Section 8: Safety Considerations
8.1 Track Safety Infrastructure
Rule 228, paragraph 2 sets minimum protection standards for all competitions: protection mats must be at least 80 cm high and at least 30 cm thick, with an anti-abrasive, water-resistant surface, used in the curves and extending at least 20 m onto the straight after each curve exit, and secured so a collision "will not in itself create a significant risk for injuries." Fixed, heavy objects within 3 m of the track edge must be padded. At ISU Championships, other ISU Events, and the OWG, Rule 228, paragraph 3 requires enhanced protection: mats at least 80 cm thick at the bottom tapering to 40 cm at the top in the curves (and 20 m beyond), and at least 60 cm thick at the bottom tapering to 20 cm at the top on the straights, with an overall height of 100 cm, covering the full length of straights and curves.
8.2 Ice Maintenance
As described in Section 3.2, ice preparation at ISU Events, the OWG, and the YOWG is directed by the ISU Ice Commission (Referee(s) plus the ISU Speed Skating Technical Committee Representative or Technical Delegate), which sets and may revise the ice preparation schedule in consultation with the venue's ice technical expert, with Team Leaders briefed on the procedure before the opening draw (Rule 229, paragraphs 1-2).
8.3 Medical Protocols
The Referee is empowered to stop a race in progress on safety grounds in the case of a fallen or injured competitor (Rule 216, paragraph 2.i). For ISU Championships and ISU Events, including World Cup Competitions, "the Referee should recognize an air temperature limit of -20° C (-4° F) as a reason to postpone races until later in the day or the following day," taking into account that wind lowers the effective temperature and increases hypothermia risk (Rule 216, paragraph 3.d). The Referee may also suspend competition if public interference disrupts orderly conduct (Rule 216, paragraph 2.j) or cancel/postpone the event for extremely cold weather (Rule 216, paragraph 2.k).