North West London Jets Goalpost Safety Guidelines

The Football Association, along with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, The Health and Safety Executive and The British Standards Institution (BSI) draw the Club’s attention to the following guidelines for the safe use of goalposts.
A standard for future purchases (PAS 36:2000), available from BSI has been developed which it is hoped will be progressed into a full British Standard in due course.

1. Goalposts of any size (including those which are portable and not installed permanently at a pitch or practice field) must always be anchored securely to the ground.
   
2. Portable goalposts must be secured by the use of chain anchors or appropriate anchor weights to prevent them from toppling forward.
3. Portable goalposts should not be left in place after use.  They should be dismantled and removed to a place of secure storage.
4. Nets should only be secured by plastic hooks or tape and not by metal cup hooks. Any metal cup hooks should be removed and replaced.  New goalposts should not be purchased if they include metal cup hooks, which cannot be replaced.
   
5. Goalposts which are ‘home made’ or which have been altered from their original size or construction should not be used.
6. Follow Manufacturer’s guidelines in assembling goalposts
   Before use, adults should:-
   * ensure each goal is anchored securely in its place
   * exert a significant downward force on the cross bar
   * exert a significant backward force on both upright posts
   * exert a significant forward force on both upright posts
   These must be repeated until it is established that the structure is secure.  If not, alternative goals/pitches must be used.
   
   Under no circumstances should children or adults be allowed to climb, swing on or play with the structures of the goalposts.
   
   Regular inspections should be carried out to check that they are kept properly maintained.