This example risk assessment is for demonstration purposes only and must not be used in its current form for any survey activities. Please use
this as a starting point, but remember that you must tailor it to the specific risks present during your survey session. OPAL accepts no
responsibility for any errors or omissions in this document, or any consequences of its use.
OPAL Bugs Count survey: example risk assessment
Venue location: Natural History Museum Wildlife Garden
Description of event: Bugs Count survey session with Scout group
Risk assessment written by: Lucy Carter on 27th May 2011
Hazard
Slippery or uneven
surfaces causing slips,
trips and falls
Who may be harmed
and how?
Volunteers, staff,
participants.
Identify existing precautions
Evaluate
the risks
Medium
Physical damage (cuts,
bruises etc)
Action required
Participants will be
warned of uneven
ground, slippery
surfaces etc during a
briefing at the start of
the survey session.
First aid kit and trained
first aiders on site.
Sharp objects e.g.
broken glass or sharp
litter in soil, grass or leaf
litter
Volunteers, staff,
participants
Physical damage (cuts,
scratches)
Safe fieldwork section in Field
Notebook draws attention to this
hazard.
Medium
All activities will be supervised by
staff who will be alert to potential
dangers.
All leaders of survey
sessions to brief
participants on the likely
risks and safe behaviour
required during the
activity.
Safe survey area to be
planned prior to survey
session.
Dirt, bacteria or other
Volunteers, staff,
Survey site will be checked prior to
Medium
Participants to cover any
This example risk assessment is for demonstration purposes only and must not be used in its current form for any survey activities. Please use
this as a starting point, but remember that you must tailor it to the specific risks present during your survey session. OPAL accepts no
responsibility for any errors or omissions in this document, or any consequences of its use.
substances e.g. dog
faeces that may be
encountered during the
activities.
participants
Prickly/stinging plants or
insects, e.g. stinging
nettles, thistles, bees
and wasps
Volunteers, staff,
participants
Infection or other illness
the activity to ensure the area is
suitable.
open cuts before
starting the survey.
Participants to wash
their hands afterwards,
and especially before
eating.
Physical damage (cuts,
scratches, stings,
swelling) or insect stings
or bites.
Safe fieldwork section in Field
Notebook draws attention to this
hazard.
Medium
All activities will be supervised by
staff who will be alert to potential
dangers.
Sharp/spiny/dangerous
plants/insects will be
pointed out at the start
of the activity.
Any participants with
insect sting allergies
must be advised to carry
appropriate medication.
First aid kit and trained
first aiders on site.
Heavy logs, stones and
plant pots which may be
lifted during challenges
1 and 2
Natural hazards
Volunteers, staff,
participants
Strains, back injuries,
trapped fingers
Volunteers, staff,
participants
Fall into stream/pond etc
(scrapes, bruises,
broken bones, death)
Safe fieldwork section in Field
Notebook draws attention to this
hazard.
Low
All activities will be supervised by
staff who will be alert to potential
dangers.
This activity will take place in a field
which contains a stream, but the
activity will be focussed away from
the stream area.
Briefing at start of
session will demonstrate
correct way to lift and
lower objects.
First aid kit and trained
first aiders on site.
Medium to
High
Brief staff and
volunteers on need to
take care throughout.
Ensure activity leaders
brief participants prior to
start of any surveys.
Avoid stream area.
This example risk assessment is for demonstration purposes only and must not be used in its current form for any survey activities. Please use
this as a starting point, but remember that you must tailor it to the specific risks present during your survey session. OPAL accepts no
responsibility for any errors or omissions in this document, or any consequences of its use.
Adverse weather
Volunteers, staff,
participants
Physical injury through
trips, slips and falling
objects. Chills.
Sunburn/sunstroke.
Child safety – ‘stranger
danger’
Participants under the
age of 18 (and also
vulnerable adults).
Physical and mental
harm (abduction, abuse
etc)
Bugs Count survey to be cancelled if
weather conditions are unsuitable
(heavy precipitation and/or strong
winds, too cold).
Medium
Monitor weather on day
and weather warnings in
run-up to survey
session.
Ensure sunscreen,
drinking water and
shade are available to
participants.
All volunteers and staff to be CRB
checked.
No staff or volunteers to be left in a
one-on-one situation with
unaccompanied children.
Low
Brief all staff and
volunteers on the need
for vigilance.
Ensure staff know what
to do in event of an
incident/suspicious
behaviour.
Explain to children what
behaviour is expected of
them, e.g. staying with
the group, not
wandering off alone etc.