Risk Benefit Assessment – Mud Kitchens (MK)

Natural materials – soil, sand, water, vegetation ( leaves, grass, pinecones, conkers, flowers, sticks)

Consideration/
Hazard / What are the Benefits / Benefit Rating
1 No benefit
9 great benifit / What further actions are necessary and why / How will this be put into action
Water tap / Required to change the state of materials. Understanding of materials science / 7 / Set up a hose so children can access water for use in MK and for tidying up / Whom
XXXX / When
XXXX / Priority
High / Completion date
Water harvested / Understanding waters importance / 7 / Set up a water harvesting system / XXXXX / XXXXX / med
Soil/sand / Health & emotion well being from being in close contact / 8 / Ensure plenty of soil is available
Soil/sand / Fine and gross motor skills from lifting pouring gathering patting squeezing the soil / 6 / Provide different soils including clays
Gravel /pebbles / Carrying sorting patterns weighing, art / 4
Plants and other natural materials / Connection to nature
Creative stimulus
What are the hazards / What are the Risks / What precautions are already in place / Likelihood
Unlikely - 1
Average – 2
Likely - 3 / Severity
Non serious -1
Medium - 2
Severe - 3 / Risk Rating
1 very low
9 extremely high / What further actions are necessary and why / How will this be put into action
Water / Drowning / Large containers of water are never left unattended. / 1 very unlikely to happen / 3 if it were to happen it would be very severe / 3 rating low but requires action / No containers used with the potential of falling in. no overfilled containers / General MK procedures and Staff monitoring
Consumption /absorption of contaminates / Water is not left to go stagnant. And is checked each session for foreign bodies, mould, algae ect Children encouraged to follow a no consumption in MK routine. / 1 / 2 / 2 / All harvested containers to be washed regularly Harvested water containers have covers on them. / Staff to check water each session. And to check all water been emptied away after each session and covers firmly in place
Spillages causing slipping / Bare soil becomes slippy.
Boards are available to put down / 3 it is very likely to have spills and become slippy / 2 slips in this are could cause impact with a works urface / 6 / If becomes too slippy put planks or bark chippings down / Children and staff to monitor and decided when this action is required.
Soil/sand / contaminates / Children encouraged to follow a no consumption in MK routine. / 1 / 3 / 3
Consumption /absorption of Cat / animal faeces / Covers are used to prevent animals coming into the soil pit / 2 / 3 / 5 / When collecting new soil from garden Top soil is taken off and soil from 12cm or lower used to replenish ingredients / Children to put covers on at end of session Staff to check covers are secure
What are the hazards / What are the Risks / What precautions are already in place / Likelihood
Unlikely - 1
Average – 2
Likely - 3 / Severity
Non serious -1
Medium - 2
Severe - 3 / Risk Rating
1 very low
9 extremely high / What further actions are necessary and why / How will this be put into action
Inhalation of contaminates fine particles / All new bags of soil are left to air after opening for at least 24 hours / 1 / 3 / 3 / Staff to open any bags prior to sessions to air.
Entry into eye / Children have discussed behaviour in MK and throwing and flicking is not an option unless in a structured mud flicking activity / 2 / 2 / 4 / Eye wash and a clean towel will be kept close to hand to wash out any foreign objects from eyes / Staff to keep this equipment with safety pack
Cuts from large sharp items / Children to tell an adult if anything unusual is found. / 3 / 1 / 3 / Children screen soil before it is used using sieves / Adults carry out a risk benefit assessment on any found objects
Gravel /pebbles
Pieces of natural materials / choking / Any children likely to explore by putting things in their mouth are identified / 1 / 3 / 3 / Extra supervision for children with greater likely hood to put things in their mouth / Adults to know any relevant history with respect to this point
tripping / 2 / 1 / 2 / Children to tidy up spillages
plants or fungi Poisonous / Consumption /absorption / Children encouraged to follow a no consumption in MK routine. / 1 / 2 / 2 / Any extremely poisonous plants identified and not used as ingredients