EDGA Event Risk Assessment Template
English Disc Golf Association
| Version | 1.0 (Adopted) |
|---|---|
| Status | Turnkey Event Template |
| Adopted / Verified | 01 Oct 2026 |
| Next review | Annual (01 Oct 2027) |
| Statutory basis | Health & Safety Executive (HSE) Five Steps to Risk Assessment |
| Document owner | EDGA Board |
| Classification | Public |
Safety & Risk Management
Turnkey Event Template
English Disc Golf Association · Official Operating Document
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How to Use This Template
All Tournament Directors hosting EDGA Tour events or sanctioned competitions must complete a written Event Risk Assessment prior to play.
- Complete Before the Event: Review the template 14 days before your tournament, walking the layout and customising the hazards to your specific venue.
- Review on the Day: Conduct a pre-round inspection to verify course conditions, ground safety, and weather forecasts.
- Availability: Keep a signed digital or paper copy at Tournament Central. It must be made available upon request to EDGA officials, venue landowners, local authorities, or emergency services.
- Format: Fill out this document electronically in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or print and complete by hand.
1. Event and Administrative Details
| Field | Tournament Information |
|---|---|
| Event Name | [Event Name] |
| Tournament Date(s) | [Date] |
| PDGA Tier / Sanctioning | [ ] A-Tier [ ] B-Tier [ ] C-Tier [ ] X-Tier [ ] Non-Sanctioned (Professional Disc Golf Association / PDGA) |
| Venue / Course Name | [Course / Venue Name] |
| Venue Address & Postcode | [Address / Postcode] |
| Emergency Access Point (what3words / Gate) | [what3words / Gate] |
| Landowner / Managing Authority | [Landowner / Managing Authority] |
| Tournament Director (TD) Name | [Tournament Director / Lead Assessor] |
| TD Mobile Number & Email | [TD Phone / Email] |
| Named Event Safety / Safeguarding Lead | [Safety Lead Name] |
| Expected Competitor Count | [Competitor Count] |
| Venue Type | [ ] Dedicated Course [ ] Public Park [ ] Public Forest [ ] Temporary Layout |
2. Emergency Information and Facilities
| Provision | Details and On-Site Location |
|---|---|
| First Aid Kit Location | Tournament Central / Headquarters (HQ) |
| Designated First Aider(s) | |
| Nearest Accident and Emergency (A&E) Hospital | Name, Address, and Emergency Contact |
| Nearest Automated External Defibrillator (AED) | Location and Access Code (if applicable) |
| Mobile Phone Reception Verified | [ ] Yes [ ] Partial (areas identified) [ ] Poor (radios deployed) |
| Emergency Vehicle Access Route | Clear access via [Gate / Road / Barrier Key Holder] |
3. General Hazard and Risk Control Matrix
Evaluate each hazard using a standard rating: Low, Medium, or High. If risk remains High after controls, the layout must be adjusted or activity paused.
