W. Va. Code R. § 178-1-22

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section 178-1-22 - Facilities and Equipment

22.1. Facilities and Equipment for Patrons and Permit Holders. The following provisions apply to the facilities and equipment that an association must provide for patrons and permit holders:

22.1.a. The association shall provide equipment for fingerprinting and photographing all occupational permit holders and shall provide the necessary equipment to coat the occupational permit in plastic with the picture of the permit holder.

22.1.b. The association shall furnish and maintain at least one (1) ambulance properly equipped to transport for the exclusive use of persons, staffed with at least two (2) emergency medical technicians, one of whom shall be a certified paramedic, at any time the racetrack is open for live racing or exercising. If the ambulance is being used to transport an individual, the association may not conduct a race or be open for training until the ambulance is replaced, and ready for immediate duty, to be placed at a readily available location to the racing strip, so that no time may be lost in answering calls. Unless otherwise approved by the Racing Commission or the stewards, an ambulance shall follow the mounted horses at a safe distance during the running of the race.

22.1.c. The association shall equip and maintain at its racetrack at least one (1) first aid room provided with adequate beds and equipped with first aid appliances and material as approved by the Racing Commission. Each association shall meet minimum staffing requirements of emergency service personnel during all racing hours, and employ an emergency medical technician, an individual trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and at least one person shall be adequately trained in diagnosing and assessing concussions. An association shall provide mandatory orientation of racing emergency procedures for all emergency response personnel employed by or assigned as a result of a contract to the association grounds.

22.1.d. The association shall ensure that the public areas of the association grounds are designed and maintained for the safety of the patrons and occupational permit holders and are accessible to persons with disabilities as required by state and federal law.

22.1.e. The association shall provide a supply of free drinking water.

22.1.f. The association shall maintain adequate restroom facilities on association grounds and ensure the safety and cleanliness of the restroom facilities at all times.

22.1.g. The association shall designate an office and suitable parking spaces for the exclusive use of the Racing Commission, its employees and representatives. The association shall offer sufficient office space for private consultation and necessary office equipment. The office shall be equipped with a telephone and shall also have sufficient space for secure, locked storage for Racing Commission records and supplies. The key to such storage shall be available only to the Racing Commission and/or the stewards. The association shall also provide sufficient office space for the Racing Commission license clerk(s), investigator(s), security officer(s), and any other Racing Commission personnel, as requested by the Racing Commission.

22.1.h. Any racing association contemplating a change of any kind pertaining to the racing strip, the erection of new buildings, stands or other structures, on the grounds of the association which are to be used as a part of the facilities for conducting a race meeting, shall notify the Racing Commission in writing before any changes are made.

22.2. Officials' Stands. Stands for placing judges, clockers, timers, and stewards shall be maintained in positions commanding an uninterrupted view of the entire racing strip and shall be appropriately maintained and furnished. The stands are subject to approval by the Racing Commission.

22.3. Audio and Visual Equipment. The following provisions apply to the audio and visual equipment required for racing:

22.3.a. The association shall provide and maintain in good working order a communication system between the stewards' stand; office of the association's racing secretary; tote room; jockeys' room; paddock; test barn; starting gate; clocker's/timer's stand; Racing Commission veterinarian(s); track announcer; location of the ambulances (equine and human); and other locations and persons designated by the Commission.

22.3.b. A camera or electronic photofinish device selected by the association conducting the meeting shall be approved by the Racing Commission and shall be used to make photographs or images of the horses at the finish to assist the placing judges in determining their positions as exclusively indicated by the noses of the horses. On request by the Racing Commission, the association shall provide, without cost, photographs, or images of a finish to the Commission or its representatives. Finish photographs or images of each race shall be maintained by the association for not less than one (1) month after the end of the race meeting, or such other period as may be requested by the stewards or the Racing Commission.

