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the IMPACT Programme
IMPACT Adventure Trust, Gamekeepers Lodge,
Ballindalloch, Banffshire AB37 9DR, Scotland, UK
IMPACT Adventure Activity Risk
Assessment and Management Policy and
Procedure
Safety is always paramount at IMPACT Adventure but it must be appreciated
that an element of risk is inherent in adventure; absolute safety can never be
guaranteed. It is however recognized that all reasonable precautions be taken
to reduce this inherent element of risk.
Under health and safety legislation, IMPACT Adventure have a duty to ensure
the health and safety of those who participate in activities, both clients and
staff. IMPACT Adventure also have a duty to ensure that no one else is
harmed as a result of those activities. As part of this duty, IMPACT Adventure
must ensure that a risk assessment is undertaken for each activity by a
competent person which covers those risks that are reasonably foreseeable.
This risk assessment is the process applied to the identification of hazards,
the subsequent evaluation of the associated risks and the implementation of a
series of control measures to minimize the risks highlighted.
Risk assessment is an ongoing process and is used as an aide memoir and
induction training manual for IMPACT Adventure staff.
The risk assessments contained herein are organic in their nature. The staff at
IMPACT Adventure are continually and dynamically assessing all the risks
associated with each activity and when necessary the risk assessments in this
document will be updated to show any relevant changes.
© IMPACT Adventure
Contents
Risk Assessment Matrix
Risk assessments; an overview
Activity Risk Assessments;
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Rock Climbing / Abseiling
Hill walking
o Summer
o Winter
o Scrambling
o Scree Running
Camping Wild / Managed site
Gorge walking / Canyoning
Open Canoeing / Kayaking
Off Road Cycling
Sea Level Traverse / Coasteering
Tyrolean Traverse
Orienteering
Climb Wall (Indoor)
Cabin Cruise / Pleasure Boat
Improvised Raft Building
Water Skiing / Towing
Problem Solving Activities
Bushcraft
Campfire
© IMPACT Adventure
Risk Assessment Matrix
Hazard:
Risk:
Anything that is likely to cause harm
The risk associated with a hazard is a combination of the seriousness of the
harm (CONSEQUENCES) and the probability (LIKELIHOOD) that the event
will occur.
An event may have many possible outcomes - ranging from a fatality to a near miss - and the
likelihood of each outcome is different
CONSEQUENCES
Extreme Injury
Major Injury
(These definitions are
extracted from the Reporting
of Injuries, Diseases and
Dangerous Occurrences
Regulations, RIDDOR)
Minor Injury
Fatality or permanent disability
I. Fracture other than to fingers, thumbs or toes
II. Amputation
III. Dislocation of the shoulder, hip, knee or spine
IV. Loss of sight (temporary or permanent)
V. Any penetrating eye injury
VI. Injury resulting from an electric shock / burn leading to unconsciousness or
requiring resuscitation or admittance to hospital for more than 24 hours
VII. Unconsciousness caused by asphyxia or exposure to a harmful substance
VIII. Loss of unconsciousness arising from absorption of any substance by
inhalation, ingestion or through the skin
IX. Acute illness requiring medical treatment where there is reason to believe that
this resulted from exposure to a biological agent, it’s toxins or infected material
Small cuts and grazes or injuries requiring minor medical treatment
Environmental / Equipment Damage
LIKELIHOOD
Very Likely
Occurs frequently
Likely
Likely to occur several times
Possible
Could occur sometime
Unlikely
Unlikely, though conceivable
Very Unlikely
So unlikely that the probability is close to zero
Since risk is dependant on the likelihood of harm occurring, as well as the severity of the
harmful outcome, it can be categorised qualitatively using the matrix below.
