Badminton risk assement Alusine Kamara Importance of risk assessment A risk assessment an important step in making sure that a tournament runs safely and smoothly. The purpose of a risk assessment is to help focus on the potential risks of game that possess the ability to cause significant harm. Assessing risks requires knowledge of the sport where the risks can appear. Common injuries in badminton Sprained ankle, a sprained ankle is the most common injury in badminton, the rapid changes in direction that are required in badminton cause the ankle to roll over, particularly if players are fatigued, footwear that grips the surface too much can also be the cause. A sprained ankle refers to damage in the ligament and other soft issue around the ankle. The ligament damage causes bleeding within the tissues and an extremely painful swollen ankle. Prevention Wear correct footwear Wear ankle bracing or tape Protocols Rest Ice therapy Compression Elevation Avoid putting too much weight Pain reliving medication Achilles tendonitis is a common term for pain around the tendon and is frequently seen in badminton players. Achilles tendonitis usually comes on gradually and is more common in those aged over 40. Often the tendon feels stiff first thing in the morning. The affect tendon may seem thicker compared to the unaffected side. This is cause by frequent activity, over usage for prolonged duration, in some cases it’s caused by age and degeneration. Prevention Take extra precautions Monitor your workout or activity duration especially if you’re over 35 Protocols Ice therapy Rest Air cast air heel Pain reliving medication Avoid too much activity Tennis elbow is an inflammation of the forearm tendons, at the point where they insert into the Humerus (upper arm) bone on the outer side of the elbow. This inflammation is cause by prolonged gripping activity such as when gripping a racket during badminton or tennis. It causes pain when the lateral epicondyle is touched, and also if the elbow is straight and the hand is moved forward and back at the wrist. In some simple cases like turning a door knob can cause lots of pain. Prevention Make sure racket size is correct Avoid griping too hard Take breaks, stretch the muscles and tendons If you prone to it wear a compression strap Protocols Rest Ice therapy Ant inflammation medication Corticosteroids but if degeneration must be avoided Rotator cuff injury is caused by repeated stress during a badminton game, mainly the overhead motions. The rotator cuff muscles (subscapular, supraspinatus and teres major) are small muscles situated around the shoulder joint, which can undergo damage during badminton. Rotator cuff injuries will begin as inflammation (tendonitis) caused by minor continuous irritation. If the cause of this is not addressed and continues overtime, partial tears may occur within the rotator cuff that could eventually tear through one or more the rotator cuff muscles. Prevention Improve flexibility, strength and endurance of the rotator cuff muscles Avoid excessive overhead motion Protocols Ice therapy Rest Stretching Anti-inflammation medication Anti-inflammation gel Shoulder compression brace Patella tendonitis, also known as jumper’s knee, typically comes on gradually while jumping and landing during a badminton game. Overtime, the strain on the patella tendon becomes too excessive and micro tears begin to form in the tendon. The pain is worsened by any type of activity that involves using the tendon, Often the tendon may feel stiff and thicker in comparison to the unaffected side. Prevention Gradually overtime increase the amount of stress, so that the patella can adapt Protocols Rest Avoid overloading the knee too much Wear a knee strap Hazards associated with badminton Tournament hall The tournament hall is an excessively big open space where any hazard can occur. If you are not aware of your surroundings. Court Area Sometimes walking on or around court can be trip and fall hazard, if court spacing is incorrect or if net lines are laying around and if court conditions are not clean or dry, that could lead to a trip and fall injury. Match Play During a match, any hazard or injury has an opportunity to present themselves due to lack of care and awareness. Incorrect footwear can be one sometimes, wearing shoes with too much grip or less can be an issue, badminton is a fast pace game that requires a lot of movement, too much grip could lead to straining your lower joints, less grip could lead to slipping and hitting your head. Not providing yourself with adequate warm time could a risk as well, because you haven’t prepared your body for what’s coming next which could lead to an injury that will take a while to recover from such as a rotator cuff injury. Not being fully aware of your surroundings could be another one, you collide into someone else during a match, you could end up falling back and hitting your head on something. Hazard tournament Hall Outcome Slips Bruising Trips Concussion Falls Eye strain lighting Rolling or twisting your ankle Sprained ankle Solutions Probability Ensure equipment not in use is safely & securely stored. Ensure through routes & gangways remain clear. Ensure adequate lighting levels are maintained. Ensure the court surfaces & court markings are in a suitable condition. Low Rare Insignificant Breaking or fracturing your wrist Hitting your head Court Area Slips Bruising Trips Concussions Falls Rolling or twisting your ankle Sprained ankle Breaking or fracturing your wrist Hitting your head Net Post’s Trips Bruising Nets & Cords Falls Concussions Breaking or fracturing your wrist Hitting your head minor Unlikely Ensure the court area remains suitably maintained in a clean & dry condition. Maintain court spacing. Maintain a clutter free area around courts. Ensure suitable free space is maintained to the rear of Courts. Low Rolling or twisting your ankle Sprained ankle Low Ensure Net Posts are stable & suitably mounted. Ensure Net Posts are correctly positioned. Ensure Net the Cords are adequately tied back. Minor possible Match Play Slips Sprained ankle Racket Shuttle Trips Rolling or twisting your ankle Falls Collision Over usage Achilles tendonitis Tennis elbow Suitable clothing & footwear should be worn. Provide adequate warm up time. Limit number of persons on court. Major Mop the floor upon noticing water Ensure all courts are clear of water Provide each court with a towel or mop Moderate Put a cut up pool noodle on the sharp parts of it Major High Possible Rotator cuff injury Patella tendonitis Cuts Bruises Eye injury Hitting your head Water damage Sips Concussion Falls Bruises Breaking or fracturing your wrist Hitting your head Metal cage around electronics Concussion Bruises Possible head trauma Equipment left on the ground Slips Concussion Falls Bruises Breaking or fracturing your wrist Hitting your head Unlikely Medium Medium Unlikely Implement “a pack equipment away after use” policy Minor Low Unlikely Behaviour Aggressio n Violence Major Injury caused by physical attack Walk away. Stay calm. Show good sportsman ship. Moderate Low Rare
