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#1 Posted : 25 July 2006 22:44:00(UTC)
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Posted By Thomas Ripley Would anyone know where i could obtain a Risk Assessment for a kids sports day. Activites that would be involved would be sack races, egg and spoon races, three leg race, coconut shy, tombola, BBQ ect. Any help would be appriciated. Thanks Tom.
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#2 Posted : 26 July 2006 09:59:00(UTC)
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Posted By garyh I can't help on this, however as the kids are not at work as such does this really apply? Where do you stop with risk assessment and school activities?
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#3 Posted : 26 July 2006 10:52:00(UTC)
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Posted By Nicholas Morris The kids are not at work but the teachers are and injuries to kids, parents and teachers can foreseeably result from activities under their control therefore in my view an assessment is needed. However, . However, care should be exercised as it would be quite possible to end up banning most of the activities! Sack race: could stumble, break collarbone. Egg and spoon- weapons?
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#4 Posted : 26 July 2006 11:01:00(UTC)
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Posted By Jeffrey Watt Thomas I’ve done a couple of battle reenactments which are probably the closest you get to a kids event, probably more crying for mummy at the battle reenactments though. I don’t have a pro forma, its more a matter of running through what you are going to do on the day and considering things like the area’s topography (Rivers and lakes, main roads, traffic segregation, parking) hazards from weather conditions( wind and play inflatables as has been tragically seen this week in Durham) Electricity used outside Fire separation and means of escape with long runs of stalls (HSG 175 for furher info on fairgrounds) Emergency plan for bomb/fire/lost children and suitable communications and marshals to enact that plan. First Aid cover, usually St John’s. Not an exhausive list but I hope that gives you a starter for 10 as Paxman would say. Kind regards Jeff
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#5 Posted : 27 July 2006 15:28:00(UTC)
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Posted By Ali I can't believe that Kids sports days are getting risk assessed now. I suppose you could try conkersbonkers.com (only joking of course).
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#6 Posted : 27 July 2006 15:49:00(UTC)
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Posted By Brian Hagyard Ali. As the Father of a 10-year-old boy who recently took part in a school sports day and a health and safety professional I certainly expect the sports day to be risk assessed. That’s not to say I think they should be stopped and certainly don’t agree that the long jump should be banned in case anyone gets sand in their eye (another bonkers conkers story reported last year) but I would expect the event to be run sensibly. In our case the school field is not billiard smooth, but the running events were held on flat areas. Because of the hot sunny day all the children were asked to ware hats, and parents were asked to send sun lotion/cream in with the children. The teachers were on with jugs of water and encouraging the kids to drink. There was the usual first aid procedures in place for the school. So for my son’s school I was more than happy with the risk assessment. Brian.
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#7 Posted : 27 July 2006 16:21:00(UTC)
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Posted By Paul Hay The response that the kids are not at work so you don't need to risk assess is surely blown out of the water by the recent news of the prosecution of the police under section 3 in respect of the shooting on the tube. That chap also was not at work, but was harmed by people who were. (I am not saying I agree with it by the way!!)
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#8 Posted : 27 July 2006 16:59:00(UTC)
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Posted By Tabs and the poor child that drown in the rock pool, and the children in the over-turned boat, and the others that don't make the papers. Of course you are right to risk assess the activities, sadly I can't help with a template. Yesterday I did an impromptu RA for a tug-o-war but it was based on adults (quite different problems). I hope the day is a big safe success.
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#9 Posted : 29 July 2006 08:48:00(UTC)
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Posted By steven bentham Thomas You really don't need a risk assessment for 'sack races, egg and spoon races, three leg race, coconut shy, tombola' - I think it use to be called fun. Search on the HSE's web site for enforcement notices or prosecutions for any of the above, no wonder the media are giving us a hard time. The posted comment cross referenced to the Met prosecution and by the CPS is out of all context to your question.
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#10 Posted : 29 July 2006 10:04:00(UTC)
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Posted By GJB I have a risk assessment that I use for such events. It's quite old & ancient, but it serves me well. It's called common-sense (Sshhh don't tell anyone) Guess what?... It works!
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#11 Posted : 01 August 2006 10:48:00(UTC)
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Posted By henrys I remember reading about an incident a while ago (not at a school) where someone hired a bouncy castle; one of the children bounced of it and struck their head on the electric air pump which had been sited at the front of the castle instead of the side or behind. It resulted in either death or serious injury, can't remember. Many would say you don't have to assess the use of a bouncy castle - it's just having fun. Would it be okay to have the sack race on a concrete playground, or should it be on a playing field? Would it be okay to have it next to a brick wall where a child might fall head first into the wall? You might say its just common sense, but that is the risk assessment - applying common sense. So it is about thinking through what is going to happen, what could go wrong, have enough precautions been taken.
