Risk Assessment Emergency Management Procedures

Groups, visits from schools, guided tours and other group promotional activities

  • The following risk assessment and emergency management information is provided to help school teachers, tour guides and support staff plan a school excursion, educational tour or group visit involving Canterbury Museum and Quake City, also part of the Canterbury Museum experience.
  • If further information is required please telephone the Education & Public Programmes Manager on (+64) (03) 366 9429 extension857.

The purpose of the Canterbury Museum risk assessment is to identify;

  • all potential hazards and risks that may present or influence any visit to Canterbury Museum
  • Identify and implement control measures that will eliminate or minimise any potential hazards or risks through pro-active management practice.
  • Provide an overview of how Canterbury Museum policy and procedures respond to risk and emergency management incidents and events while working alongside external organisations.

Definitions

The definition of “hazard” as defined in the New ZealandHealth and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSW Act) is:

  • “Hazard” includes a person’s behaviour where that behaviour has the potential to cause death, injury, or illness to a person (whether or not that behaviour results from physical or mental fatigue, drugs, alcohol, traumatic shock, or another temporary condition that affects a person’s behaviour).

Duties under the HSW Act 2015

  • In accordance with the HSW Act Canterbury Museum are aware that all parties have a duty of care and responsibility to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, that all potential hazards are identified and sufficiently controlled to allow for safe thoroughfare and activities to take place.
  • As described Museum management acknowledge this duty is placed upon the Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU), the Officer and the Workers.
  • All Museum staff who work with visiting groups and tours are first aid qualified and further trained to provide a response in an emergency.
  • First aid kits are readily accessible in all areas of the Museum and a mobile first aid kit and cell phone are taken by staff on all off-site activities.
  • There is also an automated external defibrillator (AED) located on site in the Museum foyer.
  • A Museum emergency response coordinator is present on site at all times.
  • This role is held by the Senior Protective Services Officer and/or the Security & Risk Manager.
  • All parties will agree in advance with Museum staff of their relevant responsibilities under the HSW Actto ensure PCBU’s with the same duties are well informed.

Course of Action

  • The purpose of the emergency management protocol outlined is to ensure that the safety and well-being of all tour attendees, groups and guides is managed professionally, appropriately and to the best of our ability.

Figure one:The table outlined below details how Museum staff and group leaders / teachers will interact in managing all potential risks and hazards (emergency management) while visiting Canterbury Museum or Quake City.

Hazard Identification / Elimination and/or Minimisation / Action if Hazard occurs
Student specific ailment / Visiting group representatives are to disclose ailments of individuals prior to the Museum visit/activity.
*note* School teachers are responsible for students and their individual medical needs during their Museum visit/activityensuring that the required specific medical aid is on hand / School teachers are to administer medication based on the students’ individual medical needs with prior approval from parents/caregivers.
In an emergency, notify Museum staff member who will ensure that emergency services are contacted (call 1-111).
Fire, earthquake, flood, building evacuation etc / Museum staff are to guide students, groups and guides to the closest emergency exit.
Museum staff will give instructions at the time of the emergency.
Tour guides / teachers are to bring a class or group list so they can ensure that all students / attendees are accounted for after an emergency (a head count). / Students, groups, guides and teachers are to follow the directions and instructions provided by Museum Staff.
The assembly point for all groups using the Museum is Peacock Fountain located in the Botanic Gardens on Rolleston Avenue near the entrance to the Museum.
The assembly points when using Quake City are:
1. Exit Durham Street and left down Durham Street to Car Park.2.Exit Armagh Street and across the road to the vacant lot. Take care crossing road.Staff will lead you out of the building.Please see attached Emergency Procedures for assembly areas.
Guides / teachers are to check that all students are accounted for once there.
Stairs (slips, trips and falls from height) / All stairs have hand rails and emergency lighting.
Students, groups, guides and teachers are to take care to avoid slips and trips by ensuring that they walk on stairs and are mindful of where they are going and of other people around them. / For minor accidents, first aid will be administered on site and a “Record of Accident” form must be completed and handed to Museum staff.
A copy will be provided to attending guides / teachers.
For serious accidents, guides / teachers are to notify Museum staff who will ensure that emergency services are contacted (call 1-111).
Cuts, burns, and bruising / Museum staff will brief all guests and visitors in regards to any risk associated with specific practical activities while at the Museum.
Museum staff will demonstrate the correct and safe way to carry out any activity being undertaken whilst on site. / For minor accidents, first aid will be administered on site and a “Record of Accident” form must be completed and handed to Museum staff.
For serious accidents or notifiable events guides / teachers are to notify Museum staff who will ensure that emergency services (call 1-111) and Worksafe are notified immediately.
Getting lost, or exposed to stranger danger / Museum staff will disclose to groups, at the time the booking is made, that members of the public are likely to be present during the Museum visit/activity.
Guides / teachers are to ensure that there is at least one adult to every eight students and that accompanying adults are assigned to student working groups. Any variation to this ratio is to be agreed between all parties prior to the Museum visit/activity.
Museum staff will disclose to students, guides and teachers that any student going to the toilet or leaving the main group, for whatever reason, must tell a school teacher and be accompanied by an adult appointed by the school. / If a student is unaccounted for, the school teacher is to notify Museum staff who will ensure that appropriate action is taken.
This includes including notifying the Customer Experience and Education Manager and the Security & Risk Manager to initiate first response.
Museum staff, guides and teachers are to conduct an initial search of the immediate area.
Museum staff will contact the Police if necessary (call 1-111).
Guides / teachers will ensure that their own policy relating to lost children is followed.

Figure two:Map showing Canterbury Museumand Quake City in Christchurch.

Reference: Image courtesy of Map Data Sciences Pty Ltd, 2009

Red arrow

Canterbury Museum

11 Rolleston Avenue Christchurch 8140

New Zealand

Blue arrow
Quake City

299 Durham Street North Christchurch 8140

New Zealand

*Note* Allow 10-15 minutes to walk between the two venues