NATIONAL INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATORS ASSOCIATION LEADERSHIP TRAINING COURSE 622

SPORTS FIELD S A F E T Y Presented by TURFindustry Inc.

SPORTS FIELD SAFETY N IA A A - Le ader ship Tr aining Inst itut e 622

DISCLAIMER The information, knowledge, concepts and strategies expressed hereinafter are for general instructional purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for engaging experienced professionals to perform a comprehensive evaluation of the sports field surface, and the need for applying common sense in managing any sports field playing surface. While the information, knowledge, concepts, strategies and recommendations contained hereinafter have been compiled from credible, experienced professionals, and provided in good faith believing same to be accurate, TURFindustry and the NIAAA make no guarantee as to, and assume no responsibility for, the correctness, sufficiency, or completeness of such information, knowledge, concepts, strategies or recommendations. The condition of every sports field changes from day to day, and hour to hour depending on play, use and weather conditions. Maintaining the sports field surface in a playable and safe condition at all times is everyone’s responsibility. A solemn commitment to ensuring the sports field surface is always maintained in a playable and safe manner must exist in perpetuity. You are instructed to seek an experienced professional to ensure the performance and safety of every playing surface is consistently maintained. It is critical to seek and secure the knowledge of all safety standards and aspects. It is recommended that updates regarding safety standards, best practices, methods and means be obtained often. Natural grass and synthetic turf playing surfaces vary greatly and it is important to understand the details, history and track the performance of every sports field. THERE ARE NO WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND OFFERED IN THIS MANUAL, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, WARRANTIES OF PERFORMANCE, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. In no event will TURFindustry Inc. and/or the NIAAA, their agents or employees be liable, under any theory of law and/or equity, to you or anyone else for any decision made or action taken in reliance on the information contained herein or for any consequential, incidental, special or similar damages.

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© 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association is prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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TABLE OF CONTENTS SPORTS FIELD SAFETY A B1 B2 C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Page # RP1 – Impact Hardness............................................................................................................. RP2 – Planarity and Evenness (Natural Grass)..................................................................... RP2 – Infill Depth and Evenness (Synthetic Turf)................................................................. RP3 – Visual Inspection............................................................................................................. RP4 – Non-Spray Policy............................................................................................................ Sports Specific Locations......................................................................................................... BP – List of Equipment............................................................................................................... BP – Field Assessment.............................................................................................................. BP – Gmax Testing..................................................................................................................... BP – Infill Depth Testing............................................................................................................ BP – Visual Inspection.............................................................................................................. BP – Game Day........................................................................................................................... BP – Heat..................................................................................................................................... BP – Cold...................................................................................................................................... BP – Coaches Checklist............................................................................................................ BP – Signage............................................................................................................................... Bid Document – Gmax Covenant............................................................................................. RM – Usage Log.......................................................................................................................... RM – Maintenance Log............................................................................................................. RM – Maintenance Certificate................................................................................................. RM – Gmax Machine Usage Log............................................................................................. ASTM – F355 - Impact Attenuation of Playing Surface Systems and Materials.............. ASTM – F1702 - Measuring Impact-Attenuation Characteristics of Natural Playing Surface Systems Using a lightweight Portable Apparatus.......................................... ASTM – F1936 - Impact Attenuation of Turf Playing Systems as Measured in the Field....................................................................................................................................... ASTM – F2650 - Standard Terminology Relating to Impact Testing of Sports Surfaces and Equipment.................................................................................................... Best Value Rating System (BVRS) - Example Bid Document............................................. Gmax Machine Comparison Chart..........................................................................................

SPORTS FIELD SAFETY • NIAAA LTI - 622 © 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association is prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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SPEAKER BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE

MARK NICHOLLS President and CEO TURFindustry Inc. Email: [email protected] Cell: 905.327.5501

Introduction: Mark Nicholls is the President and CEO of TURFindustry. TURFindustry™ is a NO FEE education based platform developed to assist potential purchasers of synthetic turf surfaces as they attempt to navigate product characteristics, vendor selection and overall project details. TURFindustry, as a leader in educational initiatives for the sports field industry, offers a comprehensive FIELD SAFETY course and accreditation for industry professionals.

TURFindustry Inc. Background: TURFindustry Inc. has assembled professionals with over a combined 150 years of experience directly in the synthetic turf industry. TURFindustry Inc.’s goal is to provide interested parties with valuable and sensible information regarding field safety, maintenance and the process of considering a synthetic turf surface and the various stages and components you will encounter during the development of the project. TURFindustry Inc.’s commitment is to provide transparent and unbiased information regarding synthetic turf surfaces. TURFindustry Inc.’s desire is to arm you with the key knowledge necessary to successfully complete a synthetic turf project.

Mark Nicholls Experience: Mark Nicholls started in the turf industry over 30 years ago as an installer, and has personally installed 100’s of successful projects with his own hands. With over 3 decades of service in the turf industry, Mark Nicholls has successfully built three of the top national brands for synthetic turf in North America, created the first training and certification school dedicated to the installation of synthetic turf surfaces, established a world class research and development center dedicated to the development and testing of synthetic turf, and over a decade ago, built the largest independent turf manufacturing operation in North America.

HOUSEKEEPING: The presentation and manual are specifically designed to be a reference source and user friendly. TURFindustry Inc. remains available as a perpetual resource to answer any questions and/or provide additional guidance upon request. BY PHONE: 888-949-5296 BY EMAIL: [email protected]

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© 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic U B U S P OAthletic R T S FAdministrators I E L D S A F EAssociation T Y G U I DisE prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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PREAMBLE: The sports field safety topics within the manual are organized and numbered for easy reference into the following sections. List of the manual Sections is depicted below for illustration purposes: 1.0 Field Safety: Outline of the various elements involved in sports field safety.

2.0 Testing: Performance and safety testing elements associated with sports fields.

3.0 Natural Grass: Safety aspects that are specific to Natural Grass.

4.0 Synthetic Turf: Safety aspects that are specific to Synthetic Turf.

5.0 Best Practices: Best practices for safety of sports fields.

6.0 Accreditation: Details regarding the accreditation requirements for the Field Safety course.

Conclusion: This section provides a summary of the various sports field safety topics discussed within the course materials.

Appendixes: This section contains multiple forms, examples and documents, which are referenced throughout the manual.

SPORTS FIELD SAFETY • NIAAA LTI - 622 © 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association is prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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1. FIELD SAFETY: 1.01 THE GOAL: FIELD SAFETY: The Goal The Goal is to arm interested individuals with general knowledge regarding field safety. Provide detailed instruction on how to operate field-testing equipment. Inspire discussion on performance and safety. Engage professionals in the debate regarding player safety. The purpose of this course and the initiative behind creating the accreditation is to inspire thought regarding sports surfaces, both natural and synthetic, and how they directly impact player safety. The intent is to deliver the required information to the people who are in a position to make a difference. The belief is that professionals armed with clear, transparent and fact based information can make a significant, positive impact on reducing player injuries.

1.02 SPORTS FIELDS: FIELD SAFETY: Sports Fields Any sports field system, whether natural or synthetic, should be considered the most important component of player safety. It is critical to educate and challenge professionals regarding the various terms, elements and aspects of sports field safety.

Definitions What Has Changed Your Role Your Responsibility Risk Mitigation Documentation Conducting A Field Assessment Prevention Protection

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© 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic U B U S P OAthletic R T S FAdministrators I E L D S A F EAssociation T Y G U I DisE prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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1.03 PERFORMANCE: FIELD SAFETY: Performance Performance is sport specific! The validation of performance is different for each sport and therefore requires sport specific testing to confirm that the playability is optimum for its intended use.

Definition: The definition of “performance” as it relates to field safety is the surface’s ability to perform for a specific sport’s use; for example, the shoe-to-surface interface, the ball interaction by sport, and the surface’s ability to optimize the athletes’ performance. These are characteristics of both safety and performance.

Measurements: Friction, Torsion Resistance, Ball Bounce, Ball Speed, Shoe Traction, Coefficient of Restitution.

1.04 SAFETY: FIELD SAFETY: Safety Safety is everyone’s responsibility! The general essence of safety is universal; to keep athletes and players from sustaining injury during play. Safety requires everyone to work in harmony to ensure the playing surface and the entire sports environment is consistently maintained. Obviously, natural grass systems require maintenance and upkeep; likewise, synthetic turf systems should never be considered maintenance-free.

Definition: The sports field being maintained in a professional manner to maximize player safety. The surface’s hardness upon impact and the air temperature during the players’ use of the surface are critical safety aspects.

SPORTS FIELD SAFETY • NIAAA LTI - 622 © 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association is prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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Measurements: Gmax, Temperature, Infill Depth, Infill Deviation, HIC, Lead Content. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is the federal governing body that sets limits for Lead and Heavy Metals. The current requirement is for an entire synthetic turf system, inclusive of all aspects (fiber, infill, backing, etc.), to have a lead content of less than 100 parts per million (PPM).

1.05 WHAT HAS CHANGED: FIELD SAFETY: What Has Changed Nothing, and Everything! Field safety has always been a priority for sports professionals, facility staff, coaches and players. In that respect, nothing has changed. But, at the same time, everything has changed. Concussions, as one example, have been elevated in importance as head trauma and its effects become clear, and as athletes realize that concussions occur with equal frequency on all sports fields. Player deaths resulting from heat related causes are also changing the scheduled times for practices and games throughout the world. The entire sports community is experiencing enhanced awareness, focus and sensitivity to field safety related issues. When a player impacts the playing surface (the ground), there are three things involved: the player’s body, any protective gear they are wearing and the playing surface. Anyone who thinks the field surface is not a significant and contributing factor, to whether or not the athlete is injured, has never played sports. The most recent change is the awareness of the role of natural grass playing surfaces and their impact on athletes’ injuries. While it is true that synthetic turf surfaces are increasingly popular today, they have been subjected to the scrutiny of performance and safety testing for decades. In fact, rigorous performance and safety testing is a direct contributor to the synthetic turf industry’s evolution. Arguably, today’s synthetic surfaces are safer and consistently perform at a level above previous generations. Natural grass surfaces have only recently been held to the same standards as synthetic turf surfaces. Legal challenges regarding players being injured on natural grass surfaces that were allegedly in unsafe condition, have amplified the call for natural grass surfaces to be tested with the same scrutiny that synthetic turf surfaces have been subjected to for over a decade.

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© 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic U B U S P OAthletic R T S FAdministrators I E L D S A F EAssociation T Y G U I DisE prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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natural, be maintained in the safest state possible. All fields, natural and synthetic, should be tested to verify that the field is indeed safe every time the players take the field. The purpose of this course is to raise awareness of sports professionals to the fact that all players deserve a field surface that is proven to be safe, and to arm these professionals with the knowledge and tools to accomplish this task.

1.06 YOUR ROLE: FIELD SAFETY: Your Role Your role is to educate yourself, engage others, and ensure that every sports field is maintained to the highest level of safety possible. Challenge your perception, and the perception of others to consider a sports field as protective equipment, more like helmets and shoulder pads than a flooring surface. Think of it as “ground gear for athletes”. Invest time, resources and energy in ensuring player safety, and accept nothing less. You would never let a player take the field with a sub-standard helmet, so it should go without saying that you would never let them play on a sub-standard field.

1.07 YOUR RESPONSIBILITY: FIELD SAFETY: Your Responsibility Your responsibility is to engage everyone in maintaining a safe playing surface. It is critical to ensure everyone understands their role and has the knowledge and education necessary to perform their required tasks. You will need to engage everyone in the safety regimen: professionals, administrators, athletics, facilities personnel, coaches and players. Your role as the individual to receive this education will be to organize the team that will create and implement the necessary safety documents, procedures and best practices. It is critical to document the numerous safety procedures, clearly assign tasks, and ensure that the interval of each element is consistently performed. The stakes could not be higher - if a safety regimen is not implemented and executed consistently, players could be injured.

