How to conduct a risk assessment in a sports hall

If you’re involved in running youth activities in a sports hall, you know better than anyone how much fun it can be. But as well as all the excitement, it’s important to always keep safety in mind.

Conducting a risk assessment in a sports hall isn’t just a tick-box exercise—it’s about making sure everyone can enjoy their time without unnecessary worries. So, let’s look at how you can effectively assess the risks and hazards in a sports hall, ensuring a safe environment for everyone involved.

Why conduct a risk assessment?

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of potential hazards and how to tackle them, let’s look at why conducting a sports hall risk assessment is essential:

1. Safety is Key: The top priority for any sports activity should always be the safety of participants and staff. Identifying potential risks helps prevent accidents and injuries.

2. Legal Requirement: In the UK, it’s a legal obligation to assess risks in environments where people gather, especially vulnerable groups like young people. Not conducting a risk assessment could lead to legal issues if something goes wrong.

3. Safety Culture: Participants will feel valued and cared for, which improves their overall experience.

4. Being Prepared: Knowing what could go wrong allows you to plan how to respond, whether it’s a minor injury or a more serious situation.

5. Reputation: Running safe, well-organised activities improves your reputation as a responsible group leader. Parents will appreciate your commitment to their children’s safety.

What are the potential hazards in a sports hall?

Now that you know why sports hall risk assessments are so important, let’s look at some common hazards you may encounter.

Understanding these risks will help you with your risk assessment.

1. Physical hazards

• Flooring issues: Wet, uneven, or damaged floors can lead to slips or trips. Check for any signs of wear and tear or spillages, especially after activities that might leave the floor slippery.
• Storing equipment: Sports equipment left lying around can become a tripping hazard, so ensure all items are stored properly.
• Obstructions: Chairs, bags, or other obstacles can obstruct pathways or fire exits. Make sure all areas are clear to prevent accidents.

2. Environmental hazards

• Lighting: Poor lighting can lead to bad visibility, increasing the risk of accidents. Make sure all areas are well-lit, and replace any broken bulbs.
• Ventilation: Make sure that the sports hall is adequately ventilated to keep everyone comfortable, especially during vigorous activities.
• Temperature extremes: Extreme temperatures can lead to heat exhaustion or hypothermia.

3. People hazards

• Crowding: Too many people can increase the chances of accidents. Limit the number of participants to ensure everyone has enough space to move safely.
• Rough play: Young people can sometimes get too competitive. Ensure the rules regarding safe play are clear and that supervisors monitor behaviour.
• Inexperience: Make sure new participants are aware of all rules.

4. Emergency situations

• Medical emergencies: Injuries can happen, so having first aid kits and trained staff is extremely important. Make sure that someone is always available to respond to emergencies.
• Fire hazards: Make sure that fire exits are clearly marked and not blocked. Regularly check fire safety equipment and plan fire drills so that participants know exactly what to do in case of emergency.

Conducting a sports hall risk assessment

Ready to get started? Here’s a step-by-step guide to conducting a thorough sports hall risk assessment.

Step 1: Walkthrough and identify hazards

Start with a walkthrough of the sports hall. Bring along a checklist and note down any potential hazards you see. Involve staff in this walkthrough, as they may notice things you might miss.

Step 2: Evaluate risks

For each hazard identified, think about:

• Likelihood: how likely is it that this hazard could cause harm?
• Severity: if an incident occurred, how serious could it be?

Using a simple risk matrix can help you categorise risks as low, medium, or high. This will help prioritise which hazards need immediate attention.

Step 3: Implement control measures

Once you’ve assessed the risks, here are some control measures to think about:

• Remove – If possible, remove the hazard altogether. For example, if there’s an uneven floor, repair it.
• Alternative – Use safer equipment. If certain equipment is too big or heavy for younger participants, use lighter options.
• Environment – Improve the environment by adding non-slip mats or ensuring proper ventilation by opening windows that are safe to do so.
• Rules – Set clear rules and guidelines for participants and ensure everyone is aware of them. Regularly remind participants about safety.
• Safety Equipment – If needed, give the participants safety equipment (for example, helmets and pads).

Step 4: Record your findings

Keep a written record of your findings. Record each identified hazard, their risk level, and the safety measures you plan for them.

Step 5: Review and revise

A risk assessment isn’t just a one-time task. As a responsible group leader, you should regularly review and update your assessment, especially after any incidents or changes in activities. Think about reviewing assessments at least annually or more frequently if you notice new risks.

Involving participants in safety planning

Don’t forget to involve participants in the conversation about safety. Hold a meeting to discuss the importance of safety and what they can do to stay safe, and also encourage them to speak up about any concerns they might have.

This will not only improve their understanding but also encourage them to take responsibility for their own safety.

Safe and effective risk assessments

Conducting a risk assessment in a sports hall may seem daunting, but it’s essential to running safe and enjoyable activities. By identifying hazards and putting effective measures in place, you can create a safe and secure environment where young people can thrive in their activities.

Specialist community and sports club insurance through Ripe

Running a local community group can be a highly rewarding experience, but one that also comes with several risks—so knowing how to conduct a risk assessment is a big part of the job.

Sporting club, leisure and community insurance coming soon to Ripe is designed to safeguard against the risks associated with running events in community spaces like sports halls, meaning you can worry less and focus more on making a positive impact in your local area.