Risk Assessment - RSPB

Generic Risk Assessment Record
A15 Educational activities on RSPB sites
Part 1 Activity/Role: Educational activities on RSPB sites Location/Dept: Rainham Marshes nature reserve OS Grid Ref TQ5380
Date of generic assessment April 2010 Date of local revision Mar 2013 Other related assessments? A18,A04,A07,P05, A09
Hazards/hazardous events Who is affected Typical outcome Current RSPB control measures in place Hazard
present?
Risk level
L*H -> RL
Pond dipping – falling into
open water
Pond dipping – carrying nets
and frames
Pond dipping – dipping nets
into water
Pond dipping – contact with
blue green algae
Pond dipping – contact with
contaminated water (rats
urine)
Children;
teachers
Children; others
on site; teachers
Wet child; nausea from
water ingestion
Cuts and bruises from
contact with frames
Pond dipping area checked for loose edging, steep gradients or
extreme deep water before and during dipping and any
adjustments made to work practices.
Children are spread out on the dipping platform to avoid
overcrowding. Where work is done in pairs only one person from
a pair is on the platform at a time.
Clear pre-pond-dipping instruction and safety talk is given by
RSPB workers before the activity, with close supervision during
the activity.
A rescue pole or throw line is available at the dipping area.
Y
Slight
Nets are carried vertically with mesh bag uppermost. Y Trivial
Children Cuts and bruises Children spaced evenly along the pond edge and instructed to
check around them for other children before and during dipping.
Children;
teachers, RSPB
workers
Children,
teachers, RSPB
workers
Y
Trivial
Nausea, ill health Pond is not used if blue green algae is present Y Slight
Nausea, Weil’s disease
All children checked to see if any open wounds or sores present.
Open wounds or sores are covered or child is prevented from
accessing the pond water.
Waterless cleansers are available for immediate use.
All are instructed not to put hands in or near mouth until hand
washing is complete after the activity has ceased.
Hands are washed immediately after the activity and before
eating or drinking.
Teachers advised of symptoms in case of subsequent illness.
Y
Moderate
Slight harm Harmful Very harmful
Unlikely Trivial Slight Moderate
Likely Slight Moderate Substantial
Very likely Moderate Substantial Intolerable

Generic Risk Assessment Record
A15 Educational activities on RSPB sites
Part 1 Activity/Role: Educational activities on RSPB sites Location/Dept: OS Grid Ref
Hazards/hazardous events Who is affected Typical outcome Current RSPB control measures in place Hazard
present?
Risk level
L*H -> RL
Mini beast studies – lifting
heavy stones and logs
Teachers, RSPB
workers
Muscles strains, splinters
Children are not allowed to lift any heavy stones or logs.
Children always have help to lift other stones and logs and to
place them down slowly.
Y
Trivial
Mini-beast studies – shaking
trees/bushes
Teachers, RSPB
staff, children
Minor injuries from
falling branches
Children are stood well clear of any tree/bush when it is shaken
by adults.
Children supervised and instructed in shaking the tree away from
other people.
Anyone watching is well clear to avoid items getting into eyes.
Y
Trivial
Tick bites
All involved in
activity
Rash, inflamed area of
skin. (Lyme disease rare)
Walking in bracken, heather or tall grasses is avoided and
activities are kept to cleared paths.
Teachers are advised in advance of how to identify ticks and the
action to take to remove them.
N
Slight
‘First Nature’
Children,
teachers
supervising
Cuts and stings,
abrasions, hay fever,
allergic reactions
Work is done in area where there are no nettles. All children
advised of how to identify nettles and other stinging plants.
Children suffering from hay fever are given only pollen free leaves
for sensory activity.
All children shown how to identify ragwort and instructed not to
touch or pick it.
Hand washing is done immediately after the activity and before
any eating or drinking.
Y
Slight
Slight harm Harmful Very harmful
Unlikely Trivial Slight Moderate
Likely Slight Moderate Substantial
Very likely Moderate Substantial Intolerable

