Lesson 6 of 9
Risk assessments that actually get used
Learning objectives
- Write a venue + session risk assessment in under 30 minutes
- Cover the hazards organisations check for
- Update the assessment when the venue or cohort changes
- Use the assessment in your session, not just file it
What a risk assessment actually contains
Activity description. Who is at risk. Hazards identified. Likelihood × severity. Existing controls. Additional controls needed. Who is responsible. Review date.
Cover venue (floor, equipment, exits, first aid kit location), participants (age, conditions, PAR-Q), activity-specific risks (contact, weights, throwing, running outdoors), weather + tech if relevant.
Refresh, don't recycle
A risk assessment from a different venue or cohort is not a risk assessment for this one. Update for each new programme. Re-walk the venue before week 1.
Use it live
Print or save the assessment to your phone. Reference it when setting up the room. Brief participants on the key risks in week 1. Update after any near-miss.
Founder insight — Derrick Twum
The risk assessment buyers respect is the one with two updates and a 'reviewed after near-miss' note. It tells them you actually use it.
Key takeaway
Risk assessments are working documents. Refresh per programme, brief participants, update after incidents.
Reflection questions
- 1Do you have a risk assessment template ready?
- 2When did you last refresh it for a new venue?
- 3Do participants get briefed on key risks in week 1?
- 4Where do you log near-misses?
Action task
Write or update a risk assessment for the next programme you plan to deliver. Save it alongside the session plan and trust pack.
Worksheet
Work through these prompts. Answers save to this device.
Answers are saved to this device only. Cloud sync coming soon.
Related MEM tools
- Session Planner