Hi All - new to the forum and looking for some guidance relating to the Risk Assessment requirements of volunteer run organisations in athletics. I work for UK Athletics and we have hundreds of volunteer organisations who run Track & Field (T&F) competitions and events on behalf of the sport of every year and the vast majority of the time these are held at facilities operated and managed by Local Authorities or their agents (Leisure Trust, Private contractor) or Schools. My query relates to the obligations of the volunteer Competition/Event providers in relation to Risk Assessment. #1 Should our competition providers be asking for a Risk Assessment of a site prior to an event taking place (yes/no). If the answer is yes then how far should this go, i.e.: [1] A simple acknowledgement/confirmation that a risk assessment has been carried out at the facility [2] Acknowledgement AND sight of the document [3] 1 and 2 combined + an assurance that this has been carried out by a competent person #2 Is there an obligation on the competition provider to carry out a risk assessment for every T&F meeting or is it enough to say that the event is taking place under “UKA rules” and that RAs are only required if there is going to be a known deviation from these rules (e.g. a non-standard throwing event or race)? If there is a requirement again how far does this go? Are generic event specific Risk Assessments (which we have in place) enough? Would welcome any guidance/case law. Many thanks Michael

Michael. The requirement for risk assessment is under H&S at work legislation. It does not usually apply to volunteer (ie private) organisations, as there is no employer. However, insurers often expect RAs (even citing the non-applicable legislation) in which case you have to jump through the hoops. However it makes sense to have considered what could go wrong, and what is needed to manage the events safely, whatever you call the process. I think the advice from Ray covers the essentials for your situation, just think what needs to be in place, rather than 'risk assessment' as such.

RayRapp, Sadlass, Phil Grace - thanks for your thoughts .... all very useful. I think Phil's point re: Civil law duties is important and that we, as a governing body, need to provide guidance to volunteer competition/event providers in carrying out an assessment of potential and foreseeable hazards *(a risk assessment!) at events in order that these can be mitigated against. Thanks again Michael