Wdcraft Flk Plicy Health & Safety fr Grups Plicy Revised by: Debs McCahn & Sarah McGvern February 2013 Health and Safety Plicy fr Grups Plicy Last updated: February 2013 Revised by: Debs McCahn (Membership Develpment Manager) and Sarah McGvern (Educatin and Grups Cmmittee) Summary Health and Safety rules fr activities with children and yung peple. Grup leaders will find relevant infrmatin under separate headings fr nrmal grup activities, ther day activities and residential activities. Statement f General Plicy The health and safety f ur members is f paramunt imprtance t the Wdcraft Flk. We are cmmitted t ensuring that all ur leaders, helpers, yung members, parents and visitrs t events are able t enjy Wdcraft activities in a safe and secure envirnment withut expsure t unnecessary r excessive risk. We acknwledge that sme activities by definitin invlve a greater expsure t risk than thers, and we are cmmitted t ensuring that adequate and apprpriate steps are taken t manage this risk. We believe that helping children and yung peple t assess, understand and manage risk is a key part f their grwth and develpment and, while we will take every step t minimise risk, we d nt believe it can r shuld be eliminated entirely. Health and Safety at regular grup meetings Risk assessments An initial risk assessment shuld be carried ut when a venue is chsen fr grup nights. This shuld then be reassessed annually t ensure that the venue is still suitable fr the grup s needs. The risk assessment shuld answer the fllwing questins (as a minimum) including in the answer the methd used t minimise any risk invlved Is the venue big enugh fr the grup? Is there safe, well-lit access fr parents/guardians t cllect and drp ff children? Are there adequate tilet facilities? Are the kitchen facilities adequate fr yur needs, including space t stre fd safely if required? Is the venue well-maintained? Is the venue secure? Culd any persn/persns gain access withut yur knwledge during the grup sessin? Have yu utlined a prcedure fr evacuatin shuld it be necessary? Each grup s needs will vary slightly, s yu may wish t cnsider additinal questins relevant t yur specific grup. The risk assessment shuld be carried ut by at least tw grup leaders, recrded (a pr frma is prvided fr yur use shuld yu wish it) signed, dated, review date and stred safely with ther grup paperwrk. It is gd practice t make the risk assessments accessible by displaying them r putting them in a plicy file which is available. The Risk Assessments shuld be reviewed annually by tw grup leaders wh are full members. 1
Wdcraft Flk Plicy Health & Safety fr Grups Plicy Revised by: Debs McCahn & Sarah McGvern February 2013 It is nt necessary t carry ut additinal risk assessments fr regular grup activities, but it is recmmended that yu d s if yu have planned a particularly unusual activity fr a sessin, especially if yu are bringing in external peple r equipment If yu chse t engage smene t run a sessin fr yur grup (e.g. circus skills) yu must see evidence f a full risk assessment undertaken by that persn. First Aid Every grup shuld have a first aid bx (see appendix three fr recmmended cntents) and a named individual respnsible fr maintaining this and calling the emergency services if necessary. Every grup shuld have at least ne trained first aider present at any activity. Respnsibilities Grup leaders are respnsible fr their wn Health and Safety and that f their fellw leaders and the children in their charge. It is recmmended that ne persn be nminated as the respnsible persn fr Health and Safety in a grup. S/he shuld keep a supply f template risk assessments and be especially n the alert fr any ptential risks. Hwever, this des nt relieve all grup leaders/helpers frm their respnsibilities in this area. Anyne wh ntices any ptential Health and Safety risk shuld reprt it immediately t the relevant persn. This might be the persn respnsible fr the venue, the leader in charge f the grup, r any ther persn deemed apprpriate. Failure t reprt any cncern culd jepardise the healthy and safety f members and will be viewed very seriusly by the Wdcraft Flk. Recrding f incidents All grups shuld have an accident bk in which all incidents, n matter hw minr they may appear shuld be recrded. Once an incident is recrded in the accident bk, it shuld be remved and stred separately t cmply with the Data Prtectin Act 1998 Any incident resulting in prfessinal medical treatment being required by any persn shuld be reprted t the District C-rdinatr and Flk Huse in writing, alng with a cpy f the venue risk assessment and any risk assessment specific t that activity. A frm is available at the end f this plicy fr this purpse All incidents invlving children shuld be reprted t their parents/guardians as sn as practicable, hwever minr they may appear Health and Safety fr day activities 1 utside the nrmal grup meeting place Risk assessments It will nt nrmally be necessary t cmplete a written risk assessment fr a shrt activity taking place at the same time as a usual grup sessin, e.g. a nature walk/wide game prvided that The crrect rati f adults t children is maintained at all times (fr mre infrmatin n the crrect adult t child ratis please visit this link All adults are familiar with the lcatin f/rute t the activity and pay due care and attentin t any ptential risks eg crssing rads 1 Fr the purpses f this dcument a day activity is anything that des nt include an vernight stay away frm the child s usual hme. It culd, fr example, include trips t the theatre, nature walks r ther activities that take place at the time a nrmal grup sessin wuld happen but in a different lcatin. 2
