Equipment-related risks and hazards

Inappropriate Equipment

Equipment that is not suitable or designed for a particular sport increases the risk of injuries. For example, using road running shoes for a rugged trail run can lead to slips and falls.
Using improperly fitted equipment, such as helmets or protective gear, can lead to issues such as discomfort, limited mobility, or inadequate protection during impact.

Damaged or Faulty Equipment

Equipment that is damaged or worn out can lead to unexpected failures, which present a serious risk during high-impact sports. This could include things like cracked helmets or rackets, or frayed ropes in climbing.
In some cases, using defective equipment can lead to severe accidents, such as a snapped ski binding causing a fall and subsequent injury.

Incorrectly Set Up Equipment

Equipment that isn’t set up properly, such as gym machines, trampolines, or even things like goal nets in football, can cause injuries by collapsing or failing during use.
Incorrectly set up equipment can also lead to less obvious injuries caused by imbalanced strain or exertion. For example, a poorly set up bicycle can cause repetitive strain injuries over time.

Lack of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Failing to use appropriate PPE, such as mouthguards in rugby or helmets in cricket, greatly increases the risk of preventable injuries.
PPE should be properly fitted and worn correctly for maximum protection. Misusing or improperly wearing PPE (like not fastening a helmet correctly) reduces its effectiveness.

Misuse of equipment

Equipment used in a manner that it was not intended for (for instance, swinging a cricket bat at something other than a ball) is likely to result in injury.
Misuse of equipment can also lead to its damage or breakdown, creating a risk of unexpected equipment failure later on.

Lack of Equipment Maintenance

Failure to maintain or service sporting equipment can lead to it becoming damaged or unsafe over time.
Simple steps like regular checks, cleaning, and replacing wear parts can greatly extend the life of equipment and prevent many risks and hazards.