Inflatable Risk Assesments
RISK ASSESSMENT FOR ASSAULT COURSE
Work area Activity Halls(Main Entrance)
The bouncy castle Assault Course is 10ft by 36ft, and split into two sections that must be joined together by Velcro, the
first section has two separate tunnels and then leads into a biff and bash section. The second section has a large
scrabble net leading to the top of the slide.
This piece of equipment can be used both inside and outside as long as all safety procedures are followed.
Aspects to consider
Areas of risk
Existing Control Measures?
Hazard Identified
Rating
Yes
No
Procedures/Strategies
Who is
affected?
Staff (S)
Pupils(P)
1. Assualt Course
Over enthusiastic
participants
L
Jumping off unit
M
Soft area on entrance of castle.
Leaders instructed to supervise
getting on and off. Adult
supervision at all times
Inflatable blowing away
M
Do not use in strong winds,
inflatable must be securely
anchored by ground pegs
Larger participants
colliding with smaller
participants
M
Tripping over anchorage
Adult supervision at all times
Leaders advised to only allow
similar sized people on the bouncy
castle at any one time.
In event of large numbers of
Page 1 of 17
All Users
All Users
All Users
Is further action required?
What?
By
when?
Completed?
Inflatable Risk Assesments
points/spare
equipment/electrical
cable
M
participants attending, additional
safety fencing erected. Where
possible electrical cable does not
cross any public pathway. If
unavoidable cable erected
overhead or covered.
Slipping
M
No shoes to be worn on the bouncy
castle to keep the surface clean
do not use when wet or raining.
Falling on neck
H
Instruction given to group leader
stating bouncing up
and down only, not flips and slide
down the slide feet first
Jumping off front of the
unit
M
Adult supervision at all times
All Users
Additional safety mats in front of unit
H
Adult supervision at all times
All Users
Do not allow children to climb walls or
beams.
Falls from height
Signed: Co-ordinator/
Review 1
Date and Initials
Headteacher:___________________
Review 2
Review 3
Date and Initials
Date and Initials
Page 2 of 17
All Users
All Users
All Users
Inflatable Risk Assesments
RISK ASSESSMENT FOR GLADIATOR DUEL
Work area Activity Halls(Main Entrance)
The Gladiator Duel is a 20ft x 17ft Bouncy castle bed with two podiums in the middle; the podiums are metal and have
protective foam around them. There are two sticks that are used to knock the opponent of their podium.
This piece of equipment can be used both inside and outside as long as all safety procedures are followed.
Aspects to consider
Areas of risk
Existing Control Measures?
Hazard Identified
Rating
Yes
No
Procedures/Strategies
Who is
affected?
Staff (S)
Pupils(P)
1. Assualt Course
Over enthusiastic
participants
L
Jumping off unit
M
Soft area on entrance of castle.
Leaders instructed to supervise
getting on and off. Adult
supervision at all times
Inflatable blowing away
M
Do not use in strong winds,
inflatable must be securely
anchored by ground pegs
Larger participants
colliding with smaller
participants
M
Adult supervision at all times
Leaders advised to only allow
similar sized people on the bouncy
castle at any one time.
Page 3 of 17
All Users
All Users
All Users
Is further action required?
What?
By
when?
Completed?
Inflatable Risk Assesments
Tripping over anchorage
points/spare
equipment/electrical
cable
M
In event of large numbers of
participants attending, additional
safety fencing erected. Where
possible electrical cable does not
cross any public pathway. If
unavoidable cable erected
overhead or covered.
Slipping
M
No shoes to be worn on the bouncy
castle to keep the surface clean
do not use when wet or raining.
Falling on neck
M
Instruction given to group leader
stating bouncing up
and down only, not flips and slide
down the slide feet first.
User falling from podium
during activity
M
Ensure inflatable bed is fully
inflated and covers entire fall off
area.
All Users
Users getting hurt from
blows by other
participant
M
Ensure all users wear safety
equipment provided
