Leeds University Union

Risk Assessment

Name of Group / Leeds University Union Karate / Date of Assessment / 1/06/2016
Hazards? / Who might be harmed and how? / What are you doing already? / What further action is necessary?
Action required / By whom / when / Done
Slips/trips/falls / Students could be harmed by slipping on wet surfaces, or tripping over obstacles such as kit bags, or they may trip over gaps in maps if these are not butted together properly. / Ensuring training space is free from obstructions and obstacles such as kit bags, also we make sure mats are butted together properly. We also ensure the dojo floor has no spills and if there are, then we clean them up immediately. / None
Area free of obstacles / Students and coaches may be harmed if they trip/fall over unexpected obstacles in the dojo. / Ensuring training space is free from obstructions and obstacles such as bags. / None
Emergency evacuation / People that do not know where the assembly point is (we have told everyone the assembly point) and people could be harmed if people leave in a rushed manner by falling. / Leave the dojo immediately and meet outside Cromer Terrace on the opposite side of the road. Register will be taken. Everyone is told to walk out of the building not run. / None
Training space / If the space is unsuitable for training then students may be harmed by slipping or falling and may cause harm to themselves via an unsuitable floor surface. / We have ensured our dojo is safe to train in and the university have allowed us to train there. / None
Weapons and equipment kept in good and safe condition / Students may be harmed if weapons are not put away properly as they may trip over them causing serious injury. If a weapon is damaged and still used students could cause injury to a sparring partner or themselves. / If weapons are to be used, the instructor will ensure they are safe to use before the lesson, and will ensure they are stored away properly when not in use. Any weapon damaged during a session will be replaced with a spare. / None
Improper break fall / Students and coaches may be harmed if they are not shown how to break fall properly when they are being thrown or swept. / We teach every student how to break fall properly and ensure they know when they need to break fall. / None
Injured by techniques / Students and coaches may be harmed when using techniques on one another or themselves, muscles may be pulled and excessive contact can cause serious injury. / We ensure everyone is warmed up and stretched off before training commences. We ensure everyone is shown how to perform techniques safely and correctly, and if contact is going to be used we ensure safety equipment such as mitts and gum shields are worn. / None
Injury to head, neck, or spine. This could arise in the circumstances described above but is identified separately because of its potential for more permanent impairment. / Injuries of this nature are extremely rare, and the small risk that do exist are reduced still further by observance of good dojo etiquette and by being observant and considerate to others during practice. / During class activities first aid will be sought in the event of a head injury (either from a club member or a member of the Sports Department staff on duty). / None
Warm up/cool down / Students may cause themselves injury during the warm-up by falling/slipping on wet surfaces, also individuals may pull muscles if they are not stretched properly. / We ensure warm-ups are done safely and correctly in the correct order. Stretches are demonstrated verbally and physically by the sensei, who is followed during the warm up. Students are encouraged to also stretch and warm down after training to prevent injury. / None
Dehydration / Students and coaches can be harmed through dehydration if they do not have a sufficient fluid intake before, during, and after training. / Club members are advised to bring water with them, and time is given to allow plenty of rehydration throughout sessions. Our dojo also has water fountain access. / None
Over-exertion / Students can be injured if they become too tired and train past their limits, and may also pull muscles. / We make everyone aware that they can stop training whenever they feel the need to, and ensure everyone is warmed up and cooled down properly. / None
Facility: lighting/heating/ventilation – suitable for activity / Students may be harmed if lighting fails due to poor visibility, and if there is not proper ventilation and the dojo overheats then dehydration becomes a greater risk. / We have ensured our dojo is safe for training and the sensei checks lighting and heating before training commences. / None
Inexperienced participants / Students that are inexperienced may be harmed if they are not shown how to do technique correctly or if they are unaware of the rules and etiquette of karate. Students may also be injured if they lack correct equipment. / Students are taught how to perform techniques correctly before using them on opponents, and students are not allowed to train against each other unless they have correct equipment (which in the case of pads may be provided by the club). Students only train with members at a similar standard, and under strict supervision. / None
Poor quality of instruction / If the club instructors and coaches are not qualified or are inexperience or do not instruct clearly then students may be injured. / Instructors and coaches will be DBS checked and their coaching certificate will be checked annually. Also insurance certificates will be checked annually. / None
Medical details (illness, pre-existing injuries or conditions) / Taking part in the session with an undisclosed condition may put the individual at risk. / If anyone possesses an injury they will be unable to train until recovered. Chronic conditions are to be assessed individually with advice from the participant’s doctor where needed. / None
Behaviour of participants / Risk of injury is raised through misbehaviour or ignoring of instructions. / We tell members what is expected of them and staff take a very professional approach to training. / None
Spectator injury / Spectators could be at risk should they be too close or something goes wrong in a performance. / We will ensure at least a 6 metre radius around the mats to ensure safety, increasing this if needed. / None
Doors opening onto mat area? / Anyone coming through the door or club members could be at risk from collision / We ensure doorways and fire exits are kept clear. / None
Adequate lighting / Risk increased if light levels are too low. / We will stop training immediately in the event of loss of light (eg. Blackout) and only continue when normal light levels resume. / None
Mats dense enough to absorb break fall / Mats are of an approved density however a bad fall could cause injury if mats are missed. / We ensure that users are always fully informed of risks and are supervised when practicing. / None
Attire / Gi training gear is required after the first month, however before this, suitable sporting wear is allowed. / We will check who has uniforms already and provide the option to purchase with a discount for members. / None
Accident reporting / If any accidents occur, they will be reported in a log. / Between the committee and training member we will keep track of this each week with dates and times. / None
Socials / Any of the karate society members. If it involves alcohol then someone may overindulge. Other risks depend on social types. / We have agreed to always have one ‘driver’ at socials and keep track of attendance so no-one is lost or left alone. Members are reminded to know their limits and drink sensibly. / None
Transport (injury, illness, accident, MiDAS registered drivers) / Drivers and passengers could be injured in transit to or from events and competitions. / Designated drivers must have a clean driver’s licence and must be fully insured. Their vehicle must have an up to date MOT and road tax certificate. / None
Competitions/trips / Students could be injured whilst competing and whilst spectating if they stand too close. / Students are kept under supervision by coaches and instructors, medical staff are always on hand if needed at all competitions. At courses, a first aider is always present. / None
Contagion / Spread of contagious foot conditions on mats / Shield infected feet with suitable non-slip foot covering whilst training. Training shoes are considered a last resort as others train barefoot, extreme care must be taken. Consideration should be given to segregating students with training shoes to avoid risk of injury to others. Mats are cleaned and washed regularly to maintain them clean. / None

Carried out by:

President Name: Lee Winning Signature: ______

Secretary Name: Dario Luis Fernandez Ainaga Signature:______

Treasurer Name: Jakub Poroslo Signature:______

Date: 26/09/2017