the IMPACT Programme IMPACT Adventure Trust, Gamekeepers Lodge, Ballindalloch, Banffshire AB37 9DR, Scotland, UK

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IMPACT Adventure Activity Risk Assessment and Management Policy and

Procedure

Safety is always paramount at IMPACT Adventure but it must be appreciated that an element of risk is inherent in adventure; absolute safety can never be guaranteed. It is however recognized that all reasonable precautions be taken to reduce this inherent element of risk. Under health and safety legislation, IMPACT Adventure have a duty to ensure the health and safety of those who participate in activities, both clients and staff. IMPACT Adventure also have a duty to ensure that no one else is harmed as a result of those activities. As part of this duty, IMPACT Adventure must ensure that a risk assessment is undertaken for each activity by a competent person which covers those risks that are reasonably foreseeable. This risk assessment is the process applied to the identification of hazards, the subsequent evaluation of the associated risks and the implementation of a series of control measures to minimize the risks highlighted. Risk assessment is an ongoing process and is used as an aide memoir and induction training manual for IMPACT Adventure staff. The risk assessments contained herein are organic in their nature. The staff at IMPACT Adventure are continually and dynamically assessing all the risks associated with each activity and when necessary the risk assessments in this document will be updated to show any relevant changes.

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Contents

Risk Assessment Matrix Risk assessments; an overview Activity Risk Assessments;

• Rock Climbing / Abseiling • Hill walking

o Summer o Winter o Scrambling o Scree Running

• Camping Wild / Managed site • Gorge walking / Canyoning • Open Canoeing / Kayaking • Off Road Cycling • Sea Level Traverse / Coasteering • Tyrolean Traverse • Orienteering • Climb Wall (Indoor) • Cabin Cruise / Pleasure Boat • Improvised Raft Building • Water Skiing / Towing • Problem Solving Activities • Bushcraft • Campfire

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Risk Assessment Matrix Hazard: Anything that is likely to cause harm Risk: The risk associated with a hazard is a combination of the seriousness of the

harm (CONSEQUENCES) and the probability (LIKELIHOOD) that the event will occur.

An event may have many possible outcomes - ranging from a fatality to a near miss - and the likelihood of each outcome is different

CONSEQUENCES

Extreme Injury Fatality or permanent disability

Major Injury (These definitions are

extracted from the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations, RIDDOR)

I. Fracture other than to fingers, thumbs or toes II. Amputation III. Dislocation of the shoulder, hip, knee or spine IV. Loss of sight (temporary or permanent) V. Any penetrating eye injury VI. Injury resulting from an electric shock / burn leading to unconsciousness or requiring resuscitation or admittance to hospital for more than 24 hours VII. Unconsciousness caused by asphyxia or exposure to a harmful substance VIII. Loss of unconsciousness arising from absorption of any substance by inhalation, ingestion or through the skin IX. Acute illness requiring medical treatment where there is reason to believe that this resulted from exposure to a biological agent, it’s toxins or infected material

Minor Injury Small cuts and grazes or injuries requiring minor medical treatment

Environmental / Equipment Damage

Since risk is dependant on the likelihood of harm occurring, as well as the severity of the harmful outcome, it can be categorised qualitatively using the matrix below. Risk = Likelihood of Occurrence x Consequence of outcome

Likelihood of occurrence

Consequence Very Likely Likely Possible Unlikely Very

Unlikely

Extreme High High High Medium Low

Major High High Medium Low Insignificant

Minor Medium Medium Low Insignificant Insignificant

Environmental / Equipment Damage Medium Medium Insignificant Insignificant Insignificant

High = High Risk Medium = Medium Risk Low = Low Risk Insignificant = Insignificant Risk

LIKELIHOOD

Very Likely Occurs frequently

Likely Likely to occur several times

Possible Could occur sometime

Unlikely Unlikely, though conceivable

Very Unlikely So unlikely that the probability is close to zero

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Risk Assessments; an overview

• The risk assessments that follow are designed to highlight the main risks associated with each activity.

• Each assessment has been made by a suitably competent and/or qualified person on behalf of IMPACT Adventure.

