FORM OV 4
(CSF4255)
RISK ASSESSMENT FORM
(Focus on the things over which you have control)
Establishment: Hudnall Park Outdoor Centre
ACTIVITY: Night Time Investigation
Approved by:
Nicola Mitchell
Significant Hazards
and Associated Risks
Those who might
be harmed
Those hazards which may
result in serious harm or
affect several people
Persons at risk from
the significant
hazards identified
HAZARDS CAUSED
BY GROUP OR
INDIVIDUAL
BEHAVIOUR
CHILDREN/
PARTICIPANTS
Group Leader:
Position:
CHILDREN/
PARTICIPANTS
Control Measures(CM’s):
Additional CM’s required?
If existing CM’s cannot be met or
circumstances have changed





DARKNESS
OBSCURING
HAZARDS
CHILDREN/
PARTICIPANTS
Date: 01/09/2014
Controls, including relevant sources of guidance
(e.g. Generic Risk Assessment, CSF Offsite Visits Manual,
Guidance from Provider, etc.). Specific CM’s not included in the
generic RA (e.g. briefings, actions by leaders / participants,
qualifications / experience of supervisors)

GETTING LOST
Head of Centre
Outdoor Connexions Staff



Residual
Risk
Rating
(H / M / L)
Adherence to Lesson Plans
Appropriate group size to age of participants.
Monitoring and management of group to
ensure safety is not compromised
Instruction on safe means of moving around
area
L
Group to stay together - Rope to be held by
children during walk
Instructor to lead who is familiar with route
L
Torches to be used by participants to light
way
Obstacles (eg stiles) to be crossed whilst still
light
See below
L
TRACKS AND
PATHWAYS
CHILDREN/
PARTICIPANTS


Give information on hazards as they occur
Ensure footwear is appropriate to terrain
L
SLOPING GROUND
CHILDREN/
PARTICIPANTS

Warning, especially not to run downhill or
over rough vegetation which hides hazards
eg. rabbit holes, warn about them specifically
as they occur
L
CROSSING ROADS
CHILDREN/
PARTICIPANTS

Limit need to cross roads as much as
possible when planning routes
Provide sufficient early warning of
approaching road
Tutor to lead from the front
If roads are crossed tutor to organise with
assistance of responsible adults.
Clear instructions given as to method of
crossing roads
Roads to be crossed only when responsible
adult gives instruction, having checked it is
safe to cross.
Clear instruction given on walking along side
of road on verge in single file
Clear instruction to stop walking if a vehicle is
coming along the lane and to face torches
downwards
Responsible adults to place themselves
safely on the road verge between children
and any passing vehicle
Tutor to watch children individually over stile
and offer assistance as required
Tutor to engage responsible adult to assist
from the front – discussed beforehand
Tutor to ensure rope is moved out of the way
of children climbing the stile and ensure rope
does not tighten around them
L






TRAFFIC ALONG
LANE


STILES
CHILDREN/
PARTICIPANTS



L
M





DANGEROUS TREES
CHILDREN/
PARTICIPANTS
THORNS,
OVERHANGING
VEGETATION
CHILDREN/
PARTICIPANTS
NETTLE STINGS
CHILDREN/
PARTICIPANTS



Paths to be kept clear
Verbal warnings to increase awareness
Wear clothing appropriate to terrain and
activity
L
INSECT STINGS
ALL GROUPS

Awareness of allergy needs to be
known/informed
Appropriate medication to be carried by
allergic individual/responsible adult
Verbal warning
Removal of nest by trained staff, if known to
be close to areas used
L
Participants made aware of increased risk
when out at night fall on uneven tracks
See risk assessment for teaching outdoors
L
Education: Make children aware of poisonous
plants. Brief responsible adults.
Assume that all plants and fungi are
dangerous until definitely known otherwise
Supervision appropriate to the age and
experience of the children
Children told not to put anything in mouth
L




TRIPS & FALLS
POISONOUS PLANTS,
FUNGI
CHILDREN/
PARTICIPANTS
ALL GROUPS





Felling and removal where necessary
Provide information on dangerous areas
Site management
Restrict access
Continual visual assessment
L



L
Keep paths clear
Verbal warnings
Clear instruction provided on raising arm
to shield face if around low branches
WEATHER &
ENVIRONMENTAL
HAZARDS
CHILDREN/
PARTICIPANTS


HYGIENE
CHILDREN/
PARTICIPANTS


DATE OF REVIEW:
01/09/2015
REVIEWED BY:
Nicola Mitchell
See risk assessment for teaching in the
Outdoors
Tutor to be familiar with site and potential
hazards prior to teaching
Ensure children are adequately dressed –
advised before visit in literature. Keep back
up spares eg. Waterproof coat, and monitor
children for evidence of exposure – limit
exposure to extreme weather by altering
activity/time outdoors.
L
Brief groups on need to wash hands
thoroughly with soap and water after activity
and before handling or eating food.
Tutor to carry First Aid kit containing
antiseptic wipes
L
COMMENTS: