NEDIV Solo Blog & News: 11.2009

SAFETY BELT
Volume 14, Issue 4 -- 3Q 2009

Welcome
By John Lieberman, Editor
jlieberman37@comcast.net

Can you believe we’re less than two months away from Christmas and New Years -- and just a few weeks away from Thanksgiving? For some of us, this year has really flown by. But, I guess that’s what happens as we get older!

Uncertainty about the Nation’s economy has forced a lot of people to change a lot of their plans. But it doesn’t seem to have hurt our Solo program, as evidenced by the number of people who showed up in Lincoln, NE, for the Tire Rack/SCCA Solo Nationals in early September.

And thanks to you, our Solo Safety Stewards, we’ve had a relatively safe year -- so far! Sure, we’ve had Incident Reports filed -- but most of them have been for pretty minor incidents. Kathy Barnes will discuss the Incident Reports we’ve received since the last issue of the Safety Belt elsewhere in this issue. We’ll also take a look at helmet requirements for 2010 and give you a look at, what we consider to be, an excellent example of a Region’s Event Safety Plan.
So settle back -- grab a cool one, if you so desire -- and peruse this latest issue of the Safety Belt.

Solo Safety Scorecard Q3
By Kathy Barnes, SSC Chairman
kjbarnes22@snet.net

The SSC strives to provide a summary of the incident reports that have been received each quarter. This is being done to increase your awareness of the incidents that have been reported.

Congratulations to the Regions who have made sure that they have correct forms and green cards on hand for their events. Everyone else – check that supply and contact Deena Rowland at drowland@scca.com if you need new ones. We should all be using forms with a date of 2005 or newer in the lower right corner.

This is a summary of incident reports that have been received for events in June-September. The incident reports have shown an improvement in making concise statements about what happened in the incidents:

Driver started car in gear and lurched forward into another competitor’s car.
Car started to oversteer and hit guardrail. Two separate incidents. Same event.
Course worker fell on course while running for cone. Medical treatment sought after event.
Car lost control in slalom, hit wall. Car damaged significantly. No injuries.
Laceration to finger while changing tires.
Blown hose put oil down on course. Fire extinguisher used to put out fire on car with blown hose.
Car spun in slalom and hit wall.
Car spun in slalom, went backwards through finish lights and slid into fence resulting in need to replace section of fence and gate.
Spin on wet surface. Car went off course backwards and hit taxiway light. Ripped light out of ground.
Lacerated finger while removing zip tie.
Car got loose and spun over low curb, cracking wheel.
Car spun on course, then hit fence 150’ away. Bent two fence poles and gate.
Kart lurched forward when revving engine and hit trailer. Driver taken to ER to be checked. Family provided transportation.
Car lost control in approach to slalom. Hit light pole and fence.*
Driver was wearing shorts and was burned by hot firewall/tunnel in car. Will correct with more insulation and long pants.
Car spun in shut down area after finish and hit light pole base. Extensive damage to car.
Worker hurt back while throwing cones from trailer for course set up.
Kart clutch caught fire. Driver removed from kart, fire extinguished, no injuries.
Car slid off track into foam and tire barriers. No injuries.
At finish, car was sliding under power. Driver got off power and car spun. Went through outer cones in shut down area and stopped with one tire on curb and one against it.
Vehicle to object, slight scrape on concrete wall**
Engine failure caused engine compartment fire. Extinguished.
Right front wheel studs broke causing damage to inner and outer fender, front rotor.
Awning picked up by wind blew into car and broke rear window of Corvette.
Portable canopy blew into site flag pole and bent pole.
Car spun on course and slid to corner station where it impacted canopy at corner station and tires being used as anchor weights.
Vehicle spun on course, left course area and hit dirt berm. Broke radiator.
Car was loose through finish, contacted curb with left rear wheel. Damage to tire and wheel and suspension.
When being push-started on course, Mod car restarted abruptly and worker who was helping fell. Hand and knee injuries.
Leg collapsed on display during set up. Worker cut hand and split nail.
Twisted ankle when stepping on rock in paddock.
Fire in engine compartment due to electrical short causing fuel line to melt. Fire extinguisher used.
Crew member was seated in car with feet outside. Car started to move slowly, twisted foot resulting in strain.
Non-competitor found passed out in car. Reported to local emergency responders.
Riding bicycle in paddock, chain came off, rider fell and rolled on concrete.
Fell off scooter, scraped arm & elbow.

* Obsolete form – club address is not correct. Form is from 1997.
** Information on IR does NOT provide sufficient detail to determine what happened.