All Users
Adult supervision at all times
Falling from inflatable
bed
M
Safety mat placed around the
entrance and exits
All Users
Only the two participants who are
dualing allowed on the bed. Adult
Supervision
Signed: Co-ordinator/
Review 1
Date and Initials
Headteacher:___________________
Review 2
Review 3
All Users
Date and Initials
Date and Initials
Page 4 of 17
All Users
All Users
Inflatable Risk Assesments
RISK ASSESSMENT FOR PIRATE BOUNCY CASTLE
Work area Activity Halls(Main Entrance)
The Pirate bouncy castle is 10ft x 12ft three side of the bouncy castle are 8ft height to ensure that the users can only
exit and enter from the front.
This piece of equipment can be used both inside and outside as long as all safety procedures are followed.
Aspects to consider
Areas of risk
Existing Control Measures?
Hazard Identified
Rating
Yes
No
Procedures/Strategies
1. Assualt Course
Page 5 of 17
Who is
affected?
Staff (S)
Pupils(P)
Is further action required?
What?
By
when?
Completed?
Inflatable Risk Assesments
Over enthusiastic
participants
L
Jumping off unit
M
Soft area on entrance of castle.
Leaders instructed to supervise
getting on and off. Adult
supervision at all times
Inflatable blowing away
M
Do not use in strong winds,
inflatable must be securely
anchored by ground pegs
Larger participants
colliding with smaller
participants
M
Tripping over anchorage
points/spare
equipment/electrical
cable
Slipping
Falling on neck
M
L
M
Adult supervision at all times
All Users
All Users
Leaders advised to only allow
similar sized people on the bouncy
castle at any one time.
All Users
In event of large numbers of
participants attending, additional
safety fencing erected. Where
possible electrical cable does not
cross any public pathway. If
unavoidable cable erected
overhead or covered.
All Users
No shoes to be worn on the bouncy
castle to keep the surface clean
do not use when wet or raining.
Instruction given to group leader
stating bouncing up
and down only, not flips and slide
down the slide feet first.
Signed: Co-ordinator/
Headteacher:___________________
Page 6 of 17
All Users
All Users
6 children allowed on at any one time, 4
if the children are older and taller.
Inflatable Risk Assesments
Review 1
Review 2
Review 3
Date and Initials
Date and Initials
Date and Initials
RISK ASSESSMENT FOR YELLOW BOUNCY CASTLE WITH A SLIDE
Work area Activity Halls(Main Entrance)
The Pirate bouncy castle is 10ft x 12ft three side of the bouncy castle are 8ft height to ensure that the users can only
exit and enter from the front.
This piece of equipment can be used both inside and outside as long as all safety procedures are followed.
Aspects to consider
Areas of risk
Existing Control Measures?
Hazard Identified
Rating
Yes
No
Procedures/Strategies
Page 7 of 17
Who is
affected?
Staff (S)
Pupils(P)
Is further action required?
What?
By
when?
Completed?
Inflatable Risk Assesments
1. Assualt Course
Over enthusiastic
participants
M
Jumping off unit
M
Soft area on entrance of castle.
Leaders instructed to supervise
getting on and off. Adult
supervision at all times
Inflatable blowing away
M
Do not use in strong winds,
inflatable must be securely
anchored by ground pegs
Larger participants
colliding with smaller
participants
M
Tripping over anchorage
points/spare
equipment/electrical
cable
M
Adult supervision at all times
Leaders advised to only allow
similar sized people on the bouncy
castle at any one time.
In event of large numbers of
participants attending, additional
safety fencing erected. Where
possible electrical cable does not
cross any public pathway. If
unavoidable cable erected
overhead or covered.
Slipping
M
No shoes to be worn on the bouncy
castle to keep the surface clean
do not use when wet or raining.
Falling on neck
H
Instruction given to group leader
stating bouncing up
and down only, not flips and slide
down the slide feet first.
Larger participants
M
Adult supervision at all times
Page 8 of 17
All Users
All Users
All Users
6 children allowed on at any one time, 4
if the children are older and taller.
