Sports Field Safety Inspection Checklist
Use this safety inspection checklist for your sports field to avoid accidents from occurring putting the facility and/or individuals at risk of fault. This checklist will help you ensure the safety of your athletes and those who use the field as routine inspection will decrease the likelihood of injury or accidents.
MaintainX
07/22/2022
Sports Field Safety Inspection Checklist
Use this safety inspection checklist for your sports field to avoid accidents from occurring putting the facility and/or individuals at risk of fault. This checklist will help you ensure the safety of your athletes and those who use the field as routine inspection will decrease the likelihood of injury or accidents.
Playing Surface – All types
Maintenance equipment, such as rakes, hoes, etc. have been removed from the sports field.
Litter and unsafe debris have been removed from the football field and player/spectator areas
If there is an irrigation system, is timed correctly to irrigate an appropriate amount of time prior to play?
Irrigation heads, drainage grates, valve boxes, etc. are below grade with no protrusions on the playing surface.
The field was constructed according to recommended industry specifications.
Comments:
Playing Surface – Natural grass
There is at least 75 percent coverage of turfgrass on the field.
There are no bare spots with a hard soil surface exposed.
Soil is well drained with no standing water.
Turfgrass is uniform in color, height and density.
Turfgrass has strong root system, limiting “blow‐outs.”
There are no weeds with thorns, bristles or burrs.
There are no holes or mounds made by moles, gophers, or other animals.
There are no ruts or trenches caused by equipment use or field wear
There has been communication between the maintenance staff and coach/facility user
Comments:
Playing Surface – Synthetic turf
There are no worn areas on the synthetic material
There are no rips or tears on the synthetic material
Seams are secure
The synthetic material is not buckling or bulging
Synthetic fibers are standing upright
There is adequate infill material that is evenly spread
Water is readily available for washing away undesirable fluids
The footwear that is being worn by players is acceptable
Comments:
Playing Surface ‐ Baseball/Softball Field
Infield lip, area between skinned area and grass, not too high or too low
Home plate set to proper depth, and area around plate is level
Batter’s box area is level, no holes
Pitching mound/area, pitching rubber set to proper depth
Area around mound is level, no holes
Bases are set properly, will not come loose during game play
Infield area (skinned area) is smooth and level
Comments:
Field Markings
Lines are bright.
If multi‐use field (example, football Lines are distinguishable from soccer lines)
Lines are correctly marked per the appropriate sport’s governing body
Comments:
Goal area and/or Goal Posts
Posts are straight and securely anchored
Posts are adequately padded
Concrete is below the surface
Comments:
Out‐of‐Bounds/Transition Areas
There is a minimum of 25 ft. around the field for players to run safely out‐of‐bounds
There is a minimum of 50 ft. between fields (if multi‐field complex)
All catch basins are adequately covered
The transition area to the track is easily identifiable and level.
Comments:
Fencing (If your field does not have fencing, skip this section)
Fences are securely set in the ground
Fence posts are outside of the playing area
There are no concrete footings exposed above ground
Fencing is securely attached to its posts
There are no large gaps in the fencing or between the ground and the fence
Top and bottom tension wires are in place to secure the fence
The wire ends of the fence are not exposed at the top or corners
There are no damaged areas that protrude, are sharp or loose
Comments:
Lighting (If your field does not have lighting, skip this section)
Lighting has been installed and inspected by a trained engineer or technician.
All lights are working
The light’s beam adequately and uniformly covers the field
The lighting foot candles meet industry recommended specifications
Comments:
Bleachers/Facility (If your field does not have bleachers/facility, skip this section)
Nuts and bolts are tight and in sufficient number
Guard rails are securely in place
The plank or railing end caps are securely in place
There are no splinters or worn areas (wooden bleachers)
There are no hazardous protrusions or sharp edges
The supply and location of waste cans is adequate
There is appropriate signage notifying players and spectators of rules, appropriate behavior and deficient conditions
There are public telephones or staffed office for emergency situations. Areas under repair are identified and posted appropriately
Comments:
General
There is a flag or other signaling system to alert players to leave the field if inclement weather or other danger is imminent
Source: MaintainX (Community Member)