Risk Assessment for Orienteering

Adventure Activities: Orienteering has been classified the Victorian Department of

Education and Training as a suitable outdoor activity that meets the states safety
guidelines for student participation for education outdoors.
Parent and Carer Consent: As this activity occurs outside of school grounds all
students must have parental consent in the form of a signed permission slip to attend the
activity.
Planning and Approvals: This activity is part of a wider excursion, and as such will
require approval from the school council before commencing.
Safety, Emergency and Risk Management
The supervising teacher will be required to carry a first aid kit, and hold current and
recognized first aid qualifications. An emergency plan must be in place at all times and
enacted when required.
Prior to departing the school the supervising teacher will be responsible for retrieving the
relevant student medical forms, relevant information and equipment concerning students
with medical issues.
Venue Selection: The name and location of camp site is YMCA Anglesea and has been
deemed safe and secure and students will be briefed not to leave the confines of the
camp grounds, with everything exterior of the boundary fence to be considered out of
bounds and a no go area. As the orienteering activity takes place within the confines risk
to students health has been assessed at minimal.
Communication: As the camp is located in the centre of Anglesea, and from prior
knowledge from visiting the town phone communication has been assessed as good. All
teachers will be required to carry their phones with them at all times, and have the
contact details of all attending staff.
Staffing and Supervision: A member of staff will be stationed at each checkpoint over
the orienteering course. A ratio of one teacher to six students is recommended.
Weather: The weather forecast for the location will be observed prior in the lead up and
during the day of the activity by utilizing the Bureau of Meteorology website. In the
instance of extreme weather such as heavy rain the activity will be postponed until more