NOTE: Teaching / Classroom Environment: This is a generic risk assessment to be used as a draft. The ‘Hazards’, ‘What you are doing’ and ‘Further Action’ are all suggestions and must be adapted and added to by Faculty Staff to fit the circumstances of the teaching environment and hazards faced. Additional Hazards which you may wish to record should be recorded.
Faculty/Department / Brief description of activity event/visit/:
Location: / Assessment carried out by: / Assessment date:
What are the hazards? / Who might be harmed and how? / Risk H/M/L / What are you already doing? / What further action is necessary? / Who? / When? / Done?
Slips, Trips, Falls / Students, All Staff, Visitors
Sprains or fractures caused by tripping or slipping. /
  • Flooring in general good condition
  • All walkways between and around desks kept clear.
  • Trailing wires from PCs/ Equipment are kept tidy (out of main walkways).
  • Lighting sufficient to allow safe access and exit
  • Housekeeping – procedures in place to deal with spillages.
  • Access arrangements- stairs/ clearly marked ramps and lifts ensuring access for all.

Working at Height / Staff, Students
Falls, sprains, fractures, other potential serious injury /
  • Stepladder / Elephant Foot stool provided.
  • To be used on level ground & checked before use.
  • Use of stepladders for maximum of 30 minutes & only involving light work.
  • Staff using such equipment are not to overreach.
  • Users toensure 3points of contact (hands and feet) are maintained at all times.
  • Stepladders/ Elephant Foot Stools must be stored appropriately and out of main walkways/ fire exits.
/
  • Ensure use is enforced when opening high windows/ activating overhead projectors – Long reach poles introduced to minimise risk
  • Staff are reminded not to stand on furniture.

Collisions with/ Hit by Object / Staff, Students & Visitors
Minor bruising, Cuts, fractures /
  • All permanent fixtures secured e.g. cupboards, shelves etc.
  • Portable equipment moved using trolleys.
  • Individuals unfamiliar with the area are warned of potential hazards

Manual Handling / Staff, Students
MSD’s, Strains, Back Injuries /
  • Trolleys’ in use for moving heavy equipment e.g. computers.
  • Consider using fold up/portable trolleys for carrying quantities of student work
/
  • Specialist departments to carry out major lifting/ handling using correct techniques – Estates/ IT Services
/ / /
Working with Electricity / All Staff, Students
Shocks, possible fatalities /
  • Staff to complete visual checks before using electrical equipment –PCs/ Photocopiers

Fire / All Staff, Students
Minor burns, smoke inhalation, Major burns, fatalities /
  • Staff completed YSJ fire safety training.
  • Staff to give Fire Safety /Emergency briefing to all visitor groups and new students
  • Academic staff familiar with any PEEPs that may be in place and aware of the nearest Refuge Point
  • All to make themselves and their students aware of nearest fire notice and marked exit.
  • Staff and Students to comply with all fire drills / emergency evacuation procedures.
  • All fire doors and escape routes kept unobstructed.
/
  • PEEPs in place for all students who have declared a mobility issue.

Lone Working / All Staff, students
Accidents, emergencies arising from lack of supervision, manual handling related injuries, sudden illness, fire. /
  • Staff to comply with the University guidance for working alone. In addition the following must be adhered to:
  • Handling of awkward, heavy loads not to be attempted when working alone, without the use of appropriate equipment, e.g. trolley’s etc.
  • All staff working alone should make themselves aware of the first aid and emergency procedures.
  • All staff to be vigilant when working alone.
/
  • Staff reminded that Security can be contacted from any Refuge Point or via Ext 6444

1

Jan 15