22.3.c. The association shall install and use a video recording system approved by the Racing Commission with not fewer than three (3) cameras operating from positions designated by the Racing Commission to provide clear panoramic and head-on views and recordings of each race from start to finish. Separate monitors, which simultaneously display the images received from each camera and are capable of simultaneously displaying a synchronized view of the recordings of each race for review shall be provided in the stewards' stand. On request by the Racing Commission, the association shall provide, without cost, a copy of the video recording of each race to the Commission or its representatives. Video recordings made during each race shall be retained by the association for not less than one (1) month after the end of the race meeting, or such other period as may be requested by the stewards or the Racing Commission.

22.3.d. On all racetracks, the official photographer for the association shall be required to hold an occupational permit issued by the Racing Commission. In all cases when a still picture is taken by the official photographer, he or she shall direct his or her camera at a point away from the finish line unless otherwise approved by the stewards or the Racing Commission. No photographer, other than the official photographer, shall be permitted on the racetrack, unless permission is granted by the stewards or the Racing Commission; and then only for pictures that are specifically requested and in places as are approved by the stewards or the Racing Commission.

22.4. Rails and Gaps. The following provisions to the rails and gaps required for racing:

22.4.a. Racetracks shall have inside, outside, and gap rails designed, constructed, and maintained to provide for the safety of Jockeys and Horses.

22.4.b. Objects within 10 feet of the inside rail shall be flexible enough to collapse upon impact of a Horse or rider, or sufficiently padded as to prevent injury.

22.4.c. Rails shall be inspected prior to each Race Meet and daily during training and racing events.

22.4.d. All gaps must be clearly marked, must have protective padding covering any sharp edges or unique angles, and have proper mechanisms to allow for secure closure when needed.

22.4.e. Main gaps and on-gaps should include signage with safety rules, Racetrack hours and other applicable rules.

22.4.f. For Races breaking from a chute there should be sufficient temporary rail extension to prevent Horses from ducking in or out.

22.5. Starting Gates. Each racing association shall provide and maintain at least two operable padded starting gates on every race day of its meeting.

22.5.a. All gates, and the vehicle that moves the gates, must be inspected pre-Race Meet and documented to be in proper working condition.

22.5.b. All gates must have protective padding to ensure the safety of the Horse, Jockey, and gate personnel. Protective padding shall protect the riders and gate personnel from contact with sharp edges and help to distribute impact loads. All padding shall be designed to ensure durability for outdoor use and shall be capable of maintaining safety and physical integrity during all weather conditions.

22.5.c. Gates and the vehicle that moves the gates shall be inspected and tested each race day before the Races and each morning before schooling to ensure proper functioning.

22.5.d. No personnel, other than those required for steering the gate, shall ride on the gate while the gate is in motion or being transported.

22.5.e. Racetracks shall have in place annually reviewed and documented standard operating procedures for the removal of the starting gate after the start of each Race as needed in a safe and timely manner. This plan shall also include procedures for gate removal if the primary removal mechanism fails.

22.5.f. Every Starting Gate Person shall wear protective gear when working on or around the starting gate, including approved helmets and safety vests.

22.5.g. If the starting gate becomes inoperable during racing hours, racing may not continue until the starting gate is brought back to safe operating standards or the inoperable gate is replaced with a properly functioning alternate gate.

22.5.h. During racing hours, a Racetrack should ensure that sufficient assistant starters are available to safely handle each Horse entered in a Race.

22.5.i. A Racetrack shall make at least one starting gate and one Starting Gate Person available for racehorse schooling during designated gate training hours.

22.6. Distance Markers. The following provisions apply to the distance markers required for racing:

22.6.a. An association shall provide starting point markers and distance poles in a size and position that is clearly seen from the stewards' stand.

22.6.b. The starting point markers and distance poles must be marked as follows:

22.6.b.1. 1/4 POLES -- Red and White;

22.6.b.2. 1/8 POLES -- Green and White; and

22.6.b.3. 1/16 POLES -- Black and White.

