Lancashire County Council
All printed versions are uncontrolled
GENERAL RISK ASSESSMENT FORM
PART A. ASSESSMENT DETAILS:
Area/task/activity: Whole School Sponsored Walk, 10km
Location of activity: 10km walk- The route is clockwise from our school (813236) and sweeps around the back of Cribden Hill taking in the Halo
Panopticon. It then cuts east across Cribden Moor to Crawshawbooth and onto Height Side Lane which contours the east of the valley back to school.
Team/School name:
Address & Contact details:
Name of Person(s) undertaking
Assessment:
Signature(s):
Line manager/Head
Teacher (Name & Title):
Date of Assessment:
Signature:
Planned Review Date:
How communicated to
staff:
Date communicated to staff:
PART B1. HAZARD IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL MEASURES:
Step 1 Identify significant
hazards
List of significant hazards
(something with the potential
to cause harm)
Issue No: 2
Issue Date: Nov 10
Issued by: H&S Team
Last review date: Nov 10
Step 2 Identify who might be harmed and
how
Who might
be harmed?
Type of harm
Step 3 identify precautionary measures already in place
Existing controls
(Actions already taken to control the risk)
First Aid General Risk Assessment
Page 1 of 8
Lancashire County Council
All printed versions are uncontrolled
Uneven/slippery surfaces
Participants
including students,
staff and parents.
Trip hazard, fall,
collision
a. Students have been advised to wear appropriate footwear: walking boots
will be recommended with sturdy trainers (not fashion trainers) to be second
option. Advised in ‘kit list’ sent to parents
b. Students will be accompanied on the walk by their teachers and support
staff who will also act as stewards at strategic points along the route
(approximately 10 stewards) .12 members of staff are first aid qualified
c. In case of an injury such as a sprained ankle each child will receive
immediate temporary care by the nearest first aid trained member of staff
as well as having an emergency school contact number to telephone. They
will be encouraged to take their mobile phones with them (there is a signal
on most major mobile phone networks throughout the route. Emergency
school contact no. to be included in students’ walking guides.
d. The students will walk as part of a group and will be strongly encouraged
not to leave students by themselves. Advised on the day.
e. During the brief before the walk pupils will be told to take extra special care
en route e.g. if there is barbed wire along the side of the footpath, the
chance of nettle stings or dog/horse muck etc. Students will be advised of
what to do in each instance – to find the nearest teacher for an antiseptic
wipe/dock leaf/first aid etc.
f. The route follows well-defined footpaths – much following the Rossendale
way. Path not as clear over Cribden Moor
g. Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue has been advised of the
walk.(Matt Nuttall- member of staff will be on the moors)
Water hazards
Participants
including students,
staff and parents.
Shock, drowning.
a. Depending on numbers of students participating, up to 60 members
of staff will be accompanying the students on the walk/acting as
stewards an approximate ratio of 1:10 ensuring that supervision is
high with staff asked to be particularly vigilant around any water
hazards (i.e. streams). Staff will be advised of the different roles
(steward, walker, helper, driver) and the expectations of their roles.
Issue No: 2
Issue Date: Nov 10
Issued by: H&S Team
Last review date: Nov 10
First Aid General Risk Assessment
Page 2 of 8
Lancashire County Council
All printed versions are uncontrolled
Road safety
Participants
including students,
staff and parents.
Members of the
public.
Impact, collision,
injury.
a. The amount of time that students are on the main roads will be kept
to a minimum. A lane is predominantly used from the Halo to Slate
Farm and then until pupils head up to Cribden Moor. Very limited
traffic (on 5 occasions, only 3 vehicles)
b. The number of main road crossing points will be minimal: Off Hollin
Lane across Burnley Road and then again in Crawshawbooth
crossing Burnley Road. There is a slight residential section and
minor roads leading up to Rake Foot area. Staff will be present and
positioned strategically.
c. During the brief pupils will be informed of the Highway Code
(information will also be on the school website and on other social
media).
d. The police have been advised of the sponsored walk and may be in
attendance
e. Students’ start times will be staggered according to year group with
Year 12/13/11 starting first with 10 minute intervals between year
groups. This allows students to cross roads in year groups.
Length of walk (10 km)
6.4 miles. Endurance
Participants
including students,
staff and parents.
Tiredness,
exhaustion,
confusion.
a. Some students unused to walking relatively long distances, it will be
a challenge. However, if they are walking particularly slowly or feel
unable to complete the route they will have staff to discuss their
decision with and members of staff who will be based at school on
the day will drive to collect students who are unable to finish the
route. Drivers will be insured for transport of pupils and parents will
have given permission through the consent form for their
son/daughter to be transported, if necessary. The organised minibus
will be utilised.
b. The route has been walked at least five times by staff of all ages and
fitness abilities who have completed the distance without any
difficulty. The route was walked whilst paying particular attention to
any potential risks.
c. Over 40 of the students will be preparing for their Bronze/silver D of
E expedition which will take place this year so will be well-versed in
walking over long distances.
d. Stewards at each point will be asked to keep a lookout for students
who are struggling and will advise appropriately.