• The member of staff leading the activity will carry out a ‘Dynamic Risk

Assessment’ before and during the activity. If any hazards are identified that were not included in the original risk assessment these will be reported to the Activities Manager for inclusion. This will include, but is not limited to information obtained from the incident, accident and near miss logs.

• Risks associated with a particular area or location will be included into these ‘Generic’ assessments thus alleviating the need for ‘site specific assessments’. These additions will be marked as site specific and the location or area noted. These additions may include rights of access to a particular area of land for example.

• It is the responsibility of the Activities Manager to ensure that all members of IMPACT Adventure staff who are to be involved in these activities have read and understood this document and are aware of their responsibilities when it comes to reporting incidents, accidents and near misses, which are integral to the risk assessment process.

• These documents cannot include every conceivable risk and therefore it is the duty of every participant whether staff or client to communicate any real or perceived risk to the Activities Manager, who will make a decision based on competence / qualification or advice as to whether or not to continue with the activity and at that location and whether or not to include that risk in the risk assessment.

• When at a specific site the lead member of staff must take all reasonable measures to assess the site for potential dangers and take precautions to reduce any risks. As a minimum, this will be interpreted as alerting the group of the risks and the means of reducing those risks.

the IMPACT Programme IMPACT Adventure Trust, Gamekeepers Lodge, Ballindalloch, Banffshire AB37 9DR, Scotland, UK

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Risk Assessment – Rock Climbing / Abseiling

Hazard Person/s at risk Control Measures Level of

Risk

Further Action

Required?

Falling Participants

Session organised and run only by SPA assessed staff. Participants always attached to safety rope were appropriate. Close supervision of belay technique. Back up system for novice and inexperienced belayers. Staff training and monitoring. Bouldering maximum height identified by Lead Outdoor Education Practitioner. Spotters used for all bouldering activity.

Low None

Head injury Participants Helmets to be worn at all times when near the climbing area. Safe climbing location free from loose rock. Low None

Equipment failure Participants Daily, monthly and annual inspections by qualified staff. A ropes maintenance programme to be followed. Low None

Rope burns Participants Staff to belay or directly supervise belaying. Staff training + monitoring. Low None

Entanglement and collision with others. Participants Staff to belay or directly supervise belaying.

Staff training + monitoring. Insig None

Emotional Participants Challenge by choice. Low None

Clothing or hair snags Participants Rings and loose jewellery to be removed, loose clothing tucked in and hair tied back. Low None

Hypothermia Participants Appropriate clothing for conditions. Instructor essentials to include a survival bag, hot drink and spare clothes. Low None

Stuck on abseil / Climb Participants Releasable abseil system. Staff to be trained and monitored. Insig None

Injury from uncontrolled belaying Participants

Qualified staff monitored regularly. Belay demonstration given by instructor to include lowering. Gri Gri not to be used with novice climbers. Climbers must not leave the ground until the supervising instructor has checked the competence of the belayers. Correct belay procedure to be followed to include: backup belaying Peer belaying to be constantly monitored and co-ordinated by OEP’s. Based on the ability of the group, the instructor appropriate belay groups.

Low None

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Non-Trauma Injury Participants A thorough warm up should be under taken before the start of any activity. Low None

Other users All Participants should be given a thorough brief of behaviour safety and etiquette. Insignificant None.

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Risk Assessment – Hill Walking Summer / Winter (risks identified are in addition to those for Summer) / Scrambling / Scree Running

Hazard Person/s at risk Control Measures Level of

Risk

Further Action

Required?

Hypothermia Participants Clothing layers to be worn, suitable clothing for conditions. Spare clothes to be carried. Suitable sleeping bag and tent supplied.

Low None

Sunburn / sunstroke Participants Sun screen and water to be carried, OEP vigilance. Low None

Injury from trip or fall Participants Suitable foot wear to be worn, route choice, group under supervision, confidence rope used if needed. Low None

Heat exhaustion Participants Water and hat to be carried on trip. Low None

Exhaustion from physical effort Participants OEP vigilance.

Route choice should be appropriate to the abilities of all participants. Insignificant None

Adverse weather conditions Participants Detailed weather forecast prior to trip.