1.08 RISK MITIGATION: FIELD SAFETY: Risk Mitigation Knowledge: Get educated, seek and share knowledge with the entire team. Make sure all individuals are engaged in ensuring the safest environment possible. Education: Obtaining personal training is only the first step; your entire team needs to be educated accordingly. Even after the significant challenge of getting everyone educated is complete, the task is not complete! Safety education is a lifetime commitment. Seek You need to remain updated on standards and safety procedures at frequent and consistent intervals. SPORTS FIELD SAFETY • NIAAA LTI - 622 © 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association is prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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Planning: It may sound silly, but planning starts with actually having a plan. An adequate plan will include: usage logs, maintenance logs, testing logs, testing best practices, incident and injury documentation, coaching checklists, appropriate signage, game day best practices, etc. Creating all of these documents is a huge task (see examples attached within the appendix for guidance). But it is only the beginning! Scheduling intervals, ensuring compliance and efficient access including distribution of key documents, is necessary to complete any planning. Prevention: An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure! Regardless of the likelihood of injury in sports, prevention is always the desired course of action. Health and conditioning of the players, frequent and consistent testing/inspection of the actual sports field throughout the entire life of the playing surface and player protective equipment is critical to preventing human injury. Documentation: The three most important things to do when engaging in risk mitigation are; document, document, document. See the appendix examples and manual section 1.09 below for the various documents that are required and necessary elements of any safety program and/or risk mitigation requirements.

1.09 DOCUMENTATION: FIELD SAFETY: Documentation A comprehensive safety policy involves more than just sports field safety documentation; however, the scope and focus of this course is limited to sports field safety, as the title indicates. Several critical safety documents and examples of best practices are incorporated into this course and provided in the appendix for your use. Understanding the purpose of each document, providing training on how to use them, and ensuring that the documents are organized, available and utilized by appropriate inspectors and administrators are necessary to fulfill your documentation requirements.

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© 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic U B U S P OAthletic R T S FAdministrators I E L D S A F EAssociation T Y G U I DisE prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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Maintenance Certificate

This maintenance certificate is provided to detail and document the field safety inspection performed.

Name of Facility:

Product:

Location:

Recommended Practices for the Maintenance of Infill Surfaces for NFL Games

Date of Original Installation: Date of Inspection:

20 POINT FIELD SAFETY INSPECTION CMP-01 CMP-02 CMP-03 CMP-04 CMP-05 CMP-06 CMP-07 CMP-08 CMP-09 CMP-10 CMP-11 CMP-12 CMP-13 CMP-14 CMP-15 CMP-16 CMP-17 CMP-18 CMP-19 CMP-20

20 point Infill depth check Inspection of all Seams Inspection of Hash Marks Inspection of Numbers Inspection of Arrows Inspection of Logos Inspection of Endzone Lettering Inspection of Five Yard Lines Inspection of Perimeter Lines Inspection of Sideline Areas Inspection of Secondary Sports Lines Inspection of Crease and Goal Areas Inspection of Entrance Attachments Inspection of Surface Area Drains Inspection of Field Insets Inspection of Field Surface Perimeter Attachment Inspect all Lines for Straightness Inspect infill depth along Field Surface Perimeter Visual Planarity Inspection Inspect Entire Area for Irregularities and Non-Uniform Areas

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

IN

TENA NC

This Certified Inspection was conducted by:

August 5, 2011

E

MA

NOTES:

Signature: _____________________________________________________________

CE

RT

TE

Printed Name: __________________________________________________________

IFICA

Maintenance Certificate Appendix S

Game Day Manual Appendix K

Maintenance Log Appendix R

FIELD SAFETY MANUAL

WWW.TURFINDUSTRY.COM

FIELD SAFETY MANUAL

Appendix A: Documentation form for RP 1: Impact Hardness TESTING INFORMATION Facility Name

Facility Location

Name of Person Supervising the Testing

Weather Condition

Identify End A:

Time of Testing N

NE

E

SE

S

Type of Facility Indoor

Outdoor

Testing Equipment Used SW

Triax

W

Clegg

Facility Location

Name of Person Taking Measurement

Weather Condition

Facility Name

Ambient Air Temp

Clear Rain Drizzle Snow Foggy

Date of Measurement Identify End A:

N

Time of Measurement NE

Description of location

gmax

Comments (e.g., abnormalities, unexpected results)

Test location

E

SE

S

SW

Type of Facility Indoor

Allowable Coefficient of Variation

Depth (mm)

Test location

ASTM 1936, point 1

ASTM 1936, point 1

Random 1

ASTM 1936, point 2

Random 2

ASTM 1936, point 3

ASTM 1936, point 3

Random 3

ASTM 1936, point 4

ASTM 1936, point 4

Random 4

ASTM 1936, point 5

ASTM 1936, point 5 ASTM 1936, point 6

ASTM 1936, point 7

ASTM 1936, point 7

ASTM 1936, point 8

ASTM 1936, point 8

ASTM 1936, point 10 Other

Inlay Location 1

Random 11

Inlay Location 2

Random 12

Other Other Other Other Other

Type of Facility Indoor

Outdoor

CompletedComments (e.g., abnormalities, unexpected results)

1. Uniformity, No Defects

2. Painted Areas

3. Seams and Inlays

Random 8 Random 9

Other

Ambient Air Temp

Clear Rain Drizzle Snow Foggy

Random 7

Random 10

Other

Depth (mm)

Random 5

ASTM 1936, point 9 ASTM 1936, point 10

Other

Description of Location

Random 6

ASTM 1936, point 9

Other

Time of Inspection

INSPECTION REPORT Inspection Items

Description of Location

Weather Condition

Date of Inspection

Manufactures Specifications W

Facility Location

Name of Inspector

Outdoor

Target Infill Depth (mm) Allowable Deviation from Target Infill Depth (mm)

ASTM 1936, point 2

ASTM 1936, point 6

WWW.TURFINDUSTRY.COM

Appendix C: Documentation form for RP 3: Visual Inspection INSPECTION INFORMATION

Facility Name

TESTING REPORT

TESTING REPORT Test location

FIELD SAFETY MANUAL

WWW.TURFINDUSTRY.COM

Appendix B: Documentation form for RP 2: Infill Depth and Evenness TESTING INFORMATION

Ambient Air Temp

Clear Rain Drizzle Snow Foggy

Date of Testing

Industry Standards

Inlay Location 3

Random 13

Inlay Location 4

Random 14

Inlay Location 5

Random 15

Inlay Location 6

Random 16

Inlay Location 7

Random 17

Inlay Location 8

Random 18

Inlay Location 9

Random 19

Inlay Location 10

Random 20

4. Special Turf Sections

5. Non-Football Turf Sections

6. Maintenance

7. Water

800 828-8700

Enhanced Reporting

Gmax Assessment Appendix A

Planarity Assessment Appendix B1 & B2

Visual Assessment Appendix C

SPORTS FIELD SAFETY • NIAAA LTI - 622 © 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association is prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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1.10 CONDUCTING A FIELD ASSESSMENT: FIELD SAFETY: Conducting A Field Assessment The first step to implementing a field safety program is to conduct a field assessment for each field included in your program. Stated another way, you need to perform a safety audit for each of your fields to establish and document the current condition of each. It is critical to identify any potential safety concerns and determine all the challenges and remediation requirements needed to establish a baseline of safety for each and every field. An example would be to closely inspect the perimeter of the field where the turf transitions to running tracks, sidewalks, drains, etc. for potential tripping hazards. To conduct a field assessment, it will be necessary to perform the full set of Recommended Procedures (RPs), along with some additional measurements and inspections to confirm the field is safe for play. This process establishes the baseline for all future safety testing, comparison and analysis. A professional example of a Field Assessment Best Practices is provided for your convenience as Appendix G.

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© 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic U B U S P OAthletic R T S FAdministrators I E L D S A F EAssociation T Y G U I DisE prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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1.11 PREVENTION: FIELD SAFETY: Prevention High Quality Surface Injury prevention is rooted in possessing a high quality turf system to begin with. Whether your surface is natural grass or a synthetic turf system, it is imperative that the highest quality materials are utilized. The challenge is to think about sports field surfaces as protective player equipment, not as flooring. Nobody would ever make the argument that a player should wear the cheapest helmet. The fear, of course, is that the player might be hurt while using inferior quality equipment. Therefore it only makes sense that, if the focus is sports field safety, no professional would support utilizing the cheapest natural grass or synthetic turf system, for fear that player safety would be jeopardized. When repairs are needed, the same logic applies: cheapest is virtually never best! Player safety, risk mitigation, appearance and quality assurance are all reasons that only qualified, competent persons should perform repairs to synthetic turf playing systems. Ensuring a safe, professional quality sports surface, whether natural or synthetic, starts with the procurement process and bid documents. It is critical to identify the elements of safety, the parameters for performance and be able to memorialize the details and communicate the requirements during the procurement process. The cost of any sports surface is significant and money should never be wasted, but when safety and performance are the primary issues, price should never be the sole decision-making parameter. That best value should be the ultimate goal, not the lowest price. Incorporated within the appendices is an example of the of the Best Value Rating System (BVRS) which should be used when evaluating a surface based on the best value, not the lowest price, and likely the lowest quality.

1.12 PREVENTION SPORT SPECIFIC: FIELD SAFETY: Prevention - Sport specific The first form of injury prevention is to ensure the field surface is designed to optimize the sport’s specific performance attributes. To start the process of selecting the right surface, it will be necessary to complete a Usage Audit. Whether a natural grass or synthetic turf surface, it is critical to determine what sports will be played on the field. PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS BY SPORT

FIELD USE ASSESSMENT: Instructions: Insert a numerical representation in each box to represent the number of anticipated uses for each use. Total Usage FOOTBALL

US5164APAM

SPEED S4-M

US4151APAM

FOOTBALL BEST BETTER

SOCCER

BASEBALL

LACROSSE

FIELD HOCKEY

MULTI-USE

INDOOR

BEST

GOOD

BEST

BETTER

GOOD

GOOD

BETTER

BEST

BEST

BETTER

BETTER BEST

BETTER

.

BEST

BETTER

GOOD

.

BETTER

BETTER

BETTER

.

BETTER

BEST BETTER

SPEED M6-M

US6164ATHM

BEST

BEST

SPEED M4-M

US4951ATHM

BETTER

BETTER

UI5164APAR

BEST

BETTER

GOOD BETTER GOOD

Band Practice Cheerleading Practice

INTENSITY S4-R

UI4151APAR

BETTER

GOOD

BEST

GOOD

.

BETTER

Rentals

Commencement

INTENSITY M6-R

UI6164ATHR

BEST

BETTER

BETTER

BETTER

.

BETTER

BEST

INTENSITY M4-R

UI4951ATHR

BETTER

GOOD

BEST

GOOD

.

BETTER

BETTER

BALANCE SP82-M

UB8251APAM

BETTER

BEST

BEST

BETTER

GOOD

BEST

BETTER

BALANCE SP82-R

UB8251APAR

BEST

BETTER

BETTER

GOOD

.

BETTER

BEST

BALANCE SP82-P

UB8251APAP

GOOD

GOOD

GOOD

GOOD

.

GOOD

.

BALANCE MN65-M

UB6538ATHM

GOOD

GOOD

GOOD

GOOD

GOOD

GOOD

GOOD

BALANCE MN65-R

UB6538ATHR

GOOD

GOOD

GOOD

GOOD

GOOD

GOOD

GOOD

BALANCE MN65-P

UB6538ATHP

GOOD

GOOD

GOOD

GOOD

.

GOOD

.

BALANCE MN69-M

UB6944ATHM

GOOD

GOOD

GOOD

GOOD

GOOD

GOOD

GOOD

BALANCE MN69-R

UB6944ATHR

GOOD

GOOD

GOOD

GOOD

GOOD

GOOD

GOOD

BALANCE MN69-P

UB6944ATHP

GOOD

GOOD

GOOD

GOOD

.

GOOD

.

BALANCE MP80-M

UB8044ATHM

BETTER

BEST

BEST

BETTER

GOOD

BEST

BETTER

BALANCE MP80-R

UB8044ATHR

BEST

BETTER

BETTER

GOOD

GOOD

BETTER

GOOD

BALANCE MP80-P

UB8044ATHP

GOOD

GOOD

GOOD

GOOD

.

GOOD

.

BALANCE MP69-M

UB6932ATHM

GOOD

GOOD

GOOD

GOOD

BETTER

GOOD

BETTER

BALANCE MP69-R

UB6932ATHR

GOOD

GOOD

GOOD

GOOD

GOOD

GOOD

GOOD

BALANCE MP69-P

UB6932ATHP

GOOD

GOOD

GOOD

GOOD

.

