RISKASSESSMENTEXAMPLEFORSCHOOLS/ GROUPS

This is an example only and should not be soley used by any school or group, please use this as an example as a base for your own risk assessment.

Main Hazards:- / Who May Be Harmed:-
Traffic, Transport, Slips, trips & falls, Lost children, Infection from animals, e-coli etc, Injury from farm animals, Farm machinery, Members of the general public, Water, Play areas (indoor and outdoor), Protection of all vulnerable children / Children, accompanying adults, general public, staff

Risk level: VU = very unlikely, U = unlikely, L = likely, VL = very likely

Severity: S = slight (minor injury, cuts etc), SE = serious (brakes, sprains, head injuries, electric shocks, back injury), F = Fatal (death)

HAZARD / CONTROL MEASURES THAT YOU SHOULD CONSIDER / RISK LEVEL / SEVERITY
Traffic / Drop off in main car park area
Be aware of other members of the general public arriving in their own transport when moving across the car park. There are no marked crossing areas so extra precaution must be taken.
Ensure children area aware of strict guidelines on behaviour
Good supervision with adequate ratios / L / SE - F
Transport (travel sickness, disruptive behaviour, accidents) / Provide a sick bucket, water, cups and paper towels
Sit those prone to sickness or disruptive behaviour at the front or with accompanying adult
Check you have written consent from parents to take the child out
Staff to maintain firm control on the bus
In case of accident etc where children must vacate the bus etc, ensure you have a full list of each child’s name and who is responsible for them, make your supervisors aware of who they are responsible for and also that the children know who they are supposed to be with. / L / SE - F
Slips, trips & falls / Ensure that parents & carers are aware of the clothing requirements needed. All children should wear flat full toe shoes that cover their feet or sandals with socks at the least. Always make sure you have weather appropriate clothing as the majority of your visit will be outside and some areas are more at risk for slips and falls
All paths are concreted and mostly flat but some have banking areas leading down to the lakes. Always ensure that you are supervising your children around these areas.
If you see something that has the potential to cause injury then you should report it to the farm manager immediately / L / S - SE
Lost children / Make sure you have clear objectives so that the children know what is expected of them if they become lost. Make them aware that they must not give their name to anyone unless they are wearing a Ponderosa uniform. Make it clear to them what this looks like.
Always ensure you have your ratio of supervisors to children correct and that they are aware of their responsibilities
Periodically check that your group is intact.
We advise you never write the child’s name onto a sticker, this makes them more vulnerable. / U / S - SE
Infections From animals
(E-Coli) / We advise you to download the HSE guidelines as an extra addition to your risk assessment.
Discuss and agree with all supervisors that they must always remind children of the rules for the visit, stressing that they must not eat, drink or chew anything (including sweets) outside the areas in which you permit them to do so. They must explain why they must wash their hands thoroughly after contact with animals and before eating and drinking. Demonstrating to the children how to wash their hands properly. Check that all cuts, grazes etc are covered with a waterproof dressing.
During and after the visit make sure that the children: do not kiss animals or put their faces near them, always wash their hands thoroughly before and after eating, after any contact with animals, and again before leaving the site. Eat only food that they have brought with them, or food that they have bought on the premises for human consumption. Eat only in food areas. Do not suck fingers or put hands, pens or crayons in their mouths etc. do not climb onto fencing, gates etc. do not chase, frighten or torment animals. Do not wander off unsupervised.
We provide hand sanitising foam which are attached to the walls and situated around the farm, we also have a number of hot water sinks with soap. / L / S-SE
Injury from animals / Always ensure there is adequate supervision of children
Remind children that all animals have the potential to bite and are unpredictable and that it is important to read and understand signage (where practicable or to be relayed by supervisor). Remind them of the dangers of being bitten, knocked over or trodden on.
Always remind children of the importance of not putting hands in mouth, hand washing etc
Fingers and hands must not be put through railings or fencing
Make them aware that when standing against a pen that their feet do not stick through as toes can be trodden or bitten.
Listen to supervisors carefully
Not to allow children to chase, frighten or torment animals.
We provide hand sanitising foam which are attached to the walls and situated around the farm, we also have a number of hot water sinks with soap. / L / S - SE
Farm Machinery/deliveries / Machinery should be out of the way and not being used unless needed while the farm is open.
Adults to ensure that children do not go near or play on any machinery. / VU / S - SE
Members of the general public / Clear instructions to be given to children and supervisors about the importance of not talking to strangers
Children should be supervised at all times so they are not put into a vulnerable position with the general public / U / S - SE
Water Areas / There are 2 lakes on site. Each lake has large warning signs and 2 life rings.
Supervision in these areas is of utmost importance
Some banking areas will be slippy so ensure children are not allowed down unsupervised.
Children must be supervised in these areas / L / SE -F
Play areas (indoor and outdoor) / Children must be supervised in the indoor playbarn and all outdoor play areas
Children must not take food or drink into the play area
Children must wear socks in the play barn
There are safety signs situated in play areas both indoor and outdoor. Supervisors to ensure that they are aware of these warnings and to supervise children under these instructions. / U - L / S- SE
Protection Of Vulnerable children / Always carefully choose any volunteers that you bring. It is essential to ensure that all volunteers have a current enhanced CRB check within the last year and that it has been checked as sufficient.
If your volunteers do not have a CRB check then never leave children alone with them unsupervised.
We advise that you download a protection of vulnerable children policy or revert to your own company requirements. / U - L / SE - F