The safety of spectators who visit sports grounds to watch sport or events is controlled by specific legislation (Safety at Sports Grounds Act 1975 as amended by the Fire Safety and Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987). The purpose of the legislation is to ensure the safety of spectators who visit large or complex sports grounds for sporting fixtures or other similar events.

What is regulated

Designated grounds and regulated stands are subject to the legislation. A designated ground is one where:

• association football matches are played and the ground has a spectator occupancy of 5000 people or more 
• other sports are played and the ground has a spectator capacity of 10,000 people or more

A regulated stand is a stand providing covered accommodation for more than 500 people.

Sports grounds that are not designated (spectator occupancy of less than 5000 for association football matches, or 10,000 for other sports) and stands providing covered accommodation for less than 500 people, are exempt from the safety at sports grounds legislation. However, anyone organising a sporting event held at a venue exempt from this legislation still has a duty to maintain a safe event and ensure the safety of the spectators under general health and safety law.

You can read more about sports ground regulation on GOV.UK, or visit the Health and Safety Executive website for advice on managing crowds safely and organising a public event.

Regulator, responsibilities and policy

Our building control service is responsible for the administration of safety at sports ground legislation within the borough. This includes the issuing and enforcement of general safety certificates for any designated grounds or regulated stands.

The general safety certificate requires the holder to be responsible for the safety of spectators who visit and use the ground's facilities. The policy document sets the agreed policy and procedure for managing safety at designated sports grounds, and specifically relates to Oakwell Football Stadium (the only designated sports ground in the borough).

This policy document identifies the roles and responsibilities of the council in undertaking its statutory duties and has been consulted on with both the emergency services and the Football Licensing Authority.

In addition, our Safety Advisory Group can support and advise the holder of the general safety certificate in how to meet their duties and responsibilities under the safety at sports grounds legislation. You can read the terms of reference for Oakwell Football Stadium here.

Considerations for a certificate to be issued

The issuing of a general safety certificate requires consideration of a broad number of issues to ensure the health, safety, welfare and comfort of the spectators. These include:

• management of the stand or stadium
• level of stewarding available
• means of escape in case of fire
• location of steps, standing areas, barriers and guarding
• provision of toilets

Other important aspects of a general safety certificate are the need for scrutiny of safety systems and certification of elements, services and equipment.

Visit the Sports Grounds Safety Authority website for more information about all aspects that need to be considered when applying for a general safety certificate.

Apply for a safety certificate

You can apply for a safety certificate for a designated sports ground or regulated stand by filling in our application form and returning it to us.

You'll need to include the address and details of the stadium, together with details of the person or organisation who manage this. You'll also need to include details of the requested holder of the certificate, and their competency for acting in this role.

What happens next

It takes two months from the date we receive your application to process it. It's in the public interest that we process your application before it can be granted.

Your application could be delayed if:

• it's incomplete and doesn't address all of the issues discussed in the guide to safety at sports grounds (such as drawings of the stadium or stand, management procedures, stewarding plans, event plans, safety documents, risk assessment documentation, or means of escape plans)
• there's a lack of evidence to justify compliance with the guidance
• there's a lack of certification to prove that elements of the structure, safety barriers, services or equipment are safe, effective and appropriate

If you haven't heard from us within a reasonable timescale, please contact us.

Public register of sports ground safety

We don't hold a public register regarding safety at sports grounds. However, Oakwell Stadium covered stand and football training grounds are subject to the issue of a general safety certificate separately.

Complaints, appeals and contacting us

Please contact us online or call us on 01226 772678 if you want to:

• review or seek clarification of an existing general safety certificate
• appeal a decision regarding an application for a general safety certificate
• make a representation with regard to safety at sports grounds
• make a complaint about this service

If after contacting us you're not satisfied with our response, please follow our corporate complaints procedure.