Clothing suitable for conditions and season. Low None

River crossing Participants Where possible use an alternative route, if none is available use procedure as given by the MLTUK Low None

Getting lost Participants Use of appropriate map, compass and route card to include overshoot and safety features. Route card held at centre. Low None

Stomach upset / infection from water Participants Water from designated area set by trained staff. Insignificant None

Blisters Participants Use of suitable footwear, change of socks where possible. Advice given on packing of rucksack. Instructor to carry blister packs in first aid kit.

Med None

Wildlife Participants Group to be wary of crossing fields of livestock and farms. Gates to be closed after use. Safety brief to include touching foxgloves or nettles.

Insignificant None

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Benighted Participants OEP to inform Activities Manager of risk prior to departure and agree a procedure. OEP and Activity Manager to follow an agreed procedure.

Insignificant None

Avalanche Participants

Each Participant will carry a working transceiver (switched on). All participants will be thoroughly briefed on what actions to take in the event of an avalanche. In addition to a current weather forecast a current avalanche forecast should be obtained from the SAAS. OEP’s will make route choices based on current advice and experience.

Low

Continuous monitoring of

route and weather.

Movement on steep ground (snow or ice) Participants

All participants will be properly briefed and practice the correct use of crampons and ice axe. All participants will practice self arrest techniques at an appropriate location. The lead OEP will brief and practice all participants in techniques for movement on step ground as per the MLTS.

Low None

Scrambling Participants This activity will be led as per MLTUK MIA Syllabus by appropriately qualified OEP’s Low None

Scree Running Participants This activity will be avoided by all Outdoor Education Practitioners Insignificant None

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Risk Assessment – Camping Wild / Managed site

Hazard Person/s at risk Control Measures Level of

Risk

Further Action

Required?

Hypothermia Participants Participants to wear correct clothing, to carry spare clothing, adequate sleeping bags and well maintained tents and equipment. Staff in constant supervision.

Low None

Burns Participants Training in campcraft and the safe use of stoves, fuel and matches. Stoves always lit on level ground. Cooking area situated away from tented area.

Low None

Stomach upsets Participants Water from designated area set by trained staff, all food to be thoroughly cooked and hot. Low None

Trip or fall Participants Torches to be used at night. Training and safety brief on campcraft to include awareness of guy ropes. Low None

Other people Participants Group kept together around central camp area. Group to work in pairs. Low None

Wildlife Participants Group to be wary of crossing fields of livestock and farms. Gates to be closed after use. Safety brief to include touching foxgloves or nettles.

Insignificant None

Equipment Failure / Damage Participants All equipment to be checked prior to being issued. Insignificant None

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Risk Assessment – Gorge Walking / Canyoning

Hazard Person/s at risk Control Measures Level of

Risk

Further Action

Required?

As per Hill Walking and Rock Climbing risk assessments

Drowning Participants Buoyancy aids to be worn throughout activity. OEP vigilance. Low Constant

Vigilance

Hypothermia Participants

Appropriate clothing for prevailing conditions worn, consider water and air temperature. Awareness of participants’ condition throughout activity. Appropriate emergency equipment readily available.

Low None

Trip or Fall Participants

Helmet worn and fitted correctly. Careful route choice by instructor to avoid hazard. Appropriate use of spotting techniques. Consider protecting sections with the use of ropes. Appropriate footwear used. Briefing and demonstration to participants on good foot placements. Access routes to venue assessed.

Medium None

Entrapments Participants Ropes used to be in a releasable system. Avoidance of identified vegetation or rock hazards. Good group briefing on foot placements.

Low None

Jumps and Slides into pools. Participants

Pools carefully checked for hazards before use. Landing areas for slides inspected and assessment made on prior to use. Pools entered feet first only.

Low None

Sudden spate conditions. Participants

Weather forecasts interpreted and past and present conditions taken into account. Site approval from Lead Outdoor Education Practitioner on site.

Low None

Bridge of Brown gorge should only be used if water is below the level of ‘The Hole’ as identified by the Activities Manager.

