WALKING AND CAMPING BOURNDA NATIONAL/ MIMOSA NATIONAL PARK
SLR/ MARINE STUDIES BOURNDA CAMP 15-17TH MAY 2019
RISK ASSESSMENT
Name of Activity:
Location of Activity
Date Approved:
Relevant Docs
Overnight camping
Bournda National Park,
Mimosa Rocks National
Park
Prepared by:
Jane Hornsby
Two to three adult supervisors – Guidelines for the Safe Conduct
of Sport and Physical Activity in Schools p63-75
Staff Training
Industry Standards
EDEN Marine
Staff Qualified
Comments
CPR
Emergency Care
Emergency Care
CPR
Yes
Male & Female staff required
Essential equipment: Radio & first aid kit, mobile phone,
Camping equipment
School staff should be experienced in camping and familiar with
Bournda National Park and Mimosa Rocks National Park and
surrounds.
Monitor and Review
Job Safety Analysis
Reviewed by:
Date:
Prepared by: Jane Hornsby
Were the controls effective?
Were controls communicated to all staff?
Were new hazards identified?
What actions are required for further excursions?
Job Step – note manual
handling**, chemicals
**and equipment
Hazards –
environmental,
equipment, human
Prior to arrival at Bournda Program/supervision
National Park or Mimosa inappropriate to students
Rocks National Parks
abilities
DET rating
(see matrix)
Controls
Eliminate Substitute Isolate Modify
(engineering) Modify (administrative)
Personal Protective Equipment Training
(Workcover hierarchy)
Supervision/
Responsibility
N/A

School Staff



School to liaise on program design to
ensure activities appropriate to age, fitness,
behavioral patterns and medical conditions
of students
Planning to ensure appropriate supervision
ratios and guidelines for activities are met.
Provide risk assessment information for
program
Principal to review and approve risk
assessment plan.
Prior to arrival at Bournda Hazards to students,
National Park or Mimosa teachers and volunteers
Rocks National Parks
not understood
N/A

School Staff
School staff to undertake briefing to
cover
safety including:
a) brief students about the nature and
purpose of the camp
(b) conduct relevant lead-up activities;
(c) establish camp rules and brief students
about any potential hazards in the vicinity;
and
(d) instruct in emergency procedures.
* Staff should be familiar with Bittangabee,
Salt Water, Araganu and Bournda camping
area and surrounding areas.
* Staff should be aware of activities they are
supervising and risk assessment planning for
the excursion.
* Staff should be able to conduct activities
they are designated to lead e.g. fitness, skills,
experience
Job Step – note manual
handling**, chemicals
**and equipment
Hazards –
environmental,
equipment, human
Prior to arrival at Bournda Serious medical
National Park or Mimosa conditions / disabilities
Rocks National Parks
DET rating
(see matrix)
Controls
Eliminate Substitute Isolate Modify
(engineering) Modify (administrative)
Personal Protective Equipment Training
(Workcover hierarchy)
Supervision/
Responsibility
N/A

School Staff



Staff to be advised of medical conditions
prior to visit
School provides medical forms
School carries/provides own medication
School monitors / supervises students with
known serious medical conditions
Prior to arrival at Bournda Students with violence,
N/A
National Park or Mimosa behavioral and/or mental
Rocks National Parks
health problems present
a risk to safety and/or
likely to disrupt program

•




Staff to be advised of special
needs students
Staff to be familiar with behaviours and
triggers of targeted students
Individual behavioural plans and risk
assessment to be conducted (Where
applicable)
Parent contact number obtained if a
student needs to be picked up from the
activity
Students are briefed on the behaviour
expectations/ rules and regulations for
the camp - including the consequences
for poor behaviour
Extra supervision (e.g. SLSO) to be
provided to support student needs
School Staff
Job Step – note manual
handling**, chemicals
**and equipment
Hazards –
environmental,
equipment, human
Prior to arrival at Bournda Equipment and
National Park or Mimosa Resources
Rocks National Parks
DET rating
(see matrix)
N/A
Controls
Eliminate Substitute Isolate Modify
(engineering) Modify (administrative)
Personal Protective Equipment Training
(Workcover hierarchy)