GOOD

RANGE P20-S

UR2032APVS

Total Usage SOCCER

Practice Intramural

Intramural Sports Uses

Other Uses

Soccer

PRODUCT #

SPEED S5-M

Intramural

SPEED

On field Movie Nights Other Sports Uses

SERIES

Total Usage

Pep Rally and Fan Uses Physical Education uses

Total Usage BASEBALL

Game

Baseball

PRODUCT NAME

Practice

Rentals

Public Ceremonies

Practice

INTENSITY

Special Education Uses

Intramural

SERIES

Track and Field Uses

Rentals

Youth Sports Uses

Total Usage SOFTBALL

Game Practice Intramural Rentals

Total Usage LACROSSE

Game Practice Intramural Rentals

Total Usage FIELD HOCKEY

Game

Intramural Rentals Total Usage RUGBY

Game

Intramural Rentals

BALANCE

Graduation

SERIES

Championship Games Playoff Games

Total Usage COMPETITIONS Total Usage LACROSSE

Band Competition

RANGE SERIES

Cheerleading Competition Coaching Clinics Combines

Total Usage COACHING Total Usage FIELD HOCKEY

Performance Training Testing and Drills

MOTION SERIES

Fan Festivals

Events

Practice

Homecoming

Non Sports

Coaching

Practice

Total Usage RENTALS

Concerts

Rentals

Softball

Total Usage OTHER USES

INTENSITY S5-R

Game

Lacrosse

Alternative Sports Uses

Competitions

Football

Game

Rugby

• Sport Specific Use • Optimize Performance for your sport specific use • Maximize Player Safety • No one surface can optimize performance and maximize player safety for every sport specific use.

USAGE AUDIT

Field Hockey

“USAGE AUDIT”

Fundraising events

Total Usage EVENTS Total Usage RUGBY

Community Events Tradeshow and Expo

Usage FIELD SPORTS APPLICATIONS

TOTAL

Usage OTHER APPLICATIONS

TOTAL ANNUAL USES

TOTAL TOTAL

ACCREDITATION SERIES

.

RANGE P28-S

UR2838APVS

MOTION N48-N

UM4814ATPN

MOTION N48-P

UM4814ATPP

MOTION N38-N

UM3811ATPN

.

MOTION N38-P

UM3811ATPP

GOOD CONVERTIBLE

.

.

. .

.

.

.

.

. .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

BEST CONVERTIBLE

BEST CONVERTIBLE

BEST CONVERTIBLE

BEST CONVERTIBLE

.

.

.

.

.

GOOD CONVERTIBLE

.

BETTER CONVERTIBLE BETTER CONVERTIBLE

.

.

BETTER CONVERTIBLE BETTER CONVERTIBLE BETTER CONVERTIBLE BETTER CONVERTIBLE

MOTION P36-S

UM3625APVS

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

ACCREDITATION MF60-M

UA4260AXAM

.

ACCREDITED

.

.

.

.

.

ACCREDITATION MP60-P

UA4260AXAP

.

ACCREDITED

.

.

.

.

.

ACCREDITATION FIH-N

UA4911AXHN

.

.

.

.

ACCREDITED

.

.

ACCREDITATION FIH-P

UA4911AXHP

.

.

.

.

ACCREDITED

.

.

U C 0106 REC U SES CH A RT 0710

SPORTS FIELD SAFETY • NIAAA LTI - 622 © 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Administrators Association is prohibited.) F I EAthletic LD SA FETY MAN UAL First Edition 2012

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1.13 PREVENTION – INSURED WARRANTY: FIELD SAFETY: Prevention - Insured Warranty It should be noted that natural grass installations should come with an Insured Warranty, but the warranties are typically not insured, and only last for one to three years. There has been a considerable amount of controversy regarding insured warranties in the synthetic turf industry, which began over a decade ago. These early insured warranty policies did not provide good and/or honest coverage. As clients and vendors became more educated, the quality of the coverage improved drastically and became exceptional. It is important to thoroughly understand this topic, as it is necessary to be able to distinguish between a good policy that provides real coverage, and a bad policy that provides little or no coverage.

AN INSURED WARRANTY IS COMPRISED OF THREE COMPONENTS: An INSURED WARRANTY… …is “REQUIRED PROTECTION”.

TURF VENDORS WARRANTY: The Document that explains exactly what is covered and what is not covered by the warranty.

ACORD CERTIFICATE: Outlines who is covered and during what period. It is crucial to be a named insured on this document.

INSURANCE POLICY: Outlines the insurance coverage that protects the vendor’s warranty and under what circumstances the coverage applies.

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© 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic U B U S P OAthletic R T S FAdministrators I E L D S A F EAssociation T Y G U I DisE prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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1.14 PROTECTION – GMAX TESTING BEFORE PLAY: FIELD SAFETY: Protection - Gmax Testing Before Play No play should occur on the field until a Gmax test is performed to ensure the field is safe for play. Initial Gmax testing must be performed to confirm the field is safe for play. The initial Gmax testing should be considered an occupancy permit before any players are allowed to take the field. The testing locations are sport specific based on ASTM F1936. The procedure differs slightly for synthetic turf and natural grass

1.15 PROTECTION – GMAX COVENANT: FIELD SAFETY: Protection Gmax Covenant It is critical to incorporate a Gmax covenant within the bid documents and secure strong language within the contract that requires a safe Gmax value throughout the lifecycle of the field surface, regardless if it is natural or synthetic. The Gmax covenant is a requirement for the vendor to remediate the field should the surface become too hard. There is an example of Gmax covenant bid language and requirements in Appendix P.

• Secure a detailed Gmax Covenant at the time of purchase • Maximum Initial Gmax Values • Maximum Warranty Period Gmax Value • Details of remediation steps if the Gmax Values exceed safe levels at any test location • Detail how a breach of the Gmax Covenant is determined

SPORTS FIELD SAFETY • NIAAA LTI - 622 © 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association is prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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1.16 SUMMARY: FIELD SAFETY: Summary The field surface, regardless of whether it is natural grass or synthetic turf, is critical to ensure player safety and optimize sport specific performance. Field surfaces should be considered “ground gear for athletes”, as important to player safety as helmets and protective padding. Field surfaces should not be considered as simply decorative flooring, but more like high performance sports gear. It is imperative for athletic professionals to promote the importance of a sports field in the safety equation, get educated on what elements define a safe sports field, and gain experience on how safety is measured and validated. The topics discussed in Section 1 are paramount to ensuring player safety.

Definitions What Has Changed Your Role Your Responsibility Risk Mitigation Documentation Conducting A Field Assessment Prevention Protection

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© 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic U B U S P OAthletic R T S FAdministrators I E L D S A F EAssociation T Y G U I DisE prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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2. TESTING: 2.01 INTRODUCTION: TESTING: Introduction It is vital that athletic professionals inspect what they expect from their sports field surfaces. Testing is the only option to validate safety and performance of a sports field. The topics outlined in Section 2 explain the options, procedures and relevancy of testing methods utilized to confirm the condition of the sports field.

Safety Performance Gmax Math Gmax Equipment and Operations Enhanced Reporting Systems

2.02 SAFETY: TESTING: Safety Based on the nature of sports activity, injuries are unavoidable. The goal, of course, is to minimize the likelihood of player injury by validating that the sports field is consistently maintained at the highest level of performance and maximum safety. Testing is required to confirm and validate that the surface is indeed safe for players and at its optimum performance level. Needless injuries related to the condition of the sports field can be avoided, if not eliminated, through a proper testing regimen.

SPORTS FIELD SAFETY • NIAAA LTI - 622 © 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association is prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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2.03 PERFORMANCE: TESTING: Performance Performance testing must be sport specific. Even standard shoe testing should be performed with sport specific shoes. Ball bounce, shoe friction, abrasion and Gmax are just a few of the relevant performance tests that can be performed on a sports field. Performance requirements vary by sport, a list of standard performance tests are listed below:

ASTM F355-01 Gmax RATING Standard Test Method for Shock-Absorbing Properties of Playing Surface Systems and Materials

ASTM F1015-03 RELATIVE ABRASIVE INDEX Standard Test Method for Relative Abrasiveness of Synthetic Turf Playing Surfaces

ASTM F2117-01 AVERAGE BALL REBOUND HEIGHT Standard Test Method for Vertical Rebound Characteristics of Sports Surface/Ball Systems; Acoustical Measurement

ASTM F1551-03 COEFFICIENT OF RESTITUTION (CR) Standard Test Methods for Comprehensive Characterization of Synthetic Turf Playing Surfaces and Materials

ASTM F1551-03 AVERAGE BALL BOUNCE Standard Test Methods for Comprehensive Characterization of Synthetic Turf Playing Surfaces and Materials

ASTM F1551-03 SOCCER SHOE TRACTION DRY Standard Test Methods for Comprehensive Characterization of Synthetic Turf Playing Surfaces and Materials

ASTM F1551-03 SOCCER SHOE TRACTION WET Standard Test Methods for Comprehensive Characterization of Synthetic Turf Playing Surfaces and Materials

ASTM F1551-03 FOOTBALL SHOE TRACTION DRY Standard Test Methods for Comprehensive Characterization of Synthetic Turf Playing Surfaces and Materials

ASTM F1551-03 FOOTBALL SHOE TRACTION WET Standard Test Methods for Comprehensive Characterization of Synthetic Turf Playing Surfaces and Materials

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© 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic U B U S P OAthletic R T S FAdministrators I E L D S A F EAssociation T Y G U I DisE prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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2.04 GMAX - DEFINITION: TESTING: Gmax - Definition Gmax is the measurement of shock attenuation, the hardness of the playing surface. The technical definition of Gmax is defined by ASTM F2650. • Gmax – the “maximum acceleration magnitude recorded during a single impact, expressed in ‘g’ units.”

2.05 GMAX - THE PURPOSE: TESTING: Gmax – The Purpose Gmax is the numerical value used to indicate a playing surface’s hardness, and therefore the likelihood of player injury upon impact. • When a player falls, the impact is absorbed either by the surface, protective equipment worn by the player, or the player’s body. • The harder the surface, the greater the amount of the impact is absorbed by the player’s body. • This rule applies to both natural and artificial turf systems. Natural grass systems are NOT inherently safer than synthetic turf systems. Gmax values may be utilized to determine the need for maintenance, remediation and/or replacement of the sports field surface.

SPORTS FIELD SAFETY • NIAAA LTI - 622 © 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association is prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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2.06 GMAX – THE IMPACT: TESTING: Gmax – The Impact Gmax values are the leading indicator of potential player injury upon impacting the field surface. Consensus: There is a direct correlation between surface hardness, impact velocity, and the risk/ severity of injury You must understand Gmax, what it means, how it is computed and how to use it. Ensuring your fields remain within acceptable Gmax levels is mandatory!

2.07 GMAX MATH: TESTING: Gmax Math Understanding Gmax values starts with understanding the relevance of the numbers, Gmax math for lack of a better term. Example Gmax readings are illustrated below to provide a few points of reference. Most vendors will agree that a sports field should not be used if the average Gmax value for any tested location on the field is above 150; a value of 200 should result in the immediate closure of the sports field because it is unsafe for play and can cause life-threatening injuries. Gmax values indicated are from a Triax machine. Clegg Hammer values will differ.

60 – Muddy Grass 80 – Minimum acceptable Gmax 105 – NFLPA – TBB Field 115 – NFL Indoor 125 – NFL Stadium 150 – Acceptable Max – Most Vendors 166 – NFL – Max Professional Football 175 – Acceptable Max – Certain Vendors 180 – Packed Clay 200 – OSHA – “Will Cause Death” 225 – Frozen Grass

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© 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic U B U S P OAthletic R T S FAdministrators I E L D S A F EAssociation T Y G U I DisE prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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2.08 GMAX – EQUIPMENT & OPERATIONS: TESTING: Gmax – Equipment & Operations Gmax machines are not fragile, but they are delicate instruments. It is important that the Gmax machine is operated and transported with care. Regardless of the actual type of Gmax machine utilized, the best practice for all Gmax machines is to perform a system verification or operational check before beginning a new round of shock attenuation testing to ensure the machine is accurately measuring g-forces within acceptable tolerances. A carrying case should be purchased to protect the Gmax machine whenever it is not in use, or when it is being transported. Training will be required, but the machine is easy to operate.

SPORTS FIELD SAFETY • NIAAA LTI - 622 © 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association is prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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2.09 GMAX – SELECTING A MACHINE: TESTING: Gmax – Selecting a Machine The Triax and the Clegg Hammer are the primary Gmax machines available for testing sports fields. While there are numerous manufacturers of both types, and each manufacturer’s Gmax machine is slightly different, the functionality and operation is basically the same. APPENDIX Z - Gmax Machine Comparison Chart

CLEGG - TRIAX A-MISSLE COMPARISONS SPECIFICATION Manufacturer Approximate Cost

CLEGG HAMMER

TRIAX A-MISSLE

Lafayette Instrument

Alpha Automation

$3,750

Missile Diameter Missile Mass Missile Construction Tube Construction Drop Height Impact Velocity

$12,100

2”

5”

2.25kg ± .05kg (5lbs.)