Reminder: Even if there is no injury, the Region must still archive the waiver forms for the prescribed length of time. In the case of Adult Waiver Forms, this is six years. In the case of Minor Waiver Forms, this is until the minor reaches the age of majority in your state.

Incident Reports which are being reviewed will not be posted until the review is complete.

Sample Incident Report
By Kathy Barnes, SSC Chairman, and John Lieberman, Editor
kjbarnes22@snet.net jlieberman37@comcast.net

Here’s an example of what we (the SSC) consider to be a well-thought-out Incident Report form. Everything on the form is totally fictional. It was derived from an example that Kathy, Jan, and I used when we taught a Solo Safety class at the National Convention in San Antonio a couple of years ago:

Click here for sample form

2010 Helmet Requirements
By Doug Gill, Solo Competition Manager
dgill@scca.com

The helmet requirements will have some changes in the 2010 Solo Rules, section 4.3.1: “Helmets meeting one of the following standards must be worn while on course: Snell SA2010*, K2010*, M2010, SA2005, K2005, M2005, SA2000, K2000, M2000, SA95, K98; SFI 31.1, SFI 31.1A, SFI 31.2A, SFI 41.1, SFI 41.1A, SFI 41.2A; BS6658-85 Type A/FR.”

*Snell SA2010 and K2010 helmets will not be available for retail until October, 2010. The current standards continue to be Snell SA2005 and K2005. Snell M2010 helmets are available now so the Snell M95 helmets will no longer be compliant for SCCA Solo events in 2010. Regions should check their inventory of loaner helmets. Snell SA95 and K98 helmets will be good through 2010. For more information, visit the Snell website, call the SCCA Solo Technical Dept, or send an e-mail to Doug or Brian.

Snell Memorial Foundation – www.smf.org
SCCA National Office – 1-800-770-2055
Doug Gill, Solo Competition Manager – dgill@scca.com
Brian Harmer, Solo Technical Specialist – bharmer@scca.com

Solo Event Safety Plan
Provided by Philly Region

Here’s an example of what we consider to be an excellent Event Safety Plan. It’s provided by the Philadelphia Region and is presented here for your use in developing your own Event Safety Plan:

Philadelphia SCCA Solo Event Safety Plan
1. Purpose

A. The intent of the safety plan is to avoid incidents involving injury to personnel and property damage during Philadelphia Region SCCA Solo events held at any of our venues. A copy of this plan will be available on our website as well as at any Solo event.

B. This plan, and the safety requirements provided under the 2009 Solo Rules, serves as a foundation for a proactive program of safety awareness and site safety supervision. Although specific personnel are assigned duties involving the enforcement of safety requirements, safety is the responsibility of every event official and participant attending the events.

2. General

The safety program supporting the Philadelphia Region SCCA Solo events must walk a line between being too restrictive or too lax and becoming a factor that may allow an incident. Sound judgment, knowledge of the principles of safety and the Solo Rules, a strong vein of cautiousness, negotiation, coordination and, at times compromise, must be applied in order to support the successful completion of competition while reducing risk. The nature of Solo competition requires competitors to be pushing their abilities, and the capabilities of their equipment and the courses, looking for that ever elusive .010 second. This situation can be offset by a prevention based safety plan, executed cheerfully, but with a critical eye for those conditions that could lead to an incident. The mission is to interdict any chain of events that could lead to an incident, before the incident can occur.

A. Anyone observing a safety problem or an incident will report the situation to the Event Chairman and / or Chief Safety Steward, (hereafter referred to as Chief SSS) or one of the assistant safety stewards as soon as possible. Anyone injured, or realizing property damage on the site will immediately report it to an event official. All incidents will be reported to the Chief SSS.

B. A staff of qualified personnel, consisting of a Chief SSS and at least one assistant safety steward, will provide safety steward coverage for Philadelphia Region SCCA Solo events. This level-of staffing must be employed at all times during competition. Two stewards are minimal in order to allow each a “time off” to compete and still have at least one steward active, will provide safety steward coverage for Philadelphia Region SCCA Solo events. This level-of staffing must be employed at all times during competition. Two stewards are minimal in order to allow each a “time off” to compete and still have at least one steward active.