School to ensure students are briefed on
necessary equipment and its use
including tents, sleeping bags, clothing,
food and cooking equipment
School has mobile phone available
Consult with staff about equipment
Supervision/
Responsibility
School Staff
Job Step – note manual
handling**, chemicals
**and equipment
Hazards –
environmental,
equipment, human
DET rating
(see matrix)
Controls
Eliminate Substitute Isolate Modify
(engineering) Modify (administrative)
Personal Protective Equipment Training
(Workcover hierarchy)
Supervision/
Responsibility
Prior to arrival/ and
during stay at Bournda
National Park or Mimosa
Rocks National Park
Students behaviour
presents a risk to safety
of other students / staff /
members of public
4

School Staff



Students to be aware of Camp Code of
Conduct and consequences of breaches
prior to camp.
Parents to be aware of above and
procedures for removing students from
camp if necessary
School staff to implement school
procedures for dealing with inappropriate
behaviour.
Staff Vehicle available to take student/s
home if necessary.
Job Step – note manual
handling**, chemicals
**and equipment
Hazards –
environmental,
equipment, human
DET rating
(see matrix)
Controls
Eliminate Substitute Isolate Modify
(engineering) Modify (administrative)
Personal Protective Equipment Training
(Workcover hierarchy)
Supervision/
Responsibility
Prior to arrival/ and
during stay at Bournda
National Park or Mimosa
Rocks National Park
Social exclusion /
bullying / emotional,
upset or homesick
students
5

School to identify students at risk and to
devise strategies to avoid problems e.g.
group composition
All staff to monitor students well being and
inclusion in activities
School staff
Prior to arrival/ and
during stay at Ben Boyd
National Park or Mimosa
Rocks National Park
Inappropriate sexual
behaviour by students
5
Male/Female sleeping areas to be clearly
identified and policed. Students to be
aware of consequences of breaches.
Male and Female tents should occupy
clearly defined areas eg. opposite sides of
the camping area
Teacher sleeping areas to be located
between male and female tents
School staff




Job Step – note manual
handling**, chemicals
**and equipment
Hazards –
environmental,
equipment, human
DET rating
(see matrix)
Controls
Eliminate Substitute Isolate Modify
(engineering) Modify (administrative)
Personal Protective Equipment Training
(Workcover hierarchy)
Supervision/
Responsibility
Prior to arrival/ and
during stay at Bournda
National Park or Mimosa
Rocks National Park
Drug / alcohol
5

School Staff



Clearly identified in Code of Conduct as
serious offence leading to suspension
and/or police notification
Students not to be in tents prior to sleeping
or unsupervised areas during camp
Tents checked
School policy to be followed
Prior to arrival/ and
during stay at Bournda
National Park or Mimosa
Rocks National Park
Child protection – risk
from reportable conduct
5
 Staff briefing on Child Protection issues School staff
 Separate teacher/student sleeping areas
 Male and female staff in attendance

Male and female staff to coordinate
respective gender group’s 1st aid
and supervision
 Staff not to be alone with individual
students unless emergency
circumstances make it absolutely
necessary
 All volunteers/other staff to complete a
Protected Employment Declaration if
needed
 Child Protection procedures to be
implemented if any allegations are made
against staff/other agencies/volunteers
Job Step – note manual
handling**, chemicals
**and equipment
Hazards –
environmental,
equipment, human
DET rating
(see matrix)
Travel to and from
Bournda National Park or
Mimosa Rocks National
Park
Road/ car safety
2-3
On arrival at Bournda
National Park or Mimosa
Rocks National Park
Hazards to students
N/a
Controls
Eliminate Substitute Isolate Modify
(engineering) Modify (administrative)
Personal Protective Equipment Training
(Workcover hierarchy)

