Risk Assessment

Question 1

What is a hazard?

Answer 1

Something that can cause illness, injury or even death.
Potential hazards are:
Exercising when you are already ill or injured.
Going over the top in following an exercise programme that is not appropriate for you.
Not eating, eating the wrong foods, or eating at the wrong times.

Question 2

Carrying out a risk assessment

Answer 2

1. Identify potential risks & hazards regarding well-being of the person taking part, the nature of sport and the venue & equipment being used.
2. Evaluate the effectiveness of the existing controls & actions to minimise risks or hazards.
3. Recommend new and additional controls & actions that would be more effective in minimising risks.

Question 3

Minimising risk of injury or illness

Answer 3

Present health
Drugs
The training programme
Eating and drinking
Clothing and footwear
The environment
Equipment
Warm up and cool downs - DOMS

Question 4

Present health

Answer 4

Most people don’t need a medical examination before exercising but if they have not been active for some time a Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) is a good starting point.
If you have chest problems, heart disease, high blood pressure, joint pains or recovering from an operation you should consult your doctor about the best form of exercise for you.

Question 5

The nature of the activity/sport

Answer 5

Many sports have regulations, rules & etiquette to help keep people safe including:
Footwear should fit properly and provide support, protection, grip and shock absorption, footwear specific to activity, inner clothing should absorb sweat and take it away from the body.

Question 6

The venue, environment & equipment

Answer 6

Aim to exercise in a safe environment, consider the surface you exercise on, where you exercise - pollution level in air or water, temperature of air or water, exercising indoors - consider the space.
Safe and in good working condition, used properly, equipment to minimise injury e.g. gum shields, shin pads.