RISK ASSESSMENT FOR FOREST SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
Completed
by:
Reviewed:
Jessica Smith and Nikki Gudka - 09/01/2013
Reference:
31/7/14 – NS
Review
31/07/2015
20/7/14 - NG
Date:
L=Likelihood S=Severity DR=Degree of Risk (Before any controls in place) RR=Residual Risk (Risk remaining after controls in place)
Hazards and
Activity
Forest School
site includes
plants which
are harmful to
health
People at Risk
Risk
Control Measures

L S DR
2 3 6



Forest School
Practitioners
Participants
Helpers



Forest School

site has trees or
hanging

branches which 
fall and cause
injury
Forest School
Practitioners
Participants
Helpers
2 4 8




Forest School
site includes
water bodies
which could be


Forest School
Practitioners
Participants
2 3 6


Site specific risk assessment completed
for every Forest School site
Forest School practitioners trained to
recognise poisonous or stinging plants
Forest School participants taught to
recognise and avoid potentially
dangerous plants e.g. stinging nettles
Forest School practitioners trained in
Outdoor First Aid
Site specific risk assessment completed
for every Forest School site
Assessment of conditions takes place at
the beginning of each session with all
attendees
Liaison with relevant Landscape Officer
before the commencement of Forest
School activity to highlight any specific
issues
Remedial work carried out as part of
Forest School activities if required
Site specific risk assessment completed
for every Forest School site
Exploration of Forest School site with all
Residual
Risk
L S RR
1 3 3
Further measures if required, by who and
by when
1 2 2
1 2 2
1
RISK ASSESSMENT FOR FOREST SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
fallen into
causing distress
and/or injury

Manual
HandlingWhilst setting
up, moving and
transporting
equipment to
site and also
when taking
part in
activities.
Incorrect
technique may
lead to
musculoskeletal
disorders (back
pain etc) and
also trapped
fingers and toe
injuries.
Driving Parks
Trust vehicles
for the
transport of
Forest School
Equipment.
Incorrect use of
vehicles may
lead to accident

Helpers



Forest School
Practitioners
Participants
Helpers
3 2 6





Forest School
Practitioners
2 4 8




participants and helpers to identify any
hazardous areas
Participants will have clearly identified
boundaries which will be adhered to for
the duration of the Forest School activity
Forest School Practitioners trained in
manual handling
Forest School Practitioners responsible
for passing on key manual handling
messages to participants and helpers
Where possible, remove the need to lift
and carry heavy objects for long
distances or use equipment which aids
carrying e.g. trollies and wheelbarrows
Encourage practitioners, participants
and helpers who are carrying heavy
objects to carry in pairs where practical
All drivers to be familiar with the
vehicles used
Only authorised drivers are permitted to
use Parks Trust vehicles in compliance
with H&S Policy on vehicles
Vehicles checked prior to use for
roadworthiness
Good manual handling technique
adopted when loading/unloading vehicle
1 2 2
1 4 4


For any new locations, review parking
proximity to site
Practitioner to consider use of specific
vehicle for rough terrain or difficult to
access locations- e.g. 4x4 only for
certain locations
2
RISK ASSESSMENT FOR FOREST SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

or injury.

Adverse
weather
- wind
- rain
- cold
- hot
- storms
Risk of accident
or injury due to
dangerous
ground
conditions,
falling
branches,
lightening
strikes etc.

Welfare –
toilets
Practitioners,
participants and
helpers may
need to go to
the toilet on
site which could
cause distress
to the person
themselves and



Forest School
Practitioners
Participants
Helpers
3 3 9








Forest School
Practitioners
Participants
Helpers
Public
2 2 4



Access to site considered to ensure that
the vehicle can be parked safely and not
cause additional hazards in the location
Keys to be removed from vehicle when
not in use and kept by the responsible
person for the activity
Check weather forecast prior to session
Monitor ground conditions, especially
access/egress to site
Advise to wear appropriate clothing e.g.
waterproofs for inclement weather, hats
and scarfs to keep warm, hats and
sunglasses and barrier creams for hotter
days
Terminate session if winds become
excessive and loose branches/trees
become dislodged or if they look
unstable
Terminate the session should a
thunderstorm pass very close to the
Forest School site and lightning strikes
become likely
If no toilet is available in close proximity
to the Forest School site and the group is
out for longer than 2 hours a porta potty
and dedicated “toilet tent” will be
provided onsite
Staff trained to fill, empty and maintain
porta potty according to instructions
All group members are given clear
instructions on use of porta potty and
tent at the beginning of the first session
1 1 1
1 1 1
3
RISK ASSESSMENT FOR FOREST SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

possibly
members of the
public, risk to
practitioners
and helpers
when emptying
and cleaning
porta potty
Welfare –
sickness
If participants,
practitioners or
helpers become
unwell before
or during the
session they
may be at risk
of
complications
due to being
outdoors