Supervision/
Responsibility
* Staff cars to be registered and insured
appropriately
* All students to have seatbelts on
* Road and weather conditions checked
prior to departure
* GPS/ Directions given prior to departure
* Road rules adhered to for drivers and
passengers alike
* Written parental permission gathered
from transporting students in teacher
car
School Staff
Staff to conduct orientation session / safety
briefing with students
School staff
Job Step – note manual
handling**, chemicals
**and equipment
Hazards –
environmental,
equipment, human
DET rating
(see matrix)
Controls
Eliminate Substitute Isolate Modify
(engineering) Modify (administrative)
Personal Protective Equipment Training
(Workcover hierarchy)
During camp
Drowning
2
 Water hazards identified
 Students not to be near water unsupervised
 Swimming Permitted (With staff that have
relevant qualifications)
Supervision/
Responsibility
School Staff
Job Step – note manual
handling**, chemicals
**and equipment
Hazards –
environmental,
equipment, human
DET rating
(see matrix)
During camp
Cuts to feet / hands
Bites from insects, ticks,
spiders snakes
Other animal attack
2-3
Controls
Eliminate Substitute Isolate Modify
(engineering) Modify (administrative)
Personal Protective Equipment Training
(Workcover hierarchy)
 Enclosed footwear to be worn at all
times
 Tents to be zipped up to prevent entry
 Food not to be stored in tents
 Students not to feed animals

Students to be briefed on animal
safety and not to approach or
attempt to pat animals
 Shoes or clothing to be shaken/checked
before putting on.
 Check camping bay for ants nests,
snakes etc.
Supervision/
Responsibility
School Staff
Job Step – note manual
handling**, chemicals
**and equipment
Hazards –
environmental,
equipment, human
DET rating
(see matrix)
Controls
Eliminate Substitute Isolate Modify
(engineering) Modify (administrative)
Personal Protective Equipment Training
(Workcover hierarchy)
Supervision/
Responsibility
During camp
Falling limbs
3

School Staff

During camp
Injury while pitching
tents
4



Students to set up tents in designated bays
and to check for overhanging branches
Group leaders to check for dangerous limbs
above activity sites
School staff
Students to be assisted in the process of
pitching a tent
Staff to supervise
Students briefed on dangers of poles in eyes
and using hammers
Job Step – note manual
handling**, chemicals
**and equipment
Hazards –
environmental,
equipment, human
DET rating
(see matrix)
Controls
Eliminate Substitute Isolate Modify
(engineering) Modify (administrative)
Personal Protective Equipment Training
(Workcover hierarchy)
During camp
Burns / scalds from
campfires
3






Supervision/
Responsibility
School Staff
School groups to use provided cooking
facilities/ fire pits.
Teacher to supervise fire area and addition
of wood/stoking fire.
Students to be banned from putting sticks in
fire and waving them around
Fire safety briefing prior to lighting the fire
Staff to supervise use of boiling water
Bucket of cold water available to douse
flames and/or for treatment of burns
During visit
Stranger danger –
Student molestation /
abduction
3








Students to be briefed on “stranger danger” School Staff
at beginning of camp.
Buddy system or alternative to be used for
going to toilets.
Students not to leave area unsupervised by
adults
School to consider staff member on toilet
duty during toilet breaks for younger
students
Students not to walk through other camps.
Teacher tents to be in close proximity to
student tents
Head count/tent check before final lights out
Staff to monitor public for possible concerns
e.g. hanging around students, inappropriate
conversations
Job Step – note manual
handling**, chemicals
**and equipment
Hazards –
environmental,
equipment, human
DET rating
(see matrix)
Controls
Eliminate Substitute Isolate Modify
(engineering) Modify (administrative)
Personal Protective Equipment Training
(Workcover hierarchy)
During camp
Food poisoning/
infectious diseases –
transmission in food
preparation and cooking
3






Supervision/
Responsibility
School staff
Hygienic food preparation practices to be
adhered to.
Water can be boiled for drinking
Ensure students hands are washed prior to
food preparation and eating.
Utensils to be washed up using hot water
and detergent.
All cooking and preparing to be supervised
by staff member
Use of gloves and other PPE recommended.
Job Step – note manual
handling**, chemicals
**and equipment
Hazards –
environmental,
equipment, human
DET rating
(see matrix)
Controls
Eliminate Substitute Isolate Modify
(engineering) Modify (administrative)
Personal Protective Equipment Training
(Workcover hierarchy)
Supervision/
Responsibility
During camp
Cut from sharp utensils
3

