Main Risk Assessment
Event/Group Details
Group Name
Lancaster SSAGO
Date Of Activity
13/02/13
Risk Assessment Review Date
13/02/15
Ongoing Assessment
The Risk Assessment process must be ‘on-going’ and ‘dynamic’.
In other words, professional judgements and decisions regarding safety will need to be made during the activity. If the control measures aren’t
sufficient, the activity must not proceed.
All personnel involved with the running of the event must receive very clear guidance and instructions for the management of the event and be
very clear about their own roles and responsibilities for each aspect of the event and carry these out under the guidance given.
Who is at
risk?
What are the controls and actions?
(use numbers)
Controlled
Risk Rating
What are the
risks & potential
injuries?
Controlled
Likelihood
Hazard
Controlled
Severity
The whole team must be told that under no circumstances are they to admit liability in case of any accidents; all incidents or questions involving
insurance must be referred to LUSU the next day.
Who is responsible
for the control?
Area of Activity : Adventurous Activities (centre based): Archery, Climbing, Canoeing, Assault Course, Trampolining
Unqualified
Instructor.
Improper use of
equipment.
Drowning,
Hypothermia,
Bruising, Cuts,
Grazes, Brakes,
Sprains, Head
injuries. Getting
Exec and
Members
1) Only use certified centres, equipment and
instructors
5
1
5
Mod
1) Exec Members.
What are the controls and actions?
(use numbers)
Controlled
Risk Rating
Who is at
risk?
Controlled
Likelihood
What are the
risks & potential
injuries?
Controlled
Severity
Hazard
Who is responsible
for the control?
lost. Severe blood
Code of
Practice

Unsafe
Equipment.
(Equipment
Drowning,
Hypothermia,
Bruising, Cuts,
Grazes, Brakes,
Sprains, Head
injuries. Getting
lost. Severe blood
loss, death.
Failure/
Broken
Equipment.)
Code of
Practice

The Society will only use certified centres with qualified instructors and suitable equipment; the primary booker will check this before
making any bookings.
If the activity requires it, the principle organiser will send an Adventurous Activity Notification form to the SSAGO Notifications Officer.


Uncertified
Centre
All
participating
members,
the exec and
public within
close
proximity.
1) Only use certified centres, equipment and
instructors.
5
1
5
1) Exec Members
The Society will only use certified centres with qualified instructors and suitable equipment; the primary booker will check this
before making any bookings
If the activity requires it, the principle organiser will send an Adventurous Activity Notification form to the SSAGO Notifications
Officer.
Lack of insurance.
Lack of first aiders
and facilities.
Improper activity
facilities. Drowning,
Hypothermia,
Bruising, Cuts,
Grazes, Brakes,
Sprains, Head
injuries. Getting lost.
Severe blood loss,
death.
All
participating
members, the
exec.
1)
Only use certified centres, equipment and
instructors.
5
1
5
1) Exec Members
Code of
Practice

Uninformed
Members.
Getting Lost.
Wearing improper
clothing and/or
footwear.
Hypothermia,
Bruising, Cuts,
Grazes, Sprains.

Code of
Practice
What are the controls and actions?
(use numbers)
Controlled
Risk Rating
Who is at
risk?
Controlled
Likelihood
What are the
risks & potential
injuries?
Controlled
Severity
Hazard
Who is responsible
for the control?
The Society will only use certified centres with qualified instructors and suitable equipment; the primary booker will check this before
making any bookings
If the activity requires it, the principle organiser will send an Adventurous Activity Notification form to the SSAGO Notifications Officer.
All
participating
members,
the exec.
1) Inform members of appropriate clothing
and/or footwear.
2) Require members to wear appropriate
clothing and/or footwear.
3
1
3
1) Exec
Members.
2) Health and
Safety Officer
(Vice
President) or
specifically
appointed
present exec
member.
-
The Exec will inform all participants of all the safety measures for the society and the venue including appropriate clothing.
Everyone must wear suitable clothing and footwear for the activity; the Health and safety officer (Vice President) or a specifically appointed
present exec member will check and enforce this before the activity commences
Area of Activity : Hikes, and outdoors
As stated in
Hiking Club
Documents
As stated in Hiking
Club Documents
Code of
Practice


