Health and Safety for Beginners Forums

Hi just some thought provoking stuff.

Would HASAWA 1974 apply to sports ? Lets say Boxing or mixed martial arts (that ufc crazy stuff were there in a cage )

As the fighters have contracts and it is there proffession would the managers have an employer duty ?

Above all that....how safe do you think boxing and mma is......

Just be intrested to see peoples opinions on this

They employ the Manager to manage their business affairs, the Manager is not their employer.....

As the General Duties of the HSWA are caveated with 'As far as reasonably practicable', I think you can interpret that yourself in terms of Boxing, MMA or any other sport that requires knocking the living daylights out of your opponent.

Okay, fair point with the boxing. The boxer is technically the employer as they approach the promoters/managers.

Are there any examples where the health and safety at work act would apply to any professional sports ?

Lex

It applies to professional sports as much as it does any other workplace scenario.
The HSE talk about amateur Sports clubs on their website, because that is where the general public have some concern over responsibilities, but there should be no such doubts in professional sport.

As I said earlier, 'As far as reasonably practicable'.

If you're playing Rugby you expect to dive on the ground, therefore the clubs don't play on tarmac... if you're doing Point-to-Point, you'll probably wear an inflatable vest these days in case you come off your horse.


The HSWA applies to sports where there is an employer/employee relationship and that's about it really.

There is a duty of care for sure.

People who engage in sport are supposed to do so under informed consent and accept the inherent risks involved. However, there have been instances of professional sports not adequately informing players of risks, hence the lawsuits against the NFL regarding concussions. There have also been issues with ice hockey, with hits to the head, and with fighting - which is considered "part of the game". Rugby has also looked at the issue of concussion with some calling for a ban in tackling at schools. You even have calls for people to ban heading in football.

So those in charge of the sport have a duty of care not only to ensure participants are adequately informed of the risks but also that unnecessary risk is minimised (no punching to the back of the head for example in boxing, no eye gouging in mma and so one) and that equipment is suitable, so officials check gloves, rings have to be fit for purpose etc...