PE and Sports Equipment Safety Inspection Checklist
This safety checklist for PE and sports apparatus in specific contexts to help you identify any potential hazards and make sure that both your students and staff use the equipment safely.
MaintainX
07/22/2022
PE and Sports Equipment Safety Inspection Checklist
This safety checklist for PE and sports apparatus in specific contexts to help you identify any potential hazards and make sure that both your students and staff use the equipment safely.
Gymnastics Equipment
Gymnastics Mats
The underside of mats and the top surface is clean
There are no embedded objects, such as stones and pins
The mats are free from holes and tears and display no rucking in the cover or foam infill.
Springboards
The board is stable on impact
The surface is non-slip and free from splinters
Rubber feet are stable and are not worn through on the wood
Balance benches and planks
The construction is not warped and is free from splinters
Rubber buffers on the supporting feet are secure and the bench is stable
The surface is clean and smooth
Fixing hooks are intact and covered with leather or plastic
Rubber pads on the top surface are in place if the bench is intended for use in an inverted position
Ropes and suspended apparatus
Ropes are not frayed or damaged
Pull-out lines are not worn, and their securing wall cleats are secure and not broken or with sharp edges
The runways operate smoothly
Ropes are knot-free, and the leather end caps are intact
Rope ladder floor fixings are intact
Hinged apparatus fixed to a wall
Bracing wires are taut with no visible fraying at any point
Castors run smoothly
Floor sockets are clean and free from obstruction
Securing bolts are firmly fixed, and engage properly with their floor and wall sockets wooden components are free from cracks or splinters
Painted components are well maintained, with no evidence of flaking consideration is given to replacing traditional bare metal tension clamps with padded, boxed in versions
Single and double beams
Hauling cables are free running
Trackways are well maintained, enabling smooth movement of the upright
There are sufficient pins and wedges
Beam surfaces are clean and smooth
Beams run smoothly when lowered and raised
Floor sockets are clean
Vaulting equipment and movement platforms
All wooden components are splinter-free
All covers – vinyl, material or hide – are free from tears, clean and, in the case or hide, suitably textured
Construction is stable and solid with no weakness allowing dangerous movement on impact
Wheeling mechanisms work efficiently.
Games Equipment
Outdoor socket-type goalposts
Correctly located
Securely cemented into the ground or wedged in
Have protective padding in line with the governing body of sport guidelines
regularly checked to ensure that bolts are in place, and that metal is not corroded
Regularly checked to ensure that bolts are in place, and that metal is not corroded
Goal netting
It is stored and carried in a way that avoids it becoming a trip hazard
It is attached and dismantled using a stepladder, and never by jumping up to the crossbar
It is attached to both top corners before hooking along the crossbar
It is well-fitting and does not extend beyond the area covered by the base of the posts
It is secured with plastic hooks or tape (metal cup hooks are banned, and should no longer be used)
It is secured firmly using metal pegs fully pushed into the ground
Portable or free-standing goalposts (used for football or hockey)
Obtained from a reputable manufacturer
Have a lightweight construction and integral wheels, where appropriate, in order to limit the lifting required
Assembled in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions
Smooth in construction, with no sharp edges
Equipped with an integral safe stabilising device that presents no hazard to players or spectators, or they are secured using chains or anchor weights, when in use or stored, outside or inside
Anchor systems are appropriate to the ground conditions and do not present any tripping hazard
Regularly checked for wear and tear and, where practical, any damage made good by a suitably qualified person
Are not “home-made” or altered from their original specification – such equipment should not be used
Staff or students with responsibility for moving and positioning the posts apply safe lifting and carrying techniques; use an appropriate number of people who are strong enough and trained in manual handling techniques, and pull or push the posts backwards according to the design
Staff and students are fully aware of the danger of serious injury or death resulting from unstable goalposts falling onto them; climbing or swinging on the uprights and crossbars should be strictly forbidden
Unfixed posts (e.g. netball posts)
Posts are slotted into holes in the ground, where this is not possible, free-standing posts need to be safely weighted
Posts are padded along the entire length of the post where required by the governing body of sport, in accordance with specifications, particularly at a competitive level
Posts are adjustable for different age groups, if applicable
When not in use, unfixed posts that cannot be stored inside a building are secured at all times to prevent unauthorised use
Unfixed posts are carried from the work area to storage by staff or students who have been shown safe lifting techniques
Students are supervised if they are moving unfixed posts
Playing area markers
Cricket stumps or sharp-ended items are not used as makers or posts – a fall onto a sharp point could cause serious injury
Corner flags are flexible and sufficiently high so as not to constitute a hazard to falling players
Throw-down discs and lines, cones and skittles are not used in fast-moving activities, where a fall is foreseeable
Beanbags and hoops are not used as markers for indoor work if the floor surface is shiny as they can present a slipping hazard when stepped on.
Athletics Equipment
items are carried correctly
All staff and students are familiar with the required procedures for carrying and retrieving discuses, shots and javelins
All staff and students are familiar with the correct use and purpose of rakes and spades in sand jumping pits hurdles are positioned correctly with stabilisers facing the approach and not the other way round
All staff and students know about the storage of equipment that is appropriate for safe retrieval (e.g. javelins should be stored horizontally on a rack or where one is not available, on the floor).
Source: MaintainX (Community Member)