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Squash player on indoor court
Sports & Recreation

Squash Risk Assessment Template

The complete guide to creating professional risk assessments for squash clubs, courts, and sports organisations. Protect your players and meet safety standards.

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Free to use Instant PDF download Updated February 2026

What's in this guide

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

The essential guide to squash safety

Squash is one of the world's most demanding racket sports, played in an enclosed court where players share the same space. The sport combines explosive power, rapid movements, and intense rallies that require careful risk management to ensure player safety.

A comprehensive risk assessment is essential for any squash club, sports centre, or facility. It demonstrates your commitment to player safety, helps prevent injuries, and ensures compliance with health and safety legislation.

This guide covers everything you need to create a thorough squash risk assessment—from identifying activity-specific hazards to implementing practical control measures that keep your players safe on court.

Squash players on court
Sport & Fitness
Training Benefits

Why squash is worth the investment

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

Cardiovascular Health

Enhances cardiovascular health and stamina through high-intensity indoor play.

Hand-Eye Coordination

Improves hand-eye coordination and reflexes essential for rapid shot execution.

Agility & Flexibility

Develops agility and flexibility with swift movements and directional changes.

Strategic Thinking

Boosts mental focus and strategic thinking required for anticipating opponents' shots.

Muscular Endurance

Increases muscular strength and endurance through continuous active play.

Weight Management

Supports weight management and overall physical fitness through high-energy activity.

Who needs a squash risk assessment?

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

Squash Clubs

Whether you're a dedicated squash club, part of a larger sports facility, or a private members' club, you have a duty of care to your players. Your risk assessment should cover regular coaching sessions, social play, leagues, and tournaments.

Sports Centres & Leisure Facilities

Commercial venues with squash courts should ensure appropriate risk assessments are in place, covering court conditions, equipment, and supervision arrangements.

Schools & Educational Settings

Schools offering squash as part of physical education or after-school programmes must conduct risk assessments with additional safeguarding considerations for young participants.

Tournament & Event Organisers

Anyone organising squash competitions needs specific risk assessments covering the competition environment, multiple courts, medical provisions, and spectator management.

Insurance requirement

Most insurance providers require documented risk assessments as a condition of coverage. Without one, your liability insurance may be invalid in the event of a claim.

Risk Identification

Key hazards & control measures

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

Wall Collision High Risk
Potential Harm

Bruises, fractures, concussions from impact with walls.

Control Measures
  • Provide training on proper movement, footwork, and stopping techniques
  • Install padding on walls where possible at impact points
  • Ensure court meets safety standards for wall construction
  • Encourage players to anticipate wall proximity
Benefit

Proper techniques and awareness reduce injury risk.

Ball Impact High Risk
Potential Harm

Eye injuries, bruises from being struck by the ball.

Control Measures
  • Require players to wear protective eyewear meeting safety standards
  • Educate players on maintaining awareness during rallies
  • Use appropriate balls for skill level
  • Ensure proper lighting for visibility
Benefit

Protective gear and awareness reduce injury risk.

Racket Impact High Risk
Potential Harm

Injuries from being struck by a racket, including fractures and lacerations.

Control Measures
  • Provide training on proper swing techniques and racket control
  • Encourage awareness of opponent's position at all times
  • Enforce rules against dangerous swings
  • Require wrist straps to prevent rackets slipping
Benefit

Safe play practices reduce injury risk.

Player Collision High Risk
Potential Harm

Injuries such as bruises, fractures, concussions from colliding with opponent.

Control Measures
  • Encourage clear communication between players
  • Provide training on spatial awareness and positioning
  • Enforce rules regarding interference and lets
  • Referees should monitor and correct unsafe behavior
Benefit

Promotes fair play and reduces injury risk.

Wet/Slippery Court High Risk
Potential Harm

Slips, falls, sprains, fractures.

Control Measures
  • Conduct regular cleaning and maintenance of court floors
  • Inspect court before play and dry wet areas promptly
  • Implement no-drinks policy on court
  • Encourage players to report spills immediately
Benefit

A clean and dry court enhances safety and performance.

Improper Warm-Up/Cool-Down Medium Risk
Potential Harm

Muscle strains, sprains, injuries.

Control Measures
  • Implement mandatory warm-up routines with dynamic stretching
  • Encourage cool-down exercises post-play
  • Allocate sufficient time for these activities
  • Educate players on injury prevention
Benefit

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

Poor Ventilation Medium Risk
Potential Harm

Discomfort, overheating, reduced performance.

Control Measures
  • Ensure ventilation systems are functioning correctly
  • Install or maintain air conditioning units
  • Monitor humidity and temperature levels
  • Use fans to improve air movement
Benefit

Comfortable environment enhances performance and safety.

Inadequate Lighting Medium Risk
Potential Harm

Reduced visibility leading to accidents and injuries.

Control Measures
  • Ensure court lighting meets required standards
  • Provide even illumination without shadows or glare
  • Regularly maintain and clean lighting fixtures
  • Replace faulty bulbs promptly
Benefit

Good visibility enhances performance and safety.

Court Surface Damage Medium Risk
Potential Harm

Trips, falls, sprains, fractures.

Control Measures
  • Conduct regular inspections for damage
  • Schedule timely repairs using appropriate materials
  • Close courts for maintenance when necessary
  • Maintain a smooth and safe playing surface
Benefit

Well-maintained courts enhance safety and performance.

Overexertion Medium Risk
Potential Harm

Muscle strains, fatigue, heat exhaustion.

Control Measures
  • Monitor players for signs of overexertion
  • Encourage pacing and strategic rest periods
  • Ensure hydration is readily available
  • Educate players on listening to their bodies
Benefit

Proper management improves endurance and performance.

This guide covers the most common hazards. Our risk assessment wizard includes 29 hazards and 115+ control measures for Squash, sourced from industry guidance — create your assessment in minutes.

Qualified supervision

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

  • Recognised coaching qualification from your national squash association
  • Background/safeguarding check for anyone working with children or vulnerable adults
  • Current first aid certification
  • Safeguarding training (child protection awareness)
  • Valid insurance covering coaching activities

Player-to-coach ratios

Recommended maximum ratios for safe supervision:

  • Under 10s: 1 coach to 4 players
  • 10-16 years: 1 coach to 6 players
  • Adults: 1 coach to 8 players

For individual court sessions, one-on-one coaching is standard.

Eye protection mandatory

Squash balls travel at extremely high speeds in an enclosed space. Protective eyewear meeting safety standards should be mandatory, especially for juniors and recreational players. Many national federations require eyewear for all competitive play.

Court safety requirements

The condition of the court and facilities is crucial for player safety. Before any session, assess:

Court Surface

  • Floor should be clean, dry, and free of dust
  • No damage, cracks, or uneven areas
  • Clear court markings
  • Non-slip surface maintained

Walls and Door

  • Walls in good condition without damage
  • Door flush with wall when closed
  • Door handle recessed or protected
  • Glass back wall (if present) intact and clean

Environment

  • Adequate lighting without glare
  • Good ventilation and temperature control
  • First aid kit accessible nearby
  • Emergency procedures displayed

Practical tip

Walk the court before every session. Check for moisture, debris, and surface damage. Keep cleaning equipment nearby for quick maintenance between games.

Safety Checklist

Pre-session checklist

Court & Environment

  • Court surface clean and dry
  • No damage or hazards
  • Door closes flush
  • Adequate lighting
  • Good ventilation
  • First aid kit accessible
  • Temperature comfortable

Players

  • Protective eyewear worn
  • Appropriate sports attire
  • Proper indoor court shoes
  • No jewellery
  • Rackets in good condition
  • Any injuries declared
  • Water available

Supervision & Documentation

  • Qualified coach present
  • Appropriate ratios maintained
  • First aider identified
  • Attendance completed
  • Session plan appropriate
Help Centre

Frequently asked questions

A squash risk assessment should include: identification of hazards specific to squash (wall collisions, racket impact, ball strikes, court conditions), who is at risk, existing control measures, risk ratings before and after controls, emergency procedures, and review dates.

The most common squash injuries include: eye injuries from ball impact (most serious), ankle sprains from rapid direction changes, knee injuries, shoulder strain, muscle pulls, and bruises from wall or opponent collisions. Protective eyewear significantly reduces the risk of the most serious injuries.

Many national squash federations mandate protective eyewear for junior players and strongly recommend it for all participants. Given the serious risk of eye injuries in squash, eyewear meeting appropriate safety standards should be considered essential safety equipment.

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