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Description of Location
Nature reserve (an old quarry)
The site is of mixed topography, with some hilly areas and depressions, previously quarried areas and areas of open water and it is mainly covered by mixed woodland and scrub. To reach study areas entails crossing some haul roads still used by vehicles going to and from the working quarry adjacent. Vehicles may be expected to be travelling through the area at some time during the activities. Parts of the journey involve passing over rough ground and through woodland.
Likely Hazards
Nature reserve
• Heavy plant equipment and lorries involved in the extraction and transportation of sand from the adjacent working quarry moving around the old quarry via various haul roads.
• Travelling over rough ground.
• Plants such as nettles.
• Trip hazards such as logs and stones.
• Children wandering out of sight of supervising staff.
Working Sand Quarry
• Ground very wet and slippery
• Wind blown sand
• Unstable steep sides
• Moving vehicles – lorries and large machinery
Existing Precautions
General
• 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 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.
• 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.
Nature reserve.
• Close proximity to heavy plant equipment and vehicles is avoided.
• When crossing the haul roads children are encouraged to treat the road like a main highway; crossing is only permitted when the road is clear after looking and listening.
• Children will be required to walk at all times around the site and when taking part in the activities.
• Various features of the woodland site will be pointed out and discussed with respect to safety, i.e. taking care to not trip over any logs etc.
• Children will be instructed to stay within defined boundaries and always within sight of staff.
Working Sand Quarry
• Staff contact quarry manager and seek advice of conditions on the day.
• Everyone wears a hard hat whilst in the quarry – provided by the quarry company.
• Centre staff agree safe access and viewing point with quarry staff before the visit.
• Children walk in a single line following the path taken by centre staff.
• Children are not allowed near steep cliffs.
Additional factors that could be taken into account to reduce risks or risk factors
• 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 leader.
• 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, special needs of the pupils, and where necessary staff involved, ability range of pupils and those likely to cause problems.
• Consideration for the group’s 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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