Risk Assessments

risk assessment information for committees

All club and society activities require a risk assessment to be completed and approved before the activity can take place. The purpose of a risk assessment is to evaluate the potential risks associated with an activity and reduce these as much as possible.  

All clubs and societies are required to complete a general risk assessment prior to their first development meeting that assesses regular and recurring activities. The general risk assessment forms part of the committee checklist. For clubs, the general risk assessment should include the specific risks associated with their sport, and the safety measures that will be in place to reduce harm, such as wearing shin pads for football games. For societies, the general risk assessment should be focused on regular or recurring society activity, for example weekly committee meetings or regular games nights.  

For all events, you are required to complete an event risk assessment and submit this to your relevant coordinator for approval. Event risk assessments should comprehensively assess any potential risks associated with the activity being undertaken and consider what measures can be put in place to reduce harm.

how do i fill in a risk assessment?

When completing a risk assessment form, the following needs to be considered:

1) What are the hazards?

- What things could cause a problem? This could be trips anf alls, setting up, use of hot water, food provision, physical activity

2) What is the potential harm/risk?

- Musculoskeletal injury/muscle strains/sprains/burns/cuts/bruises/food allergies and intollerances etc

3) Existing Control Measures?

- What can be done to minimise or reduce the risk?

- E.g. preventing trips and falls there will be no trailing cables/walkways kept clear/set up by committee with a pre event walk through.

- E.g. reducing risks associated with food provision only food provided or prepared by those with Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificates will be present/shop bought food. Ingredients lists will be provided and allergens highighted. Dietary requirements will be collected prior to the event.

4) Severity of the hazard/risk (S)

- Score 1-5 on the severity if this hazard were to occur (1 is minor injury, 5 is fatality)

5) Likelihood of hazard occuring (L)

- Score 1-5 on the likelihood of this risk occuring (1 is unlikely, 5 is very likely)

6) Risk level

- Multiply the severity by the likelihood to generate the total score. Scores of 1-2 are negligible with low risk, 3-5 are tolerable and where possible to reduce risk further, 6-12 is moderate risk where additional control measures are required, 15-16 requires immediate activity, 20-25 means the activity should not go ahead.

7) Additional control measures

- Actions that need to be completed before the event/activity begins or require ongoing monitoring during the activity.

- E.g Preventing slips/trips - ongoing monitoring that there are no loose cables/wakways blocked.

- E.g Moving heavy items - will Committee members need manual handling training prior to the event?

- E.g. Risk of fire - checking fire exits are not blocked, and ensuring awareness of fire exit routes

 

Blank risk assessment documents and templates to help you complete your assessments are linked below. 

Blank risk assessment 

Risk assessment template - Society activity