Risk = Likelihood of Occurrence x Consequence of outcome
Likelihood of occurrence
Consequence
Very
Likely
Likely
Possible
Unlikely
Very
Unlikely
Extreme
High
High
High
Medium
Low
Major
High
High
Medium
Low
Insignificant
Minor
Medium
Medium
Low
Insignificant
Insignificant
Environmental /
Equipment Damage
Medium
Medium
Insignificant
Insignificant
Insignificant
High = High Risk Medium = Medium Risk Low = Low Risk Insignificant = Insignificant Risk
© IMPACT Adventure
Risk Assessments; an overview
•
The risk assessments that follow are designed to highlight the main risks
associated with each activity.
•
Each assessment has been made by a suitably competent and/or qualified
person on behalf of IMPACT Adventure.
•
The member of staff leading the activity will carry out a ‘Dynamic Risk
Assessment’ before and during the activity. If any hazards are identified that
were not included in the original risk assessment these will be reported to the
Activities Manager for inclusion. This will include, but is not limited to
information obtained from the incident, accident and near miss logs.
•
Risks associated with a particular area or location will be included into these
‘Generic’ assessments thus alleviating the need for ‘site specific
assessments’. These additions will be marked as site specific and the location
or area noted. These additions may include rights of access to a particular
area of land for example.
•
It is the responsibility of the Activities Manager to ensure that all members of
IMPACT Adventure staff who are to be involved in these activities have read
and understood this document and are aware of their responsibilities when it
comes to reporting incidents, accidents and near misses, which are integral to
the risk assessment process.
•
These documents cannot include every conceivable risk and therefore it is the
duty of every participant whether staff or client to communicate any real or
perceived risk to the Activities Manager, who will make a decision based on
competence / qualification or advice as to whether or not to continue with the
activity and at that location and whether or not to include that risk in the risk
assessment.
•
When at a specific site the lead member of staff must take all reasonable
measures to assess the site for potential dangers and take precautions to
reduce any risks. As a minimum, this will be interpreted as alerting the group
of the risks and the means of reducing those risks.
© IMPACT Adventure
the IMPACT Programme
IMPACT Adventure Trust, Gamekeepers Lodge,
Ballindalloch, Banffshire AB37 9DR, Scotland, UK
Risk Assessment – Rock Climbing / Abseiling
Hazard
Person/s at
risk
Falling
Participants
Head injury
Participants
Equipment failure
Participants
Rope burns
Participants
Entanglement and
collision with others.
Emotional
Participants
Participants
Clothing or hair snags
Participants
Hypothermia
Participants
Stuck on abseil / Climb
Participants
Injury from uncontrolled
belaying
Participants
Control Measures
Session organised and run only by SPA assessed staff.
Participants always attached to safety rope were appropriate.
Close supervision of belay technique.
Back up system for novice and inexperienced belayers.
Staff training and monitoring.
Bouldering maximum height identified by Lead Outdoor Education Practitioner.
Spotters used for all bouldering activity.
Helmets to be worn at all times when near the climbing area.
Safe climbing location free from loose rock.
Daily, monthly and annual inspections by qualified staff.
A ropes maintenance programme to be followed.
Staff to belay or directly supervise belaying.
Staff training + monitoring.
Staff to belay or directly supervise belaying.
Staff training + monitoring.
Challenge by choice.
Rings and loose jewellery to be removed, loose clothing tucked in and hair tied
back.
Appropriate clothing for conditions. Instructor essentials to include a survival
bag, hot drink and spare clothes.
Releasable abseil system. Staff to be trained and monitored.
Qualified staff monitored regularly.
Belay demonstration given by instructor to include lowering.
Gri Gri not to be used with novice climbers.
Climbers must not leave the ground until the supervising instructor has
checked the competence of the belayers.
Correct belay procedure to be followed to include: backup belaying
Peer belaying to be constantly monitored and co-ordinated by OEP’s.
Based on the ability of the group, the instructor appropriate belay groups.
Level of
Risk
Further
Action
Required?
Low
None
Low
None
Low
None
Low
None
Insig
None
Low
None
Low
None
Low
None
Insig
None
Low
None
© IMPACT Adventure
Non-Trauma Injury
Participants
Other users
All
A thorough warm up should be under taken before the start of any activity.
