Whirlow Hall Farm Trust Risk Assessment
Location: Whirlow Hall Farm Trust Site
Assessors: Education Management Team and Farm Board
Approved by the Board of Trustees – signed copy held at Whirlow Hall Farm Trust
Assessment date: 1 April 2014 (reassessment due 1 April 2015)
*Staff denotes employees and volunteers
Hazards
Bites, kicks,
pecks,
scratches and
trampling from
livestock and
small animals
Slips, trips and
falls, puncture
wounds, cuts,
lacerations,
fractures,
stabbing,
severe
bleeding,
impaling, injury
resulting from
entanglement
Falling from
height
Those at risk
Staff
Visitors
Children/
Students
Staff*
Visitors
Children/Students
Control measures
 All visitors are supervised by a member of staff* before entering buildings
containing animals unless by alternative prior arrangement.
 Animals are kept in restricted areas to minimise unauthorised access and
contact.
 No group or individual is permitted to access animal pens without staff*
permission.
 Groups participating in activities that include animal handling are led by
trained members of staff*.
 Farm information is regularly updated and communicated to all parties.
 Those involved in the movement of animals are made aware of risks and are
trained in correct handling techniques. The movement of large animals
occurs, where possible, when groups are not present.
 High standards of animal management are maintained across the whole
week and at weekends (See Guidelines for Weekends).
 Livery horse owners receive strict guidelines on movement of horses on site
(see Guidelines for Livery Horse Owners).
 Staff* are fully trained to warn of potential hazards to visiting groups.
 Farm site is kept tidy and tools and equipment are put away safely after use.
Tools are inspected regularly.
 Sharp knives and implements are stored out of sight when not in use.
 Children are fully supervised when using sharp knives or implements.
 Cables, hoses and wires are stored untangled and off the floor where
possible.
 Good lighting is installed in the immediate farm centre areas and is
inspected annually.
 Staff* apply grit to high-risk areas in icy conditions. Farm Team Leader
ensures the car park is closed in severe weather conditions.
 Floors are mopped and allowed to dry before visitors arrive. Wet floor
warning signs used if necessary. Spillages addressed at earliest opportunity.
 Members of the public use public footpaths at their own risk.
 Staff* use appropriate equipment to avoid working at heights. Staff* working
at heights have appropriate training and work in pairs.
Residual
Risk
Medium
Medium
Further
action
required
Person
Date for
responsible
completion
for action
Review
signage at
entry to farm
Managers
Sept 2014
Develop 1
handbook for
‘guidelines for
weekends’
Managers
Weekend
supervisor
May 2014
Implement plan
for formalised
regular site
inspections.
Implement tool
inspection
record.
CEO
April 2014
Farm Team
Leader and
Farm Board
September
2014
Ensure
adequate
signage on
permissive
paths.
Roll out health
and safety
induction to all
staff*.
CEO
July 2014
Volunteer
Co-ordinator
/Managers
July 2014
Whirlow Hall Farm Trust Risk Assessment
Disease/
infection
including
E. coli,
salmonella,
ringworm, Weils
disease,
toxicara,
cryptospridium
Poisoning,
chemical
burns
Staff*
Visitors
Children/students
Pregnant women
Staff*
Visitors
Children/ Students
Poisoning from
plants, stings
and thorns
Drowning
hypothermia,
broken limbs
Staff
Visitors
Children/students
 WHFT follows the guidance as stated in ‘Preventing or controlling ill health
from animal contact at visitor attractions – Industry Code of Practice’ June
2012.
 All are made aware of the risks of poor hand hygiene and the importance of
hand-washing with soap and water following any activity on the farm.
 Signage warning visitors of risks is clearly displayed.
 Hand-washing facilities are accessible in all areas of the farm centre and are
kept clean, hygienic and in good working order.
 Visitors exposed to a pig farm within the previous two days are obliged to
record details in the pig unit foyer.
 Pregnant visitors are advised not to attend during lambing time. Staff* are
advised, at induction, of appropriate action in the event of pregnancy.
 Rooms or picnic areas are provided for use when eating. Eating is
discouraged in non-designated areas.
 Kitchens and food preparation areas are cleaned daily. Kitchen sinks are
only used for the washing of kitchen utensils. Farm equipment must not be
cleaned in kitchen areas.
 Those in contact with animals are obliged to wash hands thoroughly, remove
all outer layers of clothing and footwear before entering kitchens.
 The Farm Board oversee a rat control programme.
 Cuts, recent piercings and recent tattoos are covered by plasters.
Low
 Chemicals are used according to manufacturer’s instructions and are stored
appropriately following legal requirements. No unlabelled bottles on site.
 Medicines are administered to animals by competent staff* or under strict
supervision by trained staff*.
 All chemicals associated with Education and General Office are stored away
from classrooms.
 Staff* warn groups not to touch, pick or ingest nettles, poisonous berries,
foxgloves in flower or thorny plants.
 Ponds are fenced/barriered to a height of 1.3 m, and are out of bounds to
the public. Gates to pond areas are closed when not in use. Fences are
checked regularly for maintenance needs.
 Groups (up to15) are permitted access to ponds with a member of staff* and
at least one other adult.
 Barn residential groups must be supervised at all times by their group leader
if accessing the adjacent pond without a member of WHFT staff*.
 WHFT ensures annual checks, repairs and maintenance to the decking and
fencing and will deny access to ponds if they are unsafe.
Low
Low
Improve the
CEO
hand-washing
facilities on exit
to animal contact
areas
July 2014
Review farm
signage
Managers
July 2014
Implement
recording of all
visitors who
have attended
pig farms
recentlyname(s),
contact details,
and name of
the farm
Farm Team
Leader and
Farm Board
July 2014
Ensure
medication is
kept in lockable
cupboard
during lambing
time
Farm Team
Leader
April 2014
Whirlow Hall Farm Trust Risk Assessment
Crush,
entanglement,
impaling as a
result of
collision with
vehicles or
farm
machinery
resulting in
cuts, bruises
broken bones
or death
RSI, eye strain
Staff*
Visitors
Children/students
Staff*
Students
Stings
Staff*
Visitors
Children/students
Dust and
fumes
Staff*, students,
visitors with
allergies/
breathing
difficulties
Manual
handling
Staff* and
children/students
 Full training on group management is given to group leaders near vehicles,
farm machinery and livestock.
 All group leaders, on pre-booked visits, receive relevant risk assessments
and 'Visit Guidelines' which alert them to their role in controlling risks.
 Speed limit is clearly indicated on site.
 Vehicles not permitted to use the top yard unless by arrangement with the
Education Office. Gates to the top yard closed whenever possible.
 All operators of machinery and vehicles are adequately trained.
 Vehicles and equipment maintained and serviced in line with makers’
recommendations.
 Staff* and passengers wear lap belts (where fitted) when driving vehicles.
No passengers are to travel in tractors/trailers unless seat is fitted.
 No child under 13 is permitted to ride in a tractor.
 Staff* ensure machinery is kept away from visitors where possible. Vehicles
and machinery are switched off, secured and stored safely when not in use.
 Drivers of moving farm vehicles will allow space and time for groups to
gather at a safe distance before passing by slowly.
 Warnings of the dangers of prolonged use of vibrating equipment and the
need to take regular breaks are given.
 All users are warned of the dangers of prolonged use of screens and the
need to adjust chairs/work stations.
 Access to the apiary is restricted to those trained in beekeeping.
 Staff* will warn of the dangers of bee stings on entering the polytunnel. A
warning sign is displayed on the outside of the polytunnel.
 Bee stings must be dealt with by the visiting group leader/staff* as
appropriate who must be vigilant for an allergic reaction. All bee stings must
be recorded in the WHFT incident book.
 Allergic conditions to dust, hay, straw, animal fur/dander or farm materials to
be reported to supervising staff*.
 Medication before commencement of a task is advised for those who use
inhalers or antihistamines to manage their allergies.
 All doors are kept open when cleaning animal housing to provide adequate
ventilation.
 Disposable masks are available as required.
 Training is provided on the safe moving and handling of objects.
 Individuals are not permitted to handle heavy or awkward loads but are
required to seek assistance from staff*.
Low
Liaise with
Events team on
wedding/events
set-up strategy
Head of
Learning
Strategy
and Head of
Fundraising
April 2014
Review farm
staff* training
when operating
tractors and
farm machinery
Farm Board
April 2014
Check chairs
annually
Head of
Learning
Strategy
September
2014
Low
Low
Medium
Ensure
disposable
masks readily
available
Low
Roll out Health
and Safety
induction for
staff*
Head of
Learning
Strategy
and Farm
Team
Leader
Vo Coordinator
and
Head of
Learning
Strategy
April 2014
July 2014
Whirlow Hall Farm Trust Risk Assessment
Falling objects
-strike injuries,
concussion
Staff*
Visitors
Volunteers
Children/ Students
Structural
collapse
Fire, smoke,
faulty electrics,
electrocution,
burns








