|
Description of Location
These activities take place within a classroom, the Centre field and an old quarry (now a nature reserve). To reach study areas on the nature reserve entails crossing 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. 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. The Centre field is enclosed with a boundary fence. Vehicles enter through the main gate.
Likely Hazards
• 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.
• Vehicles entering the Centre field.
• Travelling over rough ground.
• Plants such as nettles and gorse.
• Allergies to plants.
• Trip hazards such as logs and stones.
• Children wandering out of sight of supervising staff.
Existing Precautions
• Children are made aware of the dangers of eating plants or putting fingers in their mouth.
• Children are informed of the dangers they 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.
• 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 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 the activity has been completed by all the children and 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 around the site and when taking part in the activities.
• Various features of the nature reserve will be pointed out and discussed with respect to safety, i.e. taking care to not trip over any logs and avoiding plants that may cause harm such as nettles and gorse.
• Children will be instructed to stay within defined boundaries and always within sight of staff.
Additional factors that could be taken into account to reduce risks or risk factors
• Experience in general aspects of road safety.
• Increasing the ratio of staff participating.
• Number of staff who hold First Aid Certification.
• Ensure the adults with the party know and understand the schools policy on helping adults before the visit.
• 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
|
.gif)