risk assessment pack - outdoor learning wales · risk assessments in this pack indicate the hazards...

Dyfi and Aberystwyth Forest Education

Initiative Cluster Groups

Woodland Learning

Risk Assessment Pack

Coetiroedd Dyfi Woodlands created this Activity Risk Assessment pack to

accompany the Get Involved Resource pack. Teachers from schools across

north Ceredigion were given training on risk assessment in a woodland

environment during the Aberystwyth FEI Woodland Learning training event in

March 2012.

Schools were provided with Site Risk Assessments of a woodland in close

proximity to the school and were introduced to the woodland manager of that

woodland to establish a new working relationship between schools and local

woodlands.

Activities delivered in woodland environments come with their own risks. The

risk assessments in this pack indicate the hazards of the activity, the controls

that should be in place to prevent that risk and who should be monitoring this.

Print out the activity and then related risk assessment before heading out to

the woodland. There is room to add your own risk assessments for any

individuals of your class that may need extra support.

Risk Assessments included here are for the following activities:

• Discover and Explore a Woodland

• Woodland Performance

• Biodiversity through a single tree

• Woodland Games

• History of Woodlands

• Exploring the Properties of Wood

• Using tools

• Felt Making

• Shelter Building

Group Specific Activity

Risk Assessment

Activity

Discover and Explore a

Woodland

CONTACTS

First Aider:

(fill in First Aider’s

name and number

here) Nearest A&E:

(fill in nearest hospital

name and number

here) Emergencies: call 999

Date (fill in date here)

School / Visiting Group

Contact Number

(fill in school name and contact number here)

Possible Visitors to Site Dog walkers

Location:

(fill in site grid reference here)

Teacher Leading the Session

Contact number

(fill in teacher’s name and mobile number here)

The Hazard Location of

the Hazard

Who

could be

harmed?

Effect Of hazard Level

of

risk

Controls Implementation/Monitoring

Weather cold and/or wet.

Weather hot and sunny

Anywhere Anyone Shivering loss of feeling and collapsing

Dehydration and heat stroke

med School ensures children have

appropriate warm clothing, water

proofs and wellington boots.

School ensures children apply sun

cream prior to visiting the site and

wear sleeved tops and a sun hat.

Children bring a bottle of water

each.

Individuals to tell staff if feeling

too cold or wet.

Staff encourages children to

drink plenty of water.

Persons Unknown to

School

Anywhere Children Child abuse, abduction med Boundaries clearly stated and

shown at start of session. Children

remain within the site of the teacher

at all times.

Staff remind about stranger

danger and remain alert for

strangers throughout the

session.

Uneven ground

Specifically when carrying

wood and building

Anywhere Anyone Trips, falls, slips and slides; twisted

and broken and fractured limbs, grazes

bruises Getting lost and falling onto

and into things

low Boundaries clearly established at

the start of the session. Self-risk

assessment encouraged at all times.

Staff remind about boundaries

and self-risk assessment during

construction.

Large branches and logs Anywhere Anyone

Scratches, bumped heads, concussion,

cuts, grazes

med Demonstrate carrying large

branches holding thick end in front,

beside the body with the thin end

dragging behind.

Only logs less than 6 inches in

diameter are carried by 2 children.

Staff remind about safe

carrying. Children remind each

other.

Rope / sisal / string At shelter Person Rope burn low Group is reminded about safe use of Staff remind about rope burn.

tying knots rope/sisal/string. Ensure gentle

pulling of string. Gloves available

for thicker ropes.

Falling branches, sticks

and debris from shelter

In shelter Anyone Scratches, bumped heads, concussion,

cuts, grazes

med As part of instruction, remind

groups to do the ‘wobble’ test

before anyone enters the shelter.

Demonstrate the ‘wobble’ test i.e.

shake the shelter before they enter

Staff remind about wobble test

and demonstrate.

Scissors With sisal Anyone Cuts, lacerations Low Scissors are kept beside sisal.

Demonstration of safe carrying

given if scissors needed at den.

Returned safely thereafter.

Apply water and plaster if

necessary.

Staff demonstrate where

scissors to be used and safe

carrying.

