American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance - AAHPERD

 Issue: May/June 2006

Planning and Designing Safe Facilities
Todd Seidler

Abstract:
Those who manage physical education, athletic, and recreation programs have a number of legal duties that they are expected to carry out. Among these are an obligation to take reasonable precautions to ensure safe programs and facilities for all participants, spectators, and staff. Physical education and sports facilities that are poorly planned, designed, or constructed may cause many problems for those running programs in the facilities. A poor facility may limit the programs that can be offered; make it harder to operate, maintain, and supervise; and significantly increase the participants’ exposure to hazardous conditions. These factors can lead to a greater likelihood of injury and can significantly increase the organizations’ exposure to liability claims. This article addresses various ways to improve facility design and safety.

Article category: Facility Design and Development-Part 2