Bleacher Precautions for Your Public Entity

When was the last time your parks and recreation department inspected their bleachers? If not in the past couple months, you may consider doing so. Bleachers are a staple in public venues and schools everywhere, offering seating solutions for spectators and participants alike. Baseball fields, football stadiums, school auditoriums, school gyms – indeed, wherever you find people, you’ll surely find bleachers. Yet, despite their ubiquity, bleacher safety measures are commonly neglected. Inspections and maintenance are crucial to the reduction of injury risks for both indoor and outdoor bleachers. Understanding the risks associated with bleacher systems is essential to preventing accidents.

Read on for tips from Trident’s team of risk control experts.

Bleacher Injury Risks

Each year, nearly 20,000 people are injured on bleachers and require evacuation to emergency rooms. Over 10,000 of these accidents occur on school property to children under the age of 15. These injuries pertain to issues of falling and structural collapse. Most injuries associated with falling are structural flaws related to spacing and placement of guardrails, installation errors, and missing fasteners. Gradual damage can also occur to bleachers through deterioration or corrosion. The risk of collapse is prevalent when dealing with excessive loading or misuse (see static and dynamic loads below).

Bleacher Loads

Bleacher Safety Guidelines & Risk Mitigation

Whether indoor or outdoor, wood bleachers and aluminum bleachers require quarterly inspections by the school or other public entities. Now, let’s delve into what makes an inspection and maintenance job thorough. Regarding the inspection portion, damage to any of the following structures should be identified:

• Supports
• Bracing
• Seating boards
• Steps
• Railings
• Fencing
• Mechanical fasteners

If damage or deterioration is found, repairs must be made promptly. The inspection documents should include the inspection date and the person’s signature. Ensure bleacher safety in your school or public entity by inspecting them every quarter annually.

Check the white paper for a complete list of risks and safety measures, as well as a bleacher maintenance inspection checklist.

If you have any questions, ask the risk manager.