Lightning Policy & Procedures

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 Trinity International University Lighting Policy & Procedures                                            
 
 
Policy Area: Environmental Safety Subject: Lightning
Title of Policy: Lightning Number: 1
Effective Date: August 24, 2020 Page Numbers: 5
Approved Date: (Date when policy was approved) Approved By: Heather Logue, Julie Settecase
 
Revision Date: (Date of most recent revision)
 
  1. Purpose of policy:
Lightning is the most dangerous and frequently encountered thunderstorm hazard that people experience every year. The purpose of this policy is to ensure proper education and prevention protocols are in place for the health and safety of our student athletes. Lightning injuries are one of the top ten causes of sport related death. As such, it is imperative to take the proper steps to prevent catastrophic injuries from this thunderstorm hazard. The “National Athletic Trainers Association Position Statement: Lightning Safety for Athletics” outlines the best practices for lightning safety. This includes “when thunder roars, go indoors” as well as the identification of safer structure and structures for evacuation in advance. By implementing proper policies, athlete safety. can be ensured when a storm with lightning approaches the playing fields. 
 
1Walsh KM, Cooper MA, Holle R, Rakov VA, Roeder WP, Ryan M. National Athletic Trainers’ Association Position Statement: Lightning Safety for Athletics and Recreation. J Athl Train. 2013;48(2):258-270. 
 
  1. Policy statement:
This policy describes the best practice procedures for the prevention, monitoring, and when necessary, the treatment of lightning related injuries for students/athletes, faculty and staff of Trinity International University.
 
This policy will be a living, working document, that is continually reviewed and updated yearly as the organization and our community changes.
 
  1. Definitions:
  • Safe Structure– The safest structure is a fully enclosed, substantial building (one that has plumbing or electrical wiring) Fully-enclosed metal vehicles such as automobiles or school/team buses are also safe structures from the lightning threat. 
  • Unsafe structures– Generally, any structure in the open air is unsafe, such as dugouts, bleachers, golf carts, open garages, press boxes, etc.  High places are also unsafe, avoid areas near trees, light poles, fences, and towers. Large bodies of water, including most swimming pools are not safe from the danger of lightning injury. Research has shown that using or being in close proximity to plumbing (sinks, showers, baths) or wiring (land-line phone, computer that is plugged in, appliances, etc.) can be unsafe from lightning danger.
  • Weather watcher – An adult designated per venue, as the responsible person for monitoring the environment, initiating the 30-minute delay rule and for determining safe resumption of outdoor activities. 
  • Lightning– any lightning is dangerous. Intra-cloud (so-called ‘heat lightning’) lightning can with the next strike be cloud-to-ground lightning that can injure and kill. “Lightning” in this document refers to all lightning seen.
 
  1. Scope:
This policy applies to all staff members (e.g., athletic trainers, physicians, athletic administrators, coaches, strength and conditioning staff, school administrators, advisors) of Trinity International Universitywho are associated with activities where lightning injuries pose a risk. This policy also applies to athletic participants and spectators of organized events.  
 
  1. Procedures: 
Monitor Weather Conditions
  1. Athletics personnel (athletic trainer, athletic director, coach) must check weather reports each day before any practice or event. 
  2. Designated personnel should utilize reliable weather monitoring systems (NOAA, Weather Channel, AccuWeather, WeatherBug, etc.) to monitor the likelihood for severe weather to enter the area
 
Evacuation Criteria 
  1. The following table identifies the person, or their designee, who is responsible for making the determination for when to evacuate the area
    1. This person must have recognized and unchallengeable authority to suspend activity
 
Venue Sports covered Person/title authorized phone number
Leslie Frazier Field Football Practices/Games: Julie Settecase – Assistant Athletic Trainer
Football Practice Field Football Games: Head Athletic Trainer
Schartner Field M/W Soccer Practices/Games: Julie Settecase – Assistant Athletic Trainer
Baseball Field Baseball Practices/Games: Julie Settecase – Assistant Athletic Trainer
Softball Field Softball Practices/Games: Julie Settecase – Assistant Athletic Trainer
 
  1. Lacking reliable, real-time technology that has been independently verified, evacuate when thunder is heard or when lightning is observed “hear it clear it, see it flee it.”
  2. Head athletic trainer will communicate with assistant athletic trainers via text message. All athletic trainers will communicate in person with their appointed head coaches. If a team does not have an athletic trainer directly on the field during the time the call is made, the athletic trainer will communicate via phone call with head coach. 
  3. All individuals must be completely within an identified safe structure when thunderstorms are already producing lightning and when the distance between the leading edge of the lightning storm and the location of the outdoor activity reaches 6 miles
  4. The following table provides common alerts for real-time notification of lightning*
 