Wdcraft Flk Plicy Health & Safety fr Grups Plicy Revised by: Debs McCahn & Sarah McGvern February 2013 Permissin fr each child t take part in the activity has been gained frm their parent/guardian in advance f the activity eg at the end f the previus week s sessin Written risk assessments shuld be carried ut fr any day activity that takes place at an unfamiliar time r lcatin i.e. ther than that f the usual grup sessin. This risk assessment shuld answer the fllwing questins as a minimum including in the answer the methd used t minimise any risk invlved Is the venue fr the activity safe? (If it is a venue frequently used by the general public it shuld have all the relevant plicies and insurance which they shuld make available if yu want t request them) Hw will the grup make its way t and frm the activity? Will they need t use any additinal means f transprt while taking part in the activity e.g. Undergrund/Public bus? If a leader is using their wn car t transprt children and yung peple they must fllw safeguarding prcedures and ensure they have the crrect insurance fr their car. Visit this website fr mre infrmatin n this http://www.d-it.rg.uk/ Hw will the grup make its way hme in the event f the activity finishing early fr any reasn? D yu have sufficient adults t ensure that ratis can be maintained in the event f an adult having t leave the grup e.g. with a sick r injured child? Where is the nearest Accident and Emergency/Minr Injuries unit? D yu have a means f cntacting the parents/guardians f each child quickly and easily in the event f an incident? Are there any peple taking part in the activity with specific medical/ther needs? D yu knw hw t deal with these in the event f it being necessary? First aid Every grup shuld have access t a first aid kit (see appendix three fr recmmended cntents), even when away frm the grup s nrmal meeting place Grup leaders need t cnsider if mre than ne first aider is required when taking part in activity away frm the grup s nrmal meeting place Respnsibilities All children taking part in the activity shuld have a cmpleted and signed cnsent frm fr the activity giving details f any specific medical/ther needs. These frms shuld be kept by a designated adult wh is a full member f the Wdcraft Flk. Grup leaders are respnsible fr their wn Health and Safety and that f their fellw leaders and the children in their charge It is recmmended that ne persn be nminated as the respnsible persn fr Health and Safety in a grup, this persn must be a full member f Wdcraft Flk. S/he shuld be especially n the alert fr any ptential risks. Hwever, this des nt relieve all grup leaders/helpers frm their respnsibilities in this area. Anyne wh ntices any ptential Health and Safety risk shuld reprt it immediately t the relevant persn. This might be the persn respnsible fr the venue, the leader in charge f the grup, r any ther persn deemed apprpriate. Failure t reprt any cncern will be viewed very seriusly by the Wdcraft Flk Recrding f incidents All incidents shuld be recrded in the accident bk as sn as pssible after they have happened. 3
Wdcraft Flk Plicy Health & Safety fr Grups Plicy Revised by: Debs McCahn & Sarah McGvern February 2013 It is accepted that it may nt be practical t carry the accident bk n all activities, but if the incident requires treatment f any kind (even the administratin f a plaster) it is wise t make a nte f any details at the time eg in a diary s that they can be accurately transferred int the accident bk later. Once an incident is recrded in the accident bk, it shuld be remved and stred separately t cmply with the Data Prtectin Act 1998. Any incident resulting in prfessinal medical treatment being required by any persn shuld be reprted t the District C-rdinatr and Flk Huse in writing, alng with a cpy f the venue risk assessment and any risk assessment specific t that activity. A frm is available at the back f this plicy fr this purpse All incidents invlving children shuld be reprted t their parents/guardians as sn as practicable, hwever minr they may appear Health and Safety fr residential 2 activities and trips Risk Assessment A full written risk assessment must be carried ut fr every residential activity. The risk assessment shuld answer the fllwing questins as a minimum, including in the answers the steps taken t minimise and manage the risk Is the venue fr the activity safe? (If it is a venue frequently used by the general public it shuld have all the relevant plicies and insurance which they shuld make available