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Description of Location
These studies take place within a classroom at the centre. The classroom will have chairs stacked to the side so that the tables can be used to carry out the investigation.
Likely Hazards
• Handling dirty water.
• Moving around the classroom carrying equipment.
• Slippages caused by water spilled onto the floor.
• Children drinking the dirty water.
Existing Precautions
• Children are reminded that handling of dirty water must be done carefully and sensibly to avoid any accidents.
• Children are reminded not to put their fingers near their mouth after handling dirty water.
• Children are told of the dangers of drinking their ‘cleaned’ water.
• Children are told of the dangers of spilling water on the floor and are given trays to work within.
• Pupils who behave in an unacceptable, unsafe manner around the area will be excluded from the activity for the safety of others.
• Staff and adults should be aware of all those pupils placed under their supervision. Centre staff should not be included in this provision as they are in overall charge of the activity and should only be involved in its safe control. School staff should be encouraged to monitor the group for safety, without becoming involved in the activity.
• Groups should carry the minimum allowed in a First Aid kit.
• Groups should carry their own mobile phone. Each activity leader from the Centre will also carry a mobile phone. Please ensure that staff issued with the phone know how to use it, and have a list of emergency contact numbers, including that of the school.
• Schools should adhere to the staffing ratios specified by their employing authority for the size of group they bring. If the school is from out of authority, Doncaster regulations will be enforced unless that authority ratio is lower.
Additional factors that could be taken into account to reduce risks or risk factors
• Pupils could have some experience of this type of experimental work through previous training or undertaking this task at a different site. Competence level is not increased due to the introductory level at which the task was previously performed.
• Increasing the ratios of school staff and adults participating.
• Ensuring the school’s 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, special needs 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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