Participants should be given a thorough brief of behaviour safety and etiquette.
Low
None
Insignificant
None.
© IMPACT Adventure
Risk Assessment – Hill Walking Summer / Winter (risks identified are in addition to those for Summer) / Scrambling / Scree Running
Level of
Risk
Further
Action
Required?
Clothing layers to be worn, suitable clothing for conditions. Spare clothes to
be carried.
Suitable sleeping bag and tent supplied.
Low
None
Participants
Sun screen and water to be carried, OEP vigilance.
Low
None
Injury from trip or fall
Participants
Suitable foot wear to be worn, route choice, group under supervision,
confidence rope used if needed.
Low
None
Heat exhaustion
Participants
Water and hat to be carried on trip.
Low
None
Exhaustion from
physical effort
Participants
OEP vigilance.
Route choice should be appropriate to the abilities of all participants.
Insignificant
None
Adverse weather
conditions
Participants
Low
None
River crossing
Participants
Low
None
Getting lost
Participants
Use of appropriate map, compass and route card to include overshoot and
safety features. Route card held at centre.
Low
None
Stomach upset /
infection from water
Participants
Water from designated area set by trained staff.
Insignificant
None
Blisters
Participants
Use of suitable footwear, change of socks where possible. Advice given on
packing of rucksack.
Instructor to carry blister packs in first aid kit.
Med
None
Wildlife
Participants
Group to be wary of crossing fields of livestock and farms. Gates to be closed
after use.
Safety brief to include touching foxgloves or nettles.
Insignificant
None
Hazard
Person/s at
risk
Hypothermia
Participants
Sunburn / sunstroke
Control Measures
Detailed weather forecast prior to trip.
Clothing suitable for conditions and season.
Where possible use an alternative route, if none is available use procedure
as given by the MLTUK
© IMPACT Adventure
Benighted
Participants
OEP to inform Activities Manager of risk prior to departure and agree a
procedure.
OEP and Activity Manager to follow an agreed procedure.
Each Participant will carry a working transceiver (switched on).
All participants will be thoroughly briefed on what actions to take in the event
of an avalanche.
In addition to a current weather forecast a current avalanche forecast should
be obtained from the SAAS.
OEP’s will make route choices based on current advice and experience.
All participants will be properly briefed and practice the correct use of
crampons and ice axe.
All participants will practice self arrest techniques at an appropriate location.
The lead OEP will brief and practice all participants in techniques for
movement on step ground as per the MLTS.
Avalanche
Participants
Movement on steep
ground (snow or ice)
Participants
Scrambling
Participants
This activity will be led as per MLTUK MIA Syllabus by appropriately qualified
OEP’s
Scree Running
Participants
This activity will be avoided by all Outdoor Education Practitioners
Insignificant
None
Low
Continuous
monitoring of
route and
weather.
Low
None
Low
None
Insignificant
None
© IMPACT Adventure
Risk Assessment – Camping Wild / Managed site
Level of
Risk
Further
Action
Required?
Low
None
Low
None
Water from designated area set by trained staff, all food to be thoroughly
cooked and hot.
Low
None
Participants
Torches to be used at night.
Training and safety brief on campcraft to include awareness of guy ropes.
Low
None
Other people
Participants
Group kept together around central camp area. Group to work in pairs.
Low
None
Wildlife
Participants
Group to be wary of crossing fields of livestock and farms. Gates to be closed
after use.
Safety brief to include touching foxgloves or nettles.
Insignificant
None
Equipment Failure /
Damage
Participants
All equipment to be checked prior to being issued.
Insignificant
None
Hazard
Person/s at
risk
Hypothermia
Participants
Burns
Participants
Stomach upsets
Participants
Trip or fall
Control Measures
Participants to wear correct clothing, to carry spare clothing, adequate
sleeping bags and well maintained tents and equipment.
Staff in constant supervision.
Training in campcraft and the safe use of stoves, fuel and matches.
Stoves always lit on level ground.
