An update on British Taekwondo review of its model Health and Safety Risk Assessments for Taekwondo specific activities.

British Taekwondo has reviewed its model Health and Safety Risk Assessments for Taekwondo specific activities as per HSE best practice.

You can find the updated document here.

Make sure to review these revised Risk Assessments and either adopt them as your own Club/Training methods or use them as a guide to create your own set of Risk Assessments.

Only minor modifications have been made to most assessments and it is clear that Taekwondo’s Biggest Risk remains – the potential for Head Injuries and their short- and long-term consequences including:

  • Serious (life changing) injury or death of a member
  • Long term injury potential such as dementia
  • Reputational risk to the NGB and Sport

Head Injuries occur when:

  • Full contact kicks to the head as part of WT competition Rules.
  • Competition sparring practice in Clubs and at Squad sessions.
  • Accidental kicks to head in non-contact sparring.
  • Accidental punching to head in sparring.
  • Banging head when falling.

British Taekwondo manages, mitigates and controls this risk through a variety of measures including:

Removing the risk:

  • It is in the WT Competition Rules, so it is difficult to remove completely.

Reducing the risk:

  • Only used for full-contact competition and training.
  • In training – the use of protective Gloves (punching) and Foot Protectors (kicking).
  • Close supervision in training by British Taekwondo qualified Coaches/Instructors.
  • Only qualified and trained British Taekwondo Referees used in Competition.

Protecting against the risk:

  • Use of WT approved Head Protectors.
  • Use of WT approved Mats for falling.

British Taekwondo use of all of the above plus the following measures to manage the risk and consequences of head injuries to keep the risk as low as reasonably practical (ALARP):

  • CrashCourse Concussion – online training free to all.
  • Full medical trauma cover at all Competitions/Match Days.
  • EFAW First Aiders at all Training Sessions.
  • All Head Injuries are Reported and Recorded.
  • Head Injury Suspension & Protection Notices are issued and managed (30/40/50 Days).
  • Use of a Staged Return to Play (RTP) required.

Visit the Health & Safety section of the website for further information.