Homestead Avenue Collaroy Beach NSW 2097 PO Box 11 Collaroy Beach NSW 2097 ABN: 63 968 822 144 RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN Outdoor Education The Collaroy Centre 2004. Revised 2006
Generic Lightening Natural Hazards; i.e. dead branches; spiders; ants Deterioration of equipment due to wear First Aid Required Inappropriate footwear Inappropriate clothing, i.e. skirts; very short shorts; midriff tops Student ability Unlocked Karabiners Poorly fit harnesses Poorly fit helmets Severity - Variable Severity variable Severity Variable Monitor weather on internet; cancel activities is lightening storm imminent Staff to check for hazards before each group session Monthly maintenance check to be carried out 1.Monthly in house maintenance check 2. Periodic course checks by qualified independent professional All activity staff to carry two way radios, supervising teaching staff to be first aid qualified. Students only allowed to undertake activities if in enclosed shoes Students to be informed of danger of harness rubbing on exposed skin All students to be informed of challenge by choice option before commencement of activity Activity Leaders to check each karabiner before each activity Activity Leaders to check each harness before each activity Activity Leaders to check each helmet before each activity 2
Abseiling Fall from tower Falling objects injury participants whilst on group Hair and/or clothing caught in equipment Emotional Distress caused by fear Fall whilst ascending ladder to platform Students walking near edge of 5m platform whilst it is unmanned Students feet slipping On way down wall Severity - High Severity - High Severity Variable All people attached to anchor strop immediately they reach platform Area marked out at bottom of tower where no one can enter without a helmet on. ensure all long hair secured Reassurance by activity leader and by teachers One person at a time on ladder Platform barricaded to reduce possibility Activity leaders to take particular attention to students feet positioning in wet conditions 3
Initiative Course Falling from wire Students being dropped on spiders web Heavy weight being carried on The Meuse Students being hit by planks in meuse activity Ankle twisted on The Trolleys Leader to brief students thoroughly on correct technique. Spotters to be utilized as appropriate to reduce risk. Leader to monitor, and assist when needed any lifting that occurs ensure that all weight is distributed in a safe manner. Activity instructor to ensure planks carried in safe manner at all times Students to be instructors to walk slowly on trolleys at all times 4
Challenge Course Falling from TT Log Feet caught under TT log when log swings Bruising on The Wall Soft tissue injuries on The Wall Falling on Nitro Crossing Rope burn on Nitro Crossing Foot stuck in eye of rope Tripping on The Maze Students to be warned on falling potential. Spotters used if assessed as necessary Students informed during briefing, activity leader to monitor during activity Students briefed of potential of bruising, activity leader monitor group for any unduly rough handling ensure all lifting and assisting completed in a safe manner Correct briefing to be undertaken including correct technique ensure activity conducted in a safe manner Ensure correct instruction and supervision maintained during activity Students to walk slowly in maze at all times, with contact being maintained with one rope at all times 5
Rock Climbing Falling Bruising from harness Participants being lowered to fast Fingers slipping from rocks Severity high Activity Leader to check all hardware before each climb Ensure harnesses are correctly fitted Belayers to be aware of their responsibilities before commencement of activity This is part of rock climbing with no danger or damage anticipated 6
Giant Swing Eye Damage due to swinging rope Participant hitting ladder Students walking into swing area Existing medical condition exacerbated by swinging action Students falling over when participant commences swinging Severity Variable All participants to wear safety glasses ensure that ladder removed behind barrier before participant hauled into air Rope barrier erected before each activity session. Group instructed as to danger before activity commences Students to be screened by school of potential medical problems as part of medical form. School to inform centre of any such issues correctly brief all students prior to activity; students prepared for release of rope prior to event occurring 7
Low Ropes Falling from cable Falling onto cable Rope burn from swinging tyres Tripping on roots Spotters not paying attention Falling from Jacobs Ladder Spotters being hit by swinging tyres Students hitting head on flying fox pulley Foot or knee being twisted during swinging tyre activity Falling off swinging tyres Activity Leader to ensure that spotters attentive at all times Students to ensure that they proceed through course at their own comfortable pace Students to ensure they have firm grip on rope before swinging Course inspection before commencement of activity. maintain vigilance during activity. Spotter training to be adequate Students to only crawl only this activity Spotters to ensure they are clear of activity before participants commences activity give clear instructions as to requirements, depending on age and size of student group instruct students not to put foot into tyre. assess individuals perceived ability before activity. And give clear instructions as to most efficient way of proceeding through this activity 8