Cooking area situated away from tented area.
© IMPACT Adventure
Risk Assessment – Gorge Walking / Canyoning
Hazard
Person/s at
risk
Control Measures
Level of
Risk
Further
Action
Required?
Low
Constant
Vigilance
Low
None
Medium
None
Low
None
Low
None
Low
None
As per Hill Walking and Rock Climbing risk assessments
Drowning
Participants
Hypothermia
Participants
Trip or Fall
Participants
Entrapments
Participants
Jumps and Slides into
pools.
Participants
Sudden spate
conditions.
Participants
Buoyancy aids to be worn throughout activity.
OEP vigilance.
Appropriate clothing for prevailing conditions worn, consider water and air
temperature.
Awareness of participants’ condition throughout activity.
Appropriate emergency equipment readily available.
Helmet worn and fitted correctly.
Careful route choice by instructor to avoid hazard.
Appropriate use of spotting techniques.
Consider protecting sections with the use of ropes.
Appropriate footwear used.
Briefing and demonstration to participants on good foot placements.
Access routes to venue assessed.
Ropes used to be in a releasable system.
Avoidance of identified vegetation or rock hazards.
Good group briefing on foot placements.
Pools carefully checked for hazards before use.
Landing areas for slides inspected and assessment made on prior to use.
Pools entered feet first only.
Weather forecasts interpreted and past and present conditions taken into
account.
Site approval from Lead Outdoor Education Practitioner on site.
Bridge of Brown gorge should only be used if water is below the level of ‘The Hole’ as identified by the Activities Manager.
© IMPACT Adventure
© IMPACT Adventure
Risk Assessment – Open Canoeing and Kayaking
Hazard
Person/s at
risk
Drowning
Participants
Hypothermia
Participants
Moving and handling
boats and equipment
Participants
Sharp objects on
access an egress areas
Participants
Entrapments.
in boats, vegetation,
rocks
Participants
Adverse Weather
Conditions
Participants
Impact with rocks and
other solid objects
Participants
Control Measures
Buoyancy aids worn and correctly fitted.
Appropriate group/leader ratio for environment.
Competent group supervision and management.
Participants water confidence known.
Appropriate clothing worn for expected conditions.
Awareness of participants condition throughout activity
Appropriate emergency equipment readily available.
Use sufficient people to share the load when moving boats or equipment
Coaching and use of good lifting techniques, to protect from injury
Co-ordinated the loading unloading trailers/racks.
Care to be exercised when emptying swamped boats
Instructor to check boats have sufficient buoyancy fitted.
Footwear worn at all times.
Prior to use, areas checked for hazardous sharp objects
Avoid identified vegetation or rock hazards.
Boats correctly fitted to participants.
On moving water only bulkhead footrests to be used.
Fittings in boats secure.
Participants coached on getting in and out of boats.
Participants briefed on hazards of vegetation and rocks.
Participants briefed regarding white water swim position.
Weather forecasts interpreted, and likely conditions assessed.
On-site approval from Lead Outdoor Education Practitioner.
Continual dynamic risk assessment required during activity.
Helmets worn on moving water.
Group briefing regarding white water swim position.
Care exercised at access and egress areas.
Level of
Risk
Further
Action
Required?
Low
None
Low
None
Low
None
Low
None
Low
None
Low
None
Low
None
© IMPACT Adventure
Infection from
waterborne diseases
Participants
Collisions with
fishermen, swimmers,
other craft and other
water users
Participants
Water quality to be assessed visually prior to session.
Cover all cuts and abrasions.
Wash hands before eating food.
Rinse all wetsuits, dry thoroughly.
Shower after activity.
Operations of other users on site should be identified and assessed.
If risks to other water users from our activities are identified, our activity will
be modified.
Discussions with other users are useful to reduce any conflict and risks.
Low
None
Low
None
© IMPACT Adventure
Risk Assessment – Off Road Cycling
Hazard
Person/s at
risk
Fall from Bike
Participants
Hypothermia
Hyperthermia
Dehydration
Participants
Equipment Failure
Participants
Participants lost/separated
from group.
