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Athlete running on track
Sports & Recreation

Athletics Risk Assessment Template

The complete guide to creating professional risk assessments for athletics clubs, schools, and track & field organisations. Protect your athletes and meet international safety standards.

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Free to use Instant PDF download Updated January 2026

What's in this guide

01 Benefits of Athletics 02 Who Needs a Risk Assessment? 03 Legal & Regulatory Requirements 04 Key Hazards & Controls 05 Qualified Supervision 06 Equipment Safety 07 Pre-Session Checklist 08 Frequently Asked Questions 09 Related Guides

The essential guide to athletics safety

Athletics (track and field) encompasses a wide range of disciplines including sprinting, distance running, jumping, and throwing events. Each discipline presents unique hazards that require careful risk management.

A comprehensive risk assessment is essential for any athletics club, school programme, or sports organisation. It demonstrates your commitment to athlete safety, helps prevent injuries, and ensures compliance with health and safety legislation.

This guide covers everything you need to create a thorough athletics risk assessment—from identifying activity-specific hazards to implementing practical control measures that keep your athletes safe on the track and field.

Athletics track with hurdles
Sport & Fitness
Training Benefits

Why athletics is worth the investment

Understanding the benefits helps you communicate value to participants while creating a balanced risk assessment.

Overall Fitness

Enhances overall physical fitness and endurance through diverse track and field events.

Speed & Agility

Develops speed and agility through sprinting and dynamic movements.

Coordination

Improves coordination and balance with jumping and throwing disciplines.

Mental Toughness

Boosts mental toughness and focus required for competitive events and personal performance.

Muscle Strength

Supports muscle strength and flexibility through varied training routines.

Cardiovascular Health

Promotes weight management and cardiovascular health through regular athletic activities.

Who needs an athletics risk assessment?

If you're involved in organising or delivering athletics activities, you need a documented risk assessment. This applies to:

Athletics Clubs

Whether you're a community club, competitive team, or recreational running group, you have a duty of care to your athletes. Your risk assessment should cover regular training sessions, competitions, and special events.

Schools & Educational Settings

Schools offering athletics as part of physical education, sports days, or inter-school competitions must conduct risk assessments. Educational settings have additional safeguarding considerations.

Track & Field Facilities

Commercial or municipal venues hosting athletics activities should ensure appropriate risk assessments are in place, covering all aspects of safety including track conditions and equipment.

Event Organisers

Anyone organising athletics competitions, cross-country events, or sports days needs specific risk assessments covering the competition environment, multiple events, medical provisions, and spectator management.

High-risk events

Some athletics events carry higher risks than others. Throwing events (javelin, discus, shot put, hammer) and pole vault require particularly rigorous risk assessment and supervision.

Risk Identification

Key hazards & control measures

Effective risk assessment starts with thorough hazard identification. Here are the primary hazards associated with athletics.

Unsafe Handling of Throwing Equipment High Risk
Potential Harm

Injuries to self or others from javelins, shot puts, discus, hammer.

Control Measures
  • Provide training on proper techniques for throwing events
  • Enforce strict safety zones and protocols during events
  • Supervise participants closely
  • Use barriers or markings to keep others at safe distance
Benefit

Safe practices prevent accidents and allow skill development.

Slippery or Uneven Track Surfaces High Risk
Potential Harm

Slips, falls, sprains, fractures.

Control Measures
  • Ensure track surfaces are regularly inspected and maintained
  • Repair any damage promptly to provide an even surface
  • Use appropriate materials to improve traction
  • Inform participants of any known issues
Benefit

A safe track surface enhances performance and reduces injuries.

Collisions During Running Events Medium Risk
Potential Harm

Bruises, fractures, concussions.

Control Measures
  • Implement clear rules for overtaking and lane usage
  • Use staggered starts when appropriate
  • Provide adequate space for each participant
  • Supervise events to enforce rules
Benefit

Safe practices prevent accidents and enhance competition.

Uneven Landing Surfaces High Risk
Potential Harm

Ankle sprains, fractures, other injuries from jumps.

Control Measures
  • Inspect and maintain landing pits for long jump and high jump
  • Ensure sand pits are level and properly raked
  • Use appropriate cushioning materials
  • Mark any hazards and inform participants
Benefit

Safe landing areas reduce injury risk.

Faulty or Damaged Equipment High Risk
Potential Harm

Injuries from equipment failure, accidents.

Control Measures
  • Regularly inspect all equipment (hurdles, starting blocks, implements)
  • Repair or replace faulty equipment promptly
  • Use equipment that meets safety standards
  • Train staff to identify and report equipment issues
Benefit

Well-maintained equipment ensures safety and builds confidence.

Inadequate Warm-Up or Cool-Down Medium Risk
Potential Harm

Muscle strains, sprains, injuries.

