OLME Tree Climbing RA new
Tree Climbing © Location of session:
ACTIVITY RISK ASSESSMENT
Name of outdoor leader:
Date written: Reviewed: Next review:
OUTDOOR LEARNING ACTIVITY SPECIFIC RISK ASSESSMENT: TREE CLIMBING
Risk Benefit Analysis of Outdoor Learning The aims of Outdoor Learning include teaching children about potential risks in our daily lives and how we can manage them. Therefore, Outdoor Learning does contain an element of risk, however the level of risks the children are exposed to are controlled and at a manageable level so that benefits achieved from participating in Outdoor Learning outweigh the levels of risk. Potential hazards & control measures are detailed in the table that follows. Specific benefits from Tree Climbing: Emotional intelligence; self-esteem; confidence; resilience; teamwork; experiential learning; child-differentiated learning; holistic development; knowledge about sustainability; connect with their local environment; empathy; sense of self-worth; communication skills; logical thinking; problem solving; practical extensions of classroom objectives; curriculum enrichment; connect with nature; promote eco-friendly attitudes; higher order thinking skills; child-specific learning; extension of skills and knowledge; improved behaviour; de-stress; increased motivation to learn; learning above and beyond the national curriculum; cross curricular learning; imagination; creativity; physical development; core strength; emotional literacy; physical literacy; independence; self-awareness and management of risk.
Please note: This Risk Assessment is a guidance document and should be adapted to suit your own Outdoor Learning environment.
!1
Tree Climbing ACTIVITY RISK ASSESSMENT
© Hazard
Harm
People at risk
Probability
Severity
rating
Measures. (new or existing)
Who is responsible?
Weather
Various
All
2
5
10
Seek weather forecast beforehand to determine potential dangers arising from poor weather and welfare conditions.
Outdoor Leader
Please note: This Risk Assessment is a guidance document and should be adapted to suit your own Outdoor Learning environment.
!2
Tree Climbing ACTIVITY RISK ASSESSMENT
© Hazard
Harm
People at risk
Probability
Severity
rating
Measures. (new or existing)
Who is responsible?
Woodland site hazards
Various
All
2
5
10
See generic risk assessment form for site
All
Slipping, tripping, falling to ground
Minor- minor All injury
2
4
8
‘Climbing tree’ identified & All branches checked before each session for fragility & slipperiness. Check underlying ground. Max height allowed to climb to marked by coloured ribbons. Appropriate footwear worn. Climbing technique explained. At least one hand and one foot in contact with tree at all times. An adult must be supervising at all times.
Please note: This Risk Assessment is a guidance document and should be adapted to suit your own Outdoor Learning environment.
!3
Tree Climbing ACTIVITY RISK ASSESSMENT
© Hazard
Harm
People at risk
Probability
Severity
rating
Measures. (new or existing)
Who is responsible?
Lifting injury
Minor-major
Adults
1
3
3
If an adult helps a child to climb up or down by lifting them, correct technique of bent knees and straight back should be adopted.
All Adults
Banging head on branch
various
Children climbing
2
3
6
Remind children to look up when All climbing as well as at their hands/ feet.
Branch poking in the eye
various
Children climbing
3
3
9
Remind children to look up when All climbing as well as at their hands/ feet.
Please note: This Risk Assessment is a guidance document and should be adapted to suit your own Outdoor Learning environment.
!4
Tree Climbing ACTIVITY RISK ASSESSMENT
© Hazard
Harm
People at risk
Probability
Severity
rating
Measures. (new or existing)
Who is responsible?
Children falling on top of each other
various
Children waiting to climb
2
3
6
Children to ask adult before climbing. Adult to make a ‘safe judgement’ on how many children are to climb at once. Other children must wait behind adult, out of the way.
All
Children being stuck & not being able to climb down
Various
Children climbing
3
2
6
Children encouraged to climb down the same way they climbed up. Adults to talk them through the technique. Adults to lift down if necessary. Children encouraged to only climb as high as their capabilities. Visible ribbons with height limits for age and ability of children.
All
Please note: This Risk Assessment is a guidance document and should be adapted to suit your own Outdoor Learning environment.
!5
Tree Climbing ACTIVITY RISK ASSESSMENT
© Hazard
Harm
People at risk
Probability
Severity
rating
Measures. (new or existing)
Who is responsible?
Branches snapping
Various
All
1
5
5
Climbing tree identified and branches checked before each session. Any hazardous branches removed by sawing before the session. Children encouraged not to ‘bounce’ on the branches. Ribbons tied to identify safe height and thickness of branches. Teach children to test branches carefully if they will hold their weight if they are unsure.
All
Fingers trodden on by others
Various
Children climbing
3
1
3
Encourage children to climb in spaces and to look where they are placing their hands and feet.
All
Please note: This Risk Assessment is a guidance document and should be adapted to suit your own Outdoor Learning environment.
