ORCi Health & Safety Report - October 2011

This year has seen further progress in the improvement of the Health & Safety standards at Oval Racing events in the UK. This has been achieved with the cooperation of drivers, staff, officials and  outside contractors.

Whilst there has been a reduction in the total number of reportable accidents there has been certain areas and formulas where there is still need for improvement. We will be working with those involved to increase safety standards over the coming months.

The year started off with a Fire & Safety Seminar in Birmingham. ORCi race officials from all over the UK attended a training day where those involved with driver extrication and fire fighting at race events were shown the latest techniques and equipment. They also received a summary of how to assess risks and how to work with the medics in attendance at race events. Several cars were cut up and also set on fire in the course of the full days training.

The 2011 track inspections have continued throughout the year with all 30 of the ORCi sanctioned tracks due to be inspected by the end of November. The scope of these inspections has been extended to include a full briefing of those that provide medical cover at race events and point out their responsibilities relating to the reporting of injuries to the ORCi Web Portal throughout the year.

The improved accident reporting procedures this year have produced some very useful statistics (via the ORCi Web Portal) which have been discussed by the ORCi Safety Advisory Group. This has been followed by action by formula sub committees and associations when rule changes in car construction and racing rules have been made.

The ORCi Web Portal which has been operating since 2009 is only now producing information that can be analysed after comparing 2010 statistics with those of 2011.  The Safety Advisory Group will continue to use this information to drive forward actions which will improve health & safety at race meetings in the coming years.

One section which has seen an improvement in the reduction of injuries is in the Pit Area. H&S Officers often express concern about the safety of race fans in the pits and much has been done over the last three years to improve things. Signage, PA warnings, driver and staff awareness have all played there part in achieving this improvement.

In a report from our insurers regarding this new accident reporting system they state: "It is imperative that as the governing body for short oval racing in the UK, the ORCi is at the forefront of safety standards and procedures.  The information collated from the web portal is the measuring device to ascertain if safety standards and procedures are indeed sufficient or if improvements could be made."

At the start of this year guidance for promoters regarding Noise at Work legislation was produced following Noise monitoring at race events. This has resulted in certain officials having to wear ear protection at specific meetings. Noise monitoring of race cars has also continued to ensure that the new noise levels set by the ORCi are being adhered to.

The training of Marshals and Race Officials has continued to be a top priority of the ORCi and at the start of 2011 a new training DVD was produced to assist promoters to deliver a comprehensive training programme for all their staff at a local level.  It is now a requirement for all ORCi Promotions to fully train all their staff before allowing them to work at any race event and by using the training DVD this ensures continuity throughout the UK.

Looking forward to the next 12 months the ORCi has agreed that the Safety Advisory Group progress a series of new initiatives to further improve H&S within the sport.

In the new year there will be a Drivers Newsletter on the ORCi website (orci.co.uk). This will feature information about all formulas that run on ORCi sanctioned tracks. It will contain information on items relating to Safety and all promotions, associations and formula organisers will be encouraged to use the site to get their message across  to a national audience.

Also starting in the new year will be an Officials Newsletter which will be sent to all registered ORCi Marshals and Officials (there are over 650 of them) via email. It is hoped that this will be produced at least on a bi-monthly basis but any urgent information will also be sent more regularly.

In February next year there will be a special training day organised for Stewards and Clerks of the Course. This will bring together these officials from all over the UK in an effort to bring more consistency to the interpretation of racing rules which will further improve track safety for drivers and officials.

Following on from the Fire and Rescue seminar earlier this year, there will be a training DVD produced to ensure that all those officials that are involved in this work will receive annual training on a local basis at all ORCi sanctioned tracks.

Our Health and Safety Consultant Sue Sanders will continue to be retained by the ORCi and will be available to advise us on all aspects of this important area. She is currently producing new wording for Safety announcements in our raceday programmes and is also producing a Marshals Pocket Safety Guide. She is a member of the Safety Advisory Group and plays a leading role in accident investigations when required

John Grant, the ORCi Acoustic Consultant will be continuing with his work ensuring that the different formulas adhere to the ORCi Noise Regulations as well as advising promoters on a local basis.

Philip Bond
Health & Safety Co-ordinator
Oval Racing Council International