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Risk Assessment – Open Canoeing and Kayaking

Hazard Person/s at risk Control Measures Level of

Risk

Further Action

Required?

Drowning Participants

Buoyancy aids worn and correctly fitted. Appropriate group/leader ratio for environment. Competent group supervision and management. Participants water confidence known.

Low None

Hypothermia Participants Appropriate clothing worn for expected conditions. Awareness of participants condition throughout activity Appropriate emergency equipment readily available.

Low None

Moving and handling boats and equipment Participants

Use sufficient people to share the load when moving boats or equipment Coaching and use of good lifting techniques, to protect from injury Co-ordinated the loading unloading trailers/racks. Care to be exercised when emptying swamped boats Instructor to check boats have sufficient buoyancy fitted.

Low None

Sharp objects on access an egress areas Participants Footwear worn at all times.

Prior to use, areas checked for hazardous sharp objects Low None

Entrapments. in boats, vegetation,

rocks Participants

Avoid identified vegetation or rock hazards. Boats correctly fitted to participants. On moving water only bulkhead footrests to be used. Fittings in boats secure. Participants coached on getting in and out of boats. Participants briefed on hazards of vegetation and rocks. Participants briefed regarding white water swim position.

Low None

Adverse Weather Conditions Participants

Weather forecasts interpreted, and likely conditions assessed. On-site approval from Lead Outdoor Education Practitioner. Continual dynamic risk assessment required during activity.

Low None

Impact with rocks and other solid objects Participants

Helmets worn on moving water. Group briefing regarding white water swim position. Care exercised at access and egress areas.

Low None

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Infection from waterborne diseases Participants

Water quality to be assessed visually prior to session. Cover all cuts and abrasions. Wash hands before eating food. Rinse all wetsuits, dry thoroughly. Shower after activity.

Low None

Collisions with fishermen, swimmers, other craft and other

water users

Participants

Operations of other users on site should be identified and assessed. If risks to other water users from our activities are identified, our activity will be modified. Discussions with other users are useful to reduce any conflict and risks.

Low None

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Risk Assessment – Off Road Cycling

Hazard Person/s at risk Control Measures Level of

Risk

Further Action

Required?

Fall from Bike Participants

Helmet fitted correctly and worn. Gloves worn. Participant ability assessed in a controlled environment. Hazardous sections of trail managed effectively. Speed controlled by the instructor, appropriate to participants’ ability. Ground conditions and terrain hazards, particularly in wet conditions are continually assessed by the instructor. When snow, ice or frozen ground is expected, the decision for the activity to run is taken in morning staff meeting. Participants clothing and straps secured to avoid entrapments in moving parts.

Low None

Hypothermia Hyperthermia Dehydration

Participants

Appropriate clothing worn for expected conditions. Instructor aware of participants condition throughout activity. Appropriate emergency equipment readily available. Additional drinking water available/accessible. Trip appropriate for prevailing weather conditions.

Low None

Equipment Failure Participants

Bikes regularly maintained. All bikes have pre-issue checks completed by the instructor. Faulty bikes clearly labelled and removed from service. Hazardous sections of trail managed effectively. Means of carrying out common trailside repairs readily available. Participants coached in correct use of gears and brakes.

Low None

Participants lost/separated from group. Participants Group is managed effectively by the instructor.

Limited group size and leader/participant ratio. Low None

Collision with other road/trail users Participants

Route planned to reduce the use of public roads. Group is managed effectively by the instructor. Forestry operations signs and advice followed. Group briefed on considerate riding.

Low None

Adverse Weather Conditions Participants

Weather forecasts interpreted, and likely conditions assessed. On-site approval from Lead Outdoor Education Practitioner. Where storm force winds are forecast, decision on route choice, or the cancellation of activity will be made in the morning staff meeting.

Low None

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Trees – low branches Brashings Participants

Hazard briefed to group. Unfamiliar sections of trail, lead by instructor. Effective group control through hazardous sections. Participants wear eye protection.

Low None

Bike out of control Participants Use of brakes coached and practised by participants. Participant ability assessed in a controlled environment. Speed controlled by the instructor, appropriate to participants’ ability. Known hazard areas managed by instructor.

