Risk Assessment for Bushcraft Fundamentals Session

Instructor: Christopher Perrio-Stone

This initial session lays the ground knowledge for the Bushcraft sessions; it is theory based concentrating on the following: The rule of Three’s – Priorities of Survival The four W’s – Camp location and considerations The four F’s – UK law on foraging, how and what for The Seasons – What nature provides all year round The Five C’s – The essential pieces of Bushcraft equipment General

Hazard Harm At risk Existing measures / new measures Who will do it? when?

Weather Hypothermia Hyperthermia

Persons undertaking instruction

* Inform student’s best clothing for this time of year. * Raincoats, Hats, Gloves. Layering system, Sun protection * Environmental Shelter and first aid kit close by.

WCPS – throughout session.

Knives

Hazard Harm At risk Existing measures / new measures Who will do it? when?

Improper use of knives

Wounds

Person using knife and those near by

* Inform student’s using the knives of tool talk. * No glove needed on hand using tool, glove on non-knife

hand. * First aider and first aid kit close by. * Tools counted in and out each session. * Initial one to one supervision for students. * Ensure safety of site if using outside of designated tool

use area. * Use in designated area for tools. * Keep in sheath when not in use and store in tool

box/safe designated area * Remind others in vicinity to stay clear of tools.

WCPS - throughout session.

Folding Saw

Hazard Harm At risk Existing measures / new measures Who will do it? when?

Improper use of folding saw

Wounds Person using folding saw and those near by

* Inform student’s using folding saw of tool talk. * No glove needed on hand using tool, glove on non sawing hand. * First aider and first aid kit close by. * Tools counted in and out each session. * Initial one to one supervision for students. * Ensure safety of site if using outside of designated tool use

area. * If sawing branches from a tree ensure no one or property will

be hurt or damaged when it falls. * Remind others in area to stay clear of tools. * Keep blade folded shut when not in use and store in safe

designated area.

WCPS - throughout session.

Axe

Hazard Harm At risk Existing measures / new measures Who will do it? when?

Improper use of Axe

Wounds

Person using Axe and those near by

* Inform student’s using Axe of tool talk. * No glove needed using tool. * First aider and first aid kit close by. * Tools counted in and out each session. * One to one supervision for students. * Ensure safety of site if using outside of designated tool use

area. * Use in designated area for tools. * Keep in sheath when not in use and store in tool box/safe

designated area * Remind others in vicinity to stay clear of tools.

WCPS - throughout session.

Fire Steel

Hazard Harm At risk Existing measures / new measures Who will do it? when?

Improper use of Fire Steel

Burns

Person using Fire Steel and those near by

* Inform student’s using Fire Steel of tool talk. * No glove needed using tool. * First aider and first aid kit close by. * Tools counted in and out each session. * One to one supervision for students * Ensure safety of site if using outside of designated tool use

area. * Use in designated area for tools. * Keep in sheath when not in use and store in tool box/safe

designated area * Remind others in vicinity to stay clear of tools.

WCPS - throughout session.

Flint & Steel

Hazard Harm At risk Existing measures / new measures Who will do it? when?

Improper use of Flint & Steel

Wounds

Person using Flint & Steel and those near by

* Inform student’s using Flint & Steel of tool talk. * No glove needed using tool. * First aider and first aid kit close by. * Tools counted in and out each session. * One to one supervision for students. * Ensure safety of site if using outside of designated tool use

area. * Use in designated area for tools. * Keep in sheath when not in use and store in tool box/safe

designated area * Remind others in vicinity to stay clear of tools.

WCPS - throughout session.

Fire Circle

Hazard Harm At risk Existing measures / new measures Who will do it? when?

Improper movement around fire circle

Burns

Person under instruction and those near by

* Inform student’s of rules around fire circle * No one to move inside the seated area. * All movement is via the rear of seating * Fire Bucket, Burns First Aid Kit and Fire Blanket all near by. * One to one supervision for students. * Remind others in vicinity to stay clear of the fire circle

WCPS – throughout session.

Loppers

Hazard Harm At risk Existing measures / new measures Who will do it? when?

Improper use of loppers Falling branches

Person using loppers and those near by

* Inform persons using the loppers of tool talk. * No glove needed, both hand will be on tool. * First aiders and first aid kit close by. * Tools counted in and out each session. * Initial one to one supervision for students. * Ensure safety of site if using outside of designated tool use area. * Keep in cover when not in use and store in tool bag. * Remind others in vicinity to stay clear of tools. * If sawing branches from a tree ensure no one or property will be

hurt or damaged when it falls.

WCPS - during session

Billhook

Hazard Harm At risk Existing measures / new measures Who will do it? when?

Improper use of Billhook

Wounds Persons using Billhook and those near by

* Inform persons using Billhook of tool talk. * No gloves needed using tool. * First aider and first aid kit close by. * Tools counted in and out each session. * Initial one to two supervision for students. * Ensure safety of site if using outside of designated tool use area. * Ensure correct words of command are used when using Billhook with

Mallet. * Remind others in area to stay clear of tools. * Keep blade covered when not in use and store in safe designated

area.

WCPS - during session.

Bow Saw

Hazard Harm At risk Existing measures / new measures Who will do it? when?

Improper use of bow saw Falling branches

Wounds Persons using bow saw and those near by

* Inform persons using the bow saw of tool talk. * No glove needed on hand using tool, glove on non-sawing hand. * First aider and first aid kit close by. * Tools counted in and out each session. * Initial one to two supervision for students. * Ensure safety of site if using outside of designated tool use area. * If sawing branches from a tree ensure no one or property will be

hurt or damaged when it falls. * Remind others in area to stay clear of tools. * Keep blade cover on when not in use and store in safe designated

area.

WCPS - during session.

Christopher Perrio-Stone