Hiring in safety in rallies

Experience should be gained by shadowing an Event Safety Officer at a minimum specified number of events before anyone is appointed as an Event Safety Officer. While shadowing, no other duties should be undertaken at these rallies. Relevant training should also be undertaken.

The MSA regulations should also specify and expand on the key roles of the event and spectator safety officers. The spectator safety officer role is currently set out in regulations with a limited explanation of their role – their integral role in terms

of spectator safety should be emphasised. In addition we would see the following as part of their role:

o Input into the safety plan at planning stage from the perspective of spectator safety;

o Responsible for approving each stage to go live after driving through and dealing with any spectator issues that arise;

o Available on radio for advice where issues arise;
o Required to stop the Spectator Control Vehicle where a problem arises

and communicate with Rally HQ stating that stage won’t start unless

issues are resolved;
o Ensure that following course car(s) are informed of the location of

issues and how they were dealt with;
o Following the event should provide the organisers with feedback

identifying:

• ·  Any problems;

• ·  How they were tackled;

• ·  Any changes required to next year’s event as a result.

o Event and Spectator Safety Officers at rallies might benefit from a network of support. The Association of Scottish Car Clubs should consider how a supportive network could be established e.g. by e-mail or annual meetings to allow the sharing of best practice and new developments. This could also usefully be extended to include a network for clerks of the course.