20 lbs. ± 0.11 lbs.

Aluminum/Hardened Steel

Stainless Steel

Steel

Aluminium

18”

24”

2.85 meters/second

3.46 meters/second

Release Mechanism

Operator’s Hand drop

Spring loaded knob in tube

Unit of Measurement

Clegg Impact Value

“G’s”, units of the earth’s gravity at sea level

# of Data Points stored in memory

Up to 864

Up to 1000

Digital Readout?

Yes

Graphical image of impact wave?

No

Software Included? Operating system Re-calibration cycle Batteries

Original Intention systems

Yes

Yes Windows only

1 year

2 year

2 rechargeable, not user replaceable

Travel Case Included?

Yes

Yes Windows only

5 AA, user replaceable

No, $500 additional charge

Yes

Soil, stone, roadbed

Natural & artificial turf

Turf Industry Inc. • P: 888 949.529 F: 888 949.4329 • www.turfindustry.com

2.10 GMAX – EQUIPMENT HANDLING: TESTING: Gmax – Equipment Handling Gmax testing equipment although not fragile, is delicate, and should be handled with care. A proper case should be purchased to safely house and protect during travel and between uses. Always lift the missile by the handle, never by the cable.

Triax System Verification: • Ensure there are fresh batteries in the unit. • Before use, make 3 drops at a standardized location; • Average the results of all 3 drops; • Verify that results are within 5% of factory reference value

Clegg Operational Check • Ensure the unit is fully charged; if the batteries in the Clegg Hammer need recharging, the LED on the keypad will illuminate. • Before use, make 6 drops on the polyurethane check ring at a standardized location;

18

• Average the results of all 6 drops; • Verify that results are within 2 CITs of new machine Operational Check SPORTS FIELD SAFETY • NIAAA LTI - 622

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© 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic U B U S P OAthletic R T S FAdministrators I E L D S A F EAssociation T Y G U I DisE prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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2.11 GMAX – CLEGG HAMMER: TESTING: Gmax - Clegg Hammer Features • Metal construction • 2.25kg • 5cm diameter missile • White reference line on the hammer at the correct drop height • Advanced control unit • Value in CIT’s – must be converted • Windows 98 or later to download data • Up to 864 memory locations for drop test data; but be aware that once data is deleted from the hand held unit, it cannot be retrieved.

2.12 GMAX – TRIAX A-MISSILE: TESTING: Gmax - Triax A-Missile Features • 20 lb. missile per ASTM F1936 • Vented tube; tripod legs • Release mechanism holds missile at the correct drop height until operator is ready to test • Handle for lifting safely • Advanced control unit • Measurement in Gmax value – no conversion • Windows XP/Windows 7 compatible software program • Data can be viewed in table or graph formats

SPORTS FIELD SAFETY • NIAAA LTI - 622 © 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association is prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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2.13 GMAX – TEST PROCEDURES: TESTING: Gmax – Test Procedures Although Gmax testing can be accurately performed in a laboratory, in order to evaluate the conditions an athlete will encounter on an installed field, Gmax testing on installed fields must be done on location. Unfortunately, the ASTM standards regarding Gmax testing and methods are inconsistent and confusing. Each ASTM standard was created as an independent document and originated from separate authors; therefore the ASTM position on Gmax standards remains unclear. The various ASTM standards of relevance are listed below:

F355 – Laboratory testing of Gmax F2650 – Gmax Definition F1936 – Sport Specific Locations F1702 – Field Testing Method The Accredited Testing Procedure for both Natural Grass and Synthetic Turf sports field surfaces is the same, and detailed below: • Make 3 Drops at each test location without moving the machine (See the notes on the intervals between drops below) • Discard drop 1 • Average drops 2 and 3 together, round up fractions to next whole number • Record the result as the average Gmax value for that location.

INTERVAL between DROPS: • 1 minute, ±30 seconds between drops • The missile weight lifted off the surface between drops The Locations of the drops are outlined in Appendix E, and are required to be conducted on a sport specific basis. Take 3 measurements of infill depth at each test location within the immediate area of the machine’s footprint; average all 3 drops and record. It is important to maintain the missile guide tube of your machine in a vertical position in order to obtain accurate results. The Triax is positioned directly above the test location, perpendicular to the turf, and the bottom of the guide tube 1” above the turf. The Clegg Hammer guide tube rests on the turf and can be braced with a foot or knee.

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© 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic U B U S P OAthletic R T S FAdministrators I E L D S A F EAssociation T Y G U I DisE prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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2.14 GMAX TERMS: TESTING: Gmax Terms Location:

The sport specific location as detailed in ASTM F1936 See Appendix E for convenient maps of the sport specific locations.

Drop: The action of dropping the Gmax missile

Spot: The test location where the machine is positioned

2.15 GMAX – VALUE CALCULATION: TESTING: Gmax Testing Procedure Summary for Average Gmax 3 drops at each location without moving the machine 1 minute, ±30 seconds between drops Discard the first drop, average the 2nd and 3rd Drops

2.16 GMAX – HOW IS IT MEASURED: TESTING: Gmax – How is it Measured • A missile is dropped onto the surface • An accelerometer inside the missile records the impact

Gmax Conversion CITS 1.00 1.65

= =

0.60 1.00

2.17 GMAX - PLOTTED: TESTING: Gmax – Plotted The Gmax machine and appropriate recording device has the ability to display the Gmax value as a plot. The plot depicts the maximum shock attenuation which is commonly accepted as the Gmax value for that drop.

SPORTS FIELD SAFETY • NIAAA LTI - 622 © 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association is prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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2.18 ENHANCED REPORTING SYSTEMS: TESTING: Enhanced Reporting Systems Enhanced reporting systems have been developed to facilitate the input, location recording, Gmax value capture and long term storage of the documentation. Long term document storage is critical to the Risk Mitigation Program requirements. Most of these Enhanced Reporting Systems utilize a tablet/iPad on the field to ensure the timely and accurate capture, along with long- term document storage. This is a very small investment that provides considerable peace of mind regarding the field’s safety.

2.19 SUMMARY: TESTING: Summary Testing is required to validate that the field surface is safe, not only to protect the players, but also to mitigate possible liability when player injuries occur. Obtain the education and training for the appropriate staff and personnel, secure the equipment and implement the best practices necessary to ensure a safe playing surface at all times. This will, ultimately, create an environment where safety is the number one priority.

Safety - Acknowledging the importance and understanding your role Performance – Sport specific requirements and needs Gmax Math – The relevance of the numbers Gmax Equipment and Operations – Options and efficiency Enhanced Reporting Systems – Document retention

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© 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic U B U S P OAthletic R T S FAdministrators I E L D S A F EAssociation T Y G U I DisE prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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3. NATURAL GRASS: 3.01 INTRODUCTION: NATURAL GRASS: Introduction For decades, synthetic turf has been subjected to elevated public scrutiny and professional safety and performance standards. Natural grass has only recently been held to the same level of performance and safety standards. Safety and performance requirements should be universal for all sports fields, whether they are natural or synthetic. The testing methods and equipment might be different, but the goal remains the same; to provide players with the safest environment possible, and a surface that will optimize player performance. This section outlines the requirement to inspect performance and validate safety for natural grass sports fields.

Living Grass Things To Consider RP1 – Hardness- Gmax RP2 – Planarity–Worn Areas-Divots RP3 – Visual Inspection RP4 – Non-Spray

NATURAL GRASS: Existing Conditions What is the condition of your existing natural grass sports field surfaces? It is shocking to realize the amount of unsafe natural grass surfaces that exist and are utilized every day. The need for a sports field to be safe before players take the field should never be diminished just because the surface is organic. Natural grass surfaces are not typically held to the same scrutiny as synthetic turf surfaces from a performance and safety standpoint. Inspecting the current state of your natural grass surface on a routine basis is required.  



SPORTS FIELD SAFETY • NIAAA LTI - 622 © 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association is prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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3.02 THINGS TO CONSIDER: NATURAL GRASS: Things To Consider The reasons that Natural Grass surfaces can be a concern are very different from Synthetic Turf. A list of the various elements that contribute to the overall performance and safety of a natural grass field are listed below: • Soil Conditions

• Unwanted Species

• Moisture Content

• Exposed Soil

• Drainage

• Gmax

• Thatch Layer

• Grass Cut Height

• Grass Species Mixture

• Aeration

3.03 RECOMMENDED PROCEDURES: NATURAL GRASS: Recommended Procedures The NFL issued game day procedures for Natural Grass surfaces in 2012. This section will outline the four (4) RP’s (Recommended Procedures) for Natural Grass playing surfaces. These Recommended Procedures (RP’s) detail the testing and inspections to ensure a Natural Grass surface is safe. RP1 – Impact Hardness (Gmax) RP2 – Planarity and Evenness RP3 – Visual Inspection RP4 – Anti-Microbial Policy FIELD SAFETY MANUAL

WWW.TURFINDUSTRY.COM

FIELD SAFETY MANUAL

Appendix A: Documentation form for RP 1: Impact Hardness TESTING INFORMATION Facility Location

Name of Person Supervising the Testing

Weather Condition

Ambient Air Temp

Type of Facility

Clear Rain Drizzle Snow Foggy

Date of Testing

Time of Testing N

NE

E

SE

S

Indoor

Testing Equipment Used SW

Triax

W

Facility Location

Name of Person Taking Measurement

Weather Condition

Clegg

Date of Measurement Identify End A:

N

E

SE

S

SW

Indoor

gmax

Comments (e.g., abnormalities, unexpected results)

Test location

Depth (mm)

W

Target Infill Depth (mm) Allowable Deviation from Target Infill Depth (mm) Allowable Coefficient of Variation

Test location

ASTM 1936, point 1

Random 1

ASTM 1936, point 2

ASTM 1936, point 2

Random 2

ASTM 1936, point 3

ASTM 1936, point 3

Random 3

ASTM 1936, point 4

ASTM 1936, point 4

Random 4

ASTM 1936, point 5

ASTM 1936, point 5

ASTM 1936, point 6

ASTM 1936, point 6

ASTM 1936, point 7

ASTM 1936, point 7

Description of Location

Weather Condition

Date of Inspection

Time of Inspection

Ambient Air Temp

Clear Rain Drizzle Snow Foggy

INSPECTION REPORT Inspection Items

Description of Location

ASTM 1936, point 1

Facility Location

Name of Inspector

Outdoor

Manufactures Specifications

Time of Measurement NE

Type of Facility

Depth (mm)

Random 5 Random 6

CompletedComments (e.g., abnormalities, unexpected results)

1. Uniformity, No Defects

ASTM 1936, point 8 ASTM 1936, point 9

Random 9

ASTM 1936, point 10

ASTM 1936, point 10

Random 10

Other

Inlay Location 1

Random 11

Inlay Location 2

Random 12

Other

Inlay Location 3

Random 13

Other

Inlay Location 4

Random 14

Other

Inlay Location 5

Random 15

Other

Inlay Location 6

Random 16

Other

Inlay Location 7

Random 17

Other

Inlay Location 8

Random 18

Other

Inlay Location 9

Random 19

Other

Inlay Location 10

Random 20

Indoor

Outdoor

antimicrobial agents should not be used on infill turf surfaces. The medical and scientific communities have not documented any benefit of using such agents on infill turf surfaces and there may be potential disbenefit to doing so. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not recognize infill turf as a significant source of MRSA infections. [See Appendix E] As the CDC has stated “[t]here is a lack of evidence that large-scale use (e.g., spraying or fogging rooms or surfaces) of disinfectants will prevent MRSA infections more effectively than a more targeted approach of cleaning frequently-touched surfaces.” [See Appendix E] This RP should not be interpreted as preventing the use of cleansing agents such as detergents and soaps to clean infill turf surfaces provided that such cleaning is performed in accordance with the recommendations of the applicable turf and cleaning agent manufacturers. This is taken from NFL. Should be rewritten.

There is no clinical evidence that topical sprays applied to sports surfaces provide any credible or lasting benefit to reduce MRSA and/or Staph. There is evidence that many of the herbicides and fertilizers can be skin irritants to players. In the absence of any credible and clinically established benefit, sprays should not be utilized on any sports field surface. The purpose of RP 4 is to pledge that no spray has been applied to the sports field surface that could be a potential skin irritant and that, if sprays are to be applied, players are given proper notification through adequate signage at the field of play.

