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Model Rocketry Risk Assessment — Generated Instantly for £29
Describe your launch day — site, motor classes, attendee numbers and weather limits. We generate a fully written, UK-compliant model rocketry risk assessment covering exclusion zones, motor handling and range safety in minutes.
Used by model rocketry clubs, UKRA-affiliated flying groups and range safety officers across the UK
🚀 Flying larger motor classes or expecting spectators? Mention it — we'll include public exclusion zone distances, range safety officer duties, and wind speed cutoff limits specific to your motor class and site.
Legal requirements for model rocketry launch days
Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, anyone organising a launch day involving other participants or members of the public must carry out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment. This applies to club committees, launch organisers and range safety officers, not just commercial operators.
Rocket motors contain a pyrotechnic composition and are treated as hazardous substances for storage and handling purposes. The general principles of COSHH 2002 (control of exposure to hazardous substances) and the type of precautions required under the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) — safe storage distances, control of ignition sources, and segregation of motor stock — inform how motors should be stored and handled on launch day.
Where spectators or the public are present, organisers also owe a duty of care under the Occupiers' Liability Act 1957 to those on or near the site. UKRA-affiliated launches expect a written safety plan covering exclusion zones, weather limits and a nominated range safety officer — a written risk assessment satisfies this expectation and is often required by landowners and insurers before a launch booking is confirmed.
How it works
1. Describe the launch
Tell us the launch site, motor classes to be flown, number of fliers and spectators, and any specific hazards such as long grass, livestock, or nearby roads and airfields.
2. Let the app take the strain
Anyrisks produces a fully written, UK-compliant model rocketry risk assessment referencing the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and UKRA-style launch safety practice.
3. Instant download and use
Download as PDF and Word. Share it with your club committee, landowner or insurer, or keep it on file for your launch day briefing. £29, no subscription.
What it covers
Every model rocketry risk assessment is written in full — covering launch site, motor handling and range safety hazards.
Public and flier exclusion zone distances by motor class
Range safety officer (RSO) role and authority on the day
Motor storage, transport and handling controls
Wind speed and cloud base launch cutoff limits
Igniter and launch control system safety checks
Recovery of unlaunched motors and duds
Fire risk on dry grass or vegetated launch sites
Manual handling of launch rails, pads and equipment
Weather monitoring and abort procedures
Slow-drift and downrange recovery hazards (roads, water, livestock)
First aid provision and nearest emergency access
Spectator briefing and control of access to the launch area
Motor and propellant storage away from ignition sources
Post-launch site clearance and debris check
Works for
From a single low-power flight to a full UKRA-insured launch day, Anyrisks scales the assessment to your event.
What customers say
"As RSO for our club I'm the one who signs off the safety plan every launch day. Anyrisks gave me exclusion zones and a proper dud recovery procedure without me writing it from scratch again."
Dave R.
Range safety officer, Cambridgeshire rocketry club
"The farmer who lets us use his field wanted a written risk assessment before he'd confirm the booking. This covered wind limits, fire risk and public access exactly as expected."
Helen T.
Club secretary, Yorkshire
"We ran a high-power launch day with spectators and needed something insurers would accept. It referenced the right regulations and gave us a proper briefing structure for the day."
Owen P.
HPR flier and event organiser, Wiltshire
Anyrisks vs DIY templates
| Anyrisks | DIY / templates | |
|---|---|---|
| Written in full — not a blank form | ✓ | ✗ |
| MHSWR 1999 Regulation 3(1) referenced | ✓ | ✗ |
| Exclusion zones scaled to motor class | ✓ | ✗ |
| UKRA-style launch safety practice included | ✓ | ✗ |
| Dud and misfire recovery procedure included | ✓ | ✗ |
| Weather and wind cutoff limits built in | ✓ | ✗ |
| Ready in under 2 minutes | ✓ | ✗ |
| Instant PDF and Word download | ✓ | Sometimes |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a risk assessment for a model rocketry launch day?
Yes. Under Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, anyone organising an activity involving members of the public or other participants — including a club launch day — must carry out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment. UKRA (UK Rocketry Association) also requires a written risk assessment or safety plan for insured club launches at approved sites.
Does this cover UKRA launch safety code requirements?
Yes. Describe your launch site, motor classes in use, and attendee numbers, and the assessment will reference exclusion zone distances, range safety officer (RSO) responsibilities, and the wind speed and cloud base cutoffs commonly used at UKRA-affiliated launch sites.
Are rocket motors covered under COSHH or DSEAR?
Model rocket motors contain pyrotechnic composition and are treated as hazardous substances. Storage, handling and transport controls in the assessment reflect COSHH 2002 principles for hazardous substance exposure and the type of precautions expected under DSEAR 2002 (Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations) for ignition sources and safe storage distances.
What about unlaunched motors or dud rockets?
Yes — mention that recovery of misfires or unlaunched motors is part of your launch day, and the assessment will include a dedicated procedure for approaching, handling and safely disposing of duds, including a minimum wait time before approach and who is authorised to handle them.
Can I use this for a single private launch or only club events?
Both. Describe whether this is a solo flier session, a small private group, or a full UKRA-insured club launch day, and the assessment will be scaled accordingly — from basic site and weather controls up to full range safety officer and public exclusion zone management.
Does it cover spectators and members of the public?
Yes — if spectators or the public will be present, mention it and the assessment will include public exclusion zones, briefing requirements, and control of access to the launch and recovery areas in line with the duty of care under the Occupiers' Liability Act 1957.
How long does it take to generate?
Under 2 minutes. Describe your launch day — site, motor classes, attendee numbers and weather policy — and Anyrisks produces a complete, regulation-referenced model rocketry risk assessment instantly, ready to download as PDF and Word.
Will it be accepted by insurers and site landowners?
Anyrisks produces a fully written, professionally formatted risk assessment referencing UK legislation and UKRA-style launch safety practice. This is the standard format expected by landowners, farmers, airfield operators and club insurers when approving a launch site booking.
Also see: The Ultimate Guide to Risk Assessment · Do I Need a Risk Assessment · Risk Assessment Legal Requirements · AI Risk Assessment Generator