Recess/Playtime Risk Assessment Template

Typical hazards & measures

• Ball games and projectile strikes — Allocate ball pens away from windows and small-child zones, limit ball types and sizes by area, and use soft training balls at busy times. Mark keeper boxes, forbid overhead kicks near crowds, and stop play to retrieve balls safely via a staff-controlled gate.
• Entanglement or strangulation hazards — Prohibit scarves, long strings and cords on equipment; remove hanging loops from nets; and secure goal nets tightly. Teach pupils to avoid neck-level ties in play, and inspect for protrusions or gaps that can trap hoods, toggles or fingers.
• Dehydration during active play — Keep refill points unlocked, permit water bottles in pockets of shade, and build a midway "drink stop" call for longer breaks. Remind pupils to drink before and after PE that adjoins recess, and monitor high-exertion areas for early fatigue signs.
• Impact injuries during running games — Zone the yard so tag/running games are separated from quiet play and line-ups. Rotate staff to scan across flow lines, pause play when density rises, and teach pupils to call "heads up" and slow at corners. Redesign layouts if repeated collisions occur.
• Equipment defects and maintenance failure — Run weekly visual checks and a termly competent inspection. Close and tag any defective set immediately, remove makeshift repairs, and keep a log with photos and completion dates. Re-open only after sign-off by site management.