Generic Risk Assessment Record
A15 Educational activities on RSPB sites
Part 1 Activity/Role: Educational activities on RSPB sites Location/Dept: OS Grid Ref
Hazards/hazardous events Who is affected Typical outcome Current RSPB control measures in place Hazard
present?
Risk level
L*H -> RL
Bird watching using optical
equipment
– hide flap use
– equipment hitting face
– viewing bright light
Children Bumps, bruises, Children shown how to open and secure flaps. RSPB staff and
teachers check flaps secure before bird watching starts.
Children shown how to adjust optics to suit their own eyes.
Children’s use restricted to short periods.
Space is left between children using the hide seats, behaviour is
controlled.
Children instructed not to point optics at the sun or other bright
lights.
Y
Slight
Do current controls adequately control the risk?
N
If no, complete Part 2 – Further controls. If Yes, go straight to Part 3 Emergency details and other assessments
Part 2 Controlling the residual and locally specific risk
Hazard/hazardous events from
Part 1 requiring further control
Who is affected Typical outcome Further control measures needed Who will do them
and by when
Risk level
L*H -> RL
Lost Child
Children supervising
adults
Child upset,
disorientated
Follow reserve lost child procedure. Done Slight
Contact with dog faeces,
livestock droppings
Children
Ill health, nausea, E-coli
(rare)
Pre-activity instruction to avoid touching
droppings, hand cleansing after activity and
before eating or drinking
Done
Slight
Storms – thunder/lightening
Children, teachers,
RSPB workers
Hypothermia,
lightening
No sessions carried out in a storm, activity is
ceased and participants taken to nearest
appropriate shelter
On-going
Slight
Owl Pellet Dissection
Children, teachers,
RSPB workers
Minor cuts, nausea
All equipment sterilised before use, gloves
worn when handling pellets and anti-bacterial
hand-wash provided.
On-going
Trivial
Field studies work / equipment
Students, RSPB
workers. teachers
Minor cuts and bruises,
Participants are instructed on how to use all
equipment safely.
On-going
Trivial
Slight harm Harmful Very harmful
Unlikely Trivial Slight Moderate
Likely Slight Moderate Substantial
Very likely Moderate Substantial Intolerable

Generic Risk Assessment Record
A15 Educational activities on RSPB sites
Part 3 Emergency details and other assessments
Is heavy, sustained or repetitive manual handling involved (see CoP 14)? N If YES carry out detailed manual handling assessment
Is the use of any hazardous substances involved (see CoP 12; Newsletter 78)? N If YES ensure current COSHH assessment followed
Are any special groups at risk (young people, pregnant workers, nursing mothers)? N If YES carry out specific assessment
Is lone working required? N If YES see CoP 31 for specific instructions
PPE needed Safety boots Safety Wellington Impact grade goggles Leather gloves PVC/nitrile gloves Hard hat Ear protection Half
mask respirator Other (list)
Safety equipment needed?
Assessment undertaken by:
Brona Doyle
Position
Senior Education Officer
Manager confirming assessment (see CoP 10):
Marc Fletcher
Date for revision
Mar 2013
Emergency information must be available. Where the assessment applies to fixed RSPB sites (offices, reserves) note where any/all of the following information is held: -
Otherwise, and for all other assessments complete as far as is possible.
Nearest telephone
Environment and Education Centre
01708 899844 and Field Teacher Mobiles
All Field Teacher carry radioes.
Nearest A&E department
Queen's Hospital
Rom valley Way
Romford
RM7 0AG
01708 435000
0845 1304204
Quality of mobile phone or radio reception?
Very Good
Access point for emergency services
see emergency procedure - off New
Tank Hill Road (A1090), Purfleet, RM19
1SZ
Type of access for emergency services
Normal 4 WD Air
First Aid Cover needed
App’td Person Emergency First Aid at Work Mountain
Where provided?
In all education discvoery zones, classroom in visitor centre. All
Field Teachers carry first aid kits.
Slight harm Harmful Very harmful
Unlikely Trivial Slight Moderate
Likely Slight Moderate Substantial
Very likely Moderate Substantial Intolerable