Member Health and Safety

British Taekwondo puts the health and safety of its members at its highest priority. Our objective is to minimise the risk and impact of injury for everybody participating in Taekwondo.

Taekwondo is a martial art and a full-contact combat sport, and therefore by its very nature there is always a risk of some minor injury, however, no one should be seriously hurt through participation in the Martial Art or Sport of Taekwondo.

British Taekwondo Member Health & Safety

The British Taekwondo Member Health & Safety Guidelines are based upon eliminating any serious injuries and an on-going commitment to continually work to reduce risks.

Health and Safety Key Documents

00. Member Health and Safety Guidelines Introduction & Index

01.  Member Helpline, Emergencies and Consultation

02. Membership Services/H&S/Insurance Interface

03. Reporting of Accidents and Head Injuries

04. Report Form – Accident and Head Injuries

0.5 Sport Event Plan

0.6 Poomsae Event Plan

0.7 Taekwondo Risk Assessments

0.8 Club Risk Assessment Process

0.9 Club First Aid Guidance

10. Wearing of Spectacles in Taekwondo

11. Pregnant Member Guidance

12. Health Guidance

13. Online Health & Safety Guidance

14. Accident Investigation

15. Reporting, Review and Audit

16. Risk Categorisation

17. Glossary of Terms

18. Medical Requirements

19. Information for Event Medics, Hosts and Chief Referees

20. Wearing of Medical Devices in Taekwondo 

The British Taekwondo Member Health & Safety Guidelines comply with all current UK Health and Safety legislation.

The British Taekwondo Member Health & Safety Guidelines detail the processes necessary in order to meet our Health & Safety objectives. Use of these Guidelines should bring many benefits including:

  • Reduced accidents or harm to members
  • Assured compliance with UK H&S legislation
  • Continual improvement of H&S performance
  • Improved management and control of risks
  • Increased member satisfaction and confidence

Injuries that have been sustained as a result of accidents in training should be reported to British Taekwondo via your Instructor/Coach, or at an Event via the Chief Referee for the day.

Please note: Accidents should be reported to British Taekwondo within 48 hours of them occurring.

Injuries which do require reporting are as follows:

  • Injuries that require qualified medical attention via a GP, Dentist or A&E Department (Examples: collapse, breaks, sprains, dislocations, tears, cuts, teeth, eyes etc.).
  • Injuries that cause the member to be absent from their normal work, or normal activities for any period of time (Example: If a member cannot go to school, or to their job due to a Taekwondo injury).
  • Injuries occurring through the use of defective equipment (Examples: Broken gum/groin guard, defective PPE).
  • Injuries occurring through failures in organisation and management (Examples: Missing PPE, No Mats, and non-WT-approved equipment etc.).
  • Any Head Injuries and in particular those where any Unconsciousness (for any length of time) has occurred or any Concussion Symptoms have been observed and a Head Injury Suspension/Protection Notice has been issued.

Please download British Taekwondo’s Concussion and Head Injury Statement of Intent.

As part of our overall duty of care and our commitment to all British Taekwondo members we have launched our free-to-use Concussion Education programme.

You can find the UK Concussion Guidelines for Non-Elite (Grassroots) Sport, April 2023 from the UK Government in this document.

As a contact sport, head injuries can occur through competition, and accidentally in training.

British Taekwondo has stated its intent to reduce concussion injuries in Taekwondo and has launched its free to use online concussion education programme.

Through this programme our Instructors, Coaches and Officials can better recognise the symptoms of concussion.

Head injuries will now be recorded through our Accident Reporting process rather than separately. This means the person best placed to recognise any unconsciousness or concussion is also best placed to issue the suspension.

Page 2 of the new Accident Reporting process allows for the ‘on the spot’ issue of a Head Injury Suspension/Protection Notice to the injured party. This ensures that they are immediately aware of ongoing symptoms, rest periods, the length of the suspension and how to gradually return to play.

This Notice is issued by an Instructor, Coach, Referee or Event Medic at the time of the injury.

Page 1 of the Accident Report also notes the Suspension period issued and details of who, what, where, when and how the accident occurred. This streamlined process allows Membership Services to record the Accident and the Suspension without further delay.

To report an Accident and issue a Head Injury Suspension / Protection Notice refer to these documents – 03. Reporting of Accidents and Head Injuries and 04. Report Form – Accident and Head Injuries.

Your Health & Safety Support

If you have any health and safety problems, concerns or queries please call the British Taekwondo Health & Safety Help-Line or email us as follows:

British Taekwondo Membership Services

Help-Line: 0161 697 5330

Help-Email: membership.services@britishtaekwondo.org

British Taekwondo Health and Safety Advisor

Help-Line: 07710 011730

Help-Email: tom.stammer@britishtaekwondo.org

Health & Safety Consultation

We are always happy to receive feedback on any issues to do with the Health and Safety of our members. Internally we are keen to have members who regularly discuss feedback or comment on Health and Safety issues or improvements for Taekwondo. Please contact the Health and Safety Adviser if you wish to discuss or query any points of interest on Member Health and Safety.