Add your own risk assessment for your group’s needs below

Created by Coetiroedd Dyfi Woodlands for Dyfi and Aberystwyth Forest Education Initiative Woodland Training Event

Group Specific Activity Risk

Assessment

Activity

Woodland

Performance

CONTACTS

First Aider:


name and number

here) Nearest A&E:


name and number




Contact Number



Location:



Contact number



the Hazard

Who

could be

harmed?


of

risk













each.


too cold or wet.

Staff encourages children to drink

plenty of water.

Persons Unknown to

School




at all times.



strangers throughout the session.

Uneven ground

Specifically during

preparation of

performances




and into things


the start of the session. Self risk




preparation and delivery of

performances.

Stinging nettles, brambles

Poisonous organisms

Specifically during acting

out performances

Also, insect bites/stings.

Pollen and unknown

allergies

Anywhere Anyone Mild irritation, rash, swollen digits,

pain, tightening of chest, coughing,

dizziness, light-headedness and

increased difficulty in breathing.

Be aware of full anaphylactic shock

med School is aware of any specific

allergies and carry the appropriate

first aid for this. Stings/spines

removed if visible and washed with

water – plaster applied if necessary.

Mobile phone available for 999 call

if anaphylactic shock occurs. Wet

Staff remind about hazardous

plants i.e. stinging nettles,

brambles, fox gloves and fungi.

Apply first aid where necessary

and encourage hand washing at

the end of the activity.

wipes and anti-bacterial gel

available for hand washing after

activity.




Assessment

Activity

Exploring Biodiversity

through a single tree

CONTACTS

First Aider:


name and number

here) Nearest A&E:


name and number




Contact Number



Location:



Contact number



the Hazard

Who

could be

harmed?


of

risk













each.


too cold or wet.


plenty of water.

Persons Unknown to

School




at all times.




Uneven ground

Specifically during ‘meet a

tree’ game




and into things






the game.


Poisonous organisms

Specifically during

collecting items activity


Pollen and unknown

allergies





















activity.




Assessment

Activity

Woodland Games

CONTACTS

First Aider:


name and number

here) Nearest A&E:


name and number




Contact Number



Location:



Contact number



the Hazard

Who

could be

harmed?


of

risk













each.


too cold or wet.


plenty of water.

Persons Unknown to

School




at all times.





Poisonous organisms

Specifically during hiding

activities


Pollen and unknown

allergies















activity.







Uneven ground

Specifically during

running games




and into things

low Flat surface area is chosen for the

games. Boundaries clearly

established at the start of the

session – use ribbons if necessary to

clearly mark this. Self risk




the games.

Flag inserted into ground

Specifically during ‘tip the

flag’ game

Near to area

of ‘captives’

Anyone Scratches to hand, eye or head injury med Lay flag flat on the ground or attach

a cloth as a flag to a more flexible

branch.

Staff remind about self-risk

assessment and potential hazard

before the game begins




Assessment

Activity

History of Woodlands

CONTACTS

First Aider:


name and number

here) Nearest A&E:


name and number




Contact Number



Location:



Contact number



the Hazard

Who

could be

harmed?


of

risk













each.


too cold or wet.


plenty of water.

Persons Unknown to

School




at all times.




Uneven ground

Specifically during

preparation of feedback




and into things






preparation and delivery of

performances.


Poisonous organisms

Specifically when sitting to

observe performances


Pollen and unknown

allergies





















activity.

Rope at head height In centre

space

Those

feeding

back

Bumps, scratches, rope burn low Group made aware of the high rope

and encouraged to feedback

alongside it.

Staff support the use of the rope

for feedback.




Assessment

Activity

Properties of Wood

CONTACTS

First Aider:


name and number

here) Nearest A&E:


name and number




Contact Number



Location:



Contact number



the Hazard

Who

could be

harmed?


of

risk













each.


too cold or wet.


plenty of water.

Persons Unknown to

School




at all times.




Uneven ground

Specifically when moving

around away from tree

felling




and into things






the game.

Tree felling *This part of

the activity is optional and

does not need to be done

with the children

Tool: saw

Activity site Anyone

Person

Bumped heads, concussion, cuts,

grazes

Lacerations, cuts, loss of blood,

med Group stands well away and 45

degrees from the tree being felled.

Person felling has been trained in

Support staff to keep children at a

safe distance while felling takes

place. Only approach once tree is

completely on the ground.