Participants
Collision with other
road/trail users
Participants
Adverse Weather
Conditions
Participants
Control Measures
Helmet fitted correctly and worn. Gloves worn.
Participant ability assessed in a controlled environment.
Hazardous sections of trail managed effectively.
Speed controlled by the instructor, appropriate to participants’ ability.
Ground conditions and terrain hazards, particularly in wet conditions are continually
assessed by the instructor.
When snow, ice or frozen ground is expected, the decision for the activity to run is
taken in morning staff meeting.
Participants clothing and straps secured to avoid entrapments in moving parts.
Appropriate clothing worn for expected conditions.
Instructor aware of participants condition throughout activity.
Appropriate emergency equipment readily available.
Additional drinking water available/accessible.
Trip appropriate for prevailing weather conditions.
Bikes regularly maintained.
All bikes have pre-issue checks completed by the instructor.
Faulty bikes clearly labelled and removed from service.
Hazardous sections of trail managed effectively.
Means of carrying out common trailside repairs readily available.
Participants coached in correct use of gears and brakes.
Group is managed effectively by the instructor.
Limited group size and leader/participant ratio.
Route planned to reduce the use of public roads.
Group is managed effectively by the instructor.
Forestry operations signs and advice followed.
Group briefed on considerate riding.
Weather forecasts interpreted, and likely conditions assessed.
On-site approval from Lead Outdoor Education Practitioner.
Where storm force winds are forecast, decision on route choice, or the cancellation of
activity will be made in the morning staff meeting.
Level of
Risk
Further
Action
Required?
Low
None
Low
None
Low
None
Low
None
Low
None
Low
None
© IMPACT Adventure
Trees – low branches
Brashings
Participants
Bike out of control
Participants
Forestry operations
Participants
River Crossings
Participants
Poor light conditions.
Darkness
Participants
Hazard briefed to group.
Unfamiliar sections of trail, lead by instructor.
Effective group control through hazardous sections.
Participants wear eye protection.
Use of brakes coached and practised by participants.
Participant ability assessed in a controlled environment.
Speed controlled by the instructor, appropriate to participants’ ability.
Known hazard areas managed by instructor.
Forestry operations signs and advice followed.
Awareness of increased traffic on forestry roads in areas of operation.
Where possible route chosen to avoid active areas.
Low
None
Low
None
Low
None
Route planned to avoid hazardous water crossings.
Instructor carefully manages any hazardous water crossings.
Low
None
Lights and high visibility vests available for participants when expecting to travel in
poor light conditions or in darkness.
Emergency lighting carried at times of year where daylight is short.
Low
None
© IMPACT Adventure
Risk Assessment – Sea Level Traversing / Coasteering
Hazard
Person/s at
risk
Drowning
Participants
Head injury and other
injuries
Participants
Cold shock and
hypothermia.
Participants
Winding or injury due to
poor landing in water.
Participants
Injury due to hitting
rock.
Participants
Sea conditions
Participants
Injury through contact or
collision with other
people.
Participants
Level of
Risk
Further
Action
Required?
Low
None
Low
None
Low
None
Low
None
Low
None
Check forecast and monitor weather and sea state. Instructor to check
landings and take into account tidal swells.
Low
None
Participants that wish to jump at the same time, as others must be well apart.
Staff will dictate how far this is. No one may jump holding hands.
Low
None
Control Measures
Participants will be issued with necessary safety equipment, including wetsuit
and buoyancy aid to help flotation. Buoyancy aids are NOT optional. In
extreme white water conditions minimal time will be spent in the water.
Coasteering route will minimise use of areas of loose rock.
Suitable helmets will be worn by all participants.
Ensure all participants have correctly fitting wetsuits, helmets and buoyancy
aids.
Hooded tops may be used in very cold weather.
Instructors encourage clients to keep moving around and to give themselves
time to adjust to the water temperature when they first enter.