i. Role of the Chief SSS (and Assistant Safety Stewards, if employed):
*Verify that the insurance certificate has been issued for the event and is on site.
*Provide a proactive, user friendly, program of safe controls and standards leading to the reduction of risk, to an acceptable degree, for participants, course workers and event officials.
*Reviews and provides observations/recommendations on paddock, grid and course arrangement & control.
*Insures adequate Steward coverage for each heat of every Solo event held by the region, recruiting personnel as required.
*Brief assistant safety stewards on their duties and the standards they are expected to achieve.
*Hold periodic reviews of key safety issues with event officials.
*Respond to all incidents and supervise incident clearance and completion of required documentation.
*Ensure that provisions are in place supporting completion of waiver requirements.
ii. All Safety Stewards will wear SCCA Safety Steward approved apparel that immediately identifies their official status.
iii. A functional waiver program is the responsibility of the Event Chairman and the Waiver Chief. However, it is the responsibility of the Chief SSS to ensure that a functional waiver program is in place and fully operational. The safety steward staff will observe event participants to ensure they have completed the waiver requirements. Personnel observed without the event identification wristband should have the waiver rules explained to them and be directed to the Waiver table. Minors observed on site without a wristband will be escorted to the Waiver Table. Personnel at the Waiver Table will assist in gaining verification that the required minor release form has been filed with event registration, or assist in gaining completion of the required minor release form.
iv. The Chief SSS may issue formal warnings to any personnel on the site to correct safety related problems or issues. Should a formal warning not correct the problem, or should the problem be of such a severe nature as to require immediate and decisive action, the Chief SSS will coordinate with the Event Chairman to gain decisive corrective action. This action may include additional work assignments, termination of event entry, and/or removal from the site.

C. Unlicensed (motorized or manual) non-competition wheeled vehicles (i.e. skateboards, roller blades, mini-bikes etc) are prohibited from use in all areas of the event site. Bicycles and medically necessary mobility vehicles are permitted. Bicycles are not permitted in the active grid and staging or on / near an active course. Should questions arise, the Chief SSS, following guidance from the Event Chairman, will make decisions to determine if they will be allowed.

D. Photographers, film or video, desiring to enter the course area must gain clearance from the Chief SSS. All such personnel must have a knowledgeable spotter who is responsible for keeping the photographer from inadvertently becoming endangered by a competing car.

E. Speeds in the event site areas outside of the course will be limited to 5 MPH.

F. The consumption of alcohol or illegal drugs anywhere on the event site at any time is strictly prohibited. In order to prevent an ill-conceived perception, alcoholic beverages should not be visible anywhere on the site during competition.

G. Potentially dangerous techniques to clean or warm tires, test brakes or suspension systems are prohibited actions. The use of quick and/or frequent stop and go actions, the rapid and frequent application of brakes and/or gas, and/or other unusual driving techniques with the intent of cleaning or heating tires, testing brakes, etc., is prohibited throughout the event site. Cars moving between the paddock area and the general area of the grid or course will be moved in a slow (5 MPH), “steady,” and safe manner.

H. The Event Chairman and/or the Chief of Course Layout will communicate the general setup of the course, grid areas and paddock area to the Chief SSS. This input should include the positive barriers employed to provide site control, fences and roping and approved viewing areas as required at each separate site. The Chief SSS is responsible for insuring that all aspects of the event layout meet mandated requirements as called out for in the current year SCCA Solo Rule Book as well as any conditions required by the site owner.

I. Vendors with materials or processes that involve flammable materials must provide and station functional fire fighting equipment for their operation. The Safety Steward will insure vendors are located away from any active areas of the site and away from vehicle travel lanes.

J. Cars may not be in the air while in gear and the motor running for any reason. A special exemption may be received in advance from the Chief SSS for F440/500s, Karts etc.

K. Personnel will not crawl under (partially or completely) any vehicle that is held up by jacking equipment. In the event it is necessary to “get under” a vehicle, serviceable jack stands will be employed to stabilize the vehicle.

L. Children and pets are allowed on site. However, during competition, all grid and course areas are off limits for children who are not competing and pets. Pets must be on a retained leash at all times.

3. Paddock

A. The Chief SSS is responsible for the posting of fire fighting equipment in the administration area (i.e. near timing truck / registration table) to handle fuel, or other type fires.

B. The disposal of hazardous materials is not authorized on the event site. The owner must remove oils, fuels, tires, batteries, etc., from the site. Oils and fuels will not be disposed of in the site drainage systems or garbage containers.

C. A first aid kit (for minor injuries) will be provided at the Timing truck. The capability to summon emergency medical and fire assistance will be available at the site (cell phone).