All Users
All Users
All Users
All Users
Participants put into groups of similar
Inflatable Risk Assesments
colliding with smaller
participants
size/age. Children to slide feet first
only
Signed: Co-ordinator/
Review 1
Date and Initials
Headteacher:___________________
Review 2
Review 3
Date and Initials
Date and Initials
Page 9 of 17
Inflatable Risk Assesments
RISK ASSESSMENT FOR DEN BUILDING
Work area Activity Halls(Main Entrance)
Den Building is a great way for the children to use there imagination and the equipment to create their own spaces, it helps children to
export their creative side and enable them to use a variety of building materials. The main items used are bamboo stick, sheets, cardboard,
ten pegs, clothes pegs, ropes. On occasions we used other material to enhance this activity for the children. The nature of adventures
play is to provide an activity, which provides children with a physical challenge as well as an acceptable element of risk; many
studies have taken place regarding the need for children to be able to encounter risk through play as this is an essential part
of their development. All equipment is checked regularly to ensure that there is no unacceptable risk.
Aspects to consider
Areas of risk
Existing Control Measures?
Hazard Identified
Rating
Yes
No
Procedures/Strategies
Who is
affected?
Staff (S)
Pupils(P)
1. Den Building
Tools being used such as
mallets, tent pegs.
Weather conditions
Cuts, bruises, variety of
injuries
Dehydration, heatstroke,
sunburn, hypothermia,
pneumonia
L
L
Make sure the children are
supervised at all times when using
the tools
All Users
Show them how to use them first
so that injury can be prevented
Only get a few tools out at once, if
a child asks for a tool, provide
them, but keep a eye on how many
are out. So no small child can use
them without proper supervision
All Users
Den building can continue in any
weather conditions unless it is
heavy rain fall or heavy snow, due
to the wood and tools being slippy
All Users
Page 10 of 17
Is further action required?
What?
By
when?
Completed?
Inflatable Risk Assesments
Manual handling
Injury
M
Appropriate instructions are given
on how to lift or move wooden
items and tools
Ensure enough staff are available
to move heavy objects as required
Show them how to use the tools
when asked to use them.
Wood
Splinters, cuts, bruises,
Broken bones
L
Make sure when using the wood,
that the children don’t pick up the
wood if to heavy, help the children
if ask
Make sure the children know the
dangers of using the wood to build
dens.
Make sure the wood is of good
quality and hasn’t got any fungus
or been treated, to make sure the
children don’t get anything from
the wood itself. As we don’t want
poisoning or injury
Make sure there are no nails or
other fixings sticking out of the
wood before the children use the
wood.
Make sure the children are
watched at all times using the
wood
Participants to be wearing
appropriate clothing and
footwear
Sprains, trips, falls, cuts
etc.
L
Staffs to make sure that
participant are appropriately
dressed and all have suitable
footwear and clothing relative to
the activity that they are doing.
Supervision Overcrowding,
Cuts, bruises
L
Adapt session so that all of the
Page 11 of 17
Ensure that staff have received
appropriate instructions on manual
handling
Inflatable Risk Assesments
children can enjoy the den building
activity
Try and stop overcrowding as the
children could get hurt whilst
using the tools and building with
wood pieces, due to low supervision
Access to first aid kit and
telephone
Falls and collisions
Inadequate use of rules
Cuts, bruises, falls, trips
and slips
L
Verbally brief participants of
rules
Ensure good conditions of surface
Access to first aid
Access to telephone if needed
Signed: Co-ordinator/
Review 1
Date and Initials
Headteacher:___________________
Review 2
Review 3
Date and Initials
Date and Initials
Guidance on Completing The Risk Assessment Form
Page 12 of 17
Inflatable Risk Assesments
A CHECKLIST FOR THE RISK ASSESSMENT FORM:
ASPECTS TO CONSIDER


