It's a very challenging area this one as unfortunately Health and safety also has a say in what you can and can't do. Anything bought (such as scaffolding) carries a load rating which provides the club with cover should something happen i.e. liability is placed on the shoulder of the supplier providing their load ratings were followed. Anything home made (even wooden boxes) should in theory be load tested if you are providing it for club members to stand on. You could go over the top and completely over engineer the rostrum (or boxes), or if you are able to build a permanent rostrum or stage then follow the European building standards for flooring.
it was the biggest pain in the backside for us when building our track and the need for a portable one makes it even more complex.
The BRCA can also advise on rostrum safety, but your best bet is something like portable scaffolding but you need it on a small scale and with the right load rating, that way the liability does not lie with the club. That's my 2 pence worth.
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