High Ropes Falling when climbing ladder Student falling to ground Students walking under cable Rope burn on Multi-Vine Student falling off platform Likelihood High Students to be instructed to attach self belay system to ladder when slowly and carefully climbing. Activity leaders to ensure that students correctly attached to safety lines before embarking on activity The students must show instructor each individual connection of safety equipment. Students advised of dangers of walking under wires whilst participants on wires Activity leaders to instruct students to let go of rope as soon as they lose balance ensure that students are attached to personal safety anchor at all times 9
Archery Participants being shot by arrows Participants being embedded by an arrow by tripping when retrieving arrows Fibreglass splinters Bruising on arm from string hitting arm during firing Students only to have bows in their hands when range is clear. Bows to be hoisted until then Students to be directed only to approach targets from the side, and walking only All arrows inspected before and at end of each activity Arm bands available. Correct technique taught. 10
Vertical Challenge Course Falling objects injury participants whilst on course Hair and/or clothing caught in equipment Emotional Distress caused by fear Participants being lowered to fast Severity Variable Area marked out at bottom of tower where no one can enter without a helmet on. ensure all long hair secured Reassurance by activity leader and by teachers Belayers to be aware of their responsibilities before commencement of activity 11
Natural Rock Abseiling Fall from platform Falling objects injury participants whilst on ground Hair and/or clothing caught in equipment Emotional Distress caused by fear Students feet slipping on way down wall Severity Variable All people attached to anchor strop immediately they reach platform Area marked out at bottom of tower where no one can enter without a helmet on. ensure all long hair secured Reassurance by activity leader and by teachers Activity leaders to take particular attention to students feet positioning in wet conditions 12
Flying Fox Students walking under wire Students exceeding weight limit on activity Students tripping up stairs Students falling down stairs Dismounting system and falling to ground Students hitting ground at start of activity Incorrect attachment of karabiner Karabiner failing Students to be briefed of safe areas to stand before activity commences Groups to be informed of weight limit of activity before activity commences. Students be instructed to walk up stairs Students be instructed to walk down stairs Activity Leader to issue clear instructions to both students and visiting teacher before activity. Activity leader to disconnect students on ladder and safely assist them to the ground Activity Leader to make assessment of each student prior to releasing them onto activity and take action to ensure this is minimized Activity Leaders to ensure correct procedure is followed. All karabiners are Auto lock, Activity Leader to ensure that back-up system always in place. And is functioning prior to each session. 13
Orienteering Getting Lost Ensure that appropriate course is selected for each group based on age and perceived ability 14
Fun in the Sun Slip /fall of person Finger damage Trip of person Likelihood medium to high Likelihood low to medium to Medium Ensure course is located on a grassed area that allows for soft fall. Instructor to check surrounding area for possible hazards. Instructor to brief participants about correct technique to plugging holes in pipe. Instructor to brief participants about the possibility of physical contact between players and the need to expect to be bumped. 15
This challenge is a combination of several existing courses. The specific activities are catered to the individual needs of each client. Common activities include Archery, Rock Climbing, Orienteering, parts of both the Initiative and Challenge courses. Below are activities that are specifically used on the Eco Challenge Eco Challenge/Ladder climb Student falling to ground Activity leader being lifted off ground when belaying Emotional Distress caused by fear Participants being lowered to fast Severity Variable Activity leaders to ensure that students correctly attached to safety lines before embarking on activity Activity leaders to ensure that they get assistance to help them be securely anchored before lowering person down Reassurance by activity leader and by teachers Belayers to be aware of their responsibilities before commencement of activity 16