Example Outdoor Education Risk Assessment

Transcription

1 1. General information Type of activity: Location: Date(s): Time(s): Adult to student ratio: Nearest Hospital A&E (including tel. number): For rural settings Site grid reference: OS map sheets: Mobile phone reception (Good/Moderate/Poor): Designated first aider(s): First aid kit(s) are placed in the following areas: 2. Site-specific hazards. Completed following a site inspection. Use attached hazard table to assess risk. Description of hazard Description of potential harm Risk level Slip and trip hazards around site Participants tripping over fallen branches or uneven ground or slipping on wet surfaces - (if wet) Walk site prior to session and remove obvious hazards. Warn participants of the natural hazards found in the area. Participants to be advised in advance to wear suitable outdoor clothing and footwear. Plan routes to avoid wet/ muddy/slippery surfaces where possible. 3. Other activities taking place on site: e.g. grounds maintenance or other work being undertaken which is not part of the lesson. Date: Check and insert details of any works being carried out Activity and location: Responsible person and contact details: 1

2 4. Working with children and vulnerable adults Complete as appropriate: 5. Event-specific Risk Assessment form Think through carefully all hazards that could potentially occur prior, during and after the lesson. Use the hazard table below to assess each identified hazard and potential risks. 5.1 Activities Description of hazard Description of potential harm Risk level Arriving and departing vehicles Participant being hit by moving vehicle while working outside or walking to the study site Be aware of vehicular movements when travelling to outdoor activity locations. Carry out introductory activities away from car park. Use paths and take due care and attention while walking. Unfamiliar site for attendees (if using local green spaces as opposed to school grounds) Participant getting lost/ separated from the rest of the group All staff to be familiar with activity sites prior to the event. Stay with participants at all times. Emphasise the importance of staying together as a group, regular head counts. If working with children: allocate teachers and helpers to small groups of children. Ratio of 1 adult to 6 children. Protecting the Vulnerable Guidelines followed - if child is missing, search party must include adult known to child. Staff to wear obvious clothing e.g. fluorescent tabards. Areas of water (ponds and streams) Participant falling/ slipping into water, difficult situation around or in the water. Water depth of pond in use is very shallow, between cm. Edges are flat and clearly defined. Emphasise the importance of staying together as a group, carry out regular head counts. Demonstrate safe working practices before commencing activity. 2

3 5.1 Activities Description of hazard Description of potential harm Risk level Adverse weather conditions Severe weather storms/ lightening/strong winds etc. Advise all participants to ensure they come with suitable clothing and footwear. Planned activities may need to be altered last minute to allow for adverse weather conditions, or cancel/postpone lesson altogether if weather is extreme. Ensure activities keep participants moving and not static for long periods of time. Do not shelter under trees if lightning becomes a potential threat. If in an exposed area and lightning strikes, curl up on the ground. Strong sun/hot weather Sunburn/dehydration - Advise all participants to ensure they come with suitable clothing and footwear. Participants encouraged to wear sun hats outside and apply sun cream before going outdoors. Carry extra water or have refreshments available nearby. Avoid being in direct sunlight for too long. Activities to take place in shady areas whenever possible. Presence of nettles, thistles, brambles, thorns, bracken Rashes/reactions/stings/ scratches Advise all participants to ensure they come with suitable clothing and footwear. Long trousers and sleeves strongly recommended. Closed footwear mandatory. Wellies or walking boots recommended. Check area before lesson for plants that need removing. Bee or wasp stings/snake or insect bites Sting/bite/reactions Advise all participants to ensure they come with suitable clothing and footwear. Long trousers and sleeves strongly recommended. Review any known allergies in group prior to the lesson. If skin reacts, get medical treatment as soon as possible. Collecting activities Participant getting lost/ picking up poisonous or sharp items/eye injuries from branches/allergy to plant material or seeds Allow enough space for each activity. Review any known allergies in group prior to the lesson. Participants to check/be checked for cuts or broken areas of skin and ensure they are covered prior to commencement of the activity. Emphasise the importance of staying together as a group. Instruct children not to collect sharp items or to put anything in their mouths or near their eyes and to wash their hands as soon as they are able. 3

4 Turning over logs and looking in leaf litter during Bugs on Bushes/Minibeast Hunt/ Pond Dipping studies and related/similar activities Children undertaking examination of invertebrates, leaf litter, soil samples or pond water can be exposed to water/ soil born pathogens. This is particularly relevant where cuts and grazes may be present on hands. Children may ingest pathogens at meal time. Participants advised that any cuts or grazes are covered with a waterproof dressing ahead of the lesson and if this is not sufficient to cover the affected area then a waterproof glove is worn. All participants reminded not to eat or put fingers in mouth until hand washing has been performed. All participants must wash hands before meals or use appropriate hand sanitizing/alcohol gel. Exceptions may occur due to religious belief when very thorough washing with appropriate hand wash is used as an alternative. Falling tree branches Branches may fall and injure those taking part in activities below. Check all tress regularly for the presence of rotten or partially fallen branches. Carry out an additional check immediately prior to any activities that involve working under the tree canopies. Ensure removal of any such branches ahead of the activity. Do not carry out activities directly under tree canopies during adverse weather conditions. Insert any additional site or activity specific hazards Complete as appropriate Complete as appropriate Complete as appropriate 6. Further control measures: - For participants in wheelchairs the participant themselves or carer responsible should decide on the suitability of the terrain and level of involvement in the activities. All activities are accessible from main paths. Ensure an adult is with physically, visually and/or hearing impaired children at all times. Teachers are to be responsible for ensuring that there are enough adult helpers, particularly to supervise children with learning difficulties. - Check the activity site on the day of the lesson for unexpected hazards. - Add any additional points as appropriate 4

5 Hazard table: this table should be used as a guide to ascertain level of risk with each identified hazard PROBABILITY OF HARM PROBABLE POSSIBLE IMPROBABLE SEVERITY OF HARM (near miss, or Incident causing harm has occurred or is likely to) (reasonable to believe an incidence may occur, but not frequently) (incident unlikely to occur, or only in an unlikely combination of circumstances) SEVERE - fatality, or serious injury to more than one person Actual Risk: MEDIUM SERIOUS - serious injury, or irreversible damage to health Actual Risk: MEDIUM. MODERATE - minor injury, but requiring first aid or, health effect reversible on treatment. NOT SIGNIFICANT - minor injuries such as cuts and bruises. 5