Sessions shortened if needed.
A safety bag is available at all times.
All participants are taught jumping techniques suitable for the size of jump.
No coasteering route will have jumps that are compulsory.
All jumping techniques are demonstrated by the Instructor, with small jumps
being used to begin with before larger heights are attempted.
The Instructor is nearby at all times.
Participants must show that they are capable of jumping effectively and able
to land well.
Weaker jumpers are encouraged at lower levels with staff next to them to
help or pull them back if they slip.
Jumps will be assessed by the Lead Outdoor Education Practitioner and only
those indicated by them will be used.
© IMPACT Adventure
Seaweed covered or
slippery rocks & walking
on loose boulders.
Participants
Strong sea swell & large
waves. Unintentional
swim due to being
washed off or falling in.
Participants
Barnacles & sharp rock.
Participants
All participants are told to proceed with care and are guided over the best
available routes to avoid large amounts of seaweed etc. Each person is told
to use hands as well as feet for support to aid balance and safe movement
across the rocks. Walking on areas of barnacled rocks is encouraged for
maximum grip. When walking on seaweed look for pools or indentations that
hold water as these will provide more stable footing The Instructor leads the
group, encouraging them to help each other & fore-warning them of obstacles
such as wet & slippery rocks.
Participants are briefed on prevailing conditions and told what to expect, how
to react and what to do in the event of an unintentional swim occurring.
Instructor verbally and visually warns participants of incoming waves. Where
exposed to large waves/ swell the group will be kept in a safe area until
asked to move. A throw line will be at hand at all times.
Participants are shown how to place hands and feet. Also shown the best
way to get out of the water and what to do when they are being washed
around or near to rocks. Demonstration and/ or practice to help learn good
technique.
Low
None
Low
None
Low
None
© IMPACT Adventure
Risk Assessment – Tyrolean Traverse
Hazard
Person/s at
risk
Hit from falling objects
Participants
Fall from Height
Participants
Slips and Trips
Participants
Entanglements
Participants
Equipment failure
Participants
Other Site users
Participants
Jewellery/ Piercings
Participants
Control Measures
Helmet worn
Good group management and briefing on site/route
Assessment of site/route before use. Consider the impact of weather
conditions on stability of site/route.
Effective group management on site/route
Safe and efficient rope systems employed
Helmet worn
Personal Protective equipment used appropriately
Appropriate footwear used.
Access to, from and moving around the site assessed.
High risk areas highlighted to group during briefing, and managed effectively.
When deciding on session venue the instructor and course co-ordinator are
to consider the impact of past and expected weather on underfoot conditions.
Personal items secured away from devices.
Good briefing regarding hazard completed.
Gloves worn if pulling on tensioned rope
Avoid or protect ropes running over abrasive edges.
Ensure correct fitting and use of harnesses
The condition of all equipment to be assessed prior to use, suspect items
removed from service.
Backup for tensioned rope system employed
Anchors carefully assessed
Operations of other users on site should be identified and assessed
Where risk to other site users from our activities is identified, our activity will
be modified.
Discussions with other site users are useful to reduce any conflict and risks
All rings, earrings should be removed or covered with appropriate tape
Belly button piercings are required to be removed or protected with
tape/dressing
Level of
Risk
Further
Action
Required?
Low
None
Low
None
Low
None
Low
None
Low
None
Low
None
Low
None
© IMPACT Adventure
Student stuck in mid
traverse
Participants
Back rope used to recover participant
Low
None
© IMPACT Adventure
Risk Assessment – Orienteering
Hazard
Person/s at
risk
Slips trips and Falls
Participants
Getting Lost
Participants
Forestry Operations
Participants
Injury from branches
and brashings
Participants
Control Measures
Good briefing highlighting hazards
Suitable footwear to be worn
Discuss route choices
Staff trained and familiar with area used
Students briefed on what do to if lost.
Whistle Carried
Explain boundaries to students
Obey all signs from forestry contractors
Brief on hazards from Log stacks
Use areas where there are no excepted operations.
