soccer coaching health and safety - an example soccer risk assessment

This soccer coaching risk assessment is provided as an example. You should identify the hazards at your own coaching sessions and matches and take appropriate action to minimise any risk to your players.

Click here for advice on soccer health and safety.

Clee Community/Broughton Ravers Football Festival - risk assessment

HAZARD	CONTROLS MEASURES IN PLACE	RISK FACTOR	FURTHER CONTROL MEASURES
Goalposts (both permanent and temporary)	Goalposts on pitch should be checked by referee before each match.	Medium/high	We follow FA and BSI guidelines when purchasing goals and do not use goals with metal cup hooks.
danger of collapsing	Portable goals must be anchored to ground, when in use, in accordance with FA and British Standards Institute advice:
	goalpost safety
injuries from metal hooks used to secure goal nets	Metal cup hooks are not to be used on permanent or portable goals, plastic ones should be used instead.
Weather extremes	Groundsman or tournamenr organisers can call the game off in extreme weather conditions	Low/medium
Weather extremes
General state of the pitch	Referees regularly check state of pitch	Medium/high	Event organisers to check state of ground before the event begins and during the day
uneven ground	Referee checks pitch before game.
presence of holes
presence of foreign objects
Balls	Balls pumped to appropriate pressure.	Low
too hard	Referee checks this.
damaged (peeling leather)
	Balls are thrown away when the leather peels off.
Footwear	Referees checks footwear for sharp studs before matches	Low	Clubs are responsible for making sure their players wear footwear appropriate for the surface they are playing on, and to check their studs regularly.
inappropriate footwear for conditions (danger of slipping/risk of injury) sharp studs	Referees checks footwear for sharp studs before matches	Low
Jewellery	All jewellery has to be removed or taped up before a match. Referee checks this.	low	Each player to be responsible for removing their own jewellery before matches
Conduct of players	We play to FA rules. The referee can caution or send off players in breach of these rules.	medium
dangerous play/physical violence		medium
Physical injuries from normal play	Players should warm up and cool down properly before matches.	medium
	Each team manager has access to an adequately stocked first aid kit		All coaches to have a relevant and up to date first aid qualification.
	Players with injuries or medical complaints should let these be known to their manager.		Encourage players to take basic first aid training.
	Players must wear shin pads.		St John Ambulance are in attendance
	Coverage by club injury insurance.

Dehydration/Exhaustion	Water bottles are provided by club coaches	medium	Players can bring their own drinks or buy them on the day


This risk assessment was carried out by Stephen Watson (organiser)

Date: 8th February 2006