3. Seams and Inlays

Random 8

Other

Type of Facility

This is from our N!AAA manual: NATURAL GRASS: RP4 Anti-Microbial Policy

2. Painted Areas

Random 7

ASTM 1936, point 8 ASTM 1936, point 9

WWW.TURFINDUSTRY.COM

Appendix C: Documentation form for RP 4: Anti-Bacterial Agents RECOMENDATION

Facility Name Ambient Air Temp

Clear Rain Drizzle Snow Foggy

TESTING REPORT Description of location

FIELD SAFETY MANUAL

WWW.TURFINDUSTRY.COM

Appendix C: Documentation form for RP 3: Visual Inspection INSPECTION INFORMATION

Facility Name

Outdoor

TESTING REPORT Test location

FIELD SAFETY MANUAL

TESTING INFORMATION

Facility Name

Identify End A:

WWW.TURFINDUSTRY.COM

Appendix B: Documentation form for RP 2: Infill Depth and Evenness

No spray applications are recommended for natural grass sports fields. Any potential spray application can be a potential skin irritant for players.

4. Special Turf Sections

5. Non-Football Turf Sections

6. Maintenance

7. Water

800 828-8700

24

RP1 Impact Hardness APPENDIX A

RP2 PLANARITY and Evenness APPENDIX B1

RP3 Visual Inspection APPENDIX C

RP4 Anti-Microbial Policy APPENDIX D

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© 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic U B U S P OAthletic R T S FAdministrators I E L D S A F EAssociation T Y G U I DisE prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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3.04 RP1 HARDNESS - GMAX: NATURAL GRASS: RP1 – Impact Hardness RP1 – Impact Hardness – is the measurement of hardness, or what is often referred to as shock attenuation. In essence, this is the measurement of the amount of energy that is returned to the player’s body upon impact with the surface. RP1 calls for 10 mandatory locations to be tested, and allows for 10 additional random locations. The 10 mandatory locations are sport specific, and details can be obtained within this field safety manual in Appendix E.

FIELD SAFETY MANUAL

WWW.TURFINDUSTRY.COM

Appendix A: Documentation form for RP 1: Impact Hardness TESTING INFORMATION Facility Name

Facility Location

Name of Person Supervising the Testing

Weather Condition

Ambient Air Temp

Type of Facility

Clear Rain Drizzle Snow Foggy

Date of Testing Identify End A:

Time of Testing N

NE

E

SE

S

RP1 Impact Hardness APPENDIX A

Indoor

Outdoor

Testing Equipment Used SW

Triax

W

Clegg

TESTING REPORT Test location

Description of location

gmax

Comments (e.g., abnormalities, unexpected results)

ASTM 1936, point 1 ASTM 1936, point 2 ASTM 1936, point 3 ASTM 1936, point 4 ASTM 1936, point 5 ASTM 1936, point 6 ASTM 1936, point 7 ASTM 1936, point 8 ASTM 1936, point 9 ASTM 1936, point 10 Other Other

Sport specific Gmax Locations for RP 1 Appendix E

Other Other Other Other Other Other Other Other

SPORTS FIELD SAFETY • NIAAA LTI - 622 © 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association is prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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3.05 RP2 PLANARITY: NATURAL GRASS: RP2 Planarity RP2 – Planarity and Evenness – The inspection of a sports field to ensure soil base uniformity. If the field’s soil base is not level, players can experience injuries such as twisted ankles and other related lower extremity injuries. The major concern with planarity is that the mowing process masks soil and sub-base deviations, due to the wheelbase, which is designed to cut the grass level, regardless of the soil profile below. Cutting the grass by nature of the operation masks any undulation in the soil’s planarity. Divots occur organically during play, so the planarity should be inspected routinely. This section outlines the details of performing a planarity check. Worn Areas – Divots 10 Required Points 10 Random Points Sport specific Required Points

•

10 Foot String Line



•

½” deviation is considered unacceptable

 

RP2 PLANARITY and Evenness APPENDIX B1

Sport specific PLANARITY Locations for RP 2 Appendix E

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© 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic U B U S P OAthletic R T S FAdministrators I E L D S A F EAssociation T Y G U I DisE prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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3.06 RP3 VISUAL INSPECTION: NATURAL GRASS: RP3 Visual Inspection RP3 – Visual Inspection – Because natural grass wears and changes as a result of play, it is important to visually inspect the surface often. Routine inspections should be performed before every use. There have been instances where miscellaneous metal, tacks, sharp objects, etc. have been found on a field during use. It is critical to perform a visual inspection, especially when a facility is consistently subjected to open public access. A Best practice for frequent visual inspections of the surface ensures professionalism, quality assurance, and establishes a process for remediation, which is required to ensure player safety. Playing Areas

FIELD SAFETY MANUAL

Sidelines

WWW.TURFINDUSTRY.COM

Appendix C: Documentation form for RP 3: Visual Inspection INSPECTION INFORMATION

Areas of ingress and egress

Facility Name

Facility Location

Name of Inspector

Weather Condition

Date of Inspection

Time of Inspection

Ambient Air Temp

Clear Rain Drizzle Snow Foggy

Type of Facility Indoor

Outdoor

INSPECTION REPORT Inspection Items

Visual Inspection Recommendations:

CompletedComments (e.g., abnormalities, unexpected results)

1. Uniformity, No Defects

2. Painted Areas



•

Best Practice for Visual Inspection



•

Digital Pictures



•

Remediation Plan

3. Seams and Inlays

4. Special Turf Sections

5. Non-Football Turf Sections

6. Maintenance

7. Water

800 828-8700

RP3 - Visual Inspection APPENDIX C

Best Practice Visual Inspection Appendix J

 

SPORTS FIELD SAFETY • NIAAA LTI - 622 © 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association is prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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3.07 RP4 Anti-Microbial Policy: NATURAL GRASS: RP4 Anti-Microbial Policy There is no clinical evidence that topical sprays applied to sports surfaces provide any credible or lasting benefit to reduce MRSA and/or Staph. There is evidence that many of the herbicides and fertilizers can be skin irritants to players. In the absence of any credible and clinically established benefit, sprays should not be utilized on any sports field surface. The purpose of RP 4 is to pledge that no spray has been applied to the sports field surface that could be a potential skin irritant and that, if sprays are to be applied, players are given proper notification through adequate signage at the field of play. FIELD SAFETY MANUAL

WWW.TURFINDUSTRY.COM

Appendix C: Documentation form for RP 4: Anti-Bacterial Agents

RECOMENDATION

antimicrobial agents should not be used on infill turf surfaces. The medical and scientific communities have not documented any benefit of using such agents on infill turf surfaces and there may be potential disbenefit to doing so. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not recognize infill turf as a significant source of MRSA infections. [See Appendix E] As the CDC has stated “[t]here is a lack of evidence that large-scale use (e.g., spraying or fogging rooms or surfaces) of disinfectants will prevent MRSA infections more effectively than a more targeted approach of cleaning frequently-touched surfaces.” [See Appendix E] This RP should not be interpreted as preventing the use of cleansing agents such as detergents and soaps to clean infill turf surfaces provided that such cleaning is performed in accordance with the recommendations of the applicable turf and cleaning agent manufacturers. This is taken from NFL. Should be rewritten. This is from our N!AAA manual: NATURAL GRASS: RP4 Anti-Microbial Policy There is no clinical evidence that topical sprays applied to sports surfaces provide any credible or lasting benefit to reduce MRSA and/or Staph. There is evidence that many of the herbicides and fertilizers can be skin irritants to players. In the absence of any credible and clinically established benefit, sprays should not be utilized on any sports field surface. The purpose of RP 4 is to pledge that no spray has been applied to the sports field surface that could be a potential skin irritant and that, if sprays are to be applied, players are given proper notification through adequate signage at the field of play.

No spray applications are recommended for natural grass sports fields. Any potential spray application can be a potential skin irritant for players.

No spray applications are recommended for natural grass sports fields. Any potential spray application can be a potential skin irritant for players.

RP4 Anti-Microbial Policy APPENDIX D

3.08 SUMMARY: NATURAL GRASS: Summary Natural Grass covers a vast majority of the playing surfaces utilized by players and athletes throughout the world. The fact is, the condition of natural grass varies greatly with play and when subjected to different weather conditions. It is critical that natural grass surfaces be inspected and tested to ensure that they are safe for players and athletes to utilize. Too often people assume that because natural grass is organic, it must be safe, and is acceptable in any condition. Athletic professionals need to understand that every time a player takes the field, there is an obligation to ensure the entire environment is as safe as possible. Get educated, inspect the surfaces and ensure you have done everything possible to create and maintain that safe environment. It is important to INSPECT what you EXPECT from a sports field.

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© 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic U B U S P OAthletic R T S FAdministrators I E L D S A F EAssociation T Y G U I DisE prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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4. SYNTHETIC TURF: 4.01 INTRODUCTION: SYNTHETIC TURF: Introduction Synthetic turf has been subjected to rigorous safety and performance testing for decades, but contradictory test methods and reporting requirements exist which have introduced confusion to the process. This section will detail a clear and concise testing and inspection regimen that is easy to follow and execute. The elements discussed in this section are outlined below. Things to Consider: RP1 – Hardness- Gmax RP2 – Planarity–Infill Depth RP3 – Visual Inspection RP4 – Anti-Microbial Policy

4.02 THINGS TO CONSIDER: SYNTHETIC TURF: Things to Consider The elements listed below are the various things to be considered regarding the safety and performance of a synthetic turf field. Tuft Bind Requirements Drainage Requirements Lead and Heavy Metal Content Gmax Requirements Infill Depth Consistency Base Settling and Planarity Painted Markings and Logos Fiber Wear Measurements Seam Integrity

SPORTS FIELD SAFETY • NIAAA LTI - 622 © 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association is prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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4.03 RECOMMENDED PROCEDURES: SYNTHETIC TURF: Recommended Procedures The Recommended Procedures (RP’s) for synthetic turf are similar to those for natural grass. The four recommended procedures are detailed in the section below, and outline the testing and inspections recommended for synthetic turf sports fields.

FIELD SAFETY MANUAL

WWW.TURFINDUSTRY.COM

FIELD SAFETY MANUAL

Appendix A: Documentation form for RP 1: Impact Hardness TESTING INFORMATION Facility Location

Name of Person Supervising the Testing

Weather Condition

Time of Testing

Ambient Air Temp

Type of Facility

NE

E

SE

S

Indoor

SW

Triax

W

Clegg

Name of Person Taking Measurement

Weather Condition

Ambient Air Temp

Clear Rain Drizzle Snow Foggy

Date of Measurement Identify End A:

N

NE

E

SE

S

SW

Type of Facility Indoor

W

Description of location

gmax

Comments (e.g., abnormalities, unexpected results)

Test location

Name of Inspector

Depth (mm)

Test location

ASTM 1936, point 1

Random 1

ASTM 1936, point 2

Random 2

ASTM 1936, point 3

ASTM 1936, point 3

Random 3

ASTM 1936, point 4

ASTM 1936, point 4

Random 4

ASTM 1936, point 5

ASTM 1936, point 5

Random 5

ASTM 1936, point 6

ASTM 1936, point 6

Random 6

ASTM 1936, point 7

ASTM 1936, point 7

Random 7

ASTM 1936, point 8

ASTM 1936, point 8

Random 8

ASTM 1936, point 9

ASTM 1936, point 9

Random 9

ASTM 1936, point 10

ASTM 1936, point 10

Random 10

Other

Inlay Location 1

Random 11

Other

Inlay Location 2

Random 12

Other

Inlay Location 3

Random 13

Other

Inlay Location 4

Random 14

Other

Inlay Location 5

Random 15

Other

Inlay Location 6

Random 16

Other

Inlay Location 7

Random 17

Other

Inlay Location 8

Random 18

Other

Inlay Location 9

Random 19

Other

Inlay Location 10

Random 20

Description of Location

Time of Inspection

Ambient Air Temp

Clear Rain Drizzle Snow Foggy

Type of Facility Indoor

Outdoor

INSPECTION REPORT Inspection Items

Description of Location

ASTM 1936, point 1 ASTM 1936, point 2

Weather Condition

Date of Inspection

Target Infill Depth (mm) Allowable Deviation from Target Infill Depth (mm) Allowable Coefficient of Variation

Depth (mm)

