Safety Manual
Section No.
B2
GOTHAM PRIMARY RISK ASSESSMENT FOR
CLASSROOMS 1, 2 AND 3
OUTDOOR PLAY AREAS
Operations/Work Activities covered by this
assessment:
Site Address/Location:
Classroom 1, Classroom 2 and Classroom 3 Outdoor Play Area (Page 1 of 5)
Department/Service/Team:
Oak, Beech and Chestnut classes
Gotham Primary School
Is a written policy statement
included in the School’s
Health and Safety Policy?
Are staff aware of this
policy?
Use of playground
which could lead to
physical injury
Children and
staff
Are the outdoor areas
suitable in terms of space
and segregation of activities
e.g. ball games?
Is safety glazing in place
where ball games are
played?
No unsupervised ball games and bike area
are segregated from all other activities
Children and
staff
Can the whole area be
adequately supervised?
Area can be seen clearly from indoors and
outside, if children are outside the external
door is always propped open.
Children and
staff
Is there an adequate
number of supervisors?
Children and
staff
Use of playground
which could lead
to physical injury
Issue No. 5
Revision No.
Page 1 of 5
Date of Issue: 19/01/10
Actions Step 4 (Clause 3.4)
Risk
Rating
who
(Name)
when
(Date
)
complete
(Date)
Risk
Rating
Further action Step 3
Consider hierarchy of controls i.e.
elimination, substitution, engineering
controls, signage/warning and/or
administrative controls, (PPE as a last resort)
Severity
Risk
Rating
Risk
Rating
Existing Control Measures:
Step 3
(Clause 3.3)
Severity
Who might be
harmed and how
Step 2
(Clause 3.2)
Likelihood
Hazards
Considered
Step 1 (Clause 3.1)
Likelihood
Note: A person specific assessment must be carried out for young persons, pregnant women and nursing mothers
Unsuitable
equipment (falls/
traps/ collapse)
Condition of playground etc.
which could result in
slips, trips/falls
Issue No. 5
Revision No.
Children and
staff
Are arrangements in place
for a visual sweep to be
undertaken of the play area
in order that dangerous
items can be collected for
safe disposal e.g. broken
glass should be collected
safely by the teacher (using
brush and dust pan or
suitable litter pickers, tongs
etc.), large pieces wrapped
in newspaper and
deposited safely in the
refuse bins.
Is play equipment obtained
from a reputable
educational source?
Each day caretaker uses checklist to ensure
the outdoor areas are safe. Class teachers
and TAs do visual sweeps throughout the
day.
Children and
staff
Is the play equipment
designed for the age group
concerned?
Children and
staff
Is the surface even, in good
condition and free from
loose grit?
Page 2 of 5
New surfaces but all children can trip over!
Date of Issue: 19/01/10
Risk
Rating
who
(Name)
when
(Date
)
complete
(Date)
Risk
Rating
All school staff are first aid trained, and all
are trained in school policies including
safeguarding. PPA staff don’t use the outdoor
play areas.
Actions Step 4 (Clause 3.4)
Severity
Are the supervisors
competent i.e. training,
instruction etc.?
Risk
Rating
Children and
staff
Severity
Existing Control Measures:
Step 3
(Clause 3.3)
Children and
staff
Risk
Rating
Further action Step 3
Consider hierarchy of controls i.e.
elimination, substitution, engineering
controls, signage/warning and/or
administrative controls, (PPE as a last resort)
Who might be
harmed and how
Step 2
(Clause 3.2)
Likelihood
Hazards
Considered
Step 1 (Clause 3.1)
GOTHAM PRIMARY RISK ASSESSMENT FOR
CLASSROOMS 1, 2 AND 3
OUTDOOR PLAY AREAS
Likelihood
Safety Manual
Section No.
B2
Children and
staff
Is play equipment sited on a
suitable, safe surface?
Ground checked for ice, sand and leaves
daily.
Children and
staff
Is the equipment
assembled and used in
accordance with the
manufacturer’s
instructions?
Are arrangements in place
for a visual inspection of
play equipment to be
undertaken prior to use e.g.
free from splinters, signs of
wear?
Are arrangements in place
for worn or damaged items
to be immediately removed
and/or appropriately
labelled?
Children and
staff
Children and
staff
Issue No. 5
Revision No.
Is adequate first aid
provision available?
Page 3 of 5
Sand tray checked for animal faeces, sand
tray covered at night, fencing and gates
checked daily. See daily tick list. Water
changed daily.
Caretaker removes when asked, class
teacher and TA remove when appropriate.
All staff trained, first aid kit in classrooms
Date of Issue: 19/01/10
Risk
Rating
who
(Name)
when
(Date
)
complete
(Date)
Risk
Rating
Very few, canopy posts and upright posts for
waterproof covers.
Actions Step 4 (Clause 3.4)
Severity
Are there any obstructions?
