Risk Assessment and Management Plan – OUTDOOR ADVENTURE ACTIVITY

ALPINE SKIING / SNOWBOARDING Activity

Completing the risk assessment and management Plan and a Checklist for the event

Risk Assessment and Management Plan - Completing the 5 parts.
  • Part A – Event Summary and Approval: is a summary of the event to be completed by all schools holding a cross country skiing and snowboarding activity. Signed by Activity Manager/Teacher in Charge and Principal acknowledging the risk assessment has been read and tailored to the school’s practicesby adding or deleting within the Risk Treatment / Prevention measure column.
  • Part B – Risk Criteria to identify risk ratings: is for information. It contains the risk criteria, risk matrix, risk control rating and priority ratings. Part B is to be used in Part C to apply a consistent approach to risk rating across schools.
  • Part C – Identifying and Analysing Risk Worksheet: is required to be completed by all schools holding a cross country skiing activity.PartC should be reviewed for practices and application by your school and tailored accordinglyby adding or deleting actions within the Risk Treatment / Prevention measure column.
  • Part D – Site specific information and hazards: is to assist the schools: select a site that suits student capability; and understand some of the hazards. Delete the locations not being visited on your excursion and add any other hazards you are aware of.
  • Part E – Treatment Plan: a table to be completed if there are residual risks rated high or above to ensure familiarity with the treatments / controls identified for these risks. Part Eis for bringing attention to the risks with the highest risk ratings. The treatment/controls around these risks require the greatest attention.
For assistance completing this Risk Assessment and Management Plan contact Audit and Assurance on 6205 6207 or . / CHECK LIST FOR THE EVENT (Tailor this to your school practice)
 BANNED ACTIVITY Snow Tobogganing.
 First aid, medications, medical forms for students and staff
 Equipment – inspected, checked, spares, navigation, PPE
 Communications – mobile, PLB, satellite phone, radios
 Local knowledge – site, conditions, weather
 Protocols – safety during activity, lost, minimum impact, free time
 Hygiene, sanitation, hydration, nutrition
 Emergency – plan, contacts, rescue, equipment, funds
 Group preparation – skills, fitness/capability, briefing, buddy system
 Transport – driver skills and knowledge, snow chains

Part AEVENT SUMMARY AND APPROVALS

Event SuMMary

School/s
Activity
Date/s
Time
Location
Participants / Number of students: Number of staff: Number of volunteers:
Interested Parties / Skiing Resort e.g. Perisher Blue
Event Description

APPROVALS

I have read and tailored the risk assessment to reflect my school’s practices by adding or deleting actions within theRisk Treatment / Prevention measure column of Part C.

Any risks with a residual rating of High or above are in Part E and I am familiar with the treatments/controls identified for these risks.

Event Organiser / Teacher In Charge printed name:______Signature: ______Date: ______

Principal printed name:______Signature: ______Date:______

PART bRisk Criteria to identify risk ratings

Risk Matrix

This risk matrix is used to complete Part C. Consider and apply the consequence first. Then consider and apply the likelihoodto establish the risk rating. Use of the defined consequences and likelihoods below will assist a consistent approach being applied to risk ratings across the Education Directorate.

Consequence
People / Injuries or ailments not requiring medical treatment / Minor injury or first aid treatment case / Serious injury causing hospitalisation or multiple medical treatment cases / Life threatening injury or multiple serious injuries causing hospitalisation / Death or multiple life threatening injuries
Products and Services / No disruption to excursion / Limited disruption to the excursion / Some activities unable to proceed / Major disruption to the activities with multiple activities unable to proceed / Major disruption with no activities able to proceed
Environment / No environmental or other damage / Minor short term environmental or other property damage / Minor long term environmental or other property damage / Extensive environmental damage (long term effect) / Extensive and widespread environmental damage
Financial / 1% of budget or <$5,000 / 2.5% of budget or <$50,000 / > 5% of budget or <$500,000 / > 10% of budget or
< $5,000,000 / >25% of budget or
> $5,000,000
Insignificant / Minor / Moderate / Major / Catastrophic
Risk Matrix / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
Likelihood / Almost certain / Is expected to occur in most circumstances / < 1 in 10 / 5 / Medium / High / High / Extreme / Extreme
Likely / Will probably occur / 1 in 10 - 100 / 4 / Medium / Medium / High / High / Extreme
Possible / Might occur at some time in the future / 1 in 100 to 1,000 / 3 / Low / Medium / Medium / High / Extreme
Unlikely / Could occur but doubtful / 1 in 1,000 – 10,000 / 2 / Low / Medium / Medium / High / High
Rare / 1 in 10,000 – 100,000 / 1 / Low / Low / Medium / Medium / High

