Axe Throwing Venue Daily Safety Checklist

Axe throwing has become a staple of social entertainment, with venues hosting birthday parties, team outings and leagues. The business is built on a controlled sense of risk. Keeping it controlled depends on lanes, axes and targets in good condition, clear rules, attentive coaches and a waiver for every thrower.

Industry bodies such as the World Axe Throwing League and the International Axe Throwing Federation publish safety standards for lanes and equipment that many venues and insurers use as a reference.

Opening

• Inspect every lane: barriers, cages or dividers intact, floor clear
• Check target boards for wear, cracks and loose pieces; rotate or replace as needed
• Inspect every axe: sharpness, handle cracks, loose heads
• Check throwing lines are clearly marked
• Confirm first-aid kit is stocked and staff know where it is
• Check lighting in all lanes

Axes

• Sharpen axes according to your schedule
• Remove axes with cracked handles or loose heads immediately
• Keep spare axes in a secure location
• Count axes at opening and closing

Waivers and Check-In

• Every thrower signs a waiver before throwing
• Check age requirements and ID according to your policy
• Confirm closed-toe shoes
• Explain house rules: one thrower per lane at a time, retrieve only when all throwers have finished, no throwing outside lanes

Alcohol

If you serve alcohol, policies matter. Many venues limit drinks, refuse service to anyone visibly intoxicated, and stop serving throwers who appear impaired. Make sure staff know your responsible service rules and local licensing requirements.

Coaching

• Every group gets a safety briefing and demonstration
• A coach supervises lanes during throwing
• Coaches stop play immediately for unsafe behaviour
• Monitor groups as they get more confident and less careful

During Sessions

• Watch lane discipline: one thrower at a time, safe retrieval
• Replace damaged targets quickly
• Keep spectators behind the line
• Clean up wood chips and debris

Incidents

• Know the first-aid procedure for cuts
• Stop play in the lane after any incident
• Complete an incident report every time, even for minor injuries
• Review incidents weekly for patterns

Closing

• Count and store all axes securely
• Inspect targets and note replacements needed
• Sweep lanes and remove debris
• Check the first-aid kit and restock
• Close out the register and bookings
• Note maintenance issues for the morning

See escape room daily reset checklist and trampoline park daily safety checklist for related venues.

How MyTeamTasks Helps

Insurers and inspectors want to see that lanes and axes were checked every day. In MyTeamTasks, lane and axe inspections are timestamped tasks with photos for damaged equipment, incident reports are text tasks, and the manager can review the full safety history by date and location.