No matter whether you’re there to cheer on your child, or your favorite professional athlete, watching a sporting event is a great way to spend quality time with friends or family. Nothing beats having a hot dog in one hand and a foam finger in the other, after all!
Most people don’t think twice about safety when they sit down in the bleachers to witness the game. Bleacher safety must, however, be on everybody’s minds given that over 20,000 people are hurt every year in accidents involving bleachers or grandstands.
A large percentage of injuries are the result of a person falling through, or from bleachers to the ground below – and many of these injuries involve children.
In 1999, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) came up with guidelines for bleacher safety in response to tragedies involving two little children who were critically harmed after falling from bleachers.
Guardrails missing from the backs of bleachers, or open sides on bleachers can produce harm from falls. Gaps in the guardrail, between the footboard and seat, or at the bottom of the guardrail that are large enough for a person to pass through can also cause injury. Falls can also occur when there are missing or inadequate handrails, aisles or non-skid surfaces.
A bleacher must have a guardrail along the back, and surrounding the open ends where the drop is more than 30 inches to the ground below. The guardrail should be at least 42 inches high, and all openings should be small enough that a 4-inch sphere cannot go through. Mesh, chain-link or vertical picket guardrails are a fantastic way to meet these safety requirements.
It is recommended to verify local guidelines for such things as aisles and guardrails, ADA, or other conditions when buying bleachers. Building codes vary by year written and by the group who issues them (International Building Code, Uniform Building Code, Standard Building Code, National Fire Protection Association, etc.), so be sure to check with your local building codes.
When buying for new bleachers or if you are in need of retrofitting old (and potentially harmful!) bleachers, it is crucial to follow the CPSC’s guidelines to ensure the highest safety of your guests. It is imperative that you deal with an individual who is knowledgeable and equipped to answer any questions, as well as provide bleacher seating that meets all of the CPSC’s guidelines.
No one’s safety is worth taking a risk by leaving outdated bleachers in place!
