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Description of Location
The village of Austerfield is situated on the A614. It is a linear village, with housing concentrated around the main road. The main study area is situated between two long sweeping bends, and involves stops on pathways on the main road and also down side roads.
The paths are wide in places with grass verges between the path and the road; here groups can walk in pairs. In other places the path narrows and groups will be required to walk in single file.
The road has busy periods of the day but for the most part could be considered reasonably quiet for a main ‘A’ class road. A large amount of the traffic consists of freight transport and lorries transporting sand from the quarry adjacent to the village.
Likely Hazards
Traffic intensity throughout the period of the study.
Travelling along busy roads.
Parked vehicles obscuring the view of oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
Crossing the road.
Blind spots at certain parts of the road, creating areas that would be difficult to safely cross.
Paths narrowing.
Existing Precautions
Children are informed of the dangers the may face on the journey through the area.
They are involved in decisions on how they may best complete the journey in the safest way possible.
Staff and adult helpers are required to wear yellow high visibility jackets at all times whilst in the village.
Staff and adult helpers are distributed evenly along the line of children whilst walking, and one adult, preferably the activity leader, must always be at the front, with another at the back.
Crossing the road is only undertaken at points where visibility is clear and safe.
The preferred crossing method is to line all the children up side by side on the path, and cross them all at once with staff and adults to act as crossing patrols at both ends of the line.
Children who behave in an unacceptable and unsafe manner will be excluded from the activity for the safety of others. They will not be allowed to leave the area until they can be properly supervised.
The minimum required in a first aid kit will be carried at all times, including a mobile phone.
Children will be required to walk at all times.
Additional factors that could be taken into account to reduce risks or risk factors
Children may have some experience of working next to a busy road through previous training or undertaking this task at a different time.
Experience in general aspects of road safety.
Provision of yellow, high visibility jackets for all of the children, in addition to those provided by us for the adults.
Increasing the ratio of staff participating.
Number of staff who hold First Aid Certification.
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Description of Location
Village
The village of Austerfield is situated on the A614. It is a linear village, with housing concentrated around the main road. The main study area is situated between two long sweeping bends, and involves stops on pathways on the main road and also down side roads.
The paths are wide in places with grass verges between the path and the road; here groups can walk in pairs. In other places the path narrows and groups will be required to walk in single file.
The road has busy periods of the day but for the most part could be considered reasonably quiet for a main ‘A’ class road. A large amount of the traffic consists of freight transport and lorries transporting sand from the quarry adjacent to the village.
Church - inside
The church is a Christian Church dating back to 1080. It contains irreplaceable items. To enter the church there are two stone steps and some single steps once inside. Some electric wires run along the floor to the organ.
Church – outside
The church yard has gravestones dating back to 1700. A few gravestones are unstable. There are steep stone steps leading to the crypt from the back of the church. A large weeping Beech tree dominates the church yard. The churchyard is well maintained.
Likely Hazards
Village
• Traffic intensity throughout the period of the study.
• Travelling along busy roads.
• Parked vehicles obscuring the view of oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
• Crossing the road.
• Blind spots at certain parts of the road, creating areas that would be difficult to safely cross.
• Paths narrowing.
Church
• Falling down steps
• Tripping over wires and other obstacles
• Falling gravestones
• Children out of sight under beech tree.
Existing Precautions
Village
• Children are informed of the dangers the may face on the journey through the area.
• They are involved in decisions on how they may best complete the journey in the safest way possible.
• Staff and adult helpers are required to wear yellow high visibility jackets at all times whilst in the village.
• Staff and adult helpers are distributed evenly along the line of children whilst walking, and one adult, preferably the activity leader, must always be at the front, with another at the back.
• Crossing the road is only undertaken at points where visibility is clear and safe.
• The preferred crossing method is to line all the children up side by side on the path, and cross them all at once with staff and adults to act as crossing patrols at both ends of the line.
• Children who behave in an unacceptable and unsafe manner will be excluded from the activity for the safety of others. They will not be allowed to leave the area until they can be properly supervised.
• The minimum required in a first aid kit will be carried at all times, including a mobile phone.
• Children will be required to walk at all times.
Church
• Children are expected to show respect for all church contents and the building and grounds.
• They are warned about steps and trip hazards
• Children are not allowed around the back of the churchyard unless supervised.
• Children are not allowed under the beech tree unless supervised.
Additional factors that could be taken into account to reduce risks or risk factors
• Children may have some experience of working next to a busy road through previous training or undertaking this task at a different time.
• Experience in general aspects of road safety.
• Provision of yellow, high visibility jackets for all of the children, in addition to those provided by us for the adults.
• Increasing the ratio of staff participating.
• Organising the children into groups, each with an adult.
• Ensuring the schools policy on helping adults is known and understood before the visit by all those adults participating.
• Ensuring the activity provider has a thorough understanding of all your requirements for the activity, the numbers, age, general health (including disabled / handicapped within able bodied groups) of the pupils, and where necessary staff involved, ability range of pupils and those likely to cause problems.
• Consideration for the groups’ general safety, by excluding those likely to create a serious problem from the activity, or by specific control methods to be used for such pupils; i.e. 1:1 ratios with staff / helpers.
• Please also consider when making your assessments, as the generic one does not include, the competence, experience and qualifications of all supervisory staff sent by the schools.
• Does anyone on the trip hold First Aid certification?
• How long has the teacher in charge of each class been qualified?
• Has that person previous experience of organising / participating in a school trip?
• But above all... do the pupils understand what you expect of them from the visit? Have they, and how have they been prepared for this experience?
Last update: July 2007
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