Full body cover clothing
Hazards of branches highlighted
Emergency procedure briefed
Control locations to avoid brashing areas
Level of
Risk
Further
Action
Required?
Low
None
Low
None
Low
None
Low
None
© IMPACT Adventure
Risk Assessment – Climbing Wall (Indoor)
Hazard
Person/s at
risk
Control Measures
Level of
Risk
Further
Action
Required?
This activity is provided externally. All external suppliers must be checked by the Activities Manager before they are used by IMPACT Adventure.
Any risks identified by IMPACT Adventure staff, which are not dealt with by the external providers’ own risk assessment policy should be detailed below.
© IMPACT Adventure
Risk Assessment – Cabin Cruising / Pleasure Boating
Hazard
Person/s at
risk
Control Measures
Level of
Risk
Further
Action
Required?
This activity is provided externally. All external suppliers must be checked by the Activities Manager before they are used by IMPACT Adventure.
Any risks identified by IMPACT Adventure staff, which are not dealt with by the external providers’ own risk assessment policy should be detailed below.
Drowning
All
All participants must wear life jackets or buoyancy aids when on or around
the water.
Low
None
© IMPACT Adventure
Risk Assessment – Improvised Raft Building
Person/s at
risk
Control Measures
Injury from poles
Participants
All equipment checked prior to use to check for damage and splintering of
poles.
Briefing on carrying poles, for younger children poles must be carried in twos.
Briefing on the dangers of swinging poles around or throwing poles during the
construction and dismantling phases.
Briefing on the dangers of standing on unsecured poles during the
construction and dismantling phases.
Briefing on the dangers of entrapment of fingers during both the construction
and dismantling phases.
Injury from ropes
Participants
Injury from falling poles
or rafts
All
Drowning
Participants
Hazard
Briefing to emphasise the dangers of swinging ropes around in close
proximity of others.
All Spectators kept at a safe distance from the activity when
the construction is taking place.
With younger pupils staff to assist with this phase of the activity to reduce the
danger.
Care to be exercised when turning the raft over or moving it.
Supervising staff to assist where necessary.
When on the water all participants must wear helmets throughout this phase
of the activity.
Participants must wear appropriate buoyancy aids throughout the activity.
In the case of capsize, staff to ensure all participants involved are accounted
for and safe.
Safety boat to be on the water at all times when a raft is sailing.
Buoyancy aids checked by staff prior to the session beginning.
Staff vigilance throughout the session to ensure buoyancy aids are worn
correctly.
Rafts to be tethered by a rope to the bank to avoid running away (on moving
water).
Level of
Risk
Low
Further
Action
Required?
Damaged
equipment
removed from
the activity.
Staff
supervision
throughout the
activity to
enforce this.
Low
None
Low
None
Low
None
© IMPACT Adventure
Hypothermia
Participants
Hit by paddles
Participants
Weils Disease and
other water
born diseases
Participants
Being swept away
Participants
Staff to ensure that clothing is appropriate to the prevailing weather
conditions.
Cagoules to be issued whenever participants require them.
Special attention to be paid to appropriate headwear.
Staff to carry an appropriate group shelter and survival bag in their safety kit.
Location of local telephones to be known by supervising staff or mobile
telephones to be carried throughout the activity.
Staff to carry appropriate spare clothing throughout the activity.
Ensure that participants are aware of the dangers of wielding paddles in
confined spaces.
Helmets to be worn at all times when on the water.
Staff vigilance throughout the session.
Participants to be warned of the dangers and instructed to wash their hands
at the earliest possible time.
All participants to be warned of the dangers and instructed not to eat or put
their fingers in their mouths, noses or eyes until hands have been washed.
All participants instructed to have a shower as soon as possible
The activity not to take place when rivers are in spate.
Safety boat to be on the water at all times during crossing of rivers.
Supervising staff to have relevant safety equipment readily at hand including
throw-lines.
Rafts to be tethered by a rope to the bank to avoid drifting away (when on
moving water).
Low
None
Low
None
Low
None
Low
None
© IMPACT Adventure
Risk Assessment – Water Skiing / Towing
Hazard
Person/s at
risk
Control Measures
Level of
Risk
Further
Action
Required?
This activity may be provided externally. All external suppliers must be checked by the Activities Manager before they are used by IMPACT
Adventure.
Any risks identified by IMPACT Adventure staff, which are not dealt with by the external providers’ own risk assessment policy should be detailed below.
Drowning
Participants
Life jackets or buoyancy aids should be worn at all times by all participants.
Low
None
Injury from ropes
Participants
Briefing to emphasise the dangers of swinging ropes around in close
proximity of others.
Briefing on entanglement procedure.
Lead Outdoor Education Practitioner should carry a suitable knife to deal with
any entanglement issues.
Low
None
Other users
Participants
Care should be taken to avoid other water users when towing.
Low
Constant
vigilance.
Low
None
Low
None
Impact Injury.
Participants
Propeller
Participants
It is the responsibility of the Lead Outdoor Education Practitioner to ensure
that towing only takes place where there is a suitable depth of water and at
an appropriate distance from the shore or other obstacles.
Ramps should be avoided.
It is the responsibility of the Lead Outdoor Education Practitioner to ensure
the correct piloting of the craft to enable participants to avoid contact with the
propeller
© IMPACT Adventure
Risk Assessment – Problem Solving Activities
Hazard
Person/s at
risk
Slip,trip or fall
Participants
Lifting exercise
equipment
Participants
Wearing a blindfold
during an exercise
Participants
Wooden planks/poles
used as part of exercise
Participants
Use of scissors during
exercise
Participants
Use of rope
Participants
Control Measures
All exercises not above head height
Spotters when appropriate
Instructor awareness
Set up all equipment prior to activity
Use of lightweight equip
Brief participants on correct lifting techniques and or assist when appropriate
Set route away from obstructions
Regulate speed of movement
Instructor awareness
Safety briefing at start of exercise
Safety briefing
Rounded end scissors
Instructor control
Safety briefing before exercise
OEP awareness
Level of
Risk
Further
Action
Required?
Low
None
Low
None
Low
None
Low
None
Low
None
Low
None
© IMPACT Adventure
Risk Assessment – Bushcraft
Hazard
Person/s at
risk
Branches + Brash
Participants
Fire Burns
Participants
Knifes
Participants
Branch Pruner
Participants
Saw
Participants
Control Measures
Instructor to introduce safe handling practice, highlight risk to face and eyes.
Use Gloves
OEP monitoring and work in small area.
See campfire risk assessment.
Defined area for actual fire.
Safety briefing.
OEP monitoring.
Instructor to judge that group is suitable to use knifes.
Safety briefing.
OEP Monitoring.
Round end knifes to be used.
Only use knifes while sat still, NOT walking around.
Knifes to be issued when in use and collected in when not in use.
Safety Briefing
OEP monitoring
Safety briefing
OEP monitoring
Level of
Risk
Further
Action
Required?
Low
None
Low
None
Low
None
Low
None
Low
None
© IMPACT Adventure
Risk Assessment – Campfire
Hazard
Person/s at
risk
Control Measures
Verbal instruction
Supervision
Movement restricted to outside the seating circle
Adult only to tend fire
Sand/water bucket to be
present
First Aider on site
Verbal instruction
Adequate lighting i.e. torches & lamps
Move about small groups at a time
Advise against running
Level of
Risk
Further
Action
Required?
Low
None
Low
None
Burns
Participants
Slips, trips and falls
Participants
Environmental
conditions
Participants
Assessment of conditions which may influence
decision to continue activity
Low
None
Sparks from fire
Participants
Fire should be tended from an up wind direction.
Participants must remain a safe distance from the fire as dictated by the Lead
Outdoor Education Practitioner.
Low
None
© IMPACT Adventure