RISK ASSESSMENT FORM

List identified hazards and detail measures taken to address the hazards:
Cost Centre
Department
Faculty of EHLT
Outdoor Education

Plant/equipment/procedure
Field Trips: Canoeing

Assessed by:
Walter Olenich & John Naumann

Probability - Risk Factors

Risk Assessment No
Reference to SOP No...
Location
Area Supervisor
Onkaparinga River, Pt Norlunga Russell Brown
(02/09/2011)
Grampians
NP
(17/09
TO
25/11/2011)
Dates
Review Date
02/09/2011 TO 25/11/2011
04/10/2011

Consequence - Risk Factors

Very Likely
VL

Probably occur immediately or within a short

period of time

Fatality
F

Likely
L

Probably occur in time

Major
M

Severe injury or illness or major property damag

Minor
m

Minor (usually reversible) injury or illness resulting in days off work or minor property
damage

Possible
P
Unlikely
U
Highly
Unlikely
U

Could happen occasionally

Could eventually happen

First Aid
FA

Has potential to occur, but probably never will

Negligible
N

May cause death or loss of facility

First aid level treatment

No medical treatment

Forms of Hazard
Physical
Chemical
Ergonomic
Radiation
Psychological
Biological
Sources

Mechanical action, impact, electrical exposure, heat/cold, noise, vibration, explosion etc.
Corrosive liquid, toxic gases, noxious fumes etc.
Height of workbench, design of chair, set-up of a work station etc.
x-ray machine, infrared beams etc.
Stress from using equipment without proper training or instruction, interpersonal conflict
Sharps, specimen containers carrying infected material, viruses from A/C system
Environment
Substances
Equipment/plant Work systems

Plant/equipment/procedure
Field Trips: Onkaparinga River SA, Grampians National Park VIC
Risk
Matrix

Probability

Control Hierarchy

Consequence
Very
likely
Extreme

Likely
High

Possibl
e
High

Unlikel
y
High

Highly
unlikely
Medium

High

High

High

Medium

Medium

Fatality F
Major injury M
High

Medium

Medium

Medium

Medium

Medium

Medium

Medium

Low

Low

Minor injury m

Elimination

Is it necessary

Substitution

Is there a less hazardous alternative

Isolation

Eg Restrict access, use in a closed

container, fume cabinet
Eg Trolleys to move loads, guards on
machinery, Fume cupboard

Engineering

First aid FA

Administration
Medium

Medium

Low

Low

Low

Negligible N

PPE - Personal
Protective
Equipment

Eg: Training, Safe Work Procedure,

signage
Eg: Gloves, respirator, safety glasses

This generic risk assessment must be modified to meet individual requirements of each field trip.
Risk Control Plan
Item
Field Trips: Canoeing/
Kayaking

Hazard
Person overboard / Drowning
People near the water

Transport to site/
Vehicle accident

HU

RA

Control
Personal Floatation Devices to be worn at all
times
Supervision and safety briefing
Appropriate ratios DECS 1:8
Buoyancy appropriate to craft
Licensed driver, vehicles serviced and
roadworthy, follow road rules
Apply common sense and traffic awareness

Equipment transport

Trailers serviced and roadworthy

All items secured (tie downs, trailer cages)
Pre inspection of all equipment

Public access areas and / or

Identify hazards

Action by
Field Trip Leader
W Olenich and all
participants
Woodcroft Staff
and students
Field Trip Leader
W Olenich and all
participants
Woodcroft Staff
and students
Field Trip Leader
W Olenich and all
participants
Woodcroft College
Outdoor Education
staff
Field Trip Leader

Date
02/09/2011
TO
25/11/2011
02/09/2011
TO
25/11/2011
02/09/2011
TO
25/11/2011

02/09/2011

Item

Hazard

RA

roadways
Field Trips: Canoeing/
Kayaking (cont.)
Exposure to elements

Medical condition

Repetitive strain injury / overuse

Weather
Hypothermia

Unpredicted weather change

Tides

Control
Brief all participants prior to activity
Self and leader monitoring
Apply common sense and traffic awareness
Obey road traffic rules

HU

Sunscreen, hat, fluids, first aid kit

Group and self monitoring

Carry medication, mobile communication, trip

notification procedures
Participant medical information carried.
Correct instruction
Monitoring by group leader/ instructor
Appropriate rests, regular rest breaks in program
First aid as required
Self monitoring by all participants
Daily weather reports-assess
Water safety training
Correct attire, Wet suits, thermal layers, wind/
waterproof outer garments
Cancel / postpone activity if necessary
Daily weather reports-assess
Water safety training
Correct attire, Wet suits, thermal layers, wind/
waterproof outer garments
Cancel / postpone activity if necessary
Water safety training, check weather and tide
reports prior to departure

Inadequate supervision

HU

All participants to wear approved PFDs

DECS ratios staff/ students
Self monitoring by all participants

Insufficient skill to perform task

Appropriate training off/on water

Action by
W Olenich and all
participants
Woodcroft Staff
and students
Field Trip Leader
W Olenich and all
participants
Woodcroft Staff
and students
Field Trip Leader
W Olenich and all
participants
Woodcroft Staff
and students
Field Trip Leader
W Olenich and all
participants
Woodcroft Staff
and students
Field Trip Leader
W Olenich and all
participants
Woodcroft Staff
and students
Field Trip Leader
W Olenich and all
participants
Woodcroft Staff
and students
Field Trip Leader
W Olenich and all
participants
Woodcroft Staff
and students
Field Trip Leader
W Olenich and all
participants
Woodcroft Staff
and students
Field Trip Leader

