Primary Risk Assessments Including:
Environmental, Pre Training and Active Training

Last Reviewed August 2024

Risk

Control

Environmental Risk Assessment

These are the steps in our risk assessment we undertake prior to each lesson.  If any of the risks are noted, steps will be taken to remove or minimize the noted risk.

Is the training area large enough to accommodate the number of students?

Specific exercises being practiced can be changed according to the number of students training in the area available.

Is the area safe from incidental physical hazards i.e. Spillages leaking roof, loose fittings, foreign objects (broken glass, wood, metal) bare electrical wiring etc?

Visual inspection of the area, ensuring that all hazards are made safe.  If safety from incidental hazards cannot be rectified training should be either adjusted accordingly or cancelled. Where appropriate, report faults to the venue management. 

Is the temperature too hot or cold?

Adjust heating and/or ventilation accordingly.

Is the lighting adequate?

Adjust accordingly.  Report any faults to the venue management.

Is there a fire risk?

Ensure the fire exits are clearly marked, accessible and useable.

Ensure that adequate fire extinguishers are provided.

Brief all students on fire escape procedures, including muster point.

Unauthorised persons entering the training area.

An instructor will always be in position to see the door.  One instructor should always engage unknown persons.

Pre Training Assessment

Ensure there is no horseplay and taking unnecessary risks. Ensure that all students have been briefed on acceptable behaviour.

Ensure that all students are regularly reminded to let instructors know of any relevant physical condition and that they take responsibility for their own decision to train.

Be aware of the physical condition of students.

Remind students regularly that they should never attempt exercises that cause pain that is not an intended result of the exercise being done.

If in the chief instructors opinion an illness or injury creates an increased risk the student should be questioned and if necessary asked not to train.

Students should be made aware that any new injuries should be reported at once and recorded in the accident book.

Students to inform chief instructors of any new injuries.

Students should be made aware that any new injuries should be reported at once and recorded in the accident book.

Are student adequately dressed for the activities planned for the lesson?

Provide details of dress requirements prior to training.

Make a visual check of students at the start of all training sessions.

Removal of jewellery including watches, bracelets and necklaces to reduce risk of injury.

Have all students remove unnecessary items prior to training.

Instruct students to turn mobile phones off or silent during training so as not to cause distraction.

Notice signs of students under the influence of alcohol or drugs and ensure that all students are aware that no one is allowed to train whilst under the influence of drink or drugs. Remove affected students from the training immediately.

Active Training Assessment

To avoid students colliding with one another, ensure that students have adequate room to move. Use of spacing dots to be used where possible.

Avoiding horseplay and taking of unnecessary risks.

Ensure that all students are aware of the behaviour requirements.  Immediately stop the training if any student is behaving inappropriately and speak to those concerned in private.

Unauthorised persons/students instructing.

The only people who are to instruct are those authorised to do so by either chief instructor.

Tiredness / Fatigue.

Students can become physically and mentally tired during training.  This could be due to a number of factors including lack of physical conditioning, hunger, dehydration.

Continually monitor the group and provide breaks/less energetic drills where necessary.

Any student showing signs of fatigue should be given the chance to rest.

Repetitive Strain Injury.

Constant repetition of technique may cause discomfort – especially wrist, elbow, shoulder and knee.

All techniques should be practiced without any excessive pressure.

Monitor how often students are repeating techniques.

Pregnant women

Pregnant women should only take part in physical activities having taken advice from their medical practitioner.

Use of training mats

Mats move. It is not uncommon for mats to slip out of position creating gaps that can cause injury from trips.

Mat corners can rise creating a risk of tripping.

Mats are not to be used except in exceptional circumstances with advanced students.

Training in bare feet

This can create a higher risk of injury to the bare footed student.  It is not realistic and trains students to perform techniques inaccurately.

Creates an unnecessary personal hygiene issue.

Students are only to train in bare feet when no alternative is available and with their acceptance of the risks.

Training in socks

This creates an unacceptable risk of slipping and is not allowed.

Injury from cold muscles

Ensure that all lesson plans include a drill that will allow the warming of appropriate muscles by gentle movement.

Improper Supervision

Ensure that a suitable ratio of student to qualified instructors is enforced at all times.

This ratio will vary according to the type of training.

Injury from stretching

Ballistic (bouncing, jerking) movements during static stretches can cause injury to ligaments and joints through hyper extension.  Such static stretching has no statistical benefit in injury reduction and may increase risk.  The only stretching that will be done in training will be that which encourages full joint mobility without unnecessary straining.