2868 Prospect Park Drive
916 859-4900
Suite 600
800 343-0694
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
916 859-7166 fax
www.keenan.com
License No. 0451271
May 29, 2014
Lee Lindsey
Vice President of Administrative Services
REDWOODS COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
7351 Tompkins Hill Rd.
Eureka, CA 95501-9300
RE:
STADIUM BLEACHER INSPECTION
Dear Lee:
On May 22, 2014, I conducted an inspection of the stadium bleachers on the main campus per your
request. The purpose of the visit was to inspect the bleachers to indentify concerns which may
result in an injury to Redwoods CCD employees, students and the general public.
If you have any questions regarding this report or would like to schedule a follow-up inspection,
please feel free to give me a call. I can be reached at (530) 243-8234, on my cellular phone at (530)
356-5632, or by email at pclark@keenan.com.
Regards,
Phil Clark
Senior Loss Control Consultant
Loss Control Services
Keenan & Associates
Enclosure
PC/kl
cc:
Steven Roper, Facilities and Planning Director, Redwoods CCD
Nancy Conner, Keenan & Associates
Karen Waterhouse, Keenan & Associates
Eve Orlando, Keenan & Associates
STADIUM BLEACHERS REPORT
May 29, 2014
PREPARED FOR
REDWOODS COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
Prepared By
Phil Clark
Senior Loss Control Consultant
KEENAN & ASSOCIATES
2868 Prospect Park Drive, Suite 600
Rancho Cordova, CA 95741
Lic. #0451271
© 2014 Keenan & Associates Lic. # 0451271
The goal of our inspection was to (i) assist the client in evaluating it’s self-audit procedures, (ii) facilitate the identification of conditions which may
pose a risk of injury and/or property damage, and (iii) provide recommendations and/or suggestions to help mitigate the risks identified. Keenan does
not guarantee that it has identified every potentially hazardous condition existing on the Client’s premises. Similarly, it does not promise that following
the recommendations contained in this report will eliminate all risk of injury or property damage.
1
BACKGROUND
Keenan and Associates was asked to conduct a safety inspection of the bleachers at the main
campus sporting stadium to help identify potential user safety concerns. This inspection was
requested by email on May 16, 2014 by you. In addition the guest bleachers located on the north
side of the stadium have also been inspected. The following report describes my findings and
recommendations.
REPORT LIMITATIONS
A sincere effort was made to conduct a thorough assessment of this area. The observations are
based upon conditions observed at the time of the assessment and were apparent to the inspector.
The information contained in this report does not certify that the grounds, equipment, material, or
operations are in compliance with any federal, state, or local law, rule, or regulation. The
information in this report does not conclude that all possible conditions, hazards, or hazardous
conditions were observed or reported.
REDWOODS CCD MAIN CAMPUS – SPORTS STADIUM
GUEST BLEACHERS
There are two Guest Bleachers located on the north end of the stadium. The bleachers are
constructed of a metal frame with metal walking planks and wood seat planks with metal rails
surrounding three sides to prevent falls. Initial observation of both bleachers identified a significant
amount of the wood planks used as seats showing signs of dry rot, cracks, and chunks of wood that
are missing, which can greatly reduce the support strength and create potential trip/fall, cut,
puncture, and splinter injuries (see Photos 1 & 2). Further observation identified the metal frames
have significant rust, creating sharp edges and reducing structural integrity of the framing (see
Photos 3 & 4).
The overall condition of the Guest Bleachers is considered poor, with many hazardous concerns
identified and the potential for future user injuries considered high. Until repairs or replacement can
be completed, it is recommended the District remove access to the bleachers either by doing one of
the following options:
•
•
•
Removing and dismantling them
Surrounding them with temporary fencing and affixing weather resistant closure signage
Blocking all access by placing caution tape at waist level and affixing weather resistant
closure signage
© 2014 Keenan & Associates Lic. # 0451271
The goal of our inspection was to (i) assist the client in evaluating it’s self-audit procedures, (ii) facilitate the identification of conditions which may
pose a risk of injury and/or property damage, and (iii) provide recommendations and/or suggestions to help mitigate the risks identified. Keenan does
not guarantee that it has identified every potentially hazardous condition existing on the Client’s premises. Similarly, it does not promise that following
the recommendations contained in this report will eliminate all risk of injury or property damage.
