Safety delegates in rallying

It is essential that the volunteer based organisation of multi-venue stage rallies is augmented going forward with mandatory independent input from out with the organising committee into the safety of the event by a new independently appointed safety delegate. We consider it appropriate for the motor sports governing body, the MSA to provide the safety delegate to each multi-venue stage rally and intend to discuss this further with the MSA.

Our vision is that this delegate would assist the MSA Steward, Clerk of the Course and Spectator/Event Safety Officer by assessing the effectiveness of safety

Measures aimed at keeping the public, volunteers and, where relevant, competing rally crews safe. The delegate would be involved in assisting the Clerk of the Course and Spectator/Event Safety Officer with the planning of the event and drawing up the relevant safety paperwork, as well as helping rally officials to ensure the effective implementation of spectator safety control measures prior to the start of a stage. They will also assist officials in spotting safety issues during the event and provide constructive feedback to the organising committee aimed at identifying improvements for the future.

It is important that the delegate is identified early on in the annual process of arranging a rally so that they can provide input into the planning of the event and draft safety plan. At the event, it may be appropriate for the delegate to travel around the stages with the spectator safety officer and to assist in identifying any issues of concern. The safety delegate should be given power within national (governing body non-statutory) regulations to delay the start of a stage if they have any safety concerns and power to recommend cancellation of a stage. Following the event, the delegate would be expected to submit a report to the rally organising committee (copied to the MSA), identifying any issues that need to be addressed for the following year.

The safety delegate role should have flexibility i.e. if an event has been scrutinised and performed very well, the role could be adapted for that event for the following year i.e. in terms of the level of engagement needed around planning for example.