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WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the soccer
goal industry helped develop a new safety standard that will reduce the risk of soccer
goal tip-over. Since 1979, CPSC has learned of 23 deaths and 38 serious injuries from
soccer goals tipping over and crushing children who climb on them or hang from the
crossbar.
CPSC Chairman Ann Brown said, "We want kids to have fun, be active, and play soccer
with goals that are safely anchored into the ground. The new standard makes soccer goals
stable and, therefore, less likely to tip over on children."
The "Provisional Safety Standard and Performance Specification for Soccer Goals"
(ASTM-PS-75-99) was approved March 2, 1999. The standard requires that movable soccer
goals, except very light-weight goals, not tip over when the goal is weighted in a
downward or horizontal direction. The standard also specifies warning labels that must be
attached to the goal, such as: "Warning: Always anchor goal. Unsecured goal can fall
over causing serious injury or death."
Most of the deaths and injuries occurred with unanchored homemade goals including those
assembled by high school shop classes and community businesses. People were killed when
they climbed on the soccer goal or while attempting to do chin-ups, pulling the goal down.
All goals, whether homemade or manufactured, should be properly secured to the ground to
avoid injuries or deaths associated with tip-over.
There are several different ways to properly anchor soccer goals. The number and type of
anchors used will depend on factors such as soil type and goal weight. Anchor types
include:
* Auger-style anchors that are screwed into the ground.
* Semipermanent anchors, which require a permanently secured base that is buried
underground combined with the use of tethers or bolts to secure the goal.
* Peg, stake or j-hook style anchors that are driven into the ground.
* Sandbags or counterweights for indoor facilities.
CPSC developed safety guidelines for soccer organizations, schools, and
recreation departments to use to help prevent tip-over of soccer goals. For a free copy of
the CPSC "Guidelines for Movable Soccer Goal Safety," send a postcard to CPSC,
Washington, DC 20207.The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission protects the public from
unreasonable risks of injury or death from 15,000 types of consumer products under the
agency's jurisdiction. To report a dangerous product
or a product-related injury, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's
teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270, or visit CPSC's web site at http://www.cpsc.gov/talk.html.
Copyright
2001 Northern Arizona University, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