1. Lesson

LEA guidance followed.
Levels of responsibility according to age of pupils.
Organisation
Safe exercising principles – no “bouncy” stretches/no
neck or back over-extension/warm-up and cool down
Suitability of activity for age/experience
Progression in activities
Recognised and approved practice
Use of available space
Group organisation





2. Staffing

Confidence and expertise

Necessary qualifications

Non-teacher support/supervision eg parents, coaches,
NNEB’s ancillary helpers, students, older pupils

Ratios
3. Special Needs/Medical Considerations/Age/Group Issues

Individual needs addressed

Knowledge of medical background

Extra supervision required?

Expertise of extra adult help

Implication for following aspects below
4. Equipment

Use equipment for purpose it was designed

Suitability of equipment for activity

Maintenance of equipment

Accessibility/storage

Handling, carrying, siting

Check before pupils use it

Sufficient space

Routines for collection, retrieval, changing

Procedures for use of equipment

Effective emergency communication
5. Work Area

Hazard free –sharp corners, piano, chairs etc

Sufficient space

Safe surface –grit, glass, splinters, slippery, holes,
leaves, ice, water etc

Dog/horse faeces
DOING A RISK ASSESSMENT
6. Moving to Working Areas

Procedures for moving to the area

Hazards on the way

Orderly

Adequate supervision and control

Appropriate behaviour

Safe carrying – safe embarkation/
Disembarkation?
- seatbelts
- driver requirements/
responsibilities
- no distractions
7. Changing Procedures

Space available

Procedures understood

Showering facility

Slippery wet floor

Jewellery

Hair tied back/loose beaded hair

Clothing appropriate to the activity
8. Emergency Action

Contact with school/emergency services if off-site

Contingency plan needed?

Supervision of main group and injured party

Post-accident procedures

Evaluation
9. First-Aid Arrangements

Responsible person

Training

First-aid kits

Post-accident procedures
10. Fire Regulations

Escape routes clear

Mat storage

Extinguishers present and maintained

Training needs?
1. Decide what requires risk assessment – usually the work areas and off-site visits.
2. Identify the hazards:

use the checklist on plus your own observations

think logically through the session

include statutory issues – fire, first-aid

keep it simple – what could cause harm?

do the exercise as a group where possible
3. Identify who is at risk:

pupil

staff

other visitors
4. Evaluate the risks:

take account of existing procedures and precautions is the risk already
minimal?

use a simple grading system – see below – a professional overall judgement is
acceptable.
5. Record the findings:

complete the attached form
6. Action needed

where further precautions are needed to control the risk list them on the form

take action

inform all those affected – tell them, notices, redraft procedures
RISK RATING
This is the evaluation of the potential for the harm to be realised. To determine the risk
rating look at the likelihood and the severity if the outcome if the hazard is to be realised.
Assign the rating H,M or L based on the following matrix. (e.g. where the severity is a
fatality and the likelihood is possible then the risk rating is H).
Fatality
Serious injury
Minor injury
No injury
Page 13 of 17
Likely
Possible
Remote
H
H
M
L
H
M
L
L
M
M
L
L
H= High
M= Medium
L= Low
Inflatable Risk Assesments
SEVERITY AND LIKELIHOOD = RISK RATING
Significant Risk
A risk that will probably or almost certainly result ion serious injury needing hospital
treatment, ore resulting in disablement or death. Such risks need to be minimised as
quickly as possible. This action is called risk control.
RISK MANAGEMENT IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION
CONTROLLING RISKS
Page 14 of 17
Inflatable Risk Assesments
MAKING THE ACTIVITY SAFE
What is Risk Management?
Do not be put off by this requirement. It is simply good practice showing forethought and sound
planning.
It is a legal requirement set out in the Management of Health and Safety regulations 1992.
Risk assessment is simply a careful examination of what could cause harm to pupils, colleagues or others in order not
to compromise safety in meeting other education objectives.
Its purpose is to ensure that teachers have taken precautions to minimise or prevent harm.