Close supervision of students use of sharp
cutting knives (Teacher to use where
applicable)
Menu selections may avoid the need for
cutting/dicing
School staff
Students to be advised of dangers crossing
the road
Students to assemble in safe area.
Staff to supervise busy times during arrival
and departure of students especially when
alighting or boarding buses
School

During camp
Vehicles
2



Job Step – note manual
handling**, chemicals
**and equipment
Hazards –
environmental,
equipment, human
DET rating
(see matrix)
Controls
Eliminate Substitute Isolate Modify
(engineering) Modify (administrative)
Personal Protective Equipment Training
(Workcover hierarchy)
During camp
Student lost
2




During camp
Students trip / fall / run
into branches
3





Supervision/
Responsibility
School staff
Count students at end of day
Students not to leave supervised area
Students instructed to remain calm and in
one location if separated from group
Inform the school and contact parents where
needed.
No running rule
Students to stay on tracks
Specific dangers (cliffs, rocks, steps) to be
highlighted
Restrict night-time activities to wide tracks
and well lit area
Students to have own torch
School Staff
Job Step – note manual
handling**, chemicals
**and equipment
Hazards –
environmental,
equipment, human
During camp
During camp
DET rating
(see matrix)
Controls
Eliminate Substitute Isolate Modify
(engineering) Modify (administrative)
Personal Protective Equipment Training
(Workcover hierarchy)
Supervision/
Responsibility
Equipment & Resource – N/a
safety equipment and
communications in place




First aid kits available
All equipment well maintained
School staff to have mobile
School staff to exchange important
communication details – phone numbers
School Staff
Extreme weather
conditions – heat, cold,
storms, lightning etc.


School Staff
Consult with BOM on weather conditions
Activities to be cancelled/postponed in
extreme weather.
If the camp is cancelled and students
evacuated then the school should implement
its policy for notifying parents and relevant
contacts
Take shelter where possible and safe
2


Job Step – note manual
handling**, chemicals
**and equipment
Hazards –
environmental,
equipment, human
DET rating
(see matrix)
Controls
Eliminate Substitute Isolate Modify
(engineering) Modify (administrative)
Personal Protective Equipment Training
(Workcover hierarchy)
Supervision/
Responsibility
During camp
Bush fire
2

School Staff




School staff to consult with NPWS on use
of fires
Fire ring only to be used.
Maintain small fires under direct staff
supervision
Fires to be completely extinguished when
not supervised
Staff to follow evacuation plan for fire
under direction from RFS, NPWS
Job Step – note manual
handling**, chemicals
**and equipment
Hazards –
environmental,
equipment, human
DET rating
(see matrix)
Controls
Eliminate Substitute Isolate Modify
(engineering) Modify (administrative)
Personal Protective Equipment Training
(Workcover hierarchy)
Supervision/
Responsibility
During camp
Exhaustion, exposure,
dehydration, sunburn
2

School Staff






Modify program after consideration of age,
weather conditions
Staff monitor condition of students
School ensures students have water bottles
Regular food & water breaks taken.
School to ensure students wear hat and
apply sunscreen.
School to ensure students are appropriately
clothed (raincoats, hats, sturdy footwear,
long-sleeved shirts)
Staff to have emergency care training.
Job Step – note manual
handling**, chemicals
**and equipment
Hazards –
environmental,
equipment, human
DET rating
(see matrix)
Controls
Eliminate Substitute Isolate Modify
(engineering) Modify (administrative)
Personal Protective Equipment Training
(Workcover hierarchy)
Supervision/
Responsibility
During camp
Chemicals
3

If chemicals are used as part of a program
e.g. waterwatch kit – gloves and safety
glasses should be worn
School Staff
During and after camp
Procedures do not
adequately protect
students
N/A



Review safety issues with staff
Complete all accident reporting forms
Review procedures and add new hazards to
forms
School Staff
RISK ASSESSMENT MATRIX
How likely is it to be that serious?
How serious could the
injury be?
Very Likely
Likely
Unlikely
Very Unlikely
Death or permanent
disability
1
1
2
3
Long term illness or
serious injury
1
2
3
4
Medical attention and
several days off
2
3
4
5
First Aid Needed
3
4
5
6