22.7. Lighting. The following provisions apply to the lighting required for racing:

22.7.a. An association shall provide lighting for the racetrack and the patron facilities that is adequate to ensure the safety and security of the patrons, permit holders and horses. The association shall also provide lighting to ensure the proper operation of video recording and photofinish equipment.

22.7.b. If an association conducts racing at night, the association shall maintain a backup lighting system that is sufficient to ensure the safety of race participants and patrons.

22.7.c. An association shall provide adequate lighting in the stable areas as required by the Racing Commission.

22.8. Equine Ambulance. The following provisions apply to the equine ambulance required for racing:

22.8.a. An association shall provide an equine ambulance staffed by trained personnel on association grounds on each day that the racetrack is open for racing or training.

22.8.b. The ambulance must be properly ventilated and kept at an entrance to the racing strip when not in use.

22.8.c. The ambulance must be a covered vehicle that is low to the ground and large enough to accommodate a horse in distress. The ambulance must be able to:

22.8.c.1. navigate on the racetrack during all weather conditions; and

22.8.c.2. transport a horse off the association grounds.

22.8.d. The ambulance must be equipped with:

22.8.d.1. large, portable screens to shield a horse from public view;

22.8.d.2. ramps to facilitate loading a horse;

22.8.d.3. adequate means of loading a horse that is down;

22.8.d.4. a padded interior;

22.8.d.5. a movable partition to initially provide more room to load a horse and to later restrict a horse's movement;

22.8.d.6. a shielded area for the person who is attending to the horse; and

22.8.d.7. an adequate area for the storage of water and veterinary drugs and equipment.

22.8.e. An association may not conduct a race unless an equine ambulance or a substitute approved by a Racing Commission veterinarian is readily available.

22.8.f. The equine ambulance, its supplies, and attendants and the operating procedures for the equine ambulance must be approved by a Racing Commission veterinarian.

22.9. Barns. The following provisions apply to the barn area required for racing:

22.9.a. Each barn shall be numbered and each and every stall in the barn shall be numbered and a record of each designation filed with the association's racing secretary.

22.9.b. All used bedding and manure shall be removed from the stalls daily and shall be deposited at a place designated by the association. The association shall remove or cause to be removed all bedding and manure from the stable area.

22.10. Test Barn. The following provisions apply to the test barn required for racing:

22.10.a. The association shall provide a suitable building, approved by the Racing Commission, for a test barn. The test barn shall be under the supervision of the Racing Commission veterinarian(s), for the purpose of collecting specimens for any test required by the Racing Commission.

22.10.b. The test barn shall be equipped with:

22.10.b.1. a walk area that is large enough to accommodate four (4) horses;

22.10.b.2. at least four (4) enclosed stalls that permit observation of the specimen collection process and provide for the protection of collection personnel;

22.10.b.3. facilities and equipment for the collection, identification, and storage of specimens;

22.10.b.4. a wash rack or wash stall that is large enough to accommodate two (2) horses at the same time;

22.10.b.5. hot and cold running water;

22.10.b.6. equipment for washing and cooling horses;

22.10.b.7. clean water buckets for each horse; and

22.10.b.8. any other items required by the Racing Commission.

22.10.c. The test barn shall be kept locked at all times when not in use. The only persons authorized to have keys shall be the racetrack general manager or his or her designee and the Racing Commission veterinarian(s) and their designees.

22.11. Concussion Protocol. An association shall adopt, have posted, and implement a protocol for education, evaluation, diagnosis and management of concussion of jockeys which shall be approved by the Racing Commission. Each jockey shall acknowledge in writing that he/she has been made aware of the concussion protocols in place at the racetrack where he/she is riding. A minimum assessment shall include the most current sport concussion assessment tool examination, when necessary, and be performed by a medical professional authorized in the State of West Virginia to perform such evaluation. Additionally, a return to ride guideline shall be established in order to clear a jockey who has been concussed, or is believed to have been concussed, once he or she is declared fit to ride by a medical professional authorized to do so. Included in such guideline shall be the use of the Medical Authorization form set forth in Table 178-1H at the end of this rule. The Stewards shall be notified when a jockey is not permitted to ride and when a jockey has been authorized to return to ride.