Forest School
Practitioners
Participants
Helpers
3 2 6




A leaf to be used in pocket of tent to
show when toilet is engaged
Tent and toilet to be located in a
discreet location away from main
thoroughfares and areas of high footfall
Ensure that all participants feel
confident to talk to a practitioner or
helper should they feel unwell
Appropriate participant/practitioner
ratios to be maintained at all times to
ensure adequate observation
throughout session
For unaccompanied children consent
forms with emergency contact will be
kept onsite or within close proximity for
all participants – should a participant
become unwell during a session and
need to leave, their emergency contact
will be notified and asked to collect
them. In the intermediate time, the
participant will be monitored closely and
first aid will be administered where
appropriate
For school groups accompanying
teacher/adult will be responsible for
keeping consent forms and emergency
contacts of participants
Exact location of session is known and
recorded by Forest School Practitioners
2 1 2
4
RISK ASSESSMENT FOR FOREST SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
and Helpers as part of the Emergency
Action Plan so should the Emergency
Services be required, they can be
directed easily onto site.
Welfare –
hygiene
Participants are
outdoors for
long periods of
time working
with their
hands in
woodland
environments
with public
access – risk of
contamination
or infection
Welfare –
bullying
Risk of
emotional
distress due to
the bullying of
one participant
by another
Safe use of
tools
 Loppers
 Secateurs
 Billhook
 Sheath









Forest School
Practitioners
Participants
Helpers
4 2 8
Forest School
Practitioners
Participants
Helpers
2 3 6
Forest School
Practitioners
Participants
Helpers
3 4 12







Hand cleaning facilities will be provided
close to or onsite where possible and
participants will be reminded about
good hygiene particularly before eating.
Hand cleaning facilities will always be
provided in the toilet area and
participants will be made aware of this
at the start of the programme
2 2 4
Group behaviour will be monitored at all
times by Forest School practitioners
Forest School practitioners trained to
recognise when bullying is occurring
Any signs of bullying to be dealt with
immediately by Forest School
practitioner and affected participants
1 2 2
Trained Forest School Practitioner to
deliver “tool talk” and demonstrate safe
use of tool to helpers and participants
with the introduction of each new tool
“Tool talk” to include:
o Description of tool including
2 4 8
5
RISK ASSESSMENT FOR FOREST SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
knife
 Mallet
 Drill
 Skewers
Risk of accident
or injury due to
misuse or tools
being
inadequate for
the task in hand


Storage of tools 
– on and off site
Risk of tools

being left in an

inappropriate
condition in an
inappropriate
place which
could cause
accident or
injury
Forest School
Practitioners
Participants
Helpers

Forest School
Practitioners
Participants
Helpers
Maintenance of
tools – risk that
poorly
maintained
tools could
cause accident
or injury due to


3 3 9





2 4 8



working parts
o How to carry tool
o How to pass tool
o How and where to store tool
o How and when to use tool
o Safe working distances from
other people
o Personal protective equipment
required for use of tool
Appropriate ratios of Forest School
practitioners and helpers to participants
to ensure participants are monitored
when using tools
Ensure tools are maintained properly at
all times
Designated storage area for tools on and
off site
Participants, helpers and practitioners all
aware of location of storage areas and
reminded to return tools to storage
areas after use
Storage areas to be kept tidy at all times
Storage areas to be kept away from
main thoroughfares to avoid trips
Tools to be stored in an appropriate way
e.g. knives and saws inside a tool box
Clear instruction to be given to
participants about tool maintenance
during “tool talk”
Tool maintenance to be part of general
practice at Forest School sessions
Practitioner to check tools are properly
maintained on a regular basis
1 3 3
1 4 4
6
RISK ASSESSMENT FOR FOREST SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
faulty parts
Building
shelters – risk
of rope burns
when tying
knots to build
shelters, risk of
laceration or
strangulation
from dangling
or suspended
ropes, risk of
shelters
collapsing.



Forest School
Practitioners
Participants
Helpers
3 3 9





Play – risk of:
 slips, trips
and falls
 collisions
with
trees/each
other
 falling out
of trees
 collision
during
blindfold
games
Play – use of
slackline



Forest School
Practitioners
Participants
Helpers
4 2 8





Forest School
Practitioners
4 3 12

Participants are taught safe and effective
knots as part of the Forest School
Process
Rope is made in a bright colour (e.g.
blue) so it stands out in the woodland
environment, or hazard tape attached to
guy ropes to ensure they are visible.
All participants, helpers and
practitioners are involved in setting up
shelters at “camp” so are aware of their
location
Majority of shelters made using light
weight tarpaulin
If high winds occur and shelters look
unstable, they will be taken down or
session will be terminated
Participants are reminded to take care
during periods of play
Participants, practitioners and helpers
are reminded to wear practical clothing
and footwear at all times during Forest
School sessions
Practitioners test strength of branches
before participants climb trees
If participants are playing games with
blindfolds, they are paired up with a
sighted partner to avoid slips, trips and
collisions
2 2 4
Practitioner to ensure all equipment is
safe to use
3 2 6
3 2 6
7
RISK ASSESSMENT FOR FOREST SCHOOL ACTIVITIES



