Author Topic: Discussion about pregame field inspection  (Read 9332 times)

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Discussion about pregame field inspection
« on: July 17, 2014, 08:18:28 AM »
Looking for insight on what is expected of you relative to pregame field inspection, and more importantly, how you identify a safety concern and what you do to correct it. 

Given our litigous society, I've become increasingly uncomfortable in bearing liability for issues that I am neither trained in identifying nor correcting.  Who am I to decide whether a drain grate that is 5 yards from the sideline is a safety hazard or not.  What if it's 6 yards?  10 yards?  And especially, who am I to decide whether putting a blocking pad or some other improvised cover is sufficient to protect players from injury (and myself from lawsuit when that player is injured because the blocking pad wasn't enough?)

Offline FLAHL

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Re: Discussion about pregame field inspection
« Reply #1 on: July 17, 2014, 08:27:47 AM »
We walk the field before the game and look for anything that might cause players (or officials) problems.  We've asked game administrators to do all of the following: 1) Cover exposed sewer grates, 2) Put padding around the goal post, 3) Fill potholes on the field with sand or dirt, 4) Cover the landing pit (or whatever it is called) that is used for track & field events, 5) Move metal benches back from the sidelines, and probably others that I can't remember right now.  The game administrators have always cooperated with any of those requests without hesitation.  I'm not a lawyer, so I don't know whether our actions are enough to keep us from being found liable in a lawsuit, but that's what we do regarding pre game inspection.

Offline AlUpstateNY

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Re: Discussion about pregame field inspection
« Reply #2 on: July 17, 2014, 06:29:14 PM »
Why would you suspect that ignoring issues of concern would somehow relieve you of either responsibility or liability? It would seem that pointing out a potential liability to the appropriate authority for further investigation is appropriate, and shifts the ultimate responsibility for to the appropriate source designated responsible for dealing with the problem. 

Ignoring problems you might otherwise be considered competent to suspect, may cause a lot more consequences than alerting others to potential problems you may not be fully experienced to prevent.

That is not to say simply alerting someone to a potential hazard relieves you of your responsibility in allowing something you deem hazardous  to continue.  a basic example might be; you consider a player incapable (for whatever reason) of continuing to play.  You send him to the sideline for further evaluation by a medical professional who approves his returning to the game one play later.  When he comes back in, based on your observations you remain uncomfortable with his behavior, demeanor or ability to protect himself.

Being reminded of the charge you read in the Game Officials Manual on page 6, "The protection and welfare of the player is paramount and with this there can be no compromise", I would hope, despite your lack of professional medical certifications, your concerns for that players's safety motivates you to REQUIRE additional consideration by the approved medical authority.

Offline NorCalMike

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Re: Discussion about pregame field inspection
« Reply #3 on: July 17, 2014, 07:34:37 PM »
First, you can be sued for anything at anytime by anyone.  So, how do we, as football officials, deal with the risk.

Classic risk management theory provides several ways to deal with the risk.

1. Risk Avoidance: if you don't want to have any risk, don't participate in the activity. This is the only surefire way of protecting yourself.
2. Risk Mitigation: This is what the pregame field inspection is all about. Finding any issues and correcting them prior to the start of the game. The use of common sense is the key. I think the most common problem I have run into on during the pregame is the soccer goals being to close to the field. They are easy to move so its a simple problem. Drain grates obviously can't be moved so covering might be appropriate.
3. Risk Sharing: Purchasing insurance is the most likely way of risk sharing. Membership in NFHS or NASO provides insurance coverage for officials. If you don't think this is enough, contact your insurance agent. Umbrella policies are quite reasonable.
4. Risk Retention: Realizing there is a risk with what you do and budgeting for that possible consequences. Lot likely for most of us officials.

So, ultimately is up to you to decide if you want to take the risk of being an official. To be risk free means you don't officiate.

Work with the game administration to get hazards corrected. The hazard you have identified probably gets tended to every week. I doubt it is a surprise to game administration. Use common sense.



All officials should carry insurance that covers them for these type of risk.

Offline Rulesman

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Re: Discussion about pregame field inspection
« Reply #4 on: July 17, 2014, 08:43:56 PM »
 :thumbup
"Gentlemen, we are going to relentlessly chase perfection, knowing full well we will not catch it, because nothing is perfect. But we are going to relentlessly chase it, because in the process we will catch excellence. I am not remotely interested in just being good."
- Vince Lombardi

Offline bama_stripes

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Re: Discussion about pregame field inspection
« Reply #5 on: July 18, 2014, 09:21:55 AM »
We walk the field before the game and look for anything that might cause players (or officials) problems.  We've asked game administrators to do all of the following: 1) Cover exposed sewer grates, 2) Put padding around the goal post, 3) Fill potholes on the field with sand or dirt, 4) Cover the landing pit (or whatever it is called) that is used for track & field events, 5) Move metal benches back from the sidelines, and probably others that I can't remember right now.  The game administrators have always cooperated with any of those requests without hesitation.  I'm not a lawyer, so I don't know whether our actions are enough to keep us from being found liable in a lawsuit, but that's what we do regarding pre game inspection.

Ditto.

If there's something that causes an alarm to go off in my head, I want to correct it before the game, even if the coach says "I've been here 25 years & that's never been a problem."

Offline bossman72

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Re: Discussion about pregame field inspection
« Reply #6 on: July 18, 2014, 09:41:43 AM »
Do what we do in NCAA... write down the problems on an index card in duplicate and give a copy to game management and have them sign it.  We told them to fix it, now it's their problem...

Offline Rulesman

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Re: Discussion about pregame field inspection
« Reply #7 on: July 18, 2014, 11:30:37 AM »
Ditto.

...even if the coach says "I've been here 25 years & that's never been a problem."
Kind of like the chain crew that tells you they've been doing it that long. It's the kiss of death.
"Gentlemen, we are going to relentlessly chase perfection, knowing full well we will not catch it, because nothing is perfect. But we are going to relentlessly chase it, because in the process we will catch excellence. I am not remotely interested in just being good."
- Vince Lombardi

Offline VALJ

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Re: Discussion about pregame field inspection
« Reply #8 on: July 18, 2014, 12:48:26 PM »
Kind of like the chain crew that tells you they've been doing it that long. It's the kiss of death.

+ like, a billion.   yEs: