APPENDIX A

Task / Activity
Describe what activity this assessment covers /
School
Describe where this activity takes place / Version
Date /

Review date

Assessor / Signature
Description of Hazard /
Consequence of Hazard
/ Persons at Risk / Current Control Measures / Risk =
L x S
Hazard
1 /

General hazards of school pond

1.1 /

Water

/ Death by drowning / Predominantly younger children /
  • Normal operating plan in place
  • Emergency action plan in place
  • Staff have read above
  • Reach poles and safety equipment available
  • Children are aware of pond-side regulations

1.2. / Banks, silt and overhanging branches etc / Falls, cuts bruises & abrasions, eye injuries / Children, Staff, Volunteers, trespassers /
  • Correct and regular maintenance carried out
  • Appropriate design and construction of pond

1.3. / Slips, trips and falls / Cuts, bruises and sprains / Children, staff, volunteers /
  • Removal of tripping hazards and pot holes

1.4 / Trespassers and after hours use / Cuts, bruises, sprains,
drowning / Authorised and unauthorised users /
  • All reasonable action taken to reduce trespasser access
  • After hours users aware of safety documents

2 / Pond designand location related hazards
2.1 /

Pond design

/ Drowning in deep water, injuries caused by poor design / All users /
  • Pond well designed and constructed using appropriate advice

2.1 / Pond Location / Injuries occur unnoticed / Authorised and unauthorised users /
  • Pond can be seen from classrooms
  • Away from paths, boundaries etc

2.3 / Pond banks and edges / slips and falls into water / Children, Staff, Volunteers /
  • Are banks and edges appropriate for pond use
  • Are they obvious and can be clearly seen

2.4 / Inadvertent access / Slips, trips, cuts sprains, drowning / Particularly children and unauthorised users /
  • Fences and gates prevent inadvertent access
  • Gates kept locked

3 / Pond management and maintenance
Pond maintenance / Trips, falls cuts, sprains due to poor maintenance / All users /
  • Pond area to be regularly maintained and any damage repaired

Lighting / Trips, falls in dark / Those using pond after hours eg Eco-club, /
  • Provision of lights if after hours use is likely

No warning signs? / Injuries due to ice, wet leaves etc / Unauthorised users /
  • Seasonal warning signs to be used but not as a control measure at detriment of other means

Control of Access / Injuries when area not being used officially / children /
  • Keep pond area locked when not being used for lessons

Damaged Fence / Injuries caused by inadvertent access / Children, unauthorised users /
  • Regular fence maintenance

Class/ group
Supervision / Injuries caused by in adequate supervision / Children /
  • Guidelines for safe use developed and communicated
  • Adequate supervision
  • All supervisors of pond activities briefed and aware if guildelines and emergency procedures

Pond users dress code / Slips, trips, falls / All users /
  • Users to wear appropriate, footwear

Safety equipment / To hand in case of accidents / Children /
  • Reach poles and other safety equipment available
  • All supervisors to be aware of Emergency action plan

Recording of incidents / In case of future problems / All Users /
  • Record all incidents in accordance with schools health and safety policy

Instruction to children / To avoid injuries / Children /
  • Make children aware of H&S prior to each lesson
  • Pond ‘Golden Rules’ laminated and posted so that children are aware of them

Transmission of diseases & health effects
General Hygiene arrangements / All users /
  • Hand washing and drying facilities available

Cuts and abrasions /
  • First aid kit available
  • Cuts and minor injuries dealt with as per school policy

Specific health hazards
There is a very remote possibility of the following
Weil’s disease (Leptospirosis) / Infection due to contaminated rat urine / Mostly children /
  • Regular monitoring for rats as per councils pest control policy
  • Children to wash hands following contact with water

Parasites
Toxoplasmosis and Toxocariasis / From plants contaminated by dog and cat faeces / Mostly children /
  • Removal of faeces prior to lessons
  • Where possible keep cats and dogs away

Poisoning

Blue green algae / Contamination by toxic bacteria / Only if contaminated plants eaten /
  • Removal of any scum that forms on pond surface
  • Prevent children from eating plants around pond edge

Animal bites, bees, wasps, larvae of dragonflies and water boatmen

/ Bites, stings, contamination / Children /
  • Be aware of allergies to wasps and bee stings
  • Deal with according to school policy
  • Discourage children from handling pond creatures

Tetanus

/ Remote possibility of infection through cuts and abrasions / All users /
  • Wash hands after contact with soil
  • Keep cuts covered with waterproof plasters
  • Deal with according to school policy concerning vaccination

Allergies to pond plants

There is a possibility that exposure to some plants may cause an allergic reaction.

Hayfever

General exposure to pollen may trigger / Sore eyes, sniffles, breathing issues / Those with specific allergies /
  • Be aware of allergies
  • Deal with according to school policy

Equipment, mis-use of pond nets (e.g. handles poked accidentally into pupils’ eyes).

/ Cuts, abrasions, handle of nets poked in eye / Children, inappropriate use /
  • Safety information made known to children
  • Adequate supervision

Adverse weather conditions

/ Major injury, / All users /
  • Hats, sun cream as per schools policy
  • Wet weather clothing
  • Guidelines for discontinuing activities if weather conditions change

Recommended Control Measures / Revised Risk
L X S = H,M,OR L / Management Action Plan and Implementation Date(s)
Action / By Whom / Deadline
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Signature of Manager / Date
Name of Manager