Alert Meaning 
Lightning Distance
“Heads up” Lightning 15 miles away
“Begin safety procedures” Lightning 10 miles away
“You are now in danger; safety procedures should be complete” Before lightning reaches 6 miles from venue
“All clear” Lightning has not been detected at 15 miles andthunder has not been heard for 30 minutes
*dependent on the size of the crowd and distance to safer structure/structure.  Either of these conditions may require more time and more planning. [if so, insert additional table/steps for venues that require more time and/or different alerts]
                        
Identification of Safe Structures
  1. The head athletic trainer is responsible for the identification of safe structure for evacuation
    1. A safe structure is identified as a substantial, fully enclosed building with wiring and plumbing 
    2. A safe structure may include an enclosed vehicle (e.g. team bus) when not enough (or no) fully enclosed building are an option
  2. The following venues are present at Trinity International University and the corresponding safe structure is identified
 
Venue Safe structure from Lightning Approximate walking time from venue to safer structure
Leslie Frazier Field Meyer Sports Complex 3 minutes
Football Practice Field Meyer Sports Complex 7 minutes
Schartner Field Meyer Sports Complex 2 minutes
Soccer Practice Field Meyer Sports Complex 2 minutes
Baseball Field Meyer Sports Complex 4 minutes
Softball Field Meyer Sports Complex 2 minutes
 
 
Resumption of activities
  1. Activities should be suspended until 30 minutes after the last lightning strike is seen andafter the last sound of thunder is seen
    1. The 30-minute clock restarts for each lightning flash observed and each time thunder is heard 
Documentation
  1.  In the event where the policy and procedure are not followed, the person(s) responsible for evacuation shall document the interaction with the offender (i.e. official, coach, administrator, etc.) informing them of the severe weather and the response to not evacuate.
    1. The documentation shall also include a signature from the offender verifying their decision to not follow policy 
Treatment
  1. If an athlete is struck by lightning, healthcare professionals will designate an individual to call EMS and activate Emergency Action Plan Policy
  2. Assess the scene and only approach a lightning victim is the area is safe (no danger of lightning to the rescuer)
  3. Move patients to a safer structure (if needed)
  4. Evaluate and treat for apnea (cessation of breathing) and absence of heartbeat (cardiac arrest)
    1. An AED should be applied to anyone who appears to be unconscious, pulseless, apneic
  5. Assess level of consciousness
  6. Evaluate and treat for possibility of injuries from lightning (fractures, etc.)
 
6.    Training/Retraining:
 
The following personnel have been trained to ensure a safe participation environment for all individuals, coaches, employees and staff mentioned in the Scope section of this document, who are engaged in activities that could put them at risk of lightning related injuries.
 
This training includes, but is not limited to, the policy and protocols outlined in this document, the prevention and treatment of lightning-related injuries.
 
Athletics staff education (coaches, administrators, medical staff)
Name Title Responsibility Date
Julia Bruene Physician Medical director for Trinity International University; responsible for review of protocols, trained in understanding of policy and when to evacuate venue
Julie Settecase Assistant Athletic Trainer Responsible for review and implementation of protocols, trained in understanding of policy and when to evacuate venue
 
 
 
This document is provided by the Korey Stringer Institute, an organization housed at the University of Connecticut, as a template to assist with preliminary drafting of the above policy. Using this document and any other information (text, graphics, images or other materials) from the Korey Stringer Institute is solely at your own risk.  The policies described represent best practices as interpreted by the Korey Stringer Institute at the time of drafting this document. While the Korey Stringer Institute does its best to reflect current best practices, the most appropriate policies and procedures are subject to change at and may not be directly reflected in this document. Use of this document does not constitute endorsement by the Korey Stringer Institute. Modification of the policy or procedures in this document may not reflect best practices.  All policy decisions should be reviewed by appropriate local administration prior to implementation. Any individual or organization utilizing this document should use discretion and consider the individual circumstances at their work setting.
 
This Template has been modified from the Board of Certification, Inc. (BOC) Guiding Principles for AT Policy and Procedure Development. This document was created by the Korey Stringer Institute with input from Katie Walsh Flanagan, EdD, LAT, ATC.