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Goalpost Safety
The Football Association, along with the
Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Health and Safety Executive and
the British Standards Institution, would like to draw your attention to the
following guidelines for the safe use of goalposts.
Too many serious injuries and fatalities have
occurred in recent years as a result of unsafe or incorrect use of goalposts.
Safety is always of paramount importance and everyone in football must play
their part to prevent similar incidents occurring in the future
- For
safety reasons goalposts of any size (including those which are portable and
not installed permanently at a pitch or practice field) must always be anchored
securely to the ground;
- Portable
goalposts must be secured as per the manufacturer’s instructions;
- Under
no circumstances should children or adults be allowed to climb on, swing or
play with the structure of the goalposts;
- Particular
attention is drawn to the fact that if not properly assembled and secured,
portable goalposts may overturn; and
- Regular
inspections of goalposts must be carried out to check that they are properly
maintained.
- Portable
goalposts should not be left in place after use. They should be dismantled and
removed to a place of secure storage.
- The
use of metal cup hooks on goals was banned from the commencement of 2007/08
season and match officials have been instructed not to commence matches where
such net fixings are evident for safety reasons. Nets should only be secured by
plastic hooks, net grips or tape and not by metal cup hooks. Any metal cup
hooks should have been removed and replaced. New goalposts should not be
purchased if they include metal cup hooks.
- Goalposts
which are “home made” or which have been altered from their original size or
construction should not be used. These have been the cause of a number of
deaths and injuries.
- There
is no BS/CEN standard for wooden goals and it is unlikely that wooden goals
will pass a load or stability test. The FA recommends that wooden goals should
be replaced when necessary with compliant metal, aluminium or plastic
goalposts. All wooden goals previously tested by independent consultants have
failed strength and stability tests.
For reference, you should note that The FA and BSI, in conjunction with the industry, have developed two standards for goalposts – BSEN 748 (2004) and BS 8462 (2005). It is strongly recommended that you ensure that all goals purchased comply with the relevant standard. A Code of Practice BS 8461 has also been completed and copies of all of these three standards are available from the British Standards Institute. Funding for replacement goals is available via the Football Foundation and eligibility criteria and further details can be obtained on their web site – www.footballfoundation.org.uk
REMEMBER TO USE GOALPOSTS SAFELY AT ALL TIMES