Risk Control Ratings

Risk control ratings are used in Part C in the column titled ‘Risk Treatment / Prevention measure’. The terms adequate, room for improvement and inadequate are used to rate the identified control.

(A) Adequate – Controls are well designed for the risk and address the root cause. Management believes they are effective and reliable at all times

(R)Room for Improvement – Most controls are designed correctly and are in place and effective, however some controls are neither correctly designed or are not effective. Some more work is required to improve the control effectiveness. Management has doubts about the operational effectiveness of some controls.

(I) Inadequate– Significant control gaps or no credible control. Either controls do not address the root cause or the controls do not operate at all effectively. Controls if they exist are just reactive. Management has no confidence that any degree of controls is being achieved due to poor control design and/or very limited operational effectiveness.

Priority Rating

Priority ratings are to be placed in Part C in the right handcolumn. Where priority ratings of A, B or C are selected ensure the identified authority is notified, if the treatment with these priority ratings are required.

Priority / Description / Authority to be notified / Priority Rating
Extreme / Requires immediate attendance of multiple emergency services / multiple casualties to hospital / Requires immediate notification to the Director- General / A
High / Requires attendance of emergency service personnel (ambulance, police, fire brigade) or transportation to hospital / Requires immediate notification to theDirector, School Improvement / B
Medium / Requires immediate attention from a first aid officer or life saver / Requires immediate notification to the Principal / C
Low / Requires assistance on site by EDU staff or possible minor attention by a first aid officer / Requires immediate notification to EDU staff on site / D

Part CIdentifying and analysing Risk Worksheet

Ref / Risk

What can happen? How it can happen?

What is the outcome if it happens?

/ Consequence / Likelihood / Initial Risk Rating
(before controls) /

Risk Treatment / Prevention measure

Description and Adequacy of Existing Controls

(What are you going to do to prevent or reduce the risk - tailor to the school’s practices by adding or deleting within this section)

Risk Control Rating: (A)Adequate, ( R) Room for Improvement, (I)Inadequate / Consequence / Likelihood / Residual Risk Rating
(After Controls) / Responsible Officer / Timetable
(by when) / Priority rating
1 / Accident - activity specific injury
Caused by excessive speed, out of control, overconfidence, terrain too advanced for skill level, dangerous snow conditions, inappropriate behaviour including failure to follow instructions, dangerous terrainleading to injury
  • Head injury
  • Musculoskeletal injuries
  • Sprains, strains
/ 4 / 3 / High / a)Follow Directorate’s Mandatory Procedures (G)
b)Group preparation – training, practice and full briefing (G)
c)Staff qualifications, experience, supervision protocols, safety points including local knowledge of terrain (G)
d)Equipment checked prior to trip - clothing and personal items, ski gear (A)
e)First aid attention and equipment (G)
f)Medical forms, emergency treatment plan and parent consultation (A)
g)Exclusion from camp/activities of students demonstrating lack of behavioural compliance (A)
h)All students in Buddy System monitoring each other (A)
i)Whole group to participate in warm up activities (A) / 3 / 1 / Med / Teacher in charge and all supervising staff / Prior to and ongoing during activity / C
2 / Health and Fitness
Fatigue and exhaustion resulting from overexertion leading to possible injury
  • Insufficient physical preparation
  • poor activity planning
  • deteriorating environmental conditions
  • overconfidence
  • poor decision making
  • disorientation
  • inappropriate rest/sleep periods
/ 2 / 2 / Medium / a)Careful monitoring of participants and supervision of rest stops and pacing by activity leader (A)
b)Follow Directorate’s Mandatory Procedures (A)
c)Group preparation – training, practice and full briefing (A)
d)Group check prior to leaving, regular reminders about hydration, safety points, (A)
e)Staff qualifications, experience, supervision protocols, safety points (A)
f)First aid attention and equipment (A)
g)Fitness assessment prior to excursion (A)
h)Medical forms, emergency treatment plan and parent consultation (A)
i)All students in Buddy System monitoring each other (A) / 2 / 1 / Low / Teacher in charge / Prior to and ongoing during activity / D
3 / Health and Fitness
Medical emergency in the snow
  • Asthma attack
  • Diabetic incident
  • Epilepsy
  • Anaphylaxis
  • etc
/ 3 / 3 / High / a)Careful monitoring of participants and supervision of rest stops and pacing by activity leader (A)
b)Follow Directorate’s Mandatory Procedures (A)
c)Group preparation – training, practice and full briefing (A)
d)Staff qualifications, experience, supervision, safety points (A)
e)Medical forms and teacher follow up prior to trip (A)
f)First aid attention and equipment (A)
g)Fitness assessment and conditioning prior to excursion (A)
h)Buddy system in place where buddies monitor each other (A) / 2 / 1 / Low / Teacher in charge / Prior to and ongoing during activity / C
4 / Health and Fitness
Exposure to environment
  • Hypothermia
  • Snowblindness
  • Sunburn
  • Dehydration
  • Frost nip, frost bite
/ 3 / 3 / High / a)Careful monitoring of participants and environmental conditions - supervision of use of protective clothing, hydration, goggles, sunscreens, resting etc (A)
b)Follow Directorate’s Mandatory Procedures (A)
c)Group preparation – training, practice and full briefing (A)
d)Staff qualifications, experience, supervision, safety points (A)
e)Teacher will carry extra water, clothing and spare gear will be available – gloves, beanies, jacket etc (A).
f)First aid attention and equipment (A)
g)Packing list provided to students prior to camp. (A)
h)Sunscreen provision for group. (A)
i)All students in Buddy System monitoring each other (A)
j)Gear checks each morning prior to activities (A)
j)Use of PPE and protective clothing – goggles, etc as appropriate (A) / 2 / 1 / Low / Teacher in charge / Prior to and ongoing during activity / D
5 / Environment
Weather extremes
  • Storms and heavy rain
  • Lightning
  • Blizzard/snow
  • Whiteout
  • High wind
/ 3 / 3 / High / a)Checking for warnings and the development of potentially dangerous conditions prior to activity and during activity (A)
b)Access to communication equipment to check for warnings and developments (A)
c)Careful ongoing monitoring of environmental conditions – adjustment of route, plans as a result (A)
d)Follow Directorate’s Mandatory Procedures (A)
e)Group preparation – training, practice and full briefing in dealing with emergencies (A)
f)Staff qualifications, experience, supervision protocols, safety points (A)
g)Use of protective equipment and clothing (A)
h)Packing list provided to students prior to camp. (A)
i)Follow emergency plan if overtaken by extreme weather event / 1 / 3 / Med / Teacher in charge / Prior to and ongoing during activity / C
6 / Environment
Natural disaster
  • Avalanche
/ 4 / 1 / Medium / a)Monitor local conditions prior to departure and cancel activity if conditions considered hazardous. (A)
b)Follow emergency plan if caught in natural disaster.(A)
c)Established communications protocols developed and implemented prior to departure in case of emergencies (A)
d)Maintain local knowledge of area (A)
e)Avoid known areas of natural disaster risk (A) / 4 / 1 / Med / Teacher in charge / Prior to and ongoing during activity / C
6 / Environment
Damage to environment
  • vegetation,
  • pygmy possum areas under the snow)
  • Littering, polluting of water catchment area.
/ 2 / 2 / Low / a)Group preparation and briefing (A)
b)Maintain supervision at all times (A)
c)Awareness of site use requirements and Minimum Impact Codes (A)
d)Staff qualifications, experience, supervision, including local knowledge of resort and terrain (A) / 1 / 1 / Low / Teacher in charge / Prior to and ongoing during activity / D
7 / Equipment failure
  • Gear misuse
  • Incorrect fitting and sizing
  • Binding screws loosening up
  • Breakage
  • Gear stolen
  • Poor quality or inappropriate clothing
  • Contributing to injury and/or financial loss
/ 2 / 2 / Medium / a)Follow Directorate’s Mandatory Procedures (A)
b)Staff qualifications, experience, supervision, (A)
c)Group preparation – gear check, Staff qualifications, experience, supervision, safety points, equipment, clothing and personal items. (A)
d)Spare gear on hand (A)
e)Hire gear adjusted and checked by resort staff (A)
f)Ongoing gear checks and adjustments (A)
g)All students in Buddy System monitoring each other’s gear (A)
h)First aid equipment and training (A) / 1 / 1 / Low / Teacher in charge / Prior to and ongoing during activity / D
8 / Lost Group and separated person
Resulting from;
  • Going out of bounds
  • Not knowing locations
  • Poor visibility
  • Deteriorating conditions
  • Injury
Leading to rescue, search, time lost to individual and group, use of valuable resort resources / 4 / 2 / High / a)Staff qualifications, experience, supervision, including local knowledge of resort and terrain(A)
b)Follow Mandatory Procedures (A) including having necessary trail maps for students.
c)Entire group is regularly checked and head counted. (A)
d)Supervision protocols clearly identifying areas available for the group (A)
e)Establish a safety and emergency contingency plan prior to the trip (safety points, equipment – GPS, location map, compass EPIRB, whistle, regular stops, buddy system, clothing and personal items)(A)
f)Group briefed on procedures to follow if separated from the group (A) / 3 / 1 / Medium / Teacher in charge / Prior to and ongoing during activity / C
Other