!6
ACTIVITY RISK ASSESSMENT
Name of outdoor leader:
Date written: Reviewed: Next review:
OUTDOOR LEARNING ACTIVITY SPECIFIC RISK ASSESSMENT: TREE CLIMBING
Risk Benefit Analysis of Outdoor Learning The aims of Outdoor Learning include teaching children about potential risks in our daily lives and how we can manage them. Therefore, Outdoor Learning does contain an element of risk, however the level of risks the children are exposed to are controlled and at a manageable level so that benefits achieved from participating in Outdoor Learning outweigh the levels of risk. Potential hazards & control measures are detailed in the table that follows. Specific benefits from Tree Climbing: Emotional intelligence; self-esteem; confidence; resilience; teamwork; experiential learning; child-differentiated learning; holistic development; knowledge about sustainability; connect with their local environment; empathy; sense of self-worth; communication skills; logical thinking; problem solving; practical extensions of classroom objectives; curriculum enrichment; connect with nature; promote eco-friendly attitudes; higher order thinking skills; child-specific learning; extension of skills and knowledge; improved behaviour; de-stress; increased motivation to learn; learning above and beyond the national curriculum; cross curricular learning; imagination; creativity; physical development; core strength; emotional literacy; physical literacy; independence; self-awareness and management of risk.
Please note: This Risk Assessment is a guidance document and should be adapted to suit your own Outdoor Learning environment.
!1
Tree Climbing ACTIVITY RISK ASSESSMENT
© Hazard
Harm
People at risk
Probability
Severity
rating
Measures. (new or existing)
Who is responsible?
Weather
Various
All
2
5
10
Seek weather forecast beforehand to determine potential dangers arising from poor weather and welfare conditions.
Outdoor Leader
Please note: This Risk Assessment is a guidance document and should be adapted to suit your own Outdoor Learning environment.
!2
Tree Climbing ACTIVITY RISK ASSESSMENT
© Hazard
Harm
People at risk
Probability
Severity
rating
Measures. (new or existing)
Who is responsible?
Woodland site hazards
Various
All
2
5
10
See generic risk assessment form for site
All
Slipping, tripping, falling to ground
Minor- minor All injury
2
4
8
‘Climbing tree’ identified & All branches checked before each session for fragility & slipperiness. Check underlying ground. Max height allowed to climb to marked by coloured ribbons. Appropriate footwear worn. Climbing technique explained. At least one hand and one foot in contact with tree at all times. An adult must be supervising at all times.
Please note: This Risk Assessment is a guidance document and should be adapted to suit your own Outdoor Learning environment.
!3
Tree Climbing ACTIVITY RISK ASSESSMENT
© Hazard
Harm
People at risk
Probability
Severity
rating
Measures. (new or existing)
Who is responsible?
Lifting injury
Minor-major
Adults
1
3
3
If an adult helps a child to climb up or down by lifting them, correct technique of bent knees and straight back should be adopted.
All Adults
Banging head on branch
various
Children climbing
2
3
6
Remind children to look up when All climbing as well as at their hands/ feet.
Branch poking in the eye
various
Children climbing
3
3
9
Remind children to look up when All climbing as well as at their hands/ feet.
Please note: This Risk Assessment is a guidance document and should be adapted to suit your own Outdoor Learning environment.
!4
Tree Climbing ACTIVITY RISK ASSESSMENT
© Hazard
Harm
People at risk
Probability
Severity
rating
Measures. (new or existing)
Who is responsible?
Children falling on top of each other
various
Children waiting to climb
2
3
6
Children to ask adult before climbing. Adult to make a ‘safe judgement’ on how many children are to climb at once. Other children must wait behind adult, out of the way.
All
Children being stuck & not being able to climb down
Various
Children climbing
3
2
6
Children encouraged to climb down the same way they climbed up. Adults to talk them through the technique. Adults to lift down if necessary. Children encouraged to only climb as high as their capabilities. Visible ribbons with height limits for age and ability of children.
All
Please note: This Risk Assessment is a guidance document and should be adapted to suit your own Outdoor Learning environment.
!5
Tree Climbing ACTIVITY RISK ASSESSMENT
© Hazard
Harm
People at risk
Probability
Severity
rating
Measures. (new or existing)
Who is responsible?
Branches snapping
Various
All
1
5
5
Climbing tree identified and branches checked before each session. Any hazardous branches removed by sawing before the session. Children encouraged not to ‘bounce’ on the branches. Ribbons tied to identify safe height and thickness of branches. Teach children to test branches carefully if they will hold their weight if they are unsure.
All
Fingers trodden on by others
Various
Children climbing
3
1
3
Encourage children to climb in spaces and to look where they are placing their hands and feet.
All
Please note: This Risk Assessment is a guidance document and should be adapted to suit your own Outdoor Learning environment.
!6