Control Measures
  • Implement mandatory warm-up and cool-down routines
  • Include dynamic stretching and event-specific exercises
  • Allocate sufficient time for these activities
  • Educate participants on their importance
Benefit

Proper warm-up and cool-down enhance performance and reduce injury risk.

Poor Weather Conditions Medium Risk
Potential Harm

Slips, visibility issues, heatstroke, hypothermia.

Control Measures
  • Monitor weather forecasts and adjust schedules accordingly
  • Provide shelters or reschedule events in extreme weather
  • Ensure participants have appropriate clothing
  • Educate on recognizing weather-related risks
Benefit

Adapting to weather conditions can enhance resilience.

Lack of Supervision During High-Risk Events Critical Risk
Potential Harm

Increased risk of accidents and serious injuries.

Control Measures
  • Ensure qualified officials and coaches are present for all events
  • Provide adequate training for supervisors
  • Establish clear safety protocols
  • Enhanced supervision for pole vault, throws, and hurdles
Benefit

Proper supervision enhances safety and fairness.

Improper Footwear Medium Risk
Potential Harm

Slips, reduced traction, injuries.

Control Measures
  • Advise participants on appropriate footwear for each event
  • Ensure footwear is in good condition and suitable for surface
  • Educate on importance of proper shoes for performance
  • Check spike length meets regulations
Benefit

Proper footwear enhances performance and safety.

Safeguarding High Risk
Potential Harm

Risk of abuse, harassment, or neglect.

Control Measures
  • Implement safeguarding policy and train all staff
  • Conduct background checks on coaches and volunteers
  • Provide clear reporting procedures for concerns
  • Foster an environment of trust and respect
Benefit

A safe environment allows focus on enjoyment and development.

This guide covers the most common hazards. Our risk assessment wizard includes 30 hazards and 116+ control measures for Athletics, sourced from industry guidance — create your assessment in minutes.

Qualified supervision

All athletics sessions must be led by appropriately qualified coaches. Essential requirements include:

  • Recognised coaching qualification from your national athletics federation
  • Event-specific qualifications for high-risk events (throws, pole vault)
  • Background/safeguarding check for anyone working with children
  • Current first aid certification
  • Safeguarding training
  • Valid insurance covering coaching activities

Athlete-to-coach ratios

Recommended maximum ratios for safe supervision:

  • Track events: 1 coach to 12 athletes
  • Throwing events: 1 coach to 6 athletes (higher risk)
  • Jumping events: 1 coach to 8 athletes
  • Pole vault: 1 coach to 4 athletes (highest risk)

Throwing events safety zone

All throwing events require strict safety zones. No one except the athlete and officials should be within the throwing sector. Clear all areas before each throw and use a signal system to indicate when it's safe to retrieve implements.

Equipment safety requirements

Athletics involves various equipment that must be properly maintained:

Track Equipment

  • Starting blocks secure and in good condition
  • Hurdles at correct height and properly weighted
  • Steeplechase water jump maintained
  • Lane markers clearly visible

Throwing Equipment

  • Implements meet competition specifications
  • Throwing cages in good repair
  • Sector markings clearly visible
  • Safety netting intact

Jumping Equipment

  • High jump and pole vault mats properly positioned
  • Long jump and triple jump pits level and raked
  • Take-off boards secure and level
  • Crossbars and uprights in good condition

Equipment inspection

Conduct a formal equipment inspection before every training session and competition. Document findings and address any issues immediately.

Safety Checklist

Pre-session checklist

Track & Equipment

  • Track surface inspected
  • No debris or hazards
  • Starting blocks secure
  • Hurdles at correct height
  • Landing pits raked
  • Throwing cages checked
  • First aid kit accessible

Athletes

  • Appropriate athletic attire
  • Correct footwear for events
  • No jewellery
  • Long hair tied back
  • Any injuries declared
  • Water bottles available
  • Membership valid

Supervision

  • Qualified coach(es) present
  • Event-specific supervisors
  • First aider identified
  • Attendance completed
  • Session plan appropriate
Help Centre

Frequently asked questions

An athletics risk assessment should include: identification of hazards specific to track and field events (throwing implements, jumping equipment, track surfaces), who is at risk, existing control measures, risk ratings before and after controls, emergency procedures, and review dates.

The most common athletics injuries include: hamstring strains from sprinting, shin splints from running, ankle sprains from jumping events, shoulder injuries from throwing, and muscle strains from inadequate warm-up. A thorough risk assessment should address prevention measures for each.

High-risk athletics events include: all throwing events (javelin, discus, shot put, hammer), pole vault, and steeplechase. These require additional supervision, specific qualifications, safety zones, and enhanced risk assessment procedures.

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