2
Photo 1 – Guest Bleacher – Dry Cracked Wood
– Reduced Support Strength
Photo 2 – Guest Bleacher –
Cut/Puncture/Splinter Injury Potential
Photo 3 – Rusted Metal Frame with Sharp Photo 4 – Rusted Metal Frame with Sharp
Edges
Edges
MAIN STADIUM BLEACHERS
The main stadium bleachers have five columns of bleachers constructed with a metal frame and
approximately forty-two rows of seating utilizing wood planks covered with a vinyl cap, and exposed
wood planks used as walkways (see Photo 5). Four cement stair columns are provided as access to
the seating positions. It has been reported that these stairs are also used for fitness training by
students, employees, and the public.
© 2014 Keenan & Associates Lic. # 0451271
The goal of our inspection was to (i) assist the client in evaluating it’s self-audit procedures, (ii) facilitate the identification of conditions which may
pose a risk of injury and/or property damage, and (iii) provide recommendations and/or suggestions to help mitigate the risks identified. Keenan does
not guarantee that it has identified every potentially hazardous condition existing on the Client’s premises. Similarly, it does not promise that following
the recommendations contained in this report will eliminate all risk of injury or property damage.
3
Initial observation of the stadium bleachers identified approximately six broken sections of seating
which have been wrapped with caution tape (see example on Photo 6). Other broken seating was
discovered with a painted ‘X’ mark but the paint was so faded it could be easily missed (see
example on Photo 7).
‘Do Not Use Bleachers Closed for Repairs’ paper signs were discovered taped on bleacher seats.
These signs were in a few locations, but insufficient to effectively keep people off the bleachers for
the following reasons: they are out of the area as they are easily blown over and become unreadable,
they are not weather resistant and will fade and fall apart after a short exposure to the elements, and
there are too few posted to clearly identify the closure. Further observation identified multiple
safety concerns which are noted below under ‘Multiple Safety Hazards Found’.
Photo 5 – Vinyl Capped Bleacher
Seats/Exposed Wood Walking Planks
Photo 6 – Taped Off Broken Seat
Photo 7 – Faded Paint on Broken Seat
Photo 8 – Do Not Use Bleachers Sign
© 2014 Keenan & Associates Lic. # 0451271
The goal of our inspection was to (i) assist the client in evaluating it’s self-audit procedures, (ii) facilitate the identification of conditions which may
pose a risk of injury and/or property damage, and (iii) provide recommendations and/or suggestions to help mitigate the risks identified. Keenan does
not guarantee that it has identified every potentially hazardous condition existing on the Client’s premises. Similarly, it does not promise that following
the recommendations contained in this report will eliminate all risk of injury or property damage.
4
MULTIPLE SAFETY HAZARDS FOUND:
•
Photos below with Red Arrows exemplify a hazard found which are similar to other hazards
discovered in multiple locations throughout the bleachers.
•
Photos below with Yellow Arrows show hazards found only one time.
•
Potential injury concern relating to the identified hazard has been provided. This should be used as guide
only and not to be considered a definitive outcome.
Broken vinyl capping - Cut/Scrape Hazard
Broken and rotted unmarked walking beams – Trip/Fall Hazard
Broken and rotted unmarked seating beams – Trip/Fall/Cut/Scrape
Hazard
Raised access from stairs to walking beams due to rotten and swollen
wood – Trip/Fall Hazard
© 2014 Keenan & Associates Lic. # 0451271
The goal of our inspection was to (i) assist the client in evaluating it’s self-audit procedures, (ii) facilitate the identification of conditions which may
pose a risk of injury and/or property damage, and (iii) provide recommendations and/or suggestions to help mitigate the risks identified. Keenan does
not guarantee that it has identified every potentially hazardous condition existing on the Client’s premises. Similarly, it does not promise that following
the recommendations contained in this report will eliminate all risk of injury or property damage.