Date
TO
25/11/2011
02/09/2011
TO
25/11/2011
02/09/2011
TO
25/11/2011
02/09/2011
TO
25/11/2011
02/09/2011
TO
25/11/2011
02/09/2011
TO
25/11/2011
02/09/2011
TO
25/11/2011
02/09/2011
TO
25/11/2011

02/09/2011

Item

Hazard

RA

Control

Field Trips: Canoeing/

Kayaking (cont.)
Inadequate nutrition and
hydration

Participant mis-behaviour

Fatigue

Exposure to elements

Heat stress/ Dehydration

Briefing pre-departure
Monitoring by group leader/ self monitoring by
participants

Instructors appropriately qualified or experienced

Monitoring of group/ individual progress by

leader, rest of group
Ensure adequate rest breaks
Amend program if considered necessary

Monitor local conditions, sunscreen, appropriate

shelter
Equipment/ clothing checks pre departure
Appropriate site
Emergency response plan

Sufficient water, appropriate clothing, amend

program as required
Monitor weather forecasts

Medical emergency

HU

Animal attack (eg: snake)

Appropriate medication, mobile communication

Participant medical information carried.
Copy with contact person at the university
Emergency route plan (escape route)
Mobile and satellite phones carried
All participants First Aid trained, individual and
group first aid kit carried by trip leader

Mobile communication, first aid kit

Action by
W Olenich and all
participants
Woodcroft Staff
and students
Field Trip Leader
W Olenich and all
participants
Woodcroft Staff
and students
Field Trip Leader
W Olenich and all
participants
Woodcroft Staff
and students
Field Trip Leader
W Olenich and all
participants
Woodcroft Staff
and students
Field Trip Leader
W Olenich and all
participants
Woodcroft Staff
and students
Field Trip Leader
W Olenich and all
participants
Woodcroft Staff
and students

Date
TO
25/11/2011
02/09/2011
TO
25/11/2011
02/09/2011
TO
25/11/2011
02/09/2011
TO
25/11/2011
02/09/2011
TO
25/11/2011
02/09/2011
TO
25/11/2011
02/09/2011
TO
25/11/2011

Field Trip Leader

W Olenich and all
participants
Woodcroft Staff
and students

Field Trip Leader

W Olenich and all

02/09/2011
TO

Item

Hazard

RA

Control

Action by
participants
Woodcroft Staff
and students

Field Trips: Canoeing/

Kayaking (cont.)

Slippery surface, footing.

Awkward entry points

Manual handling

Separation from group

Natural disaster (eg: Storm,

Strong winds )

Alcohol/recreational drug use

Specific location dangers (ie:

Currents, strainers, snags, steep
banks)

HU

HU

Enclosed/ solid footwear, team lifting, limit size of

loads
Safety briefing to group
Hazard identified by leader
Brief all as to risk
Alternate site
Demonstration of correct technique
Prior training/ demonstration by leader
Constant monitoring throughout activity
Team lifting, limit size of loads
Transport close to main site, limit distance
equipment manually handled
Apply DECS ratios.
Group briefing pre-departure
Apply front /back markers or other control
measures
RETURN TO LAST KNOWN POSITION PHONE
TRIP LEADER
All participants issued with route plan/map
emergency contact numbers
Emergency planning, communication
Monitor weather forecasts
Safety brief to group
Rendezvous point, as part of safety brief
Abandon, modify program and trip location

No alcohol/recreational drugs on field trips

Identified in advance
Review route plans/ identify safe route

Field Trip Leader

W Olenich and all
participants
Woodcroft Staff
and students
Field Trip Leader
W Olenich and all
participants
Woodcroft Staff
and students
Field Trip Leader
W Olenich and all
participants
Woodcroft Staff
and students
Field Trip Leader
W Olenich and all
participants
Woodcroft Staff
and students
Field Trip Leader
W Olenich and all
participants
Woodcroft Staff
and students
Field Trip Leader
W Olenich and all
participants
Woodcroft Staff
and students

Date
25/11/2011
02/09/2011
TO
25/11/2011

02/09/2011
TO
25/11/2011

02/09/2011
TO
25/11/2011

02/09/2011
TO
25/11/2011
02/09/2011
TO
25/11/2011
02/09/2011
TO
25/11/2011

The assessment reveals that the potential risk to health from the use of the plant/equipment/procedure is not currently significant

The assessment reveals that the potential risk to health from the use of the plant/equipment/procedure is significant, however controls are
in place that reduce risk to acceptable levels
The assessment reveals that the potential risk to health from the use of the plant/equipment/procedure is significant. Interim controls are in
place to reduce risk to acceptable levels.

Field Trip Leader

Date

Approved by Supervisor..

Date

Approved Executive Dean ..

Date

* Emergency Response Plan: ALL SERIOUS INCIDENTS (A critical or life threatening injury)
Accident Management and Planning:
The effective management of any incident in the field will, for the most part rely on sound judgement and decision making from the group leaders on the scene.
First priority tasks: Immediate management of a serious incident, self, group, seek assistance of other leaders and or competent students to help stabilise the
casualty.
Medical summary sheets consulted to gain relevant medical information, record treatment and prepare a report for emergency services.
When ringing 000 give: Group name, grid reference, casualties symptoms, treatment given, existing medical condition or allergy.
Debrief group to what is happening. Group members positioned to help identify casualty site for emergency services.
Second priority tasks: Make contact with the university emergency contact. Group leader should accompany casualty to hospital if possible.
Third priority tasks: University representative to inform next of kin, media.
Course coordinator, executive dean and group leader to consider program suspension or continuation, student and staff support and counselling

This Risk Assessment should be used in conjunction with the Woodcroft College Quest 2010/2011 staff manual.