22.12. Racetrack and Racing Surface Data Collection, Recordkeeping, and Submission.

22.12.a. Racetracks shall have data collection protocols in place to assist in the proper and consistent maintenance of all racing and training surfaces. Racing and training surface testing and maintenance should be performed based on the Racetrack's written standard operating procedures which are reviewed annually and updated as needed. The WV Racetrack Safety Committee, or its designees, shall develop and annually update a Racetrack Surface Standard Practices Document.

22.12.b. All Racetrack design records, racing and training surface maintenance records, surface material tests, and daily tests data shall be recorded in a format acceptable to the Racing Commission and shall be submitted to the Racing Commission. Any test results shall be submitted to the Racing Commission within one (1) week of the test results.

22.12.c. Surface test methods and surface material test methods must be documented and consistent with testing standards from internationally recognized standards organizations including ASTM International, American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, or other relevant international standards, and when possible for unpublished standards, methods consistent with those documented by the Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory.

22.13. Racetrack Surface Monitoring.

22.13.a. Racetracks shall provide equipment and personnel necessary to maintain the racetrack surface in a safe and consistent condition.

22.13.b. Pre-meet inspection shall be performed on all surfaces prior to the start of each Race Meet with sufficient time allotted to facilitate corrections of any issues prior to racing. For Race Meets spanning periods with significant weather variation, inspections shall be performed seasonally prior to anticipated weather changes.

22.13.c. Inspections for dirt and synthetic surfaces shall include the following elements:

22.13.c.1. Determine and document race and training track configurations and geometries, including geometry and slopes of straights and turns and slopes at each distance marker pole; accuracy of distances from the finish line to the marker poles; and cushion and base geometries.

22.13.c.2. Base inspection, including windrowing and base survey, surface survey, ground penetrating radar, or other method;

22.13.c.3 Mechanical properties of racing and training tracks using a biomechanical surface tester shall be determined and documented;

22.13.c.4. Surface material samples of racing and training tracks shall be analyzed for material composition pursuant to the Racetrack Surface Standard Practices Document; and

22.13.c.5. Corrective measures to address issues under this subsection.

22.13.d. Inspections for turf surfaces shall include the following elements:

22.13.d.1. Determine and document racetrack configuration and geometry, including geometry and slopes of straights and turns and slopes at each distance marker pole; irrigation systems; turf profile; and ensure distances from the finish line to the marker poles are correct.

22.13.d.2. Document turf species;

22.13.d.3. Mechanical properties of racing and training tracks using a surface tester should be determined and documented;

22.13.d.4. Surface material samples of racing and training tracks shall be analyzed for material composition pursuant to the Racetrack Surface Standard Practices Document;

22.13.d.5. The irrigation system must be tested to evaluate function of all components and water coverage including gaps and overlap; and

22.13.d.6. Corrective measures to address issues under this subsection.

22.13.e. Daily measurements shall be taken at the beginning of all daily training and racing sessions for racing and training tracks taken at each 1/4 mile marker pole at locations 5 and 15 feet outside the inside rail.

22.13.e.1. For dirt and synthetic surfaces, such daily measurements shall include:

(i) Moisture content;

(ii) Cushion depth; and

(iii) Weather conditions and precipitation at 15-minute intervals from a national or local weather service.

22.13.e.2. For turf surfaces, such daily measurements shall include:

(i) Moisture content; and

(ii) Penetration and shear properties.

22.13.f. Surface equipment inventory, surface maintenance logs, and surface material addition or renovation logs shall be maintained and submitted to the Racing Commission.

22.13.f.1. Daily surface maintenance logs should include equipment used, direction of travel, water administration.

22.13.f.2. Documentation of the source, timing, quantity, and method of all additions to the surfaces shall be submitted to the Racing Commission.

W. Va. Code R. § 178-1-22