04 News Sue Watson:Layout 1 23/9/10 10:05 Page 1

NEWS REVIEW

INSTITUTE OF SAFETY OFFICERS?

For nearly 20 years Safety Officers from all sports have
formed their own Associations and support groups to assist in
developing best practice and peer support in their industry.

T
here are Football Safety Officers
Associations in England, Scotland
and Ireland, to promote support and
mentoring for Safety Officers in Football. Rugby
League and Rugby Union have also formed
Associations as have Cricket and Horseracing.
As legislation has changed and the demands
on Safety Officers in all sports become more
intense, there is a suggestion that a new
umbrella Institute for all Safety Managers in all
events, arenas and stadiums could benefit us all.
A small team of Safety Officers from Football,
Cricket, Rugby League, Rugby Union and
Horseracing have researched the possibility of
forming an Association under the banner of IOSH.
The main objective of this Organisation would
be to create a body that would be consulted on
legislative changes; policy decisions and
influences Government Policy makers.
On 24th January 2011 there will be a
presentation of these ideas to an invited group of “An organisation which represents the they feel this is a worthwhile undertaking and
all Safety Managers, in all sports and events. The interests of all sports and stadiums is to be their decision will promote the way forward.
event is free, and is to be held at the Nottingham welcomed; it should be seen as a body which It is to be stressed that this new Institute will
Trent Arena, with a dinner and overnight stay has expertise in safety of sports grounds and NOT replace any existing Associations, merely
locally for those who wish to enjoy the company as such a body that must be consulted by the enhance and provide collaboration for them.
of their colleagues after the meeting. various agencies involved in regulating sports The structure of IOSH requires a level of
There will be a presentation on the proposal ground safety. Additionally, a collective body Continuous Professional Development to
from John Newsham of Blackburn Rovers FC, provides greater opportunity for networking progress through levels; this can only promote a
followed by a presentation By Scott Carey and the sharing of ideas and experiences”. higher level of professionalism and competence
Chairman of the Cricket Safety Officers The event has been sponsored by Showsec amongst safety managers everywhere.
Association on the benefits to Safety Managers International a crowd management company Each Association will be approached by their
of an additional overarching Institute with a wide remit of venues as clients. Chair to invite all members to attend the event and
combining all sports. The event will begin at 4pm with give their opinion and vote for moving forward. FSA
The final presentation will be made by registration and refreshments. Dinner is
IOSH presenting the benefits to attendees of booked for 7.30pm, to allow delegates to travel Watson Associates
the credibility and support an Organisation home afterwards should they so wish. Tel: 0113 289 3414
like IOSH can give us. Delegates attending the event will be asked Email: info@suewatson.co.uk
John Holden President of IOSH comments to contribute to the debate by voting on whether www.suewatson.co.uk

THIS IS THE SUGGESTED STRUCTURE CHAIRMAN OF

OF THE INSTITUTE: INSTITUTE
IOSH PAST
PRESIDENT?

SECRETARIAT

CRICKET RUGBY LEAGUE RUGBY UNION HORSERACING GREEN

OTHER SPORT
FSOA FSOA SAFETY SAFETY SAFETY GROUND FIELDSITE/
SAFETY
(ENGLAND) (SCOTLAND) OFFICERS OFFICERS OFFICERS SAFETY ARENA SAFETY
OFFICERS
ASSOCIATION ASSOCIATION ASSOCIATION OFFICERS OFFICERS

4 | FOOTBALL & SPORTS ARENA | September/October 2010