Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/536739
46 / JULY.AUGUST.2015 RINKMAGAZINE.COM Risk management Protecting the rink and its patrons by MIKE BAUER, CRA I n 2009, the state of Minnesota embarked on updat- ing the 1970's-era enclosed sports arena air quality rule. At that time, Minnesota was one of three states to have such a regulation. The rule-making process stretched through 2012 with the current version being enacted in May 2013. The resulting rule requires all arenas apply for certifica- tion annually. Acceptable air quality limits were reduced to one-hour average con- centrations of less than 20 ppm CO and less than 0.3 ppm NO 2. Further training requirements were mandated. At least one trained respon- sible person must be available in the arena building when open to the public. Responsible persons must be provided training annually and training must be specifically tailored to the facility and the trainee's duties. Measurements of CO and NO 2 levels need to be taken at least twice per week when fuel-powered ice resurfacers are used. One of the two sets of required measurements for resurfacers must be on Saturday or Sunday. Air quality measure- ments must be taken at least once per week following maximum use of fuel- burning edgers. Electronic air monitor- ing devices are permitted without special approval providing that they meet criteria stated in rule. Air monitoring devices must be used, stored and calibrated according to manufacturer specifications. For the first year (2013-2014), the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) made announced visits and held various train-the-trainer educational sessions in partnership with the Minnesota Ice Arena Managers Association (MIAMA). After the first year, MDH visited each of the 272 reg- ulated indoor ice arenas (200 facilities). The first trend that is being realized is 35 percent of ice arenas are now using all-electric ice resurfacers and edgers while only about 20 percent were all electric in 2009. During the time of scheduled inspections, one percent of arenas had air quality issues with two per- cent in subsequent unannounced visits. However, the most common issue that was found was staff training. All arenas need to train — even all-electric arenas. That includes annual refreshers that are documented with signatures. "The first two years of rule implementa- tion have been quite uneventful, overall," said MDH's John Olson. "If anything has been surprising it is the relatively few instances where MDH has measured unacceptable air quality conditions during inspections considering that the standards were lowered significantly. Arena managers have adapted well to the new rules. We haven't heard any complaints about them being overly burdensome or expensive." Rules Review: Indoor Air Quality in Minnesota 35% OF ICE ARENAS ARE NOW USING ALL-ELECTRIC ICE RESURFACERS AND EDGERS.