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#12 Posted : 01 August 2006 11:03:00(UTC)
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Posted By GJB Henry, I fully endorse your comments. It IS just common sense and yet we still see accidents happen... and you look and you think, why oh why did you leave that there! I am also a believer that whatever we do, we assess the risks on a day to day basis (albeit, not written down). Walking from the station, driving a car, walking under scaffolding! So lets not get too bogged down with 'Eliminating' risk, if that isn't practical, but more 'reducing' risk to a safe and controlled standard.
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#13 Posted : 01 August 2006 11:20:00(UTC)
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Posted By henrys GJB I agree, don't get bogged down by the paperwork and trying to eliminate risk. Growing-up includes getting cuts, grazes, and bruises. I don't think we should stop children doing activities, just ensure the risk is managed - sensibly. Yes a child might bounce off a bouncy castle or fall over in a sack race and get a bruised arm or leg, but sensible risk management will ensure that nothing is in the way of the airborn child which could cause serious harm.
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#14 Posted : 01 August 2006 12:40:00(UTC)
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Posted By Jeffrey Watt Siblings Sure we have to be proportionate but do not right this off as conkers bonkers story guys and gals(Jimmy Saville TOTP tribute there). I have seen the aftermath of the “common sense” approach re play, children and ineffective management. You require a more subtle approach guys than “bund the Corrosive tank”. It is a heavily politicized field dealing with the public and requires professionalism at every turn (ok what doesn’t?). I have as much tech info printed off re water safety, life guarding, play parks, events and amusement parks as I ever did for explosion, fire or chemical safety for my old COMAH site (maybe that’s why we poisoned all those fish after the fire and explosion>>>only joking). It is easy to fall into the trap; I have done it myself in the past. Children’s events risk management ain’t sexy like DSEAR risk management but it is as valid a subject as any other in our varied profession. I didn't think we had went so Hollywood that body count was a measure of what was a worthy topic of discussion here (Hasta la bye bye Headmaster you have loud hailered your last eenstruction today--ratatatatat). I would like to think that when my kids participate in an event the organizers have had the “common sense” to ask for help like Thomas has and remember their “common law” duty of care to the young which is more stringent than that afforded to adults. Folks we all need help now and again;I have conditioned myself to remember this quote whenever I think I'm competent on a subject “He who sets himself up as the sole arbiter of knowledge will be shipwrecked by the laughter of the Gods”—Albert Einstein, well known aficionado of the three legged race. Kind regards Jeff (trying to avoid being pompous but failing miserably at every turn).
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#15 Posted : 01 August 2006 12:48:00(UTC)
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Posted By GJB Jeff, my learned friend! You didn't sound pompous! (Well not much anyway)! There's another very good saying regarding common sense... H & S is all about common sense!... The problem is.. there are not enough people in the world with common sense!
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#16 Posted : 01 August 2006 13:07:00(UTC)
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Posted By Jeffrey Watt GJB Well again auld Bert Einstein had a saying on common sense also, yer collection of prejudices acquired by age 18. Right you "commoners" a test of common sense. How do you work out the grounding weight of a play inflatable to ensure that it is suitable for the weight and age range of users at the event? That's common sense c'mon then, answers on a postcard, I'm timing you. (Listen for the fevered googling to find an answer). Kind regards Jeff(definitely being pompous this time, watch out pride before a fall)
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#17 Posted : 01 August 2006 13:11:00(UTC)
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Posted By GJB Jeff, Common sense... You read the label stitched onto the side of the castle! Regards, GJB (Sounded not pompous, but with a degree of sarcasm)!
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#18 Posted : 01 August 2006 13:11:00(UTC)
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Posted By Bill Parkinson I agree with the majority of comments regarding risk assessments. As I train people in risk assessment I actually inform them that risk assessment is not rocket science and that everyone does it to some degree or another! What we are trying to do in any risk assessment is identify significant risks and what control measures are required. When determining risk part of the equation is severity but the other part is likelihood. If the severity is broken leg/collar bone it still may be an insignificant risk because the likelihood is low. Don't forget likelihood should take into account the incidents which have occurred from what you are looking at. In addition your control measures have to be reasonably practicable which is not just cost but inconvenience/time etc. All risk assessment is subjective because we do the assessment but we need to have reality checks within that process.
