Sports Day Risk Assessment Template

Typical hazards & measures

• Cold, wind and rain exposure — Set go/no-go criteria for wind chill, rain and ground saturation. Shorten exposure, provide layers and waterproofs, rotate groups to indoor waiting, and dry wet surfaces promptly. Stop activities if hypothermia cues appear or lightning is within 10 miles; resume only after safe interval.
• Toilets, hygiene and sanitation — Provide adequate toilets and hand-washing stations near spectator and athlete zones. Set stewarded queues, restock soap and paper hourly, and clean high-touch points. Provide period supplies and private changing space. Isolate any biohazard promptly for deep clean.
• Behaviour and horseplay — Set event rules at the briefing: no pushing, tripping, or unsupervised equipment use. Use positive reinforcement, allocate leadership roles, and remove pupils who persistently act unsafely to a reset area. Provide engaging rotations to minimise idle time that breeds mischief.
• Emergency response and access routes — Position first aid, AED and water at a central hub; map access for ambulances and share grid reference/what3words. Test radios and backup phone numbers. Rehearse stop signals, evacuation to shelter or indoors, and reverse the route for reunification after a major incident.
• Food, picnics and allergens — Communicate no-nut or site allergen policies; require labelled ingredients for stalls. Keep food areas separate from activity zones, enforce hand hygiene, and provide shaded eating spaces. Ensure rapid access to auto-injectors and train staff on anaphylaxis recognition and response.