WWW.TURFINDUSTRY.COM

Appendix C: Documentation form for RP 4: Anti-Bacterial Agents RECOMENDATION

Facility Location

Outdoor

Manufactures Specifications

Time of Measurement

TESTING REPORT

TESTING REPORT Test location

INSPECTION INFORMATION Facility Name

Facility Location

Outdoor

Testing Equipment Used

FIELD SAFETY MANUAL

WWW.TURFINDUSTRY.COM

Appendix C: Documentation form for RP 3: Visual Inspection

Appendix B: Documentation form for RP 2: Infill Depth and Evenness

Facility Name

Clear Rain Drizzle Snow Foggy

Date of Testing N

FIELD SAFETY MANUAL

TESTING INFORMATION

Facility Name

Identify End A:

WWW.TURFINDUSTRY.COM

CompletedComments (e.g., abnormalities, unexpected results)

1. Uniformity, No Defects

antimicrobial agents should not be used on infill turf surfaces. The medical and scientific communities have not documented any benefit of using such agents on infill turf surfaces and there may be potential disbenefit to doing so. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not recognize infill turf as a significant source of MRSA infections. [See Appendix E] As the CDC has stated “[t]here is a lack of evidence that large-scale use (e.g., spraying or fogging rooms or surfaces) of disinfectants will prevent MRSA infections more effectively than a more targeted approach of cleaning frequently-touched surfaces.” [See Appendix E] This RP should not be interpreted as preventing the use of cleansing agents such as detergents and soaps to clean infill turf surfaces provided that such cleaning is performed in accordance with the recommendations of the applicable turf and cleaning agent manufacturers. This is taken from NFL. Should be rewritten. This is from our N!AAA manual: NATURAL GRASS: RP4 Anti-Microbial Policy

2. Painted Areas

There is no clinical evidence that topical sprays applied to sports surfaces provide any credible or lasting benefit to reduce MRSA and/or Staph. There is evidence that many of the herbicides and fertilizers can be skin irritants to players. In the absence of any credible and clinically established benefit, sprays should not be utilized on any sports field surface. The purpose of RP 4 is to pledge that no spray has been applied to the sports field surface that could be a potential skin irritant and that, if sprays are to be applied, players are given proper notification through adequate signage at the field of play.

3. Seams and Inlays

No spray applications are recommended for natural grass sports fields. Any potential spray application can be a potential skin irritant for players.

4. Special Turf Sections

5. Non-Football Turf Sections

6. Maintenance

7. Water

800 828-8700

RP1 Impact Hardness APPENDIX A

RP2 Infill Depth and Evenness APPENDIX B

RP3 Visual Inspection APPENDIX C

RP4 Anti-Microbial Policy APPENDIX D

30 SPORTS FIELD SAFETY • NIAAA LTI - 622

30

© 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic U B U S P OAthletic R T S FAdministrators I E L D S A F EAssociation T Y G U I DisE prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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4.04 RP1 – IMPACT HARDNESS: SYNTHETIC TURF: RP1 Impact Hardness RP1 – Impact Hardness – is the measurement of what is often referred to as shock attenuation. In essence, this is the amount of energy that is returned to the player’s body upon impact with the surface. RP1 calls for 10 mandatory locations to be tested, and affords 10 additional random locations. The 10 mandatory locations are sport specific, and details can be obtained within this field safety manual in appendix E.

Careful attention to your machine’s condition and best practices is required to obtain accurate results. •

Only use a missile and hand held unit that have been calibrated as a set

•

Ensure the guide tube is perpendicular to the turf during test drops

•

Components must be kept clean and dry

•

Guide tube and missile must be free of material build-up and debris that would prevent free-fall of the missile

•

When moving or transporting the Clegg, always pin the missile to the guide tube with the pin provided

FIELD SAFETY MANUAL

WWW.TURFINDUSTRY.COM

Appendix A: Documentation form for RP 1: Impact Hardness TESTING INFORMATION Facility Name

Facility Location

Name of Person Supervising the Testing

Weather Condition

Ambient Air Temp

Type of Facility

Clear Rain Drizzle Snow Foggy

Date of Testing Identify End A:

Time of Testing N

NE

E

SE

S

RP1 Impact Hardness APPENDIX A

Indoor

Outdoor

Testing Equipment Used SW

Triax

W

Clegg

TESTING REPORT Test location

Description of location

gmax

Comments (e.g., abnormalities, unexpected results)

ASTM 1936, point 1 ASTM 1936, point 2 ASTM 1936, point 3 ASTM 1936, point 4 ASTM 1936, point 5 ASTM 1936, point 6 ASTM 1936, point 7 ASTM 1936, point 8 ASTM 1936, point 9 ASTM 1936, point 10 Other Other

Sport specific Gmax Locations for RP 1 Appendix E

Other Other Other Other Other Other Other Other

SPORTS FIELD SAFETY • NIAAA LTI - 622 © 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association is prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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4.05 RP2 INFILL DEPTH AND EVENNESS: SYNTHETIC TURF: RP2 Infill Depth and Evenness RP2 – Planarity – Infill Depth – The inspection of the sports field to ensure the surface is level and the infill is consistent in depth. The infill material that is integrated within the fibers of the synthetic turf system is the entire cushioning layer to ensure player safety upon impact. Infill Depth and Evenness is critical to player safety. High traffic/high usage areas will compact infill over time, raising Gmax values. In addition, infill displacement due to previous play, severe weather, repairs, etc., must be monitored and remediated to ensure surface consistency and planarity. Summary of the Recommended Procedures: •

Best Practices for Infill Depth & Evenness (Appendix I)

•

The device used to measure infill depth should be capable of measuring to the nearest 1/32” or 1mm.

•

10 Required Points

•

10 additional Random Points on inlays

•

20 additional Random Points distributed over the entire surface, 5 yards from any other test location

•

Sport Specific

•

A total of 40 Required Points

FIELD SAFETY MANUAL

Play can displace infill, so monitoring the surface between uses and with consistent frequency is critical to ensure safety.

WWW.TURFINDUSTRY.COM

Appendix B: Documentation form for RP 2: Infill Depth and Evenness TESTING INFORMATION Facility Name

Facility Location

Name of Person Taking Measurement

Weather Condition

Ambient Air Temp

Clear Rain Drizzle Snow Foggy

Date of Measurement Identify End A:

N

NE

E

SE

S

SW

Type of Facility Indoor

Outdoor

Manufactures Specifications

Time of Measurement W

Target Infill Depth (mm) Allowable Deviation from Target Infill Depth (mm) Allowable Coefficient of Variation

TESTING REPORT Test location

Description of Location

Test location Random 1 Random 2

ASTM 1936, point 3

Random 3

ASTM 1936, point 4

Random 4

ASTM 1936, point 5

Random 5

ASTM 1936, point 6

Random 6

ASTM 1936, point 7 ASTM 1936, point 8 ASTM 1936, point 9

32

Depth (mm)

ASTM 1936, point 1 ASTM 1936, point 2

Description of Location

Depth (mm)

RP2 Infill Depth and Evenness APPENDIX B

Random 7 Random 8 Random 9

ASTM 1936, point 10

Random 10

Inlay Location 1

Random 11

Inlay Location 2

Random 12

Inlay Location 3

Random 13

Inlay Location 4

Random 14

Inlay Location 5

Random 15

Inlay Location 6

Random 16

Inlay Location 7

Random 17

Inlay Location 8

Random 18

Inlay Location 9

Random 19

Inlay Location 10

Random 20

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© 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic U B U S P OAthletic R T S FAdministrators I E L D S A F EAssociation T Y G U I DisE prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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4.06 RP3 VISUAL INSPECTION: SYNTHETIC TURF: RP3 Visual Inspection RP3 – Visual Inspection – Synthetic turf fields are created utilizing various seam attachment methods, which are subject to routine inspection to ensure they remain connected. Synthetic turf fields are historically subjected to increased vandalism. Infill can be displaced and damage can occur to the synthetic turf surface of which you may be unaware. Visual inspection of the field surface before every use is strongly recommended to ensure player safety. The Best practice of frequent visual inspections of the surface ensures professionalism, quality assurance, and establishes a process for remediation, which is required to ensure player safety. Playing Areas Sidelines Areas of ingress and egress Inspection Regimen •

Best Practice for Visual Inspection

•

Digital Pictures

•

Remediation Plan

FIELD SAFETY MANUAL

WWW.TURFINDUSTRY.COM

Appendix C: Documentation form for RP 3: Visual Inspection INSPECTION INFORMATION Facility Name

Facility Location

Name of Inspector

Weather Condition

Date of Inspection

Time of Inspection

Ambient Air Temp

Clear Rain Drizzle Snow Foggy

Type of Facility Indoor

Outdoor

INSPECTION REPORT Inspection Items

CompletedComments (e.g., abnormalities, unexpected results)

1. Uniformity, No Defects

2. Painted Areas

3. Seams and Inlays

4. Special Turf Sections

5. Non-Football Turf Sections

6. Maintenance

7. Water

800 828-8700

RP3 - Visual Inspection APPENDIX C

Best Practice Visual Inspection Appendix J

SPORTS FIELD SAFETY • NIAAA LTI - 622 © 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association is prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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4.07 RP4 ANTI-MICROBIAL POLICY: SYNTHETIC TURF: RP4 Anti-Microbial Policy There is no clinical evidence that topical sprays applied to sports surfaces provide any credible and lasting benefit to reduce MRSA and/or Staph. There is evidence that many of the commercially available sprays can be skin irritants to players. In the absence of any credible and clinically established benefit, sprays should not be utilized on any sports field surface. The purpose of RP 4 is to pledge that no spray has been applied to the sports field surface that could be a potential skin irritant and that, if sprays are to be applied, players are given proper notification through adequate signage at the field of play. FIELD SAFETY MANUAL

No spray applications are recommended for synthetic turf sports fields.

WWW.TURFINDUSTRY.COM

Appendix C: Documentation form for RP 4: Anti-Bacterial Agents RECOMENDATION

Any potential spray application can be a potential skin irritant for players.

antimicrobial agents should not be used on infill turf surfaces. The medical and scientific communities have not documented any benefit of using such agents on infill turf surfaces and there may be potential disbenefit to doing so. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not recognize infill turf as a significant source of MRSA infections. [See Appendix E] As the CDC has stated “[t]here is a lack of evidence that large-scale use (e.g., spraying or fogging rooms or surfaces) of disinfectants will prevent MRSA infections more effectively than a more targeted approach of cleaning frequently-touched surfaces.” [See Appendix E] This RP should not be interpreted as preventing the use of cleansing agents such as detergents and soaps to clean infill turf surfaces provided that such cleaning is performed in accordance with the recommendations of the applicable turf and cleaning agent manufacturers. This is taken from NFL. Should be rewritten. This is from our N!AAA manual: NATURAL GRASS: RP4 Anti-Microbial Policy

RP4 Anti-Microbial Policy APPENDIX D

 

There is no clinical evidence that topical sprays applied to sports surfaces provide any credible or lasting benefit to reduce MRSA and/or Staph. There is evidence that many of the herbicides and fertilizers can be skin irritants to players. In the absence of any credible and clinically established benefit, sprays should not be utilized on any sports field surface. The purpose of RP 4 is to pledge that no spray has been applied to the sports field surface that could be a potential skin irritant and that, if sprays are to be applied, players are given proper notification through adequate signage at the field of play. No spray applications are recommended for natural grass sports fields. Any potential spray application can be a potential skin irritant for players.

4.08 SUMMARY: SYNTHETIC TURF: Summary Synthetic turf surface installations have increased dramatically in the last decade. The major advantage to synthetic turf is the increased usability and consistent performance. It is critical that synthetic turf surfaces be inspected and tested to ensure the sports field is safe for players and athletes to utilize. Athletic professionals need to understand that every time a player takes the field of play, there is an obligation to ensure the entire environment is as safe as possible. Get educated, inspect the surfaces and ensure you have done everything possible to create and maintain that safe environment.