As stated in
Hiking Club
documents
1) The society will follow the current Hiking Club
Risk Assessment and Code of Practice.
2) Any hikes will be risk assessed as events.
4
1
4
1)
As stated in
Hiking Club documents.
2)
Health and
Safety Officer (Vice
President)
As Hiking Club Code of Practice
The principle organiser will send an Adventurous Activity Notification form to the SSAGO notifications officer, if the terrain counts as
terrain one or two as detailed in the Scout Associations POR (chapter 9).
What are the controls and actions?
(use numbers)
Controlled
Risk Rating
Who is at
risk?
Controlled
Likelihood
What are the
risks & potential
injuries?
Controlled
Severity
Hazard
1
1
1
Who is responsible
for the control?
Area of Activity : Orienteering
Inexperienced
members
Getting Lost
Code of
Practice

Lack of correct
equipment.
Getting lost.
Code of
Practice
Ill equipped
members
Code of
Practice
Trip Hazards
All Members
and Exec
Members
1) Ensure that all teams with inexperienced
members have at least one experienced
member in their team
1) Exec Members
responsible for
organising
activity
The exec member responsible for organising and overseeing the orienteering session will ask for those society members with
experience of orienteering to identify themselves and will ensure that each team includes at least one of these members. This will be
done before the session begins.
All
participating
members,
the exec.
1)
Use correct equipment i.e.
compasses and up to date maps.
1
1
1
3) Exec Members
organising
activity
•
The exec member responsible for organising the orienteering session will ensure that the maps being used in the session are the
most up to date version available and that the compasses work.
Exposure, trips,
falls, Hypothermia,
sprains and
bruising.
All
participating
members,
1)
Inform members of appropriate
clothing and footwear.
2)
Enforce wearing of appropriate
clothing and footwear.
3
1
3
1) Exec Members
organising
activity
•
The Social Secretary shall ensure that the email sent to members includes information on what clothing and footwear is appropriate
for the orienteering session.
•
The Health and Safety Officer (Vice President), or a present exec member pre-appointed by the Vice President, will check that all
members are wearing appropriate clothing and footwear before the session begins. All members not wearing appropriate clothing and/or
footwear will be required to change their clothing and/or footwear before being allowed to participate.
Trips and falls.
Sprains and
bruising.
All
participating
members
and Exec
1)
Stay attentive to potential trip hazards
on route.
2)
Appropriate footwear to be worn at all
times.
1
2
2
1) All Members
and Exec
Members
2) Event
What are the controls and actions?
(use numbers)
3)
Designated first aider/s to be present
and available to be contacted by any member
to assess/treat injuries.
Controlled
Risk Rating
Who is at
risk?
Controlled
Likelihood
What are the
risks & potential
injuries?
Controlled
Severity
Hazard
Who is responsible
for the control?
Organiser
Code of
Practice
•
All members to be responsible for making sure that their chosen route is clear of trip hazards and that trip hazards which cannot be
avoided are crossed carefully.
•
The Health and Safety Officer (Vice President), or a present exec member pre-appointed by the Vice President, will check that all
members are wearing appropriate footwear before the session begins. All members not wearing appropriate footwear will be required to
change their footwear before being allowed to participate.
•
The event organiser will arrange for at least one member of the society with a valid first aid qualification to be present at the activity.
They will also ensure that they are equipped with one of the society’s first aid kits where first aid is not provided by the authorities at the site
used at the time of the activity. They first aider’s mobile phone number will be made known to the participating members and their phone will
remain switched on throughout..
Area of Activity : Camping
Remote
location.
Code of
Practice
Slow emergency
services response.