D. Tech Inspection: the Event Chairman and / or the Chief SSS will insure an adequately manned technical inspection station has been set up and is in operation and manned by the Chief of Tech and / or his appointed assistants. No vehicle can compete without the proper tech inspection label applied at the proper location.

4. Grid

A. While set up of the Grid area is the responsibility of the Grid Chief, it is the responsibility of the Chief SSS to insure all safety rules are being met. The organization of the grid area must provide for the safety of personnel and the easy movement of competing cars. This will require adequately marked grid lanes and grid parking areas that are wide enough to allow single turning movement entrance or exit. Organization of the grid area will consider the location of fixed objects, deep depressions (drain grates), and other fixtures that impact on the easy movement of competing cars into, or out of the gird. These conditions generate safety impacts that should be avoided.

B. Fuel containers are forbidden in the grid area unless prior approval has been granted by the Chief SSS. It is recommended someone be standing watch with a fire extinguisher of at least 5BC rating and the car being fueled be removed a safe distance from other cars.

C. Non-competing motorized vehicles are prohibited from entering and/or parking in the grid area.
Competitors should be discouraged from stocking their grid space with large amounts of equipment. Grid areas must remain as clear as possible to support the safe movement of competing cars, competitors, and crews.

D. Grid workers will be employed to control and direct the movement of competing cars and maintain order in the grid area. The gird workers should have access to fire extinguishers and absorbent materials for the containment and clean up of oil or fuel spills

E. Movement from grid to the starting line will be at a steady pace, no tire spins to heat or clean tires will be allowed.

5. Course

A. While course design, set up and maintenance during the event are the responsibility of the Event Chairman and the Course Design Chief; it is also the responsibility of the Chief SSS to insure all rules are met.

B. Design: Course design must meet the requirements established for the safety of competitors and spectators, and the avoidance of property damage as identified in the 2009 SOLO RULES.
i. Of key interest in the safety of course design are the requirements for a minimum of 25 feet clearance from a fixed object and 75 ft clearance from participants. These minimum distances must be extended when dealing with any portion of the course that may induce a competing car to spin or otherwise depart from the intended path of the course. Additional stand-off distance is prudent at all “pressure points” in the course.
ii. The finish should not lead a competing car toward any obstacle, barrier etc. Care must be given for sufficient run-off and brake area to allow all types of vehicles to reduce speed before reentering the grid area. Although the need is recognized for a tight turn, or other course feature to reduce speeds at the finish, care must be given to not upset the general balance of a car. Competitors nearing the finish are looking for that last little burst of speed at this point, and course design must avoid establishing conditions that lead to inadvertent departures from course.
iii. The course design must provide for event safety during all possible weather conditions that may be realized during the event.

C. The person operating the start light prior to releasing a car to the course should conduct a visual inspection. This check would include a visual inspection of the driver’s helmet, (on & secured), belts (on and secure), loose objects in driver/passenger compartment, technical inspection sticker, doors/hood secured, and no obvious fluid leaks. This should be a quickly completed visual check and not hold up the process of releasing cars to the course.

D. The Event Chairman or Worker Chief will clearly identify and instruct the starter on the release point that is to be reached by the car on course before the next car is released from the start line. This procedure is required to establish a safe separation distance for cars on course.

E. Course workers
i. Course worker stations will be located and clearly marked by the course designer, and approved by the Chief SSS. Course worker stations will be located away from pressure points or other threat producing elements of the course, provide adequate escape routes from competing cars that depart the course and an unobstructed vision of their area of course responsibility. Each course worker station will have a means of communication with the timing truck, a red flag, a serviceable fire extinguisher, and, if possible, drinking water.
ii. Course workers will be briefed on the following, either at the Driver Safety Meeting or prior to being dispatched to their workstations:
�� Never turn their back on a car that is on course
�� Remain standing while a car is on course
�� Red flag to be kept in hand, ready for immediate deployment but kept out of sight until needed
�� Risk of running to/from a pylon when a car is approaching
�� Mention the average time between cars running on course
�� Risk of burn from hot parts dropped on course
�� Observing/reporting oil or other fluids on course
�� Proper conditions for use of the red flag
�� Proper method of radio communication
iii. Course workers will not take cameras onto the course area.
iv. Course workers shall not talk on a cell phone while on course.
v. Course workers must plan and be prepared for a lengthy exposure to sun/rain, wind, and heat/cold while on station.

F. The line of sight between the timing truck and the start area must provide for unobstructed viewing of the starting area by timing and scoring officials.

