent reports of improper barrier-use and various safety standard breaches, the HSE have mandated actions which must be taken by motorsport businesses.
- Ensure the barrier is suitable for its intended use, as said by the supplier or manufacturer.
- Ensure that purpose-made vehicle restraint barriers are available for use.
- Ensure that barriers are not substituted with generic segregation barriers.
- Ensure that vehicle restraint barriers are maintained and have a life cycle.
- Ensure installing vehicle restraint barriers are responsibly installed.
- Ensure that the vehicle restraint barrier’s location, installation and maintenance is documented.
- Ensure training has been delivered and elect duty holders.
Motorsport businesses and event organisers must ensure these actions have been followed in order to minimise the risk of an incident, or a HSE order.
If inappropriate or unsuitably installed vehicle restraint barriers are identified, either at competitions and or non-competitive events, the expectation is the service of a Prohibition Notice under The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
For further guidance, see Managing Health and Safety at Motorsport Events: A Guide for Motorsport Event Organisers. As well as The Motor Vehicles (Off Road Events) Regulations 1995.
General rules of Health and Safety at Events
When running an event, including a motorsport event, there are many areas of risk which need to be identified and addressed. The HSE have also provided a list of information on event health and safety – not exclusive to motorsport.
Common areas of concern include safe venue and site design, walkways and bottlenecks, temporary structures, and barriers for managing crowd behaviour and line routes. There is also fire safety, waste safety, employee welfare which needs to be managed. Each of these risk areas are addressed within the HSE’s event safety guidance.
Running an event at a motorsport business is highly likely to affect to your insurance. We recommend any and all motorsport event organisers get in touch with our Romero Insurance Sports and Leisure team to gain guidance on insurance details and what to look out for.
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