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© 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic U B U S P OAthletic R T S FAdministrators I E L D S A F EAssociation T Y G U I DisE prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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5. BEST PRACTICES: 5.01 INTRODUCTION: BEST PRACTICES: Introduction Every procedure and process should be documented to ensure consistency and professionalism. An adequate risk management program requires that best practices be documented, all usage is logged, and all maintenance/remediation procedures are recorded. This section provides insight into the best practices incorporated within this Field Safety Manual. Risk Management List Of Equipment Maintenance Remediation Game Day Field Markings Heat Cold MRSA / STAPH Lifecycle Planning

SPORTS FIELD SAFETY • NIAAA LTI - 622 © 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association is prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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5.02 RISK MANAGEMENT - DOCUMENTATION: BEST PRACTICES: Risk Management Documentation A risk management program is not about avoiding litigation; it is about tracking and documenting safety. Although this type of documentation is extremely valuable if litigation occurs, the purpose for creating the risk management program is to ensure that all practices and procedures are performed with the emphasis on optimizing player safety. The minimum elements of a risk management program are listed below: •

Usage Log

•

Maintenance Log

•

Maintenance Certificates (Vendor)

•

(RP1) Impact Hardness

•

(RP2) Planarity (Natural) - Infill Depth and Evenness (Synthetic)

•

(RP3) Visual Inspection

•

(RP4) Anti-Microbial Policy

•

Written Best Practice for all procedures and methods

Usage log Appendix q

G R O U N D

G E A R

F O R

AT H L E T E S

USA HEADQUARTERS 3460 KINGSBORO ROAD SUITE 507 ATLANTA, GA 30326

G R O U N D

G E A R

F O R

U S A G E

AT H L E T E S

Maintenance Certificate

Name of Facility:

MACHINE: ________________________________________ CONTROL UNIT SERIAL #: ________________________________

Product:

Location:

L O G

Gmax Machine Usage Log

This maintenance certificate is provided to detail and document the field safety inspection performed.

Date of Original Installation:

STORAGE LOCATION: ________________________________ MISSILE SERIAL #: _____________________________________

Date of Inspection:

FACTORY REFERENCE DATA

20 POINT FIELD SAFETY INSPECTION CMP-01 CMP-02 CMP-03 CMP-04 CMP-05 CMP-06 CMP-07 CMP-08 CMP-09 CMP-10 CMP-11 CMP-12 CMP-13 CMP-14 CMP-15 CMP-16 CMP-17 CMP-18 CMP-19 CMP-20

20 point Infill depth check Inspection of all Seams Inspection of Hash Marks Inspection of Numbers Inspection of Arrows Inspection of Logos Inspection of Endzone Lettering Inspection of Five Yard Lines Inspection of Perimeter Lines Inspection of Sideline Areas Inspection of Secondary Sports Lines Inspection of Crease and Goal Areas Inspection of Entrance Attachments Inspection of Surface Area Drains Inspection of Field Insets Inspection of Field Surface Perimeter Attachment Inspect all Lines for Straightness Inspect infill depth along Field Surface Perimeter Visual Planarity Inspection Inspect Entire Area for Irregularities and Non-Uniform Areas

Date

Peak

HIC

Date

Peak

HIC

Drop Location

Comments

INITIAL USER REFERENCE DATA Drop Location

Comments

CALIBRATION AND REPAIRS Calibration

Repair

Shipped

Returned

USA HEADQUARTERS 3460 KINGSBORO ROAD SUITE 507 ATLANTA, GA 30326

Shipped Via

Tracking Number

Comments

JOB SITE LOG Date

Time Out

Time In

Job Name

ASTM Test

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

IN

TENA

NC

E

MA

NOTES:

This Certified Inspection was conducted by:

Signature: _____________________________________________________________

CE

TE

Printed Name: __________________________________________________________

RT

IFICA

Turf Industry Inc. UBU Sports Inc. Turfscape Inc.

36

MAINTENANCE CERTIFICATE Appendix S

Damage? Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

MAINTENANCE LOG Appendix R

US Headquarters: 3525 Old Dixie Hwy, Dalton, GA 30721

CDN Headquarters: 23022-800 Niagara St, Welland, ON L3C 7E7

N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N

P: 888 949.5296 F: 888 949.4329 www.turfindustry.com

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© 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic U B U S P OAthletic R T S FAdministrators I E L D S A F EAssociation T Y G U I DisE prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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5.03 LIST OF EQUIPMENT: BEST PRACTICES: List of Equipment Being prepared is critical to maintaining a sports facility in a safe condition and optimum performance. Appendix F provides a list of equipment that is recommended. Several of the critical elements from the list of equipment are listed below: Testing Equipment Gmax Infill Depth Maintenance Equipment Groomer Finger Tines Sweeper Magnet Bar

FIELD SAFETY MANUAL

WWW.TURFINDUSTRY.COM

Infill Material

Appendix F: List of Equipment

Paint Application Equipment Paint Removal Equipment

Infill Material

Testing Equipment

Infill Remediation Equipment

¨ Rubber

¨ FloorTest FT50

Miscellaneous-Water/Snow

¨ Sand

¨ 2.25 kg Clegg Hammer ¨ Laptop Computer ¨ Apple iPad2 w/wifi

Recommended 20,000 lbs. (Typical Supersack is 2000 lbs.) Recommended 20,000 lbs. (Typical Supersack is 3000 lbs.)

Infill Depth Gauge

(or similar)

Painting Application and Removal Equipment

¨ Temperature and Humidity

¨ 2-Gallon Plastic Tank Sprayer ¨ Chemical Resistant Gloves ¨ Safety Glasses ¨ Wet/Dry Vacuum (ShopVac) ¨ Water Claw Flood Extractor ¨ 5-Gallon Buckets (qty - 4) ¨ Light-Duty Fire Extinguishers,

¨ Back-up batteries for

3-A:40-B:C (qty - 2)

¨ Water Source ¨ Blitz Paint Remover ¨ Box of Rags ¨ Scrub Brushes

(varied stiffness and sizes)

LIST OF EQUIPMENT Appendix F

¨ Paint Templates ¨ Shop-Vac ¨ 3-Speed High Velocity Fan

Gauge

hand-held units.

¨ FUJI Digital Camera,

14 megapixel (or similar)

Miscellaneous

¨

UBU Toolbox

Infill Remediation Equipment

¨ Scotts AccuGreen Drop-Spreader

¨ Utility Vehicle (Club Car, Gator, Rhino, etc.)

¨ GreensGroomer Drag-Broom W/Tines

¨ Field Drag Mat 3'W X 5'L ¨ Black & Decker 12-Amp Electric Blower

¨ Leaf Rakes (qty - 4) ¨ Scoop Shovels (qty - 2) ¨ 5.5 Cu. Ft. Plastic Yard Cart ¨ Wet/Dry Vacuum (Shop-Vac) ¨ Rubbermaid 44-Gallon Garbage Can

Grooming Equipment

¨ Field Drag Mat 3'W X 5'L ¨ Greens Groomer Tow-Behind Magnet

¨ Greens Groomer Litter Kat ¨ GreensGroomer Drag-Broom W/tines

¨ Linoleum Knife

with extension pole

¨ Forklift (6000 lbs) ¨ Stihl Yard Boss

w/KB-MM brush attachment

¨ Utility Scale ¨ Extension Cords

¨ Utility Vehicle (Club Car, Gator, Rhino, etc.)

SPORTS FIELD SAFETY • NIAAA LTI - 622 © 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association is prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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5.04 MAINTENANCE: BEST PRACTICES: Maintenance All maintenance best practices must be documented, distributed and utilized. Any maintenance best practice should be tailored to the specific maintenance equipment selected. A maintenance best practice, at a minimum, should include the following elements: •

Specific equipment to be utilized

•

The proper calibration of the maintenance equipment

•

Instructions on patterns and routines

•

Details regarding application rates

•

Intervals for frequency

•

Remediation strategies

•

List of replacement parts for any consumable elements

•

Maintenance requirements to maintain the maintenance equipment

•

Proper storage of the maintenance equipment when not in use

•

Documentation requirements, logs and schedule paperwork

•

Trouble shooting

•

Emergency contact details

Maintenance Certificate

This maintenance certificate is provided to detail and document the field safety inspection performed. Name of Facility:

Product:

Location:

Date of Original Installation: Date of Inspection:

20 POINT FIELD SAFETY INSPECTION CMP-01 CMP-02 CMP-03 CMP-04 CMP-05 CMP-06 CMP-07 CMP-08 CMP-09 CMP-10 CMP-11 CMP-12 CMP-13 CMP-14 CMP-15 CMP-16 CMP-17 CMP-18 CMP-19 CMP-20

20 point Infill depth check Inspection of all Seams Inspection of Hash Marks Inspection of Numbers Inspection of Arrows Inspection of Logos Inspection of Endzone Lettering Inspection of Five Yard Lines Inspection of Perimeter Lines Inspection of Sideline Areas Inspection of Secondary Sports Lines Inspection of Crease and Goal Areas Inspection of Entrance Attachments Inspection of Surface Area Drains Inspection of Field Insets Inspection of Field Surface Perimeter Attachment Inspect all Lines for Straightness Inspect infill depth along Field Surface Perimeter Visual Planarity Inspection Inspect Entire Area for Irregularities and Non-Uniform Areas

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

IN

TENA

NC

This Certified Inspection was conducted by:

E

MA

NOTES:

Signature: _____________________________________________________________

CE

RT

TE

Printed Name: __________________________________________________________

IFICA

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© 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic U B U S P OAthletic R T S FAdministrators I E L D S A F EAssociation T Y G U I DisE prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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5.05 MAINTENANCE – SYNTHETIC: BEST PRACTICES: Maintenance – Synthetic The maintenance of synthetic turf is far less costly than natural grass and significantly more predictable. There are two forms of standard maintenance for synthetic turf: Grooming: The process of grooming a field is designed to stand up the fibers and level the infill. This procedure should be completed every 80 hours of field use. Obviously, to be able to time this interval, it will be necessary to keep track of the number of hours the field is utilized. 80 hours is just a suggested interval. Depending on play and other elements that impact the surface, the interval can be less or more; this is simply a general guideline. Sweeping: Sweeping is the process of removing debris and litter. Scheduling how often you need to sweep the field will be directly determined by the control you have over access to the field and the policies regarding what is allowed on the field. If you allow people to take food, beverages and litter onto the field surface you will have to sweep more often than if you don’t allow any of these items onto the field surface. Basically you need to sweep the field whenever it is dirty and litter is present.

5.06 MAINTENANCE - NATURAL: BEST PRACTICES: Maintenance - Natural The maintenance of natural grass varies significantly from synthetic turf, and it is not restricted to simply mowing the grass. A professionally maintained natural grass surface requires considerable maintenance operations often including chemical enhancements in the form of herbicides, fertilizers, not to mention adequate watering. The challenge with natural grass is the resulting physical impact of play on the surface, and the environmental impact of weather and climate. Natural grass surfaces that are utilized over 40 times per year will require additional procedures like de-thatching, aeration, rolling, etc. The amount of water, as the primary source of regeneration, will have to be monitored and supplemented as necessary to keep the grass in an acceptable state. Depending on the type of grass, the mowing height, weather impact, stress from play, and water requirements, the maintenance regimen of the natural grass surface will have to be determined by a professional.

SPORTS FIELD SAFETY • NIAAA LTI - 622 © 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association is prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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5.07 REMEDIATION – SYNTHETIC TURF: BEST PRACTICES: Remediation - Synthetic Turf The need for remediation of a synthetic turf surface is typically a result of high Gmax values. High Gmax values are commonly experienced due to: •

High sand content

•

Bad infill material quality

•

Clay, sand and soil blowing onto the field

•

Paint build-up from field markings and logos

•

Excessive compaction

In extreme instances of compaction, the infill will need to be removed in its entirety and new infill material will have to be installed. While there are other needs and forms of remediation, excessive hardness is the dominant circumstance that requires remediation. Having a documented best practice for all forms of possible remediation is required to manage a synthetic turf field properly.

5.08 REMEDIATION – NATURAL GRASS: BEST PRACTICES: Remediation - Natural Grass The need for remediation of a natural grass turf surface typically requires an assessment by a trained professional. The various problems that natural grass fields experience require a deliberate action plan that focuses on the source of the concern. Examples of the type of remediation utilized with natural grass include: •

Aeration – often when the field surface is hard

•

Over seeding – then the field coverage is sparse

•

Dethatching – drainage concerns – surface hardness

•

Watering – regeneration – surface hardness In extreme instances of compaction and/or wear the field surfaces has to be re-sodded. While there are other needs and forms of remediation, wear and hardness are the dominant circumstances that require remediation. Having a documented best practice for all forms of remediation is required to manage a natural grass field. It is necessary to have an experienced professional determine what actions need to be taken, and when.