All Members
and Exec
Members
5
1
5
1) Camp
1) Ensure security is aware of who is on camp.
Organisers
2) Ensure all members are aware of remote
location.
3) Designated first aider/s to be present and
available to be contacted by any member to
assess/treat injuries.
The principal camp organiser will take a list of the names and library/purple card numbers of all members attending the camp (as
per Appendix 18 of the LUSU safety framework) and submit it to the security desk upon the group’s departure from campus.
The principle camp organiser will send a Camp Notification Form to the SSAGO Notifications Officer, at least seven days before
the camp.
The principal camp organiser will ensure that the email sent to members attending the camp informs them that the camp’s
location is remote (if it is) and that the emergency services response to an emergency call may be slow. This allows those
members who are not satisfied with the risk of a slow emergency services response to withdraw from the camp at a convenient
time.
The principal camp organiser will arrange for at least one member of the society with a valid first aid qualification to be present at
the camp. They will also ensure that they are equipped with at least one of the society’s first aid kits whether or not first aid is
provided by the authorities at the camp site. They first aider’s mobile phone number will be made known to the participating
What are the controls and actions?
(use numbers)
Controlled
Risk Rating
Who is at
risk?
Controlled
Likelihood
What are the
risks & potential
injuries?
Controlled
Severity
Hazard
Who is responsible
for the control?
members and their phone will remain switched on during the day. At least one first aider will stay at the camp during activities at
the site so as to be easy to find.
Trip hazards.
Code of
Practice
Darkness
around
campsite.
Code of
Practice
Sprains and
bruising.
Sprains and
bruising.
1)
Members to be informed of
appropriate footwear.
2)
Ensure that appropriate footwear is
brought.
3)
Appropriate footwear to be worn at all
times.
4)
Stay attentive to potential trip
hazards.
2
2
4
1) Camp
Organiser
2) Health and
Safety Officer
3) All Members
•
The principal camp organiser shall ensure that the email sent to members includes information on what footwear is appropriate for the
camp.
•
The Health and Safety Officer (Vice President), or a present exec member pre-appointed by the Vice President, will check that all
members have with them appropriate footwear before the group sets out for camp. All members who do not have appropriate footwear will not
be allowed to attend the camp.
•
All members to wear appropriate footwear at all times during the camp. The Health and Safety Officer (Vice President), or a present
exec member pre-appointed by the Vice President, will check that all members are wearing appropriate footwear before any activity begins. All
members not wearing appropriate footwear will be required to change their footwear before being allowed to participate.
•
All members to be responsible for making sure that where they choose to walk is clear of trip hazards and that trip hazards which
cannot be avoided are crossed carefully.
Trips, falls, getting
lost, Breaks,
sprains, exposure.
All members
and Exec.
1) All members to bring a torch and spare
batteries.
Use torch.
4
1
4
1) Health and
Safety
Officer
(Vice
President)
2) Members
•
The Health and Safety Officer (Vice President), or a present exec member pre-appointed by the Vice President, will check that all
members have with them a torch and spare set of batteries before the group sets out for camp. All members who do not have a torch and
spare set of batteries will be provided with one from the society’s stores where available, otherwise they will not be allowed to attend the
What are the controls and actions?
(use numbers)
Controlled
Risk Rating
Who is at
risk?
Controlled
Likelihood
What are the
risks & potential
injuries?
Controlled
Severity
Hazard
Who is responsible
for the control?
camp.
•
Members are responsible for using their torches whilst on camp and must do so when and where appropriate.
Weather
Conditions
Exposure, falls and
tents falling
down/blowing
away, Sun burn,
heat stroke,
hypothermia
pneumonia, colds,
bruising, sprains,
strains, breaks,
dehydration.
Code of
Practice
•
The principal camp organiser shall ensure that the email sent to members includes information on what clothing is appropriate for the camp
and whether sun screen will be necessary.
•
The Health and Safety Officer (Vice President), or a present exec member pre-appointed by the Vice President, will check that all members
have with them appropriate clothing before the group sets out for camp. All members who do not have appropriate clothing will not be allowed to
attend the camp.
•
All members to wear appropriate clothing at all times during the camp. The Health and Safety Officer (Vice President), or a present exec
member pre-appointed by the Vice President, will check that all members are wearing appropriate clothing before any activity begins. All members not
wearing appropriate clothing will be required to change their clothing before being allowed to participate.
•
The Health and Safety Officer (Vice President), or a present exec member pre-appointed by the Vice President, will check that all members
have with them sun screen before the group sets out for camp. All members who do not have sun screen will be made to buy sun screen before
arriving at the camp.
•
All members to use sun screen when appropriate during the camp. The Health and Safety Officer (Vice President), or a present exec member
pre-appointed by the Vice President, will check that all members have applied sun screen before any outdoor activity begins. All members who have
not applied sun screen will be required to do so before being allowed to participate.
•
The Health and Safety Officer (Vice President), or a present exec member pre-appointed by the Vice President, will check that all tents are
properly constructed and secured when they are completed. Any tents that are deemed improperly erected are to be taken down and erected properly.
All Members
and Exec
Members
1)
Inform members of appropriate clothing and
the necessity for sun screen.
2)
Ensure appropriate clothing is brought.
3)
Appropriate clothing to be worn at all times.
4)
Sun screen to be taken.
5)
Sun screen to be used as appropriate.
6)
Tents to be properly constructed and
secured.
7)
Advise members to stay low and move
toward shelter (when safe to do so) in high winds.
8)
Water should be drunk by members regularly.
4
2
8
1)
Camp
organisers.
2)
Health and
Safety Officer
3)
Members,
What are the controls and actions?
(use numbers)
Controlled
Risk Rating
Who is at
risk?
Controlled
Likelihood
What are the
risks & potential
injuries?
Controlled
Severity
Hazard
Who is responsible
for the control?
Any tents deemed to be improperly secured are to be secured properly.
•
The principal camp organiser will send out a safety email to members before the camp. This email will contain a safety briefing including the
advice that in high winds one should keep ones centre of gravity low, ones shape streamlined and, where safe, move toward shelter so as to avoid
overbalancing. This advice will also be given in a safety briefing on the first day of the camp.

