Module 7:

Responsible use of equipment and materials

7.2 Working safely

7.2.4 Risk assessments for amateur / grass roots clubs

1 Possibly one of the first and more common comments made regarding risk assessment for a club without employees is “Do we need to carry out risk assessments because we don’t have any employees. Our club is wholly reliant on volunteers and we only use contractors for a couple of maintenance and renovation tasks, and they have their own risk assessments?”

The simple answer is yes you do. We all have a responsibility to other people, especially when they are using our equipment, materials or playing surface. A risk assessment, where properly implemented, demonstrates a club is providing a duty of care to its volunteer groundskeeper/s.

We can check the official Health and Safety Executive’s opinion on this to clarify any potential misunderstanding.

"Health and safety law does not generally apply to volunteers running a club with no employees, unless the club has responsibility for premises like a clubhouse or playing fields.

Anyone (including volunteers) with control of premises like a clubhouse or playing fields has a duty to see that the premises, access to them and plant (e.g. sports equipment) and substances provided are safe for the persons using them so far as is reasonably practicable¹. Often this is a shared duty between the premises owner, a management committee and users.

The extent of a club's legal duty will depend on the level of control it has over the premises and the type of plant or substances provided. For example, if your club owns or manages the premises, then you would be expected to keep the premises and any sports equipment provided in good repair. If your club uses sports equipment then you would be expected to take reasonable steps to check it is safe to use e.g. check goal posts are secure before a game so they won't collapse and injure a player.

Footnotes
¹ Reasonably practicable: 'This means balancing the level of risk against the measures needed to control the real risk in terms of money, time or trouble. However, you do not need to take action if it would be grossly disproportionate to the level of risk'.”

(Source: HSE, ‘Amateur sports clubs: ‘Guidance on running a safe sports club’, accessed 24th July 2025)

Further guidance is provided for employers where volunteers carry out work; The same principle will apply for amateur sports clubs.

"As an employer, you must carry out a risk assessment to identify significant risks to volunteers, as well as employees, and implement effective control measures.

You should provide the same level of protection to volunteers where they carry out similar activities and are exposed to the same level of risk as employees.

You must include volunteers in your risk assessment. This will help you manage any risks that specifically apply to them. ...

Volunteers must be provided with the right information, instruction and training to make sure they can carry out their activities safely. You should provide a full induction, including information on hazards they may be exposed to.

Provide appropriate tools and equipment (including personal protective equipment where required) and ensure volunteers are trained to use them safely. Ensure tools and equipment are regularly maintained and safely stored after use and advise volunteers to report any damage or defects promptly.”

(Source: HSE, ‘Volunteering: Guidance for employers’’, accessed 24th July 2025)

Module progress: 45%

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