PowerPoint Presentation

[Audio] Welcome to the online scouts learning presentations.

[Audio] Today, we will be sharing knowledge on how to conduct an effective risk assessment.

[Audio] In the first session, we will look at the need for risk assessment. Common ways to identify hazards and quantify the risk they pose. We will then look at the implementation of suitable control measures and the need to monitor their effectiveness..

[Audio] This puts the responsibility onto leaders to take active measures to protect themselves and young persons from accident and injury. It also means they need to take measures to protect people that visit their area of scouting activities or come into contact with scouts during an activity. Leaders need to use a standardised procedure for looking-after the health and safety of young people, leaders, visitors and the public. If an accident occurs, they will need to provide evidence that they have used this procedure and that it was followed..

[Audio] A risk assessment is a legal document which proves you took time before starting an activity to assess the various ways in which yourselves, young persons or others, could be injured during the scouting activity. All health & safety should be seen as pro-active, so the risk assessment is a pro-active way of preventing injury. The procedure is formalised and produces documentation that the scouting movement and insurers recognise..

[Audio] Whilst risk assessments will vary depending upon the person conducting them, they will basically contain the following elements. A procedure to identify the hazards posed the activity or the environment. A measurement of the risk posed by the hazard and what the likely outcome would be if the hazard caused harm, injury or incident. An examination of the most suitable control measures to put into place in order to mitigate the risk posed by the hazard. The correct implementation of the selected control measure. Monitoring of the effectiveness of the control measure during the activity..

[Audio] Before starting any activity, we need to think and look at the area of the activity and items it contains. If those items are going to be present during the activity, do they constitute a hazard which could cause harm or injury to a young person. If the activity moves into a different area, or other people could move into the area during the activity, consider what hazards could be introduced. At this stage of the risk assessment process, simply note the hazardous items, even if you are sceptical of the hazard they pose..

[Audio] When identifying hazards, take time to consider the common hazards which typically arise from. People taking part in the activity or entering the area of the activity. Equipment being used as part of the activity. Materials used in activity or generated by the activity. The environment and conditions the activity is being held within. Situations that could arise or develop as an outcome of the activity..

[Audio] The perception of risk is a personal thing. Someone's previous experiences inform their perception of risk. A person's values, ideals or beliefs make them look at a situation differently which is why it is good practice to do a risk assessment as a team activity or have your findings reviewed..

[Audio] If we look back at the hazards we previously noted, some of them pose no risk as it is highly unlikely someone will activity but the hazard during an activity. Other items which may be a hazard could pose a higher risk as we have now considered our exposure to them as part of the activity. A cup of hot coffee does not pose a risk if kept away from an activity but does become a risk if a leader tries to carry it through an activity or leaves it on the edge of a table within the area of the activity. A tube of glue can pose a risk if left opened on a young person's table during a craft activity as the fumes will build in the area over time..

[Audio] Many risk assessments use a matrix to allow us to quantify the risk posed by a hazard. If we look at the likelihood of exposure to the hazard and the consequences of that exposure, we can say that the risk posed is either low, moderate, high or extreme. In all cases, the risk posed to someone must be low or the activity should not commence. Any risk that is identified as moderate or higher should have an effective control measure implemented..

[Audio] We can now complete the column on the risk assessment form asking us what can go wrong. This is a product of the identified hazards and the risks posed from them. We can also identify the persons that will be at risk from those hazards during the activity. This could be young people, leaders or members of the public..

[Audio] Any risk that is moderate or higher must have an effective control measure implemented to reduce the likelihood and consequence. The control measure should be fit for purpose and appropriate for the hazard and risk involved. Many control measures are not appropriate, as some are simply not feasible due to implementation costs or time. But whatever we implement, it should be effective and continuously monitored..

[Audio] There are many control measures that can be implemented, but we need to ensure that the most effective ones are chosen first. A hierarchy of controls ensures that consideration is given to the most effective means of controlling the hazard and its correct implementation..

[Audio] Elimination of the hazard from an activity should always be your first option. If removal of the hazard is not possible, you should take measures to reduce the consequences of coming into contact with the hazard. This could be the removal of metal cutlery from an activity and replacing them with plastic items instead..

[Audio] If the hazard cannot be removed or its severity reduced, you should consider isolating it from the activity by using barriers that provide an effective means of preventing young people coming into contact with the hazard. If exposure to the hazard cannot be prevented, you should act to minimise your exposure to the hazard by setting a time limit for each person..

[Audio] If exposed to the hazard, we should use some form of personal protective equipment to prevent injury from exposure to the hazard. We should also use teaching, observation and discipline to ensure all persons involved in the activity know how to behave safely..

[Audio] You can now complete the appropriate section on the risk assessment. You should always implement the most appropriate control measure and not simply rely on protective equipment. Activities considered hazardous can be safely implemented using creativity and appropriate control measures. A combination of control measures can be used to ensure the safest possible environment is provided for your activity. All members of the team and young persons involved in the activity should be made aware of the control measures implemented..

[Audio] A risk assessment document is only as useful as the information that it contains. The control measures it requires should be reviewed for their continued effectiveness. The contents of the risk assessment document should be relevant to the activity and valid for safe implementation of that activity. We can only ensure this by frequently checking the content of the document and being aware of its requirements..

[Audio] Any changes that occur or are required during the activity should be noted on the risk assessment document. Any member of the team can make suggestions about how to deal with changing situations or arising hazards. All members of the team should be made aware of changes to the document or arising hazards during an activity..

[Audio] Thankyou for your attention. Please contact your district team with any questions..