Water will be readily available at all times on camp.
Insect bites
Anaphylactic
shock, infection,
rash.
Code of
Practice
•
The camp organiser will ensure that the health forms given each member for the camp include a section asking for details of any allergies
suffered by the member and which medications they are required to carry to control allergic reactions.
•
The Health and Safety Officer (Vice President), or a present exec member pre-appointed by the Vice President, will check that all members
have with them their required medication before the group sets out for camp. All members who do not have their required medication will not be
allowed to attend the camp.
•
The principal camp organiser will arrange for at least one member of the society with a valid first aid qualification to be present at the camp.
They will also ensure that they are equipped with at least one of the society’s first aid kits whether or not first aid is provided by the authorities at the
camp site. They first aider’s mobile phone number will be made known to the participating members and their phone will remain switched on during
the day. At least one first aider will stay at the camp during activities at the site so as to be easy to find.
Alcohol
Alcohol poisoning,
cuts, increased
risks from other
hazards.
Code of
Practice
• At least one member of the executive committee and one selected other person will be sober at any one time.
• Before setting off for the camp the Health and Safety Officer (Vice President) or a selected camp organiser will ask the group whether any of their
number is carrying any glass that is not used to contain exclusively medicine; any member carrying non-medical glass is required to dispose of it
All Members
and Exec
Members
All Members
and Exec
1)
Ensure health forms include allergies section.
2)
Ensure members bring required medication if
needed
3)
Ensure a first aider is always present
1) At least one sober Exec member and one
other person
2) No glass to be taken onto camp.
3) Encourage members to drink in moderation.
Water available for members should they require it.
3
1
1
2
3
2
1)
Camp
organisers.
2)
Health and
Safety Officer
3)
Members,
1) Camp organisers.
2) Health and Safety
Officer
3)Members,
4) Exec
What are the controls and actions?
(use numbers)
Controlled
Risk Rating
Who is at
risk?
Controlled
Likelihood
What are the
risks & potential
injuries?
Controlled
Severity
Hazard
Who is responsible
for the control?
before they are allowed to attend the camp.
• The principal camp organiser will encourage the members to drink in moderation and set will a good example themselves.
• The principal camp organiser will ensure that drinking water is available for any member who should feel the need for it or be advised to drink it.
Food Poisoning
Allergic reactions,
anaphylactic
shock.
Code of
Practice

Stoves and
Fires
Burns from
flammable liquid/
gas and fires,
inhalation of
smoke, tent fires.
Code of
Practice





