Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1: Introduction

CHAPTER 2: Negligence

1. Why is Negligence such a Big Deal?

  • Our Litigious Society
  • Impact of Increased Litigation on Sport/Recreation

2. Negligence

  • Tort Law
  • What is Negligence?

3. Establishing Liability for Negligence

Step 1: Has there been Negligence?

  • Duty of Care
  • Standard of Care
  • Actual Harm
  • Proximate Cause

Step 2: Liability for Negligence

  • Personal Liability
  • Vicarious Liability
  • Products and Premises/Occupiers Liability

Step 3: Defences against Negligence

  • Contributory Negligence
  • Voluntary Assumption of Risk
  • Waivers

4. Negligence and the Courts

  • The Legal Process
  • What to do in the Event of a Lawsuit

CHAPTER 3: The 5 Key Risk Areas

1. Supervision & Instruction

  • Qualifications & Certifications
  • Supervision Ratios
  • Lesson Plans & Progressions
  • Other Issues worth noting for Supervision and Instruction

2. Training

  • Step 1: Identify types of Training
  • Step 2: Determine Who Needs Training
  • Step 3: Develop Training Grids
  • Step 4: Develop ‘Department Training Grid’

3. Facilities & Equipment

  • Inspection of Facilities and Equipment
  • Maintenance of Facilities and Equipment
  • Inspection and Maintenance Checklists
  • Signage
  • Other issues worth noting for Facilities and Equipment
  • Note on New Facilities
  • New Facility Safety Design Issues

4. Documentation

  • Risk Management Manual
  • Waivers
  • Medical Screening
  • Risk Information

5. Emergency Response Plan

  • Emergency Planning Process:
    Step 1: What needs to be done?
    Step 2: Who is responsible for what?
  • Training
  • Rehearsals/ Drills
  • Equipment
  • Communication

CHAPTER 4: Risk Management Planning

1. Risk Management: What’s it all about?

  • What’s all the Fuss?
  • Defining Risk Management

2. Keeping it Simple

  • Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

3. Determining Risk Profile

  • Risk Matrix approach
  • Risk Rating approach
  • Risk Grid
  • Risk Map
  • Risk Controls and Residual Risk

4. Risk Management Planning

Risk Management Planning: A Three Step Process:

Step 1: Prioritize High Risk Areas

Step 2: Conduct an Audit/ Risk Assessment

Step 3: Develop Action Plans

5. Organizing for Risk Management

  • The Risk Management Committee

6. The Role of Insurance

CHAPTER 5: Special Policy Areas

1. Transportation

  • Four Key Areas (Vehicles; Drivers; Passengers; Emergency Response)

2. Sport Clubs

Key risk management issues for Sport Clubs:

  • Reporting Structure
  • Advisors
  • Sport Club Officers
  • Safety Officers
  • Coaches
  • Travel
  • Hazing
  • Concussion Management
  • Sport Club Council
  • Other

3. Youth Camps

Key risk management issues for Camps:

  • Staffing
  • Supervision & Training
  • Training
  • Emergency Response
  • Documentation e.g. medical information, parental consent
  • Facilities & Equipment
  • Residence Camps
  • Other

4. Disease Control

  • Bloodborne pathogens
  • Infectious Diseases

5. Alcohol & Drugs

  • Policies
  • Facility Rentals involving alcohol

6. Event Management

  • Five Key Areas
  • Event Management Checklist

7. Contracts

  • Facility Rental contracts
  • Personal Services contracts

CHAPTER 6: Appendices

Audit checklists; event management checklist; and more

CHAPTER 7: Resources

Comprehensive list of practical resources

In July of 2015 California State University, Chico had the opportunity to participate in Sport Risk’s new ‘Best Practices’ risk management review conducted by Ian McGregor & Associates. Ian is clearly one of the most knowledgable and experienced leaders in risk management practices and our institution was excited to be one of the first Universities to use this new evaluation process. 

 While evaluating our programs we found his work to be innovative, comprehensive, and easy to use throughout all aspects of our various recreation programs. Because of his outstanding work we are using the recommendations as a catalyst for program improvement.  Being able to contrast our practices with other NIRSA institutions is invaluable in bringing our programs to a higher standard of excellence. Without hesitation, I would recommend this process to any collegiate recreation program who is interested in current, state of the art, risk management practices. You will find Ian McGregor and Associates to be professional and cost effective in helping you meet your administrative responsibilities.

Kimberly Scott

Director of Recreational Sports
Associate Director of Student Life
California State University, Chico

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