November 2013
Bentley Priory Museum Risk Assessment
Detailed below are potential risk factors which are specific to this site. Naturally, everyday hazards, i.e. slipping, tripping
and small injuries such as cuts or bruises, can occur in any environment.
All groups of children must be supervised by their group leader when on site; we recommend a minimum adult to children ratio of 1:15 with
children aged 9 and above, and 1:10 for groups with children aged 8 and under.
Location
Exterior:
Front
Potential Risk Factors
Persons at risk
Site Traffic:
Visitors
 The Bentley Priory Museum is situated within a
large housing complex.
 There is currently still building work being carried
out onsite, and several properties are occupied;
therefore there will be vehicles moving around
the site.
 There is a large museum car park and a path
leading to the museum.
 Directly in front of the museum are two significant
aircraft. These are on the other side of a through
road from the museum.
Measures taken/to be taken
 The site has a secured entrance gate and
perimeter fence.
 Coaches can drop off and pick up groups from
directly outside the museum before parking in
the museum car park.
 School staff are to ensure the children are well
supervised when outside the museum.
 The aircraft are only to be viewed under
supervision from Museum Staff.
 School staff are to supervise children crossing the
road to the aircraft.

Exterior:
Front
Schools’ Entrance:
 The schools’ entrance to the museum is to the left
of the building, down a sloped path.
Visitors
Interior:
Learning
Centre
Learning Centre Floor:
 The floor surface is sometimes slippery underfoot.
Visitors and
Staff
 Museum Staff will maintain the upkeep of this
area to try to prevent the creation of a slippery
surface.
 School Staff are to ensure that care is taken when
on this path, especially during bad weather.
 The Learning Officer will warn the group on
arrival to the Learning Centre.
 Supervision from Museum and School staff
November 2013
Interior:
Learning
Centre
Handling session:
 The Handling collection includes some small
items.
Visitors
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Interior:
Museum
Stairs and Steps:
 There is one flight of stairs up to the museum,
with a hand rail.
 There are two steps leading from the entrance
hall into the main museum which can sometimes
be a trip hazard.
 There is another large staircase in the museum
which leads to a landing.
Visitors
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
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Interior:
Museum
Interior:
Museum
Exterior:
Back
Battle of Britain Lace:
 The Battle of Britain Lace is framed in a large 5ft
high frame with a glass panel over it.
Windows and Doors:
 Due to the features of the property, there are
large windows in most of the rooms of the
museum.
 Also due to the features of the property, the
doors between rooms are heavier than standard
doors.
Veranda outside the Ball-Room
 Fall Hazard and risk of climbing through the
Visitors

Visitors
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during the teaching session.
These will be displayed in small plastic packages
to avoid damage and risk of swallowing.
The Learning Officer will advise the group to be
careful with such items.
Supervision from Museum and School staff
during the teaching session.
There is a handrail on the main staircase leading
up to the museum.
There is a lift for visitors to use between floors as
and when required.
There is an alternative entrance to the museum
for wheelchair users.
Museum staff are to warn visitors about the two
steps from the entrance hall into the museum.
School staff are to supervise children carefully if
using the staircase to go to the landing in the
entrance hall.
School staff are to ensure that children don’t run
in the front of the panel or down the stairs
Supervision by Museum and School staff.
The whole property, including windows, has been
renovated to modern building standards.
The doors to the museum will be secured open
with a magnetic door holder.
Supervision by Museum and School staff.
 Museum staff will supervise children on the
balcony
November 2013
Exterior:
Back
barrier
Gardens:
 The steps in the garden may become slippery,
especially in adverse weather.
 The gardens are full of a variety of plants and
shrubs; some of which may be prickly or
poisonous.
 There is also a working fountain in the garden
which will always have water in.
 Occasionally there are vehicles driving around the
back of the property on the land between the
museum and the fountain.
 Children must be supervised by School Staff at all
times when in the gardens.
 Children must not go into the fountain.