Equip coaches and mentors with a one-page safety audit they can use today
Young people thrive when adults create environments that are predictable, dignifying, and well-prepared. This guide distills best practices into a 1-page safety audit you can print, share, and complete in 10 minutes at practice, rehearsal, or club meetings.
Why a safety audit?
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Prevention beats reaction. Most incidents are avoidable with simple, consistent routines.
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Shared standards. A common checklist aligns staff, volunteers, and partners.
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Family trust. Clear safeguards make parents confident saying “yes.”
The 1-Page Safety Audit (10-minute walk-through)
Use this like a scorecard: ✅ yes | ⚠️ fix today | ⏳ plan
1) People & supervision
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✅ Two-adult rule (or one adult + visible/open space) for all interactions
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✅ Adult-to-youth ratios posted and followed (e.g., 1:8 age 9–12; 1:10 age 13+)
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✅ All adults background-checked, trained, and rostered (incl. substitutes)
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✅ Sign-in/out with verified pickup list; photo ID checked for new adults
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✅ Clear code of conduct (no gifts, secrets, or private DMs with youth)
2) Health & emergency readiness
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✅ First-aid kit stocked; AED location known; allergies & meds list current
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✅ At least one CPR/First Aid certified adult present per session
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✅ Incident report forms available; near-misses recorded & reviewed
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✅ Emergency contacts accessible offline; staff know 911 script & exact address
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✅ Evacuation/lockdown routes posted and practiced twice/year
3) Physical space & equipment
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✅ Entry/exit controlled; visitors wear badges/sign in
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✅ Hazards removed (loose wires, wet floors, unsecured goals/shelves)
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✅ Safe storage for chemicals/tools; equipment inspected on a schedule
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✅ Private areas (closets, vehicles) off-limits to 1-on-1 meetings
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✅ Adequate lighting indoors/outdoors; bathrooms near, clean, and monitored
4) Transportation & off-site activities
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✅ Written permissions for trips; itinerary and contacts shared with families
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✅ Seatbelts for every rider; no personal rides for 1-on-1 transport
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✅ Driver screening (license/insurance check) and trip roster in each vehicle
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✅ Headcounts at departure, arrival, and every regroup
5) Inclusion & behavior supports
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✅ Clear, written behavior expectations shared with youth & families
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✅ De-escalation steps posted (remind → redirect → break → parent call)
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✅ Bullying/harassment policy visible; confidential reporting path for youth
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✅ Accessibility plan (dietary, mobility, sensory, language, IEP/504 notes)
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✅ Pronoun/name respect; private changing options as needed
6) Digital & communication safety
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✅ Official channels only (program email/app); no private social DMs
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✅ Photo/media consent on file; opt-out respected
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✅ Devices filtered for youth; staff model appropriate tech use
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✅ Data privacy: health and contact info stored securely, least-access principle
7) Governance & culture
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✅ Mandatory reporting policy understood; staff know how/when to report
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✅ Annual training: abuse prevention, boundaries, cyber safety, concussion basics
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✅ Anonymous feedback box/QR for youth and families
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✅ Equity lens on rules and consequences; track who is sent home and why
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✅ Quarterly safety review with notes, owners, and deadlines
How to use the audit
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Print one per site/session. Walk the space before youth arrive.
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Circle fixes you can do today. (E.g., post ratios, stock first-aid, mark exits.)
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Assign owners and dates for anything bigger than a 10-minute fix.
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Share results with staff and families; celebrate improvements.
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Repeat monthly or after any incident/near-miss.
Common gaps (and quick wins)
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No posted address for 911 → Tape a label by every phone/exterior door.
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Unclear pickup rules → Create a simple pickup list with photo checks.
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Loose equipment hazards → Add a 5-minute end-of-day “reset” checklist.
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Private messaging → Move all comms to your official platform today.
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First-aid kit not ready → Assign one adult as “kit captain” with a restock date.
Talk with families (sample script)
“We use a 10-minute safety audit before each season. Here’s what we check and how we fix gaps. If you see something, tell us—safety is everyone’s job.”