Low None

Forestry operations Participants Forestry operations signs and advice followed. Awareness of increased traffic on forestry roads in areas of operation. Where possible route chosen to avoid active areas.

Low None

River Crossings Participants Route planned to avoid hazardous water crossings. Instructor carefully manages any hazardous water crossings. Low None

Poor light conditions. Darkness Participants

Lights and high visibility vests available for participants when expecting to travel in poor light conditions or in darkness. Emergency lighting carried at times of year where daylight is short.

Low None

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Risk Assessment – Sea Level Traversing / Coasteering

Hazard Person/s at risk Control Measures Level of

Risk

Further Action

Required?

Drowning Participants Participants will be issued with necessary safety equipment, including wetsuit and buoyancy aid to help flotation. Buoyancy aids are NOT optional. In extreme white water conditions minimal time will be spent in the water.

Low None

Head injury and other injuries Participants Coasteering route will minimise use of areas of loose rock.

Suitable helmets will be worn by all participants. Low None

Cold shock and hypothermia. Participants

Ensure all participants have correctly fitting wetsuits, helmets and buoyancy aids. Hooded tops may be used in very cold weather. Instructors encourage clients to keep moving around and to give themselves time to adjust to the water temperature when they first enter. Sessions shortened if needed. A safety bag is available at all times.

Low None

Winding or injury due to poor landing in water. Participants

All participants are taught jumping techniques suitable for the size of jump. No coasteering route will have jumps that are compulsory. All jumping techniques are demonstrated by the Instructor, with small jumps being used to begin with before larger heights are attempted. The Instructor is nearby at all times. Participants must show that they are capable of jumping effectively and able to land well. Weaker jumpers are encouraged at lower levels with staff next to them to help or pull them back if they slip.

Low None

Injury due to hitting rock. Participants

Jumps will be assessed by the Lead Outdoor Education Practitioner and only those indicated by them will be used. Low None

Sea conditions Participants Check forecast and monitor weather and sea state. Instructor to check landings and take into account tidal swells. Low None

Injury through contact or collision with other

people. Participants Participants that wish to jump at the same time, as others must be well apart.

Staff will dictate how far this is. No one may jump holding hands. Low None

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Seaweed covered or slippery rocks & walking

on loose boulders. Participants

All participants are told to proceed with care and are guided over the best available routes to avoid large amounts of seaweed etc. Each person is told to use hands as well as feet for support to aid balance and safe movement across the rocks. Walking on areas of barnacled rocks is encouraged for maximum grip. When walking on seaweed look for pools or indentations that hold water as these will provide more stable footing The Instructor leads the group, encouraging them to help each other & fore-warning them of obstacles such as wet & slippery rocks.

Low None

Strong sea swell & large waves. Unintentional

swim due to being washed off or falling in.

Participants

Participants are briefed on prevailing conditions and told what to expect, how to react and what to do in the event of an unintentional swim occurring. Instructor verbally and visually warns participants of incoming waves. Where exposed to large waves/ swell the group will be kept in a safe area until asked to move. A throw line will be at hand at all times.

Low None

Barnacles & sharp rock. Participants

Participants are shown how to place hands and feet. Also shown the best way to get out of the water and what to do when they are being washed around or near to rocks. Demonstration and/ or practice to help learn good technique.

Low None

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Risk Assessment – Tyrolean Traverse

Hazard Person/s at risk Control Measures Level of

Risk

Further Action

Required?

Hit from falling objects Participants

Helmet worn Good group management and briefing on site/route Assessment of site/route before use. Consider the impact of weather conditions on stability of site/route.

Low None

Fall from Height Participants

Effective group management on site/route Safe and efficient rope systems employed Helmet worn Personal Protective equipment used appropriately

Low None

Slips and Trips Participants

Appropriate footwear used. Access to, from and moving around the site assessed. High risk areas highlighted to group during briefing, and managed effectively. When deciding on session venue the instructor and course co-ordinator are to consider the impact of past and expected weather on underfoot conditions.