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© 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic U B U S P OAthletic R T S FAdministrators I E L D S A F EAssociation T Y G U I DisE prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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5.09 GAME DAY – PRE GAME: BEST PRACTICES: Game Day - Pre Game A best practice for all inspections and procedures prior to a game day event is required. A list of recommended elements to be incorporated as part of the Pre Game Best Practice is listed below: RP1 – Impact Hardness RP2 – Planarity (Natural) - Infill Depth and Evenness (Synthetic) RP3 – Visual Inspection RP4 – Anti-Microbial Policy Vehicle - Pre Inspection Signage – Preventative Waste Receptacles Player & Field Participant Best Practices Emergency Tool Cart and Trained Crew NOTE: This is only a minimal list of typical Pre Game elements. For an example of an actual Game Day Manual of professional best practices; contact Mark Nicholls via email at [email protected]  

5.10 GAME DAY – IN GAME: BEST PRACTICES: Game Day - In Game A best practice for all considerations and procedures for in game events is required. A select list of considerations and procedures that should be incorporated as part of the In Game Best Practice are outlined below: All players and performers should be instructed to empty their pockets before entering the field area (IE Coins, Keys, etc.). All vehicles and/or structures should be carefully inspected for any loose objects and/or foreign debris. Experienced, professionally trained and equipped Emergency Player Personnel must always be available and in close proximity to the playing surface. NOTE: This is only a minimal list of typical In Game considerations. For an example of an actual Game Day Manual of professional best practices, contact Mark Nicholls via email at [email protected]   SPORTS FIELD SAFETY • NIAAA LTI - 622 © 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association is prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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5.11 GAME DAY – POST GAME: BEST PRACTICES: Game Day - Post Game A best practice for all inspections and procedures for post game is required. Post game considerations to be incorporated as part of a best practice are listed below: •

Visual Field Inspection

•

Debris Collection

•

Secure The Playing Area After The Event

•

Record any Incidents Of Interest

•

Pack Up All Equipment and Apparatus

•

Shut Down Any Utilities (lights, water, etc.)

•

Completely Evacuate The Facility

•

Prepare For The Next Event

•

Always Leave the Surface Safe For Play

NOTE: This is only a minimal list of typical Post Game considerations. For an example of an actual Game Day Manual of professional best practices, contact Mark Nicholls via email at [email protected]

5.12 FIELD MARKINGS – SYNTHETIC TURF: BEST PRACTICES: Field Markings - Synthetic Turf There are different types of markings utilized with synthetic turf systems: Tufted, Inlaid, Routed and Painted. Routed lines are inferior technology and should never be utilized with synthetic turf. Tufted and Inlaid lines are permanent lines and require no ongoing maintenance. Painted lines require ongoing maintenance. Painted lines are utilized in different formats: Permanent, semi-permanent, removable and temporary. It should be noted that chalk and lime are still utilized on synthetic turf fields for temporary markings. Whatever painted/temporary line marking system you elect to utilize will require a best practice for application and removal. Best practices exist and can be obtained from the paint vendor, and/or the synthetic turf provider. NOTE: It is critical that you obtain approval from your synthetic turf provider prior to applying paint to the field. The synthetic turf vendor must approve the paint or you risk voiding your warranty and worse, damaging the synthetic turf system. NOTE: It is strongly recommended that a test area be painted outside of the playing surface before a full application is done. NOTE: This is only a minimal list of field marking considerations. For an example of an actual Game Day Manual of professional best practices that includes paint application, removal and remediation, contact Mark Nicholls via email at [email protected]

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© 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic U B U S P OAthletic R T S FAdministrators I E L D S A F EAssociation T Y G U I DisE prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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5.13 FIELD MARKINGS – NATURAL GRASS: BEST PRACTICES: Field Markings - Natural Grass Paint is the typical field marking application, but chalk and lime are still used for temporary situations. A best practice will be required for all aspects of marking a natural grass field. It is strongly recommended that a test area be maintained outside of the playing area to determine the brilliance, best application rate, best application method, longevity, and how mowing affects the need to reapply. Written best practices should be developed directly from these processes.

5.14 WEATHER - HEAT: BEST PRACTICES: Weather - Heat Heat is a major concern for any sports event today. Players have died of heat exhaustion. A temperature reading should be recorded before every use of the field as a best practice and as a comprehensive part of a professional risk management program. •

Games should not be played when the air temperature and/or heat index exceed 105 degrees. A watering system can provide temporary cooling if available.

•

Events should be scheduled appropriately to avoid the hotter periods of the day.

Turf Industry has developed a web portal that will provide a long-term heat forecast and recommendations for modified use based on the temperature. NOTE: It does not have to be 105 for players to be in jeopardy of heat exhaustion. Best practices will need to be developed to provide for different modes of player support and altered operations based on different levels of heat impact. Field watering, cooling fans, player access to liquids, practice intervals, timing between player activities, etc., should all be considered and incorporated in a professional best practice for various temperature thresholds. NOTE: An example best practice for heat is incorporated within this Field Safety manual in Appendix L.

SPORTS FIELD SAFETY • NIAAA LTI - 622 © 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association is prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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5.15 WEATHER - COLD: BEST PRACTICES: Weather - Cold The best practices for cold weather are critical. Frozen fields are extremely dangerous. Best practices for the inspection of a field before play in cold weather, along with snow and ice removal will be required. Specialized equipment will need to be considered for any snow/ice removal operations. •

Games should not be played on any surface below 32 degrees as the potential for freezing is likely to occur. A heating system should be considered in appropriate climates.

•

Gmax Testing should be properly performed before all cold weather events below 45 degrees.

NOTE: An example best practice for snow removal is incorporated within this Field Safety manual in Appendix M.

5.16 MRSA-STAPH BEST PRACTICES: MRSA-STAPH Staph and MRSA are not a concern for sports fields. Studies have proven that locker rooms, libraries and general public areas pose far greater risk of exposure. Many vendors propose solutions ranging from UV light treatments to sprays. Often they are utilized for public perception more than for their effectiveness. NOTE: Considerable clinical testing documentation exists to support that Staph/ MRSA are not a concern for sports fields. Please contact Mark Nicholls via email at [email protected] should you need access to the relevant testing documentation.

 

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© 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic U B U S P OAthletic R T S FAdministrators I E L D S A F EAssociation T Y G U I DisE prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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5.17 LIFE CYCLE PLANNING – SYNTHETIC TURF: BEST PRACTICES: Life Cycle Planning - Synthetic Turf Synthetic turf fields will eventually require replacement, and professional planning will be required to prepare for this event. The best practice for life cycle planning starts immediately after installation, by tracking the field’s performance, which over time will provide vital data to help you plan for the field’s eventual replacement. Don’t be caught off guard by not planning for replacement until after the field has either already failed or completed its normal lifecycle. Several considerations that should be incorporated into the best practice for lifecycle planning are presented below: •

You cannot plan for the field to last beyond the warrenty period;

•

The field will need to be replaced eventually;

•

Financial planning for the eventual replacement is required;

•

Financial planning for the eventual disposal is required;

•

It is important to plan for operational disruption

From the day you purchase a synthetic turf system you will need to plan for its eventual replacement and the associated disposal costs of the existing field.

 

5.18 LIFE CYCLE PLANNING – NATURAL GRASS: BEST PRACTICES: Life Cycle Planning - Natural Grass Professional studies have concluded that natural grass sports fields that are utilized for more than 45 events annually are likely to require re-sodding, and/or major reconstruction. Significant rest periods will be required. Now that natural grass sports fields are being held to higher testing and safety standards, the need for re-sodding and/ or reconstruction is likely to be more commonplace. The cost and time associated with replacing a natural grass field are significant; professional planning is required to manage this effectively.

SPORTS FIELD SAFETY • NIAAA LTI - 622 © 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association is prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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5.19 SUMMARY: BEST PRACTICES: Summary Best practices are necessary to ensure player safety and required as part of any professional risk management program. TURFindustry attempts to support athletic professionals through the circulation of best practice examples and assistance in developing best practices as a free consultation. We can all be better served by working together; the process of education and the ongoing development of safety standards involves us all. The process of establishing best practices begins with the following steps: •

Identify Appropriate Best Practices

•

Document Every Best Practice

•

Educate The Staff Adequately

•

Record The Frequency

•

Remain Consistent

The following best practices should be considered a minimum to professionally manage a sports field and establish an environment that places player safety at a premium: •

Risk Management

•

List Of Equipment

•

Maintenance

•

Remediation

•

Game Day

•

Field Markings

•

Heat

•

Cold

•

MRSA / STAPH

•

Lifecycle Planning

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© 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic U B U S P OAthletic R T S FAdministrators I E L D S A F EAssociation T Y G U I DisE prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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SPORTS FIELD SAFETY

NIA A A - Le a d e rs h ip Tra in in g I n s titu te 6 2 2

6. ACCREDITATION: 6.01 INTRODUCTION: ACCREDITATION: Introduction The importance of accreditation is to demonstrate professionalism and adherence to industry standards. The purpose of accreditation is to confirm the retention of the knowledge from the course, and the ability to put the knowledge to practical use on the field. Accreditation is not meant to be easy to obtain. After all, nothing of any value is easy. Accreditation is granted to individuals who can demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of sports field safety and proficiency in the testing and inspection of sports field surfaces. Accreditation is a two-step process. After the person seeking the accreditation has participated in the NIAAA – LTI 622 session (4 Hours), a written test will be administered (50 questions, Multiple Choice). Only after the individual has secured a score of over 75% on the multiple-choice test, are they eligible for a hands-on testing demonstration to finally secure the accreditation. Testing – Written

50 question – multiple-choice written test



Must have participated in the LTI 622 course (4 hours) to be eligible



Must successfully answer over 75% to pass this test

Certification – Hands-On

Must have scored over 75% on the written test to be eligible for certification



An instructor will have you demonstrate your proficiency using testing equipment

Only after you have successfully completed the certification will you become accredited.

SPORTS FIELD SAFETY • NIAAA LTI - 622 © 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association is prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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6.02 TESTING - WRITTEN: ACCREDITATION: Testing –Written The written test is meant to cover a wide spectrum of the course content as presented during the NIAAA LTI 622 presentation. • Written Test • 50 Questions • 75% is required • Prequalification before physical Accreditation can be attempted

6.03 CERTIFICATION – HANDS-ON: ACCREDITATION: Certification-Hands On A Certificate will be provided for Participants that demonstrate hands-on proficiency with the testing devices. •

Clegg Hammer

•

Triax A-Missile

•

Infill Depth Test Device

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© 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic U B U S P OAthletic R T S FAdministrators I E L D S A F EAssociation T Y G U I DisE prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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NIA A A - Le a d e rs h ip Tra in in g I n s titu te 6 2 2

6.04 SUMMARY: ACCREDITATION: Summary TURFindustry takes accreditation seriously, because we take safety seriously. Accreditation is TURFindustry publically stating that the individual has the appropriate knowledge regarding field safety, and has demonstrated how to test and inspect for field safety. CERTIFICATION Course Participation + Written Test passed = Certification ACCREDITATION Course Participation + Written Test passed + Hands On Demonstration Completed = Accreditation

TURFindustry Issues the Certificates directly to the Successful Participants.

 

CONCLUSION: Field Safety is a state of mind, it is a long term, perpetual commitment. It involves everyone, from the players, coaches, facility and athletic professionals, etc. Creating an ENVIRONMENT OF SAFETY is the goal.

Field Safety is critical,… requires more than words! Get educated, take responsibility for player safety! It is paramount to INSPECT,… What you EXPECT from your sports fields! Nothing is more important than safety!

SPORTS FIELD SAFETY • NIAAA LTI - 622 © 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association is prohibited.) First Edition 2012

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SPORTS FIELD SAFETY N IA A A - Le ader ship Tr aining Inst itut e 622

THANK-YOU I appreciate your time and dedication to the important topic of sports field safety. Good luck with the certification and accreditation. In respect of the time you have invested in this presentation on Field Safety, I pledge to be a perpetual resource to you personally. I invite you to contact me via email ([email protected]) or directly via phone (Cell: 905-327-05501 / toll free: 800828-8700 x 7200) as we continue our journey together to make every playing field as safe for players as possible.

Mark Nicholls TURFindustry [email protected] (905) 327-5501

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© 2012 by TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. All rights reserved. (These materials are the property of TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Reproduction of all or parts of these materials without written permission of both TURFindustry Inc. and the National Interscholastic U B U S P OAthletic R T S FAdministrators I E L D S A F EAssociation T Y G U I DisE prohibited.) First Edition 2012

IC 0901 TI

PRES FIELD SAFETY 2012.