Perspectives on lightning safety risk management in sport and recreational activities

Abstract

Lightning is typically considered the most dangerous weather hazard for those who engage in outdoor sport and recreational activities. It is estimated that lightning strikes somewhere in the world about 100 times every second and kills approximately 1,000 people a year worldwide (Long, 1999). The risk associated with lightning is both a safety concern and a liability concern for sport and recreation managers. Management is often faced with difficult decisions regarding the implementation of lightning safety policies and procedures. The purpose of this article is to address the issue of implementing lightning safety policies and procedures through an analysis and discussion of legal concerns relevant to lightning safety, emerging technology for predicting and monitoring lightning, current recommendations and guidelines for lightning safety policies and procedures, and lightning-related research. Professional associations that have published and/or adopted specific management directed lightning safety policies and procedures are (1) the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA), (2) the American Meteorological Society (AMS), (3) the National Federation of State High Schools' Association (NFSHSA), (4) the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and (5) the United States Golf Association (USGA). Recommendations from these groups are summarized and implications for lightning safety education are provided.