The Isle of Man TT has taken place annually on the Isle of Man island in the Irish Sea since its inception in 1907. Though it only runs for three weeks each year.The event is known for being one of the most dangerous races in the entire world — second only to the Bol d’Or race in France.
For over 100 years, participants have endured hairpin turns, deadly drop-offs. And other obstacles as they speed their way through every corner of the 37-mile track.
For over 100 years, the Isle of Man TT — also referred to as IOMTT — has drawn people worldwide to see some of the highest speeds on two wheels. It’s a sport that attracts racers from all over the globe, and it’s where legends are made.
Unfortunately, IOMTT is also responsible for some of the highest recorded motorcycle-related deaths rates in sports history. Whenever this event is on the calendar, safety protocols are a top priority.
With the change in management structure. A new safety team has been created, and their first job is to review and update the current safety procedures in place.
The Isle Of Man TT Organizers has created a solid team to create a safety compliance protocol focused on competitors and spectators’ health, safety, and welfare. And that’s where Crennell and Davies have a pivotal role to play.
Safety has always been the number one priority at the IoM TT. Two-way radio and training sessions on motorcycle riding have helped lower the risk involved with the sport’s most dangerous event.
However, more could be done. That’s when Crennell and Davies looked closely at rider safety procedures and identified these opportunities for improvement.
SMS (Safety Management System)
And that’s where the new SMS (Safety Management System) will come into place.
The SMS is an undertaking by the TT organizers to do absolutely everything in their power to minimize risk in every area that they possibly can.
That’s some mission statement, but don’t worry. You’re not going to read about speed limiters or engine capacity limits; the spectacle is going nowhere.
However, there needs to be a systematic approach in managing the risks associated with the TT. And that also means a systematic approach to change.
Change to benefit everyone. Change that relies on data. And Change that draws on hard-learned lessons and the toughest of experiences.
Leaving things alone for fear of losing the romance or sense of ultimate freedom is no longer an option.
In short, if we want the TT to thrive in the future.It needs to buck up its ideas regarding safety – and that’s what the organizing team is doing. Big time.
Quote
“Everyone has heard of risk assessments. But I wanted to understand how ours were put together and who was looking at them once they had been created.
I set out to proactively look for as many problems as I could – I wanted to identify all the things that could bite us in the arse!
Once I understood them, I applied the same systematic approach to dealing with those risks as I did in my previous career.
It’s more than just a box-ticking exercise, and it has to be if we want the TT to grow, let alone survive.”
via IOMTT
