Sports Pitch Construction

Sports pitch construction involves earthworks, drainage installation, irrigation, surfacing, and landscaping.
Large-scale earthmoving for level platforms requires plant-pedestrian segregation across wide open areas.
Sand and rubber crumb infill for artificial turf pitches generates dust that requires suppression.
Adhesive bonding of artificial turf joints involves solvent-based products requiring COSHH controls.
Drainage stone and sand bedding layers require compaction testing to achieve performance specifications.
Perimeter fencing, floodlighting, and goal post installation involve working at height and lifting operations.
Pitch construction is often in public parks or school grounds requiring public exclusion controls.
Manual handling of turf rolls, sand bags, and rubber crumb containers is physically demanding.
Line marking paints and pitch treatment chemicals require COSHH assessment before application.
Completed pitches must be protected from construction traffic and other site activities.

Plant interaction	Wide open earthwork areas with multiple plant items create significant collision risk for ground workers.
Public safety	Pitch construction in parks and schools takes place near the public, requiring robust exclusion measures.
Chemical exposure	Adhesives, infill materials, and treatment chemicals require COSHH controls to protect installation workers.

Do

Don't

Segregate pedestrians from earthmoving plant across the full pitch construction area
Fence the construction zone to exclude the public, especially in parks and school grounds
Complete COSHH assessments for turf adhesives, infill materials, and line marking paints
Suppress dust during sand and rubber crumb infill spreading operations
Use mechanical aids for handling heavy turf rolls, sand bags, and crumb containers
Test drainage and sub-base compaction at specified intervals before surfacing
Use safe working platforms for floodlight column erection and goal post installation
Protect the completed pitch surface from construction traffic and material storage
Brief the team on public exclusion measures and the daily work programme
Ensure lifting operations for floodlights and goals follow a documented lift plan

DON'T allow ground workers on the pitch during earthmoving without plant segregation
DON'T let the public access the construction zone in parks or schools
DON'T use turf adhesives without ventilation and the PPE specified in the COSHH assessment
DON'T spread dry sand or rubber crumb in windy conditions without dust suppression
DON'T lift heavy turf rolls manually without mechanical aids or team handling
DON'T erect floodlight columns or goals without a lift plan and safe access equipment
DON'T drive construction vehicles across the completed pitch surface
DON'T skip compaction testing on drainage and sub-base layers before surfacing
DON'T apply line marking chemicals without checking the COSHH assessment first
DON'T store materials or park plant on the completed pitch playing surface

See also: Landscaping Safety Awareness | Fencing and Gate Installation

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