| Hazard / Risk | Who May Be Harmed | Existing Control Measures | Residual Risk | Further Actions / Event-Specific Controls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Disc Impact with Public / Park Users Discs thrown near footpaths, dog-walkers, cyclists, or picnic areas. | Members of the public, spectators, volunteers | – Minimum 15 to 20 metre buffer between fairway flight paths and public paths. – Competitors briefed: pedestrians have absolute right of way. – Mandatory Cease Play protocol if public enter active landing areas. | Low | Deploy designated spotters on blind holes [List holes: ______]. Erect temporary warning signs at park access points. |
| 2. Disc Impact Between Competitors Blind tee shots, parallel fairways, or shared landing zones. | Competitors, caddies, spotters | – Course layout designed with no overlapping fairways in concurrent play. – Staggered tee times or sufficient hole spacing. – Calling loud audible warnings (“Fore!”) mandatory if disc errant. | Low | Station spotters with two-way radios or visual flags on blind landing zones. |
| 3. Slips, Trips, and Falls Uneven ground, steep banks, wet grass, mud, tree roots, or rocks. | Players, officials, spectators | – Pre-event course walk to identify and mark physical hazards. – Players advised in pre-event email to wear sturdy, gripping outdoor footwear. – Steps or hand-ropes installed on hazardous steep banks. | Low | Highlight steep or slippery banks during player meeting. Mark hidden ground stumps with high-visibility spray paint. |
| 4. Adverse Weather (Lightning, Wind, Heat) Thunderstorms, high winds/falling limbs, extreme heat or hypothermia. | All attendees | – TD monitors Met Office forecasts prior to and during event. – Lightning Protocol: 30/30 rule enforced (suspend play if flash-to-bang < 30 seconds). – Two-horn blast signals immediate suspension of play. | Low | Identify storm shelters (clubhouse, pavilions, vehicles). Provide extra water stations during high-heat advisories. |
| 5. Water Hazards and Deep Rough Ponds, rivers, drainage ditches, deep brambles, or nettles. | Players, volunteers | – Out-of-Bounds (OB) boundaries and safe drop zones clearly defined. – Players forbidden from entering swift, deep, or contaminated water. – Disc retrieval poles made available at HQ. | Low | Mark safe access/retrieval banks. Advise players regarding ticks, nettles, and appropriate clothing. |
| 6. Tournament HQ and Infrastructure Pop-up gazebos blowing over, generator cables, vehicle movement. | Players, volunteers, public | – Gazebos securely weighted with heavy sandbags or ground pegs. – Cables taped down or covered with rubber cable ramps. – Player parking restricted to designated car parking bays. | Low | Inspect tent anchor weights prior to morning player check-in. |
| 7. Junior Competitors & Safeguarding Under-18 players taking part in tournament rounds. | Juniors, parents, volunteers | – Compliance with EDGA Safeguarding Policy. – Juniors aged 13 and under accompanied by parent/carer throughout round. – Named Safeguarding Lead identified in player information. | Low | Confirm Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for designated junior volunteers. Verify parental consent forms for unaccompanied 14 to 17 players. |
| 8. Sudden Medical Illness / Injury Sprains, cuts, heat exhaustion, insect stings, cardiac arrest. | All attendees | – Fully stocked first aid kit at Tournament Central. – Emergency access route kept unlocked and unobstructed. – Clear escalation procedure to call 999. | Low | Announce location of first aid provisions and tournament phone number at player briefing. |
4. Course-Specific Hole Assessment (To be completed by TD)
Use this section to record specific risk controls on individual holes (e.g. crossing paths, proximity to car parks, blind greens, or road boundaries):
| Hole # | Specific Hazard / Feature | Control Measures Implemented | Responsible Person |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ex. | Hole 4: Blind dogleg right around dense wood with public footpath crossing. | Spotter stationed at footpath crossing with radio. Clear warning sign placed on footpath. | Volunteer Spotter (John D.) |
5. Pre-Round Tournament Director Checklist
Complete this visual check on the morning of the event before players tee off:
- [ ] Course Layout: Tee pads, baskets, Out-of-Bounds (OB) lines, and mandatory flight routes (mandos) inspected and match published course information.
- [ ] Fairway Hazards: Fallen branches, debris, or new ground hazards removed or marked.
- [ ] Signage: Temporary warning signs posted at public entrance paths and pedestrian pinch-points.
- [ ] First Aid Kit: Stocked and accessible at Tournament Central.
- [ ] Emergency Access: Access gates unlocked and access road clear of parked vehicles.
- [ ] Weather Check: Forecast checked; audible horn / suspension signals ready if needed.
- [ ] Player Briefing: Safety rules, pedestrian priority, and emergency procedures briefed to players.
6. Declaration and Sign-Off
I confirm that I have inspected the venue, completed this Event Risk Assessment, and implemented the control measures set out above to minimise foreseeable risks to competitors, volunteers, and the general public.
Tournament Director Name: ____________________________________________________
Signature: ____________________________________________________________________
Date: ________________________
(Keep this completed assessment with event paperwork for at least 12 months).