6. Non-Competing Participant Control

By SCCA definition: everyone on site at a Solo event has signed the safety waiver and is considered a participant, but not all participants are competitors.

A. Any personnel observing young children apparently unattended or not under direct control of an adult will notify an event official. That official will take immediate action to control the children until the adult escort can be located. Should the adult escort not be readily located the children will be escorted to the registration table or timing truck where they will be retained until the adult escort is found.

7. Emergency Situation Support

A. The Registration Tent / Timing Truck area will serve as a general clearing station and initial point of assistance for minor injuries (first aid and assistance in gaining follow-up medical care), and more serious situations requiring emergency response for medical or fire fighting assets.

B. The Chief SSS should maintain a listing of emergency phone numbers for each region Solo site. This information should include contact telephone numbers for medical (ambulance) support, fire department, police and heavy lift wrecker support. This information should be posted in a visible location inside the timing truck. This procedure will allow rapid response to an incident occurring on the site. All situations requiring emergency support will be reported to the Chief SSS as soon as possible.

C. Severe weather conditions.
i. The Chief SSS will take note of weather conditions and insure course layout is safe for those conditions. Also the effect these weather conditions may have on the competitors and course workers needs to be considered and appropriate action taken as required. I.E. stop the event in cases of ground strike lightning or severe hail. Personnel must be directed to take shelter to avoid risk of serious injury.
ii. Although the inclination will be to continue the event, even through a thunder and lightning storm, the safety of all personnel on site must take a priority role. Solo is conducted in wide-open areas where we are at high risk during a thunderstorm.

8. Communications

A. The event chairman will ensure that sufficient communications equipment and supporting power supplies are available for use to support course control, safety steward coordination and emergency situation response and support. All assigned safety stewards must have functional radio equipment supporting contact with the Chief SSS.

B. The Registration Table / Timing Truck usually serves as a central point of contact for personnel reporting incidents or problems, personnel manning this area must be able to communicate with the safety steward staff.

9. Waivers

A. Although primarily an administrative responsibility held by the event chairman and /or the Waiver Chief, the Chief SSS will ensure the waiver requirement is being met. All personnel entering the site will sign the waiver and be issued a wristband.

B. The Chief SSS will ensure that the event chairman is aware of the long term filing of the waivers, per current SCCA requirements. It is recommended that the waivers be filed with a cover sheet identifying the key personnel involved in the design, set-up and control of the event, weather on race days, number of entries, a statement about anything unusual occurring during the event, and a copy or the event insurance certificate.

C. Personnel manning the waiver workstation are required to be SCCA members and should be briefed on how to obtain signatures on the waivers, the necessity to witness each page, and how to obtain and/or review minor waivers.

10. Incident Response

A. It is critical that incidents be rapidly cleared in order to avoid delay of critical event activities, and to return the site to a “normal status.” Although the need for rapid action is fully recognized it is absolutely necessary to ensure that all needed data is gained and required documentation completed before the incident site is disturbed.

B. The Chief SSS should maintain supplies and equipment supporting rapid documentation of an incident. It is recommended, but not required, that an incident kit be positioned in a drawer of the timing truck. An ideal kit would contain five sets of incident reporting forms, a clipboard, a pad of paper and ballpoint pen, a 100-foot tape measure, graph paper and even contain a small disposable 35mm camera.

Conclusion
By John Lieberman, Editor
jlieberman37@comcast.net

So, there you have it, our latest attempt to keep you informed about what’s going on in the Safety Community. Your input is always welcome. However, please note that comments about any particular article in this issue should be directed to the person who wrote that article -- not to me. That’s why I’ve provided the e-mail address for the author of each article.

Once you have received notification that this issue of the Safety Belt has been posted online, please check with all of the other Solo Safety Stewards in your Region to make sure that they, too, have received the same notification. If they have not, that means that either the e-mail address we have on file for them is incorrect or we don’t have a valid e-mail address. If you come across somebody who didn’t receive notification, please have that person get in touch with me: jlieberman37@comcast.net or Deena: drowland@scca.com so that we can get the correct e-mail address entered into our records.

Until next we meet, go fast -- have fun -- but BE SAFE!

NEDIV Solo Blog & News

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

December 2009 FasTrack News

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Planning Underway for Solo National Championships

Friday, November 20, 2009

New Solo Schedule Enhances 2010 Solo Triad Opportunities

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Solo "Safety Belt", Q4 2009

Friday, November 6, 2009

SCCA Releases 2010 Tire Rack National Solo Schedule

Links

Blog Archive

Random Car Pictures