Risk
Rating
Children and
staff
Severity
Existing Control Measures:
Step 3
(Clause 3.3)
Children and
staff
Risk
Rating
Further action Step 3
Consider hierarchy of controls i.e.
elimination, substitution, engineering
controls, signage/warning and/or
administrative controls, (PPE as a last resort)
Who might be
harmed and how
Step 2
(Clause 3.2)
Likelihood
Hazards
Considered
Step 1 (Clause 3.1)
GOTHAM PRIMARY RISK ASSESSMENT FOR
CLASSROOMS 1, 2 AND 3
OUTDOOR PLAY AREAS
Likelihood
Safety Manual
Section No.
B2
Outdoor shed, storage trolley and plastic
containers
Exposure to the sun
Children and
staff
Are facilities in place to
afford sun protection e.g.
shaded areas (presence of
mature trees), limiting
exposure and provision of
sun hats/drinking water/sun
cream?
Children are encouraged to drink water
regularly, wear hats and go under the
extensive shaded and covered areas.
Parents are asked to put on sun lotion and
supply more for in school.
Are appropriate
arrangements in place for
security?
Whole school has a secure fence around it.
Classroom 1, 2 and 3 outdoor areas have an
additional fence around them. Although this
is not locked children are taught that it is a
boundary and they remain within it.
Are there any other
foreseeable hazards
associated with
outdoor play
activities?
Children and
staff
Classroom 2 and 3 outside area completely
shaded.
List any additional control
measures: See additional
daily tick sheet
Please circle
YES / NO
Reference Documents:
 Safe Practice in Physical Education and School Sport (BAALPE) available from www.1st4sport.com
 Daily Risk Assessment tick list
Issue No. 5
Revision No.
Page 4 of 5
Date of Issue: 19/01/10
Risk
Rating
who
(Name)
when
(Date
)
complete
(Date)
Risk
Rating
Are appropriate storage
facilities available for play
equipment?
Actions Step 4 (Clause 3.4)
Severity
Children and
staff
Risk
Rating
Poor Storage
Severity
Existing Control Measures:
Step 3
(Clause 3.3)
Poor
Security
Risk
Rating
Further action Step 3
Consider hierarchy of controls i.e.
elimination, substitution, engineering
controls, signage/warning and/or
administrative controls, (PPE as a last resort)
Who might be
harmed and how
Step 2
(Clause 3.2)
Likelihood
Hazards
Considered
Step 1 (Clause 3.1)
GOTHAM PRIMARY RISK ASSESSMENT FOR
CLASSROOMS 1, 2 AND 3
OUTDOOR PLAY AREAS
Likelihood
Safety Manual
Section No.
B2
Risk
Rating
who
(Name)
when
(Date
)
complete
(Date)
Review Date (Step 5) : 2014
Potential Severity of
Harm
Assessors Signature: Janette Allen and Laura Austin
High (e.g. death or
paralysis, long term
serious ill health)
Medium (an injury
requiring further medical
assistance or is a
RIDDOR incident)
Low (minor injuries
requiring first aid)
Date: 17/4/13
Authorised By: Sue Lymn-Brewin
Medium
High
High
Low
Medium
High
Low
Low
Medium
Low
(The event is
unlikely to happen)
Medium
(It is fairly likely it will
happen)
High
(It is likely to
happen)
Date: 17/4/13
Likelihood of Harm Occurring
Risk Definitions
Low
Issue No. 5
Revision No.
Page 5 of 5
Date of Issue: 19/01/10
Controls are adequate, no further action required, but ensure controls are
monitored and any changes reassessed.
Medium
Consideration should be given as to whether the risks can be reduced using the
hierarchy of control measures. Risk reduction measures should be implemented
within a defined time periods. Arrangements should be made to ensure that the
controls are maintained and monitored for adequacy.
High
Substantial improvements should be made to reduce the level to an acceptable
level. Risk reduction measures should be implemented urgently with a defined
period. Consider suspending or restricting the activity, or applying interim risks
controls. Activities in this category must have a written method statement/safe
system of work and arrangements must be made to ensure that the controls are
maintained and monitored for adequacy.
Risk
Rating
Actions Step 4 (Clause 3.4)
Severity
Further action Step 3
Consider hierarchy of controls i.e.
elimination, substitution, engineering
controls, signage/warning and/or
administrative controls, (PPE as a last resort)
Risk
Rating
Likelihood
Existing Control Measures:
Step 3
(Clause 3.3)
Risk
Rating
Who might be
harmed and how
Step 2
(Clause 3.2)
Severity
Hazards
Considered
Step 1 (Clause 3.1)
GOTHAM PRIMARY RISK ASSESSMENT FOR
CLASSROOMS 1, 2 AND 3
OUTDOOR PLAY AREAS
Likelihood
Safety Manual
Section No.
B2