A. LEGISLATION
The main governing factors for marking out white lines are the same as that for other routine tasks in the workplace.
1. Duty of Care
Under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 every employer has a duty of care to ensure the workplace is safe for their employees, contractors, visitors, players, and spectators.
2. The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1994 (COSHH).
Regulations to prevent ill health from exposure to any hazardous substances present in the workplace.
3. Risk Assessment
You are required to carryout assessments on all tasks carried out in the workplace in relation to the nature of hazard, worst outcome, person (s) at risk, current precautions, estimated risk and further precautions.
If all three of the above are addressed satisfactorily this will automatically govern what to use for white line marking, ensure best practice and, above all, safety.
It is the duty of all Managers to ensure that all the regulations are adhered to as they are ultimately responsible in the eyes of the law. If line marking is carried out by contractors then a specification should be drawn up to included all the safeguards outlined in these guidance notes. This could also extend to include specifying a particular product.
B. SUITABLE LINE MARKING COMPOUNDS
1. Permanent paints
Based on pigmented viscous liquid. These “paints” can be applied either in a diluted form or neat.
2. Powders
There are various non-toxic whiting powders available which are based on ground natural calcium carbonate and can be used wet or dry. They are safe to use provided COSHH principles are applied. Under COSHH the user would be required to wear gloves and eye protection and to wash off any contact with the skin as a precautionary measure. Most powders are supplied in a fine form.
Hydrated Lime (Calcium hydroxide) should never be used for line marking. It is toxic and can give rise to chemical skin burns and irritations. It can cause serious damage to the eyes and skin on contact in both its dry or wet form. Its use is not recommended under any circumstances.
C. USE OF HERBICIDES TO REINFORCE LINE MARKINGS
Until The Food and Environment Protection Act, 1985 (FEPA) was introduced many groundsmen and club members used various herbicides mixed in with whitening compounds to keep the lines in longer and more visible during the winter playing season.
It is, however, only permissible to use a herbicide which is approved for use , and this is likely to be a total herbicide. COSHH and Risk Assessment must be carried out prior to any application. A further governing factor is that the user must have obtained his/her Certificate of Competence in Use of Pesticides (PA1, PA2A or PA6A).
Any herbicide product for line marking must be used with the conditions of approval granted under The Control of Pesticide Regulations, 1986 (COPR), and as outlined on the product label. There should be no risk to players by contact or transfer of the active herbicide to any part of the body.
The addition of herbicides to whitening materials is not a recommended practice unless carried out by a competent, certificated person.
Creosote is another compound used in the past to mark and reinforce line markings but it is not approved for use on sportsturf under COPR. Its use is therefore not recommended under any circumstances.
The use of Hydrated Lime, herbicide additives and creosote can result in serious injury to players, which can ultimately lead to actions against both clubs or individuals. Play safe – use only safe and approved compounds that are currently available on the market. Do not use old compounds.
D. MACHINES AVAILABLE TO MARK WHITE LINES
Marking machines fall into the following categories.
1. Dry line markers
As the name implies, these are for applying dry powder compounds.
2. Pressure Pump Markers
A wheel driven pump forces marking fluid through a jet or spout directly onto the turf surface.
3. Electric Pump Markers
These are battery driven to constantly maintain the required pressure and direct the liquid onto the turf surface.
4. Belt Feed Markers
These have a moving belt system which conveys a continual supply of liquid onto the turf surface by contact.
5. Wheel Transfer Markers
These convey the liquid via rotating wheel onto a tray and then via a sponge wheel directly onto the turf surface.
All of the above markers are obtainable from most sportsground suppliers. Before purchasing any marker have a demonstration first, and ensure you get the right marker for your requirements.
E. USEFUL CONTACTS
Institute of Groundmanship (Training Courses) Tel: 01908 312511
www.iog.org
British Agrochemical Association (Code of Practice) Tel: 01733 349225
Health & Safety Executive Tel: Info line 08701 545500
HSE Books Tel: 01787 881165
Sports Council (Health & Safety Guidance Notes) Tel: 020 7388 1277
Suppliers of products www.turfpages.co.uk
F. IMPORTANT NOTE
These notes are intended solely to provide helpful guidance for club managers and groundsmen. The information may vary or change from time to time, as a result of directives issued by governing bodies or government departments.
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the Institute of Groundsmanship cannot at any time, or under any circumstances, be held liable in respect of any damage or costs of any nature arising directly or indirectly from information contained herein.
These guidelines have been reproduced with the kind permission of the Institute of Groundmanship. The IoG runs a number of courses, in conjunction with The Football Association, which are designed to help club groundsmen at all levels of the game.
The Football Association are please to announce that, following a succesful "pilot" last year, the groundsmens courses run in conjunction with the Institute of Groundsmanship are to become a permanent addition to the extensive range of courses now being compiled to assist the game at the lower levels.
The course structure is in three levels. Level 1 is split between a Part A course which covers work to be undertaken in the spring and summer, whilst Part B covers autumn and winter work. both courses are one day and are held at various locations around the country.
It is hoped to introduce the Level 2 course, which will probably last three days, in 2002, with the Level 3 course planned for the following year.
Further information on these courses, which are subsidised by the Association, can be obtained from the Institute of Groundsmanship, the Agora Centre, Church Street, Wolverton, Milton Keynes MK12 5LG Tel: 01908 312511