All members
and exec
1) Ensure health forms include food allergy section.
2) Ensure that a member of the exec present at food
preparation has a current food hygiene certificate.
4
1
4
1) Camp organisers.
2) Health and Safety
Officer
3) Exec
The camp organiser will ensure that the health forms given each member for the camp include a section asking for details of any food
allergies suffered by the member, members with food allergies will not be fed anything to which they are allergic.
No food preparation will be done by any member of the group except under the supervision of a member of the executive committee
with a valid, current food hygiene certificate.
All Members
and Exec
1) Stoves only to be used by members who
4
1
4
1) Camp organisers.
know how to use them safely
2) Health and Safety
2) Stoves and fires to be used away from tents
Officer
and other flammable materials
3) Exec
3) Water available if needed
4) Members
4) All flammable liquid to be stored securely in
suitable containers and will be kept by the
exec members
All exec members will ensure that no society member who does not know how to operate the stoves is allowed to operate a stove
unsupervised and without training.
All members of the group and the exec must ensure that no stove is used within a tent and no fire is built in close proximity to a tent in
order to avoid tents catching light.
The principal camp organiser will ensure that when a stove or fire is lit there is cold water on hand with which to douse any
uncontrolled fires which may result.
The principal camp organiser will, along with the exec, ensure that all flammable liquids/gases are stored in containers conforming to
the relevant British safety regulations and are kept safe from tampering.
Sign Off
The undersigned believe this assessment to cover all significant risks associated with the above activity and accept their responsibilities for
ensuring associated controls are in place
All members fill out medical information as per the National SSAGO InTouch Policy. This details any medical requirements the members have
including dietary information, allergies and medical conditions. This is the responsibility of the Vice-President (Health and Safety Officer) to
bring these forms to camps and adventurous activities.
As well as this, the society abides by all rules and regulations of National SSAGO as detailed in Factsheet Three found on the resources page
of the National SSAGO website http://www.ssago.org.uk/index.php/resources?id=14
Authorisation
Position
Print Name
Sign
Date
President
Gemma Swift
Gemma Swift
13/02/2013
Vice President (Health and Safety
Officer)
Theo Noble
Theo Noble
13/02/13
Please detail how this risk assessment will be communicated to all parties who must comply:
Communication
Who needs to understand this
assessment?
How will this be communicated to them?
Person Responsible
Date
Members
Code of Practice sent to every member
Vice President (Health & Safety
Officer)
Before 20/2/13
Risk Rating Guide
Below is a simple guide to help risk assessors determine the risk rating of each hazard identified.
A Risk Assessment should be ‘Suitable and Sufficient’. That is to say:
 It should identify the risks arising in connection with the activity.
 The level of detail included should be proportionate to the risk.
 It must consider all those who might be affected i.e. staff, students, etc.
 It should be appropriate to the activity and should identify the period of time for which it is to remain valid.
Risk = Likelihood X Severity
Likelihood
Very Unlikely
Unlikely
Possible
Likely
0
1
2
3
The Severity
No Action
First Aider
Doctor
A&E1
Very Likely
Certain
4
5
A&E2
Death
Likelihood
Severity
No injury
Bruising, minor cuts, grazes
Strains, Sprains, concussion
Loss of consciousness, blood loss, burns, breaks or injury resulting in Visit to A&E. Other non-permanent
chemical effects. Corrosive toxic, flammable substances, mild chemical irritation of eyes or skin. Harmful,
irritant substances
Permanent /partial/total disablement or other reportable injury/disease
Single Death or Multiple Death
Risk Rating
Score
Action
Trivial Risk
0-2
No further action required unless incidents occur
0
1
2
3
4
5
Death
A&E2
A&E1
Nurse
Unit
First
Aider
No
Action
Certain
25
20
15
10
5
0
Low Risk
3-4
No additional controls may be needed overall, but specific hazards may be reduced.
Monitoring is required to ensure controls are maintained. Review if an incident
occurs or more effective controls become available.
Very Likely
20
16
12
8
4
0
Moderate Risk
5 - 10
Efforts should be made to reduce the risk over a defined period of time.
Likely
15
12
9
6
3
0
High Risk
12 - 16
Work should not be started until the risk has been reduced. If work is in progress
Urgent action should be taken to reduce or control risks.
Possible
10
8
6
4
2
0
Intolerable Risk
20 - 25
The activity should cease until risks have been reduced to an acceptable level.
Unlikely
5
4
3
2
1
0
Very Unlikely
0
0
0
0
0
0