| The Puck Stops Here - CSA Announces New Standard For Canadian Indoor Sporting Arenas
New Standard Designed to Reduce Risk of Injury to Spectators
Toronto, May 11, 2004 – Canadian Standards Association (CSA), Canada’s leading developer of standards and codes, officially announces that it has published a new voluntary standard designed to reduce the risk of injuries to spectators and non-participants at indoor sporting events.
“CAN/CSA-Z262.7-04, Guidelines for Spectator Safety in Indoor Arenas” provides guidance on safety to owners and operators, architects, planners, engineers, construction companies, construction contractors and appropriate inspectors in the design, construction, and operation of indoor arenas.
The standard is voluntary, meaning that arenas are not required to implement the new standard. It is not retroactive, but can be used to guide future arena renovations and new construction, and sets requirements for indoor arenas, including a board and glass system that permanently surrounds each playing area with a recommended minimum height of 2.4 m at the sides and 3.2 m at the ends of the playing area when measured from the playing surface. Additional protection systems may consist of a moveable board and glass system or a moveable safety netting system.
The standard also outlines additional requirements to consider when an object can travel in a direct line from the playing surface to the spectators and non-participants’ area, including:
- Highly visible warnings on signs throughout the premises
- Printed warnings on event tickets
- Game time broadcast announcements warning of potential dangers
- Advising spectators that they need to pay attention to objects leaving the playing area during games
“CSA is well known and respected for developing standards designed to protect hockey players,” says Pat Keindel, President, Standards, Canadian Standards Association. “These standards have contributed significantly to the reduction of head, face and eye injuries. With the rapidly evolving speed and intensity of sporting events, there is an increasing risk of serious injury or even death to spectators. This new standard is supported by the Canada Safety Council, endorsed by the Canadian Recreation Facilities Council, and is designed to help prevent injuries at indoor arenas so that spectators can better enjoy Canada’s national pastime and other indoor sports.”
The standard was developed by the CSA Technical Committee on Equipment and Facilities for Ice Hockey Players, which includes stakeholders such as:
- Health Canada
- The National Hockey League
- The Canadian Hockey Association
- The National Hockey League Players’ Association
- Ringette Canada
- Manufacturers, municipalities and medical professionals
The Canada Safety Council initiated and provided funding for development of the standard.
“There have been horrific incidents of pucks hitting spectators in arenas,” says Emile Therien, President, Canada Safety Council. “Millions of Canadians visit these facilities regularly, especially during the hockey season. Deaths are rare, but lost eyes and skull fractures are all too common.”
According to Therien, the lack of national standard has made it difficult for those in charge of arenas to know how best to protect spectators. The Canada Safety Council took action on its longstanding concern by providing seed funding for CSA to develop a voluntary standard, the first of its kind in the world. Therien hopes that other countries will follow Canada’s lead when planning safety features in their arenas.
“There are more than 2,501 community arenas in Canada and many of them date back at least 30 years,” says Randy Kinnee, Chair, Canadian Recreation Facilities Council (CRFC) and Manager of Operations, Parks and Recreation, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. “Many of these facilities are due for renovations and this new standard will serve as an excellent resource for owners and operators committed to incorporating new measures to protect fans, vendors and others in the stands. CRFC fully endorsed the development of this standard and recommends that it be used at indoor arenas across Canada when renovations, upgrades or new construction is being planned.”
To purchase a copy of CAN/CSA-Z262.7, Guidelines for Spectator Safety in Indoor Arenas, please visit www.shopcsa.ca
About CSA
Canadian Standards Association (CSA) is a membership association serving industry, government, consumers and other interested parties in Canada and the global marketplace. A leading developer of standards and codes, CSA aims to enhance public safety, improve quality of life, preserve the environment and facilitate trade. To help people understand and apply standards, CSA offers information products and training. The Canadian Standards Association is a division of CSA Group, which also consists of CSA International for product testing and certification, and QMI for management systems registration. For more information visit www.csa.ca
About the Canada Safety Council
The Canada Safety Council is a knowledge-based, charitable organization devoted to educating Canadians about the importance of safety on the road, in the community, in sports and leisure activities, on the job and at home. Its mission is to lead in the national effort to reduce accidental deaths, injuries and economic loss. CSC serves as a credible, reliable resource for safety information, education and awareness. Behind the scenes, CSC helps in legislation, enforcement and other countermeasures to improve safety for Canadians. For more information visit www.safety-council.org
About Canadian Recreation Facilities Council
The Canadian Recreation Facilities Council (CRFC) is a volunteer driven, not for profit, nationally recognized council who’s mission is to provide a national forum and other services that support the development and management of recreation facilities. For more information visit http://www.crfc.ca |