Low None

Entanglements Participants Personal items secured away from devices. Good briefing regarding hazard completed. Gloves worn if pulling on tensioned rope

Low None

Equipment failure Participants

Avoid or protect ropes running over abrasive edges. Ensure correct fitting and use of harnesses The condition of all equipment to be assessed prior to use, suspect items removed from service. Backup for tensioned rope system employed Anchors carefully assessed

Low None

Other Site users Participants

Operations of other users on site should be identified and assessed Where risk to other site users from our activities is identified, our activity will be modified. Discussions with other site users are useful to reduce any conflict and risks

Low None

Jewellery/ Piercings Participants All rings, earrings should be removed or covered with appropriate tape Belly button piercings are required to be removed or protected with tape/dressing

Low None

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Student stuck in mid traverse Participants Back rope used to recover participant Low None

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Risk Assessment – Orienteering

Hazard Person/s at risk Control Measures Level of

Risk

Further Action

Required?

Slips trips and Falls Participants Good briefing highlighting hazards Suitable footwear to be worn Discuss route choices

Low None

Getting Lost Participants

Staff trained and familiar with area used Students briefed on what do to if lost. Whistle Carried Explain boundaries to students

Low None

Forestry Operations Participants Obey all signs from forestry contractors Brief on hazards from Log stacks Use areas where there are no excepted operations.

Low None

Injury from branches and brashings Participants

Full body cover clothing Hazards of branches highlighted Emergency procedure briefed Control locations to avoid brashing areas

Low None

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Risk Assessment – Climbing Wall (Indoor)

Hazard Person/s at risk Control Measures Level of

Risk

Further Action

Required? This activity is provided externally. All external suppliers must be checked by the Activities Manager before they are used by IMPACT Adventure.

Any risks identified by IMPACT Adventure staff, which are not dealt with by the external providers’ own risk assessment policy should be detailed below.

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Risk Assessment – Cabin Cruising / Pleasure Boating

Hazard Person/s at risk Control Measures Level of

Risk

Further Action

Required? This activity is provided externally. All external suppliers must be checked by the Activities Manager before they are used by IMPACT Adventure.

Any risks identified by IMPACT Adventure staff, which are not dealt with by the external providers’ own risk assessment policy should be detailed below.

Drowning All All participants must wear life jackets or buoyancy aids when on or around the water. Low None

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Risk Assessment – Improvised Raft Building

Hazard Person/s at risk Control Measures Level of

Risk

Further Action

Required?

Injury from poles Participants

All equipment checked prior to use to check for damage and splintering of poles. Briefing on carrying poles, for younger children poles must be carried in twos. Briefing on the dangers of swinging poles around or throwing poles during the construction and dismantling phases. Briefing on the dangers of standing on unsecured poles during the construction and dismantling phases. Briefing on the dangers of entrapment of fingers during both the construction and dismantling phases.

Low

Damaged equipment removed from the activity. Staff supervision throughout the activity to enforce this.

Injury from ropes Participants Briefing to emphasise the dangers of swinging ropes around in close proximity of others. Low None

Injury from falling poles or rafts

All

All Spectators kept at a safe distance from the activity when the construction is taking place. With younger pupils staff to assist with this phase of the activity to reduce the danger. Care to be exercised when turning the raft over or moving it. Supervising staff to assist where necessary. When on the water all participants must wear helmets throughout this phase of the activity.

Low None

Drowning Participants

Participants must wear appropriate buoyancy aids throughout the activity. In the case of capsize, staff to ensure all participants involved are accounted for and safe. Safety boat to be on the water at all times when a raft is sailing. Buoyancy aids checked by staff prior to the session beginning. Staff vigilance throughout the session to ensure buoyancy aids are worn correctly. Rafts to be tethered by a rope to the bank to avoid running away (on moving water).

Low None

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Hypothermia Participants

Staff to ensure that clothing is appropriate to the prevailing weather conditions. Cagoules to be issued whenever participants require them. Special attention to be paid to appropriate headwear. Staff to carry an appropriate group shelter and survival bag in their safety kit. Location of local telephones to be known by supervising staff or mobile telephones to be carried throughout the activity. Staff to carry appropriate spare clothing throughout the activity.

