Outdoor Adventure
Orienteering Risk Assessment Template
The complete guide to creating professional risk assessments for orienteering events, training, and competitions.
Free to use
Instant PDF download
Updated February 2026
The essential guide to orienteering safety
Orienteering combines navigation skills with running through varied terrain. Participants use maps and compasses to find control points, making independent decisions in unfamiliar environments.
This guide covers everything you need for a thorough orienteering risk assessment—from course design and terrain hazards to missing person procedures and weather considerations.
Outdoor Activity
Activity Benefits
Why orienteering is worth the investment
Navigation Skills
Develops practical map reading and compass use.
Decision Making
Builds independent thinking under pressure.
Physical Fitness
Combines cardio with varied terrain challenges.
Outdoor Exploration
Access to forests, parks, and varied environments.
All Ages & Abilities
Courses for beginners to elite competitors.
Problem Solving
Mental challenge combined with physical activity.
Risk Identification
Key hazards & control measures
Getting LostHigh Risk
Potential Harm
Exposure, exhaustion, delayed rescue in remote areas.
Control Measures
- Safety bearing taught to all participants
- Course closure time enforced
- Missing person procedure in place
- Boundaries clearly marked on maps
Terrain HazardsMedium Risk
Potential Harm
Slips, trips, falls on uneven ground, roots, rocks.
Control Measures
- Appropriate footwear required
- Dangerous areas marked out of bounds
- Course design avoids worst hazards
- Briefing covers terrain challenges
Roads & TrafficMedium Risk
Potential Harm
Collision with vehicles when crossing roads.
Control Measures
- Crossing points identified on map
- Marshals at busy crossings
- Briefing highlights road crossings
- Course design minimises road use
Water FeaturesMedium Risk
Potential Harm
Falls into water, drowning in deep water.
Control Measures
- Deep water marked as out of bounds
- Safe crossing points identified
- Controls not placed near water edge
- Participants warned in briefing
WeatherMedium Risk
Potential Harm
Hypothermia, heat exhaustion, lightning.
Control Measures
- Weather forecast checked
- Appropriate clothing advised
- Event cancelled in severe conditions
- Water available in hot weather
This guide covers the most common hazards. Our risk assessment wizard includes 40 hazards and 93+ control measures for Orienteering, sourced from industry guidance — create your assessment in minutes.
Safety Checklist
Event checklist
Course
- Hazards identified and mapped
- Out of bounds marked
- Controls checked
- Safety bearing set
Event
- Weather checked
- First aid available
- Closure time set
- Missing person procedure
Participants
- Registration complete
- Safety brief given
- Emergency contacts
- Finish download tracked
Create your orienteering risk assessment now
Use our free template builder to create a comprehensive risk assessment in minutes.
