Specific risk assessment VFRA: 703A - Branches that facilitate the use ofBranch owned exercise equipment

Branch: / Contact: / Venue:
Specific risk assessment: / Branches that facilitate the use of Branch owned exercise equipment / RA No: / VFRA: 703A
Person completing RA: / Type of therapy/ exercise: / Date:
Injury: / Anxiety, back/head injury, bruise/cut, burn, choking, fatality, fracture, puncture wound, sprain/strain, suffocation
People at Risk: / PwMS: / Y/N / Vulnerable person: / Y/N / Volunteer: / Y/N / Lone worker: / Y/N / Public: / Y/N
To be completed by:
  • all Branches organising therapy or exercise sessions where the Branch owns the equipment
  • any Branch lending out equipment for private use in a members home
Thereafter to be reviewed if the Branch believes the document is no longer valid, if there have been major changes within the Branch or annually whichever is soonest. Please see generic risk assessment VFRA: 701 for accompanying notes.
To complete the risk assessment:
  • Look at each statement and answer it Yes, No or N/A
  • If all the answers are Yes or N/A, fill in the first line of the Action Plan on the last page; stating “No action needed” sign and date to indicate when the assessment was completed
  • If there are any ‘No’s’ fill in the actions needed, person responsible and completion date in the Action Plan
  • Once outstanding actions are complete, the responsible person must sign and date the last column as each action is completed

Hazard / Prevention / Y/N/NA
1 / Signage and documents
(RF – 3 Low) / Where a Branch is lending out equipment to a member for private use in their home, the Branch must complete sections 1, 1k, and 7
Fitness activity listed on MS Society “Summary of insurance cover”
If no; Branch/ activity organiser has contacted MS Society insurers
Where equipment used in venue, insurance details checked annually (in date and venue specified)
Participants (including those being lent equipment for private use in their home) complete disclaimer form HSV: 741 and Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire HSV: 742 and return to Branch
Disclaimer (HSV: 741) and PAR Q (HSV: 742) stored securely, signed copies available to participants
If no named instructor/ therapist, training given to each participant on use of equipment
1g / Manual handling
(RF – 3 Low) / Appropriate equipment available to assist with moving and handlingof equipment and participants for participant and/ or their carer to use
1h / Disclosure checks (RF – 2 Low) / Individuals providing a service for a Branch (i.e. any therapist or exercise instructor) have completed disclosure check for the MS Society.
Volunteers assisting with therapy/ exercise class have completed disclosure check for the MS Society
1k / Transporting equipment for private use in members homes (RF – 3 Low) / Where equipment being delivered to members home:
  • Those delivering equipment suitably trained in moving and handling specific piece of equipment

  • Suitable drop off point giving easy access to members home

  • Easy access within members home to area where equipment is to be stored

2 / Transport
(RF – 3 Low) / Correct risk assessments complete where Branchowns its own transport
Car park has sufficient disabled spaces or a suitable drop-off area
Car park well lit and signposted with public walkways clearly marked
3 / Fire and emergency situations
(RF – 4 Medium) / Full list of attendees using the equipment recorded on Personnel register – HSV: 111A
Emergency evacuation plan in place, sufficient trained personnel/ volunteers to assist inemergency
All participants know action to take in an emergency
Safe refuge available where disabled participantmay not be able to completely evacuate the building
In MS Society building; emergency evacuation plan practised twice a year and a record completed using Evacuation drill record - HSV: 126
In external venue; follow emergency evacuation plan practises as laid out by the venue
4 / Access
(RF = 2 Low) / Walkways and emergency routes accessible at all times
Equipment areas kept clear and accessible at all times
High level of housekeeping standards maintained
Where assistance dogs attending event, HSP: 3111 and standards laid out by Assistance Dogs International followed
If no; separate risk assessment must be completed for the venue and event
5 / First aid (RF – 3 Low) / Satisfactory first aid facilities including sufficient number of first aiders or other medical staff available
If no and less than 50 people: instructor/ therapist to:
  • nominate an individual to call an ambulance and guide it to the patient
  • nominate individual to look after other participants
  • clear the area around the patient and keep them comfortable

Phone accessible to summon emergency services if needed
Accidents/ incidents reported using appropriate form (HSV: 122/ 123),returned as instructed on form
6 / Welfare
(RF – 2 Low) / Suitable and sufficient disabled lavatories and washing facilities available
Accessible changing facilities available if required
Where individuals need regular assistance or personal care, they bring a carer with them
If no;Branch to arrange care assistants to assist members (See HSP 420E/ V for details)
7 / Equipment
(RF – 3 Low) / Where members use equipment with no supervision:
  • It is appropriate for use

  • It is secured in position

  • It is inspected and maintained in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions including portable appliance testing

  • Where equipment is on loan to a member for use in their home this inspection and maintenance must take place after leaving one members home and prior to being sent to another members home

  • Competent person available to train each participants before they use the equipment

  • Instructions for use of equipment available

  • There is an alarm in place and someone available to give assistance if required

  • A record of usage and advice given is kept

  • Cleaning regime is in place and cleaning materials available

Hazard / Prevention / Y/ N/ NA
8 / Lone working
(RF – 2 Low) / Home visits are avoided
If no:
  • Instructor/ therapist must take a second person with them on the first visit
  • Instructor/ therapist must carry a mobile phone

When carrying out visits alone, physiotherapists follow the guidance in Standard 17 of the Core Standards of Physiotherapy Practice
Action Plan
Hazard No. / Action Needed / Responsible Person / Completion Date / Signed/ dated for completion

JDRev: 8September2013 Page 1 of 5