Low None

Hit by paddles Participants

Ensure that participants are aware of the dangers of wielding paddles in confined spaces. Helmets to be worn at all times when on the water. Staff vigilance throughout the session.

Low None

Weils Disease and other water

born diseases Participants

Participants to be warned of the dangers and instructed to wash their hands at the earliest possible time. All participants to be warned of the dangers and instructed not to eat or put their fingers in their mouths, noses or eyes until hands have been washed. All participants instructed to have a shower as soon as possible

Low None

Being swept away Participants

The activity not to take place when rivers are in spate. Safety boat to be on the water at all times during crossing of rivers. Supervising staff to have relevant safety equipment readily at hand including throw-lines. Rafts to be tethered by a rope to the bank to avoid drifting away (when on moving water).

Low None

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Risk Assessment – Water Skiing / Towing

Hazard Person/s at risk Control Measures Level of

Risk

Further Action

Required? This activity may be provided externally. All external suppliers must be checked by the Activities Manager before they are used by IMPACT

Adventure.

Any risks identified by IMPACT Adventure staff, which are not dealt with by the external providers’ own risk assessment policy should be detailed below.

Drowning Participants Life jackets or buoyancy aids should be worn at all times by all participants. Low None

Injury from ropes Participants

Briefing to emphasise the dangers of swinging ropes around in close proximity of others. Briefing on entanglement procedure. Lead Outdoor Education Practitioner should carry a suitable knife to deal with any entanglement issues.

Low None

Other users Participants Care should be taken to avoid other water users when towing. Low Constant vigilance.

Impact Injury. Participants

It is the responsibility of the Lead Outdoor Education Practitioner to ensure that towing only takes place where there is a suitable depth of water and at an appropriate distance from the shore or other obstacles. Ramps should be avoided.

Low None

Propeller Participants It is the responsibility of the Lead Outdoor Education Practitioner to ensure the correct piloting of the craft to enable participants to avoid contact with the propeller

Low None

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Risk Assessment – Problem Solving Activities

Hazard Person/s at risk Control Measures Level of

Risk

Further Action

Required?

Slip,trip or fall Participants All exercises not above head height Spotters when appropriate Instructor awareness

Low None

Lifting exercise equipment Participants

Set up all equipment prior to activity Use of lightweight equip Brief participants on correct lifting techniques and or assist when appropriate

Low None

Wearing a blindfold during an exercise Participants

Set route away from obstructions Regulate speed of movement Instructor awareness

Low None

Wooden planks/poles used as part of exercise Participants Safety briefing at start of exercise Low None

Use of scissors during exercise Participants

Safety briefing Rounded end scissors Instructor control

Low None

Use of rope Participants Safety briefing before exercise OEP awareness Low None

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Risk Assessment – Bushcraft

Hazard Person/s at risk Control Measures Level of

Risk

Further Action

Required?

Branches + Brash Participants Instructor to introduce safe handling practice, highlight risk to face and eyes. Use Gloves OEP monitoring and work in small area.

Low None

Fire Burns Participants

See campfire risk assessment. Defined area for actual fire. Safety briefing. OEP monitoring.

Low None

Knifes Participants

Instructor to judge that group is suitable to use knifes. Safety briefing. OEP Monitoring. Round end knifes to be used. Only use knifes while sat still, NOT walking around. Knifes to be issued when in use and collected in when not in use.

Low None

Branch Pruner Participants Safety Briefing OEP monitoring Low None

Saw Participants Safety briefing OEP monitoring Low None

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Risk Assessment – Campfire

Hazard Person/s at risk Control Measures Level of

Risk

Further Action

Required?

Burns Participants

Verbal instruction Supervision Movement restricted to outside the seating circle Adult only to tend fire Sand/water bucket to be present First Aider on site

Low None

Slips, trips and falls Participants

Verbal instruction Adequate lighting i.e. torches & lamps Move about small groups at a time Advise against running

Low None

Environmental conditions

Participants Assessment of conditions which may influence

decision to continue activity Low None

Sparks from fire Participants Fire should be tended from an up wind direction. Participants must remain a safe distance from the fire as dictated by the Lead Outdoor Education Practitioner.

Low None