Participants
Helpers





Contact with
members of the
public, dogs,
horses and
other animals
may cause
distress to
either party




Forest School
Practitioners
Participants
Helpers
Public
1 2 2




Handling
of/exposure to
natural
materials that


Forest School
Practitioners
Participants
2 2 4


Participants shown safe ways to use the
equipment, following manufacturers
guidelines
Practical clothing and footwear to be
worn when using the equipment
Slackline to be no more than 30cm off
the ground to limit injury from falls
Participant must be accompanied by
another person when using the
equipment
Slack line not to be used in wet
conditions
Equipment to be regularly checked by
practitioner. All use halted if equipment
damaged in any way
Forest School participants reminded that
when in public parks they are not the
only park users and to be respectful to
members of the public
Participants shown techniques to enable
them to avoid dogs jumping up to them
Participants encouraged to not make
sudden movements or shouting if horses
are passing the session.
Appropriate adult supervision of group
at all times and behaviour controlled to
avoid conflict with members of the
public or animals
Any relevant allergies to be declared on
consent form
Trained first aider and first aid kit to be
1 1 1
1 2 2
8
RISK ASSESSMENT FOR FOREST SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
may cause
harm to health

Helpers
Bug hunting –
Risk of bites,
stings, allergies
when handling
insects

Forest School
Practitioners
Participants
Helpers



2 3 6



Fires –
Risk of burns
when
lighting/maintai
ning fire, risk
that fire may
get out of
control, risk of
food cooked on
open fire being
undercooked



Forest School
Practitioners
Participants
Helpers
3 4 12




Child protection
– risk of
inappropriate
adult
supervision

Participants
2 3 6



onsite with group at all times
Site specific risk assessment to be
completed on commencement of Forest
School activities
Any allergies of relevance to be declared 1 2 2
on consent form/kept by accompanying
teacher/adult
Trained first aider and first aid kit to be
onsite with group at all times
Handling of insects kept to minimum
with use of appropriate equipment e.g.
nets and pots
Clear instructions and procedures for fire 2 3 6
lighting, maintaining and cooking which
are established over a period of time
with instruction from the Forest School
practitioner
Rules for movement around fire pit area
to avoid people bumping into one
another while close to the fire
Participants to be well supervised at all
times when lighting, maintaining and
using fires
All food to be checked by an adult
before it is eaten
1 3 3
All Forest School practitioners and
helpers DBS checked
Forest School practitioners and helpers
appropriately experienced/trained to
work with children in the Forest School
setting
Ensure there is an appropriate ratio of
9
RISK ASSESSMENT FOR FOREST SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
Child protection
– Risk that
participants
could leave the
forest school
site with
someone other
than their
parent or
guardian
Child protection
– Risk that
participants
could leave the
site
unaccompanied
, without
permission or
with unknown
members of the
public

Participants
2 3 6



Participants
2 5 10





Forest School practitioners and helpers
to participants
Ensure that a Forest School practitioner
or helper is at the collection point when
children are being collected
Ask parents/guardians to inform
practitioners or helpers if the person
collecting the participant is someone
other than the regular collector
Participants are to be made aware of
the Forest School boundaries and the
importance of staying with in them
Participants to be made aware of the
importance of responding to a signal to
return to base camp as soon they are
called
Forest School practitioners and helpers
to maintain regular contact with
participants
Practitioners to be aware, by means of
consent forms or accompanying
teacher/adult, of anything which may
cause particular participants to run
away.
Exact location of session is known and
recorded by Forest School Practitioners
and Helpers as part of the Emergency
Action Plan so should the Emergency
Services be required, they can be
directed easily onto site
1 3 3
1 5 5
10
RISK ASSESSMENT FOR FOREST SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
RISK RATING
LIKELIHOOD
SEVERITY
5 Almost
Certain/
Frequent
4 High/
Probable
Almost 100% certainty that an accident will happen.
5 Major
Death to one or more people. Loss or damage is
such that it could cause serious business
disruption (major fire, structural damage).
Causing permanent disability (e.g. loss of limb,
sight or hearing).
Effects of human behaviour or other factors could cause
an accident but is unlikely without this additional factor.
4 High
3 Medium/
Occasional
Loss is unlikely during normal operation but may occur in
emergencies or non-routine conditions.
3 Medium
Causing temporary disability (e.g. fractures).
2 Low/
Improbable
Situation generally well managed but occasional lapses
could occur.
2 Low
Causing significant injuries (e.g. sprains, bruises,
lacerations).
1 Unlikely/
Remote
Loss, accident or illness could only occur under exceptional
conditions. Situation is well managed and all reasonable
precautions have been taken.
1 Minor
Causing minor injuries (e.g. cuts, scratches). No
lost time likely other than for first aid
treatment.
RISK RATING =LIKELIHOOD X SEVERITY
1-9
LOW
10-15 MEDIUM
16-25 HIGH
11