Person felling tree stands at 45

felling tree infection, loss of digits, loss of blood,

bumped head, concussion

how to fell a small tree (4 inches in

diameter).

Person felling wears a hard hat and

glove on the non-tool hand.

degrees to the tree, ensures a

‘gob’ is cut facing away from

them before completion of felling.




Assessment

Activity

Tool Use

CONTACTS

First Aider:


name and number

here) Nearest A&E:


name and number




Contact Number



Location:



Contact number



the Hazard

Who

could be

harmed?


of

risk













each.


too cold or wet.


plenty of water.

Persons Unknown to

School




at all times.




Tools:

• saws

• potato peelers

• files (rasps or needle

files)

• hammers and nails

• cordless power drills

Activity site Children Lacerations, cuts, grazes, puncture

wounds, loss of blood, infection, loss

of digits, artery and nerve cuts/damage,

high loss of blood, bruises, infection,

tetanus

med Tools talk before use of any tool.

Introduction of activity allows for

safe exploration of tools and

consideration of risks.

Peelers – away from and to the side

of the body

Saws and files – 3 pull strokes

before sawing properly

Gloves are worn on non-tool hands.

Staff supervise tool use reminding

of safety tips at all times.

Groups work at a safe distance

apart (1.5 metres / one arm and a

tool away from each other)

Group are supervised in small

teams reminding each other of risks

as they work.




Assessment

Activity

Felt Making

CONTACTS

First Aider:


name and number

here) Nearest A&E:


name and number




Contact Number



Location:



Contact number



the Hazard

Who

could be

harmed?


of

risk













each.


too cold or wet.


plenty of water.

Persons Unknown to

School




at all times.




Uneven ground

Specifically when

exploring the woodland

site




and into things






the game.

Allergies to wool and

soap. Also unknown

allergies

Activity site Specific

individuals

Mild irritation, rash.




first aid for this. Mobile phone

available for 999 call if

anaphylactic shock occurs. Medi

gloves available for those allergic

to wool or soap.







Hot water Activity site Anyone Scalding, burns med Hot water contained in flasks and

poured by adults only. Cold water

is added to hot water to make it

hand hot temperature. Children sit

back when new hot water is added.

Staff check temperature before

children use. Monitor

temperature throughout the

activity.

Soap – if it enters the eye Activity site Anyone Stinging sensation low Children are encouraged to lather

slowly and dry hands if needing to

rub eyes. Towels available for

hand drying. Bottle of water

available for rinsing eye.

Staff remind children of potential

hazard and controls. Gently

trickle water over eye if

necessary.




Assessment

Activity

Shelter Building

CONTACTS

First Aider:


name and number

here) Nearest A&E:


name and number




Contact Number



Location:



Contact number



the Hazard

Who

could be

harmed?


of

risk













each.


too cold or wet.


plenty of water.

Persons Unknown to

School




at all times.




Uneven ground

Specifically when carrying

wood and building




and into things






construction.

Large branches and logs Anywhere Anyone

Scratches, bumped heads, concussion,

cuts, grazes

med Demonstrate carrying large

branches holding thick end in front,

beside the body with the thin end

dragging behind.

Only logs less than 6 inches in

diameter are carried by 2 children.

Staff remind about safe carrying.

Children remind each other.

Rope / sisal / string At shelter Person Rope burn low Group is reminded about safe use of Staff remind about rope burn.

tying knots rope/sisal/string. Ensure gentle

pulling of string. Gloves available

for thicker ropes.

Falling branches, sticks

and debris from shelter

In shelter Anyone Scratches, bumped heads, concussion,

cuts, grazes

med As part of instruction, remind

groups to do the ‘wobble’ test

before anyone enters the shelter.

Demonstrate the ‘wobble’ test i.e.

shake the shelter before they enter

Staff remind about wobble test

and demonstrate.

Scissors With sisal Anyone Cuts, lacerations Low Scissors are kept beside sisal.

Demonstration of safe carrying

given if scissors needed at den.

Returned safely thereafter.

Apply water and plaster if

necessary.

Staff demonstrate where scissors

to be used and safe carrying.



risk assessment pack - outdoor learning wales · risk assessments in this pack indicate the hazards...

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