Issue No: 2
Issue Date: Nov 10
Issued by: H&S Team
Last review date: Nov 10
First Aid General Risk Assessment
Page 3 of 8
Lancashire County Council
All printed versions are uncontrolled
Weather conditions
Participants
including students,
staff and parents.
Either
cold/wet/blisters/
hypothermia or sun
burn/heat
exhaustion.
a. If there are weather warnings the walk will be cancelled. Students
will resume their normal timetabled lessons. .
b. Students have been advised to be prepared for differing weather
conditions and will be advised to bring waterproof clothing, layers in
case of cold/wind as well as sun protection (clothing and lotion).
They will be advised to bring water with them to keep hydrated.
(Including in ‘kit letter’ sent out, also on parentmail and school
website). There will be a ‘refreshment stop’ near the Halo (school
canteen staff providing) and then a water station off Pinner Lane
(water donated to school)
c. Staff will be wearing fluorescent bibs for easy identification if weather
conditions are poor. The route will be marked with bright tape.
Stewards will have bivvy bags/bin bags/water.
Comfort stops
/safeguarding
Participants
including students,
staff and parents.
Safeguarding
compromised.
a.
Issue No: 2
Issue Date: Nov 10
Issued by: H&S Team
Last review date: Nov 10
b.
If a handful of parents decide to walk the route, their emergency
details will be provided prior to the day and they will be registered
before setting off. No parents expressed an interest as of yet
Students will be registered prior to the walk in the morning and on
return to school (finish of the walk)
First Aid General Risk Assessment
Page 4 of 8
Lancashire County Council
All printed versions are uncontrolled
Maintaining general wellbeing of students
Students
Exhaustion,
collapse.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
Risks to the school
Students, staff,
parents etc.
Participant injury
etc., reputation.
Risks to the countryside/
property
Members of the
public, countryside.
Litter, escaped farm
animals.
Issue No: 2
Issue Date: Nov 10
Issued by: H&S Team
Last review date: Nov 10
Students will be encouraged to stop and rest for 30 minutes at The
Halo and have their packed lunches, pre-ordered ‘grab bags’ and a
drink. Bottled water and refreshments will be available for students
to buy at the lunch-time point at The Halo.
Students will be discouraged from completing the walk in the fastest
time so as to minimise the possibility of injury. They will be
discouraged by a teacher (REC) leading the walk as a front-marker.
Students with medical reasons for not participating in the walk will
be based at school taking part in another sponsorship activity.
Students will complete a quiz en route to keep them engaged if their
interest in the walk wanes.
Relevant sections of the Highway Code and the Countryside Code
will be on the school website, social media and highlighted during
the brief before they set off.
If a student falls ill during the walk, immediate first aid will be
provided by staff.
Students have been advised to carry their usual medication with
them.
A select number of students who are not participating due to
physical injury (e.g. on crutches etc.) may volunteer to help
distribute certificates at the end.
a. Parental permission for each child has been sought with emergency
contact details, details of doctors and medical treatment that can be
administered. Copies of these will be retained at school.
b. Any properties, including farms passed on the route will have
received a letter before the 4th April.
a. Students will be given relevant sections of the Countryside Code
advising them to respect other people (leaving gates and property as
they find them), to protect the natural environment (leave no trace of
their visit) and to enjoy the outdoors be prepared and follow advice).
Students will be asked to keep to footpaths and to keep their litter
with them or dispose in rubbish bins. The last teachers to walk the
route will be checking for litter to ensure that the route is left as
found.
First Aid General Risk Assessment
Page 5 of 8
Lancashire County Council
All printed versions are uncontrolled
This general risk assessment will apply to this area/task/activity in most teams/schools providing the control measures described are in operation and
there are no further local significant hazards. If it does not fully apply, please go to Part B2 on the next page. If it fully applies please sign below.
I certify that the risk assessment above fully applies to the area/task/activity under assessment in the school
Signed:
Name:
Risk Assessor.
Issue No: 2
Issue Date: Nov 10
Issued by: H&S Team
Last review date: Nov 10
First Aid General Risk Assessment
Page 6 of 8
Lancashire County Council
All printed versions are uncontrolled
If the control measures described are not in operation and further action is required or there are further local significant hazards please record
these here, transfer any actions required to the Action Plan at Part C below and sign off below. Do not sign off above if further actions are
required.
PART B2. HAZARD IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL MEASURES:
Further significant hazards
Who might
be harmed?
Type of harm
Existing controls
(Actions already taken to control the risk)
I certify that the assessment for the task/activity above covers all the significant hazards applicable Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School.
Signed:
Issue No: 2
Issue Date: Nov 10
Issued by: H&S Team
Last review date: Nov 10
Name:
(Line Manager/Headteacher).
First Aid General Risk Assessment
Page 7 of 8
Lancashire County Council
All printed versions are uncontrolled
PART C: ACTION PLAN Step 4 Further action / controls required
Hazard
Issue No: 2
Issue Date: Nov 10
Issued by: H&S Team
Last review date: Nov 10
Action required
Person(s) to undertake
action?
Priority
Projected
time scale
Notes / comments
Date
completed
First Aid General Risk Assessment
Page 8 of 8