Staff*
Visitors
Children/ Students












Psychological
trauma
Sunburn,
exposure,
dehydration,
hypothermia,
frost bite
Staff*
Children/
Students

Staff*
Visitors
Children/ Students


Stools and chairs to be stacked no more than six high.
All implements and wall hangings to be secured safely.
Warning signs to be clearly visible on low doors and beams in offices.
Visitors are required to access offices by external staircases.
Staff* ensure all doors and gates are secured safely when open.
Trees on site are checked after sustained high winds and annually. Visitors
and groups are kept away from danger areas. Emergency work is arranged
by CEO.
Areas of potential danger are cordoned off.
Roofs and buildings are inspected regularly and buildings confirmed safe by
a competent person.
All electrical appliances are tested annually by a qualified electrician.
All equipment (not new) is PAT tested before use.
All visitors on pre-booked visits receive information about fire exits,
assembly points and the evacuation procedure.
Electrical equipment is switched off overnight where possible. Staff* turn off
machinery when not in use (including computers at end of day).
All faulty equipment, plugs or sockets are reported to the Education Office
Manager who takes appropriate action.
Extinguishers are available throughout the site and serviced annually.
All cooking devices are turned off when not in use.
The top yard kitchen is out of bounds to children under 16 years unless
supervised by an adult.
Children over 13 are permitted to use the LTC kitchen with permission from
a member of staff*.
No flammable materials are stored by sources of ignition.
Rubbish and recycled paper are removed from buildings on a regular basis.
Smoking (including e-cigarettes) is not permitted on site apart from public
rights of way.
Farm Team Leader restricts access, where possible, to animals that may be
in distress, deceased, or where death is expected.
Use of WHFT computers and accessing social media sites is regulated
through a policy communicated to staff*.
Advice is given to dress appropriately and protect skin for weather
conditions.
Low
Low
Ensure Tree
survey policy
implemented
CEO and
Farm Board
CEO
April 2014
Implementation
of revised fire
plan
CEO
Sept 2014
CEO
April 2014
CEO
Sept 2014
Roll out revised
smoking policy
Low
Roll out new esafety policies
Low