Part D SITE SPECIFIC Information and HAZARDS

The site specific information is provided to assist schools:select a site that suits student capability; and understand some of the hazards.

Delete the sites that are not being visited on your trip. Add any other hazards that you are aware of.

Location / Location hazards
Perisher Trails /
  • Sometimes crowded at Nordic Shelter
  • Races and other events held on trails
  • Soft snow and thin cover of creeks and bog area in front of Nordic Shelter
  • Trails can be icy and fast and also have areas of no snow cover
  • Some sections of trails are steep
  • Proximity of trees at side of some trails
  • Requirement to park bus at Smiggins

Smiggins Holes /
  • Sometimes crowded at Nordic trail area

Porcupine Rocks trail /
  • Snow can be mixed – icy and fast, soft and sloppy
  • Summit area exposed to bad weather
  • Summit area difficult to navigate in bad weather
  • If following the valley rather than the marked trail snow cover over the creek may be thin
  • Some steep sections on descent

Mount Selwyn – Four Mile Hut Trail, Goldseekers Trail, Three Mile Dam /
  • Semi remote
  • Can be difficult to navigate in poor weather
  • Snow cover can be variable

Thredbo – Village area /
  • Particularly icy section of road over final hill prior to Bullocks Flat from Jindabyne for driving access
  • Limited trails at Village

Thredbo - Kosciuszko /
  • Advanced terrain between Eagle’s Nest and Kosciuszko summit
  • Ice and sastrugi in exposed areas
  • Trail subject to the worst weather in the mountains making skiing and navigation difficult
  • Steep final climb then descent from Rawsons Pass to summit

Other

PartETreatment Plan - for risks with residual risk ratings of high or above

Part E is for identifying the risks with the highest risk ratings. The treatment/controls around these risks require the greatest attention.

To complete Part E transfer the risks with a residual value of high or above to the table below.

Ref / Risk as stated in Part C

What can happen? How it can happen?

What is the outcome if it happens? / Treatment/Controls to be implemented as stated in Part C / Residual Consequence / Residual Likelihood / Residual Risk rating after treatment/
controls / Person responsible for implementing treatment/controls / Expected completion date / Actual completion date

For assistance completing this Risk Assessment and Management Plan contact Audit and Assurance on 6205 6207 or .

Submit the completed signed form to [Curriculum to provide details on how to submit this risk assessment].

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