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#19 Posted : 01 August 2006 13:57:00(UTC)
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Posted By Jeffrey Watt GJB I'ts good but it's not right (do the Roy Walker accent. Try again. Jeff
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#20 Posted : 01 August 2006 14:33:00(UTC)
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Posted By GJB Jeff, If you were unable to read the label, stitched neatly to the side (In pictogram form too, I may add)... Can I suggest 'Asking a Competent Person'? It may do the trick!?
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#21 Posted : 01 August 2006 14:48:00(UTC)
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Posted By Paul Hay It will be interesting to see what comes off the incident recently where the giant inflatable piece of 'art' came free and has so far claimed the lives of 2 people. Those who suggest that assessing sports days is 'conkers bonkers', what would you do if your child was harmed because of a lack of safety planning. Its all about taking a common sense and proportionate approach to the assessment, don't even call it a RA if this offends you, but plan nevertheless. Paul
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#22 Posted : 01 August 2006 15:13:00(UTC)
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Posted By Jeffrey Watt GJB You said "Ask a competent person". Exactly, I knew you would get there in the end if you thought it through. My rates are quite reasonable for weddings, birthday parties and bar mitzvahs. Balloon animals are extra but everything is negotiable. Kind regards Jeff
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#23 Posted : 01 August 2006 15:21:00(UTC)
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Posted By GJB Oh my word, Jeff, I never knew you were so talented! (I'm quite interested in the Balloons actually, but only at weekends)!.. and please don't tell anyone! Incidentally, do they come with safety instructions included?.. Inflation rates, etc?
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#24 Posted : 01 August 2006 15:24:00(UTC)
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Posted By MarkJAWatkins Remember and do a risk assessment on a balloon animal. Imagine the carnage if they start exploding in a room full of kiddies. Sports day list; 1. Visors - sufficient enough to stop explosive elastic. 2. RPE - incase someone suffers from hayfever. 3. Sacks for sack race made from some material that will not cause skin condition. 4. plastic spoons with the sharp bits ground off by janitor. 5. how do you attach medals? can't use pins like they did in my day! Regards, Mark
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#25 Posted : 01 August 2006 16:20:00(UTC)
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Posted By Anthony Rocheford It is unfortunate that some of you have chosen to participate in an exercise of one-up-manships, and trying to berate each other as opposed to dealing with the topic inb a professional way that could be edifying, educational and helpful to Thomas. Thomas I would sugges tat as opposed to a risk assessment per say that a check list be developed that highlights areas to be considered when embarking on such an activity namely where is the event going to be held ie the physical surroundings and the level of security needed. The safe construction of the stands, provision of welfare facilities. The condition of the grounds base on the activities being carried out, e.g a level field for running events, the sand pit does not contain foreign objects that can cause injury to person jumping into it. The provision of adequate water or wet rags for athletes if the event is taking place in the heat or warm towels for cold weather. These are some of my suggestions
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#26 Posted : 01 August 2006 16:24:00(UTC)
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Posted By Jeffrey Watt Mark Velcro medals these days or self adhesive. GJB BSEN71 for the balloons of course. Anything else guys when your fingers are still warm from tapping the keys. Kind regards Jeff
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#27 Posted : 01 August 2006 16:33:00(UTC)
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Posted By GJB Anthony, I apologise for my flippant behaviour, it's just that I tend to enjoy life and have a modicum of fun when I go about my daily business. My apologies if my sense of humour offends.
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#28 Posted : 01 August 2006 17:05:00(UTC)
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Posted By MarkJAWatkins gjb, At least you have a sense of humor, which is more than can be said about others. A day without laughter is a say wasted. Regards, Mark
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#29 Posted : 01 August 2006 17:24:00(UTC)
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Posted By GJB Mark, Thanks for the kind comments! I always say a day without laughter AND wine is a day wasted! (Or was that the immaculate Mr Newman who sad that)? Keep smiling!
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#30 Posted : 01 August 2006 17:33:00(UTC)
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Posted By Richie H I have a book re the leisure industry & activities and risk assessments for play parks, inflatable toys, pools, etc etc.... it is published by Tolleys and i found it very helpful. The only problem with applying common sense is that it isn't that common! Cheers Richie
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#31 Posted : 02 August 2006 14:20:00(UTC)
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Posted By Paul Oliver The problem with "Common Sense" is that there is nothing commmon about it!
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