if yu want t request them) Des it have adequate and apprpriate sleeping, tilet and washing facilities? Is the venue well-maintained? Hw will the grup make its way t and frm the activity? Will they need t use any additinal means f transprt while taking part in the activity eg Undergrund/Public bus? What activities will the grup be taking part in during the residential? D any f them pse additinal risks and therefre merit their wn risk assessment eg adventurus activities? Hw will the grup make its way hme in the event f the residential finishing early fr any reasn? D yu have sufficient adults t ensure that ratis can be maintained in the event f an adult having t leave the grup eg with a sick r injured child? D yu have adequate First Aid cver? Where is the nearest Accident and Emergency/Minr Injuries unit? D yu have a means f cntacting the parents/guardians f each child quickly and easily in the event f an incident? Are there any peple taking part in the activity with specific medical/ther needs? D yu knw hw t deal with these in the event f it being necessary? Are there adequate plans in place in the event f evacuatin being required? First Aid Every grup shuld have access t a first aid kit (see appendix three fr recmmended cntents), even when away frm the grup s nrmal meeting place Every grup shuld have mre than ne trained first aider when taking part in residential activities. Cnsideratin shuld be given t ensure the level f first aid is apprpriate t the activity and situatin. Respnsibilities 2 Fr the purpses f this dcument, a residential activity is any activity where children/yung peple are away frm their usual hme fr at least ne night. 4
Wdcraft Flk Plicy Health & Safety fr Grups Plicy Revised by: Debs McCahn & Sarah McGvern February 2013 All children taking part in the activity must have a cmpleted and signed cnsent frm fr the activity giving details f any specific medical/ther needs. These frms shuld be kept by a designated adult wh is a full member f Wdcraft Flk. Fr residentials and camps tw cpies f each cmpleted cnsent frm shuld be taken ne t be held centrally and the ther fr ffsite activities. Grup leaders are respnsible fr their wn Health and Safety and that f their fellw leaders and the children in their charge It is recmmended that ne persn be nminated as the respnsible persn fr Health and Safety in a grup. S/he shuld be especially n the alert fr any ptential risks. Hwever, this des nt relieve all grup leaders/helpers frm their respnsibilities in this area. It is recmmended that ne adult be designated as the respnsible persn each night t ensure that assistance can be given in the event f an incident Anyne wh ntices any ptential Health and Safety risk shuld reprt it immediately t the relevant persn. This might be the persn respnsible fr the venue, the leader in charge f the grup, r any ther persn deemed apprpriate. Failure t reprt any cncern will be viewed very seriusly by the Wdcraft Flk Recrding f incidents The accident bk shuld be taken t the residential venue and kept securely. All incidents shuld be recrded in it as sn as pssible after they happen. Once an incident is recrded in the accident bk, it shuld be remved and stred separately t cmply with the Data Prtectin Act 1998 It is accepted that it may nt be practical t carry the accident bk n all activities during the curse f a residential, but if the incident requires treatment f any kind (even the administratin f a plaster) it is wise t make a nte f any details at the time eg in a diary s that they can be accurately transferred int the accident bk later Any incident resulting in prfessinal medical treatment being required by any persn shuld be reprted t the District C-rdinatr and Flk Huse in writing, alng with a cpy f the venue risk assessment and any risk assessment specific t that activity. A frm is available at the back f this plicy fr this purpse All incidents invlving children shuld be reprted t their parents/guardians as sn as practicable, hwever minr they may appear The abve utlined guidelines apply equally t verseas trips, with the additin that grups must make sure they have adequate travel insurance fr their trip Other Wdcraft Flk plicy links Safeguarding Plicy Drugs, Alchl and Tbacc Plicy Drug Educatin Plicy Useful website links Health and Safety Executive - www.hse.gv.uk The Ryal Sciety fr the Preventin f Accidents - www.rspa.cm British Red Crss - www.redcrss.rg.uk St Jhn Ambulance - www.sja.rg.uk 5
Wdcraft Flk Plicy Health & Safety fr Grups Plicy Revised by: Debs McCahn & Sarah McGvern February 2013 Plicy Histry February 2013: Revised plicy apprved by General Cuncil December 2012: Plicy reviewed plicy submitted fr General Cuncil apprval Octber 2012: Plicy reviewed by Educatin and Grups Cmmittee Octber 2008: Plicy apprved by General Cuncil Octber 2008: Plicy amendments submitted fr General Cuncil apprval February 2008: Plicy apprved by General Cuncil February 2008: Plicy submitted fr General Cuncil apprval Nvember 2007: Plicy apprved by Operatins Cmmittee Nvember 2007: Plicy submitted fr Operatins Cmmittee discussins 6