5
Wood access piece from cement stairs to wood walking planks worn,
broken, and rotten – Trip/Fall Hazard
Rusted metal framing pulled away from upper cement mounting –
Cut/Scrape/Structural Hazard
Low light conditions make step delineation difficult to see. First step
and last two steps should be marked with bright colored strip of paint
– Trip/Fall Hazard
Upper level walkway beams utilize split boards discovered to be soft
creating uneven terrain for walking – Trip/Fall Hazard
© 2014 Keenan & Associates Lic. # 0451271
The goal of our inspection was to (i) assist the client in evaluating it’s self-audit procedures, (ii) facilitate the identification of conditions which may
pose a risk of injury and/or property damage, and (iii) provide recommendations and/or suggestions to help mitigate the risks identified. Keenan does
not guarantee that it has identified every potentially hazardous condition existing on the Client’s premises. Similarly, it does not promise that following
the recommendations contained in this report will eliminate all risk of injury or property damage.
6
Screw protruding upward – Trip/Fall/Structural Hazard
Screw protruding out of seat cap – Cut/Puncture/Scrape/Structural
Hazard
Exposed east-side access steep with slippery gravel and grass, no
stairs or handrails, with electrical outlet (top of hill) and metal pole
(bottom of hill) protrusion hazards – Trip/Fall/Slip/Struck-by Hazard
Exposed west-side access steep with slippery gravel and grass, no
stairs or handrails, with metal pole (bottom of hill) protrusion hazard
- Trip/Fall/Slip/Struck-by Hazard
© 2014 Keenan & Associates Lic. # 0451271
The goal of our inspection was to (i) assist the client in evaluating it’s self-audit procedures, (ii) facilitate the identification of conditions which may
pose a risk of injury and/or property damage, and (iii) provide recommendations and/or suggestions to help mitigate the risks identified. Keenan does
not guarantee that it has identified every potentially hazardous condition existing on the Client’s premises. Similarly, it does not promise that following
the recommendations contained in this report will eliminate all risk of injury or property damage.
7
Guardrail post base rusted through – Structural Hazard
Guardrail hand pole end fitting rusted with sharp edges –
Cut/Puncture/Scrape Hazard
STADIUM BLEACHERS CONCLUSION
The overall condition of the Stadium Bleachers is considered poor with many hazardous concerns
identified and the potential for future user injuries considered high. Until repairs or replacement can
be completed, it is recommended the District cordon off all access to the bleachers either by
surrounding them with temporary fencing and affixing weather resistant closure signage, or blocking
all access by placing caution tape at waist level and affixing weather resistant closure signage.
SUMMARY
Both the Guest Bleachers and the Stadium Bleachers have multiple identified structural concerns,
and a high potential of other unidentified structural concerns, all of which could lead to the potential
of future user injuries (minor to severe, or in extreme cases death). Considering the high volume of
wood rot, rust, broken seating, loose surface material, and high hazard terrain discovered throughout
this area, individual recommendations for repair or replacement for each identified hazard will not
be provided in this report.
The District is to be commended for their efforts to highlight identified hazards and to close off
access to the stadium bleachers until repairs are made but it is strongly recommended the District
significantly increase efforts by using temporary fencing and weather resistant signage to ensure all
access to bleachers remain closed and inaccessible until the District can make the repairs or
replacements necessary to make this high use area as safe as possible for all users.
© 2014 Keenan & Associates Lic. # 0451271
The goal of our inspection was to (i) assist the client in evaluating it’s self-audit procedures, (ii) facilitate the identification of conditions which may
pose a risk of injury and/or property damage, and (iii) provide recommendations and/or suggestions to help mitigate the risks identified. Keenan does
not guarantee that it has identified every potentially hazardous condition existing on the Client’s premises. Similarly, it does not promise that following
the recommendations contained in this report will eliminate all risk of injury or property damage.