Teach progressive practices thoroughly
Explain the inherent risks
Emphasise playing within rules
Change the way the activity is carried out
Stopping the activity
Avoiding the area
Using a safer alternative
MAKING THE FACILITY EQUIPMENT SAFE
Keep the risk assessment simple.
A “hazard” is anything that could cause harm – a steep slope on the hills or a departure/assembly point on a busy road.
A “Risk” is the chance, great or small, that someone may be harmed by the hazard – such as running down a steep
slope or a child stepping from behind a coach into a busy road.
The teacher’s role (and other staff) is to decide whether a hazard is significant and whether it is covered by appropriate
precautions in order to eliminate or minimise the risk.
Use commonsense in thinking through the event in a logical sequence to establish what each phase of the activity
involves. Identify what might go wrong and who may be harmed or affected by risk. Then think about what
precautions have been taken in the planning and whether further precautions are necessary. This is risk control.
It is a requirement to keep a brief record of the risk assessment. A suggested format is provided overleaf with simple
guidelines.
It is a valuable exercise for all adults involved to participate in the assessment as it helps raise awareness of possible
risks, establishes collective expertise and ensures that all understand the organisational requirements.
There is no need to show how the assessment was made, simply that it was carried out , that the precautions are
reasonable and that the remaining risk is low – ie that a proper check was made.
After the event, review the record and note any particular hazard, risk or action which should additionally be included
in the risk assessment next time.
Keep the written record for future reference and to save time and effort for visits, journeys and events which are
repeated. The suggested format provides for signed and dated reviews. Annual reviews are usually adequate but more
frequent reviews would be necessary if the circumstances changed – eg new staff, different equipment, different
procedures.
It is the responsibility of the governors, headteacher and teacher to ensure that a risk assessment is carried out and that
control measures are appropriate.
If in doubt then contact the Physical Education Adviser, Health and Safety Officer or an experienced colleague in
school
Page 15 of 17







Buy quality equipment
Inspect facility periodically
Place warning notices/protective devices where risks exist
Inspect the equipment
Repair/service the equipment
Teach how to use the equipment/facility
Amend how the equipment is used
MAKING THE PEOPLE WORK SAFELY





Provide protective equipment/clothing
Training – staff qualified and experienced
Devise appropriate procedures
Discipline and control
Develop observation skills
Fun In School Holidays
Risk Assessment Sport Field
Monday, 31 July 2017
RISK MANAGEMENT
A CHECKLIST FOR RISK ASSESSMENT VISITS AND JOURNEYS
SOME GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Staffing Considerations
Seasonal Considerations
 Confidence and expertise
 Necessary qualifications
 Parents, coaches,
 Helpers, students.
 Ratios
 Clothing
 Equipment
 Weather forecasts
 Duration of event
 Journey details left with another person
 Preparation and training of the group
 Any need to amend staffing ratio
 Any need to amend programme
 Any need to amend back-up
Special Needs/Medical
Considerations
 Individual needs
 Knowledge of medical background
 Expertise of extra adult help
 Implications for following aspects below
Assembly/Dispersal
Journey
 ‘Register’ or Children
 Safe assembly point
 Check essentials are brought (e.g., equipment, clothing, documentation)
 Clear arrangements for dispersal
 Small sub-groups for monitoring
 Organisation for embarking/disembarking
 Sufficient seating
 Driver regulations/legislation
 Organisation for large groups walking
 On/crossing roads
 Teacher/adult responsibilities
 Pupils made aware of procedures
 Potential hazards identified and Pupils/staff forewarned
 Appropriate standards of behaviour set
Page 16 of 17
Fun In School Holidays
Risk Assessment Sport Field
Monday, 31 July 2017
Activity Organisation
Equipment
Working Areas
 Responsible adults identified for pupils
 Pupils involved with/informed of potential hazards
 First aid kit
 Necessary details left with responsible person
 Emergency procedures known
 Suitability of activity for age/experience
 Progression in activities
 Procedures in case of injury
 ’free time’ carefully thought through
 Activity requirements met
 Checked
 Spare/emergency equipment checked
 Satisfied any BSI etc standard
 Use equipment for purpose it was designed
 Suitability of equipment for activity
 Maintenance of equipment
 Handling, carrying, sitting
 Procedures for use
 Limits defined
 Potential hazards identified
 Pupil Warned
 Potential hazards minimised
 Sufficient space
 Staff familiarity with area
Page 17 of 17