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Sprinters at starting blocks on athletics track
Sports & Recreation

Track and Field Risk Assessment Template

The complete guide to creating professional risk assessments for athletics clubs, schools, and track facilities.

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Free to use Instant PDF download Updated February 2026

What's in this guide

01 Benefits of Track & Field 02 Who Needs a Risk Assessment? 03 Legal Requirements 04 Key Hazards & Controls 05 Throwing Events Safety 06 Jumping Events Safety 07 Pre-Session Checklist 08 Frequently Asked Questions 09 Related Guides

The essential guide to track and field safety

Track and field encompasses the widest variety of athletic disciplines—from sprints and distance running to throws, jumps, and combined events. Each discipline presents unique safety challenges that must be carefully managed.

A comprehensive risk assessment is essential for any organisation running athletics activities—from school sports days and junior clubs to competitive athletics programmes. It ensures athlete safety, prevents injuries, and demonstrates your commitment to duty of care.

This guide covers everything you need to create a thorough track and field risk assessment—from throwing event safety zones and jumping pit requirements to running surface hazards and equipment inspection protocols.

Female runner during relay race
Sport & Fitness
Activity Benefits

Why track and field is worth the investment

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

Speed & Power

Develops explosive speed, power, and athletic performance across all disciplines.

Cardiovascular Fitness

Excellent aerobic and anaerobic conditioning through varied training methods.

Coordination

Improves body awareness, coordination, and technique through technical events.

Strength Development

Builds functional strength through throwing, jumping, and running activities.

Personal Achievement

Measurable improvements and personal bests provide motivation and self-esteem.

Foundation Skills

Running, jumping, and throwing are fundamental movement skills for all sports.

Who needs a track and field risk assessment?

If you're organising any form of athletics activity, you need a documented risk assessment:

Athletics Clubs

Competitive clubs running multi-event training sessions and competitions require comprehensive risk assessments for each discipline.

Schools & Colleges

Educational institutions with athletics programmes, sports days, or PE lessons involving track and field events need documented safety procedures.

Sports Days & Events

One-off athletics events require specific risk assessments covering all planned activities and participants.

Running Clubs

Track-based running clubs need assessments covering sprint training, interval sessions, and lane usage.

Event-specific risks

Track and field encompasses many different events, each with unique risks. Throwing events present impact hazards, jumps have landing risks, and running has overuse injury potential. Your assessment must address each discipline specifically.

Risk Identification

Key hazards & control measures

Track and field has event-specific hazards that must be addressed.

Throwing Implement Impact High Risk
Potential Harm

Serious injury or death from being struck by shot, discus, hammer, or javelin.

Control Measures
  • Strict safety zones enforced at all times
  • Only throw when area is clear and signalled
  • Dedicated qualified supervision
  • Protective cages for discus and hammer
Landing Injuries (Jumps) High Risk
Potential Harm

Spinal injuries, fractures, sprains from incorrect landing or equipment failure.

Control Measures
  • Landing areas properly maintained and adequate
  • Qualified coaching for technique events
  • Progressive skill development
  • Equipment inspection before use
Running Surface Injuries Medium Risk
Potential Harm

Sprains, falls, overuse injuries from track conditions or lane violations.

Control Measures
  • Inspect track surface for damage
  • Enforce lane discipline
  • Appropriate footwear with correct spikes
  • Adequate warm-up before sprinting
Muscle Injuries Medium Risk
Potential Harm

Muscle strains, hamstring tears, calf injuries from explosive movements.

Control Measures
  • Thorough warm-up before maximal efforts
  • Progressive training loads
  • Appropriate recovery between sessions
  • Strength and conditioning programmes
Collisions Medium Risk
Potential Harm

Impact injuries from athlete collisions during races or crossing track.

Control Measures
  • Clear crossing protocols for infield
  • Lane assignments during training
  • Directional running (anti-clockwise)
  • Adequate spacing between groups
Weather Hazards Low Risk
Potential Harm

Heat illness, lightning strike, hypothermia, slippery surfaces.

Control Measures
  • Monitor weather conditions
  • Lightning protocol with shelter
  • Hydration breaks in hot weather
  • Postpone in dangerous conditions

This guide covers the most common hazards. Our risk assessment wizard includes 37 hazards and 75+ control measures for Track and Field, sourced from industry guidance — create your assessment in minutes.

Throwing events safety

Throwing events present the highest risk in track and field due to heavy implements.

Safety Zones

  • Shot Put: Clear landing sector, no entry until implement retrieved
  • Discus: Protective cage required, 34.92° landing sector
  • Hammer: Full protective cage mandatory, restricted access
  • Javelin: Wide landing sector, clear runup approach

Throwing Protocols

  • Only throw when signalled by supervisor
  • All athletes face throwing direction
  • Never retrieve until all throws complete and signalled
  • Carry implements—never throw back
  • Count implements in and out

Hammer and discus require cages

Hammer and discus events must use protective cages meeting World Athletics specifications. The unpredictable trajectory of these implements makes open throwing extremely dangerous. Never conduct these events without appropriate safety infrastructure.

Jumping events safety

Jumping events require proper landing systems and qualified coaching.

High Jump & Pole Vault

  • Landing beds must meet World Athletics specifications
  • Check for gaps between modules
  • Adequate depth and coverage
  • Uprights padded and secure
  • Progressive height increases

Long Jump & Triple Jump

  • Sand pits raked and free of debris
  • Adequate sand depth (minimum 30cm)
  • Take-off boards level and secure
  • Runway clear and in good condition
  • Adequate run-up distance marked

Pole Vault Specific

  • Poles matched to athlete weight and ability
  • Plant box in good condition
  • Landing bed extends beyond standards
  • Qualified coach essential—high technique event

Equipment inspection

Inspect all landing systems before every session. Check for compression, gaps, tears, and correct positioning. Report and repair any defects before use.

Safety Checklist

Pre-session checklist

Use this checklist before every track and field session.

Track Checks

  • Track surface in good condition
  • Lane markings visible
  • No debris or hazards
  • Starting blocks available
  • Hurdles at correct height
  • Crossing points identified

Field Events

  • Landing areas inspected
  • Throwing implements counted
  • Safety cages in place
  • Safety zones marked/enforced
  • Sand pits raked and clear
  • Equipment meets standards

Safety Readiness

  • First aid kit accessible
  • Qualified coaches present
  • Weather conditions assessed
  • Emergency procedures known
  • Participant register taken
  • Water available
FAQs

Frequently asked questions

A track and field risk assessment should cover: throwing events with safety zones and supervision, jumping pit conditions and landing systems, running surface hazards and lane discipline, equipment inspection protocols, weather conditions, warm-up procedures, and event-specific hazards for each discipline being practiced.

Throwing events (javelin, discus, shot put, hammer) present the highest risk due to heavy implements being thrown at speed. A direct impact can cause serious injury or death. Pole vault has the highest injury severity potential due to heights involved. All events require specific safety controls and qualified supervision.

Throwing events require dedicated qualified supervision with clear safety zones enforced. Jumping events need coaches with event-specific qualifications for technique coaching. Running events require lane discipline and adequate spacing. Group sizes should allow effective supervision of all participants simultaneously.

Athletics coaches should hold recognised qualifications from their national athletics federation. Technical events like pole vault, hammer, and discus require event-specific qualifications. All coaches need current first aid, safeguarding training, and appropriate background checks. Higher level qualifications are needed for competitive coaching.

Visual inspections should occur before every session. More thorough inspections weekly or per manufacturer guidelines. Landing systems need regular checking for compression and gaps. Throwing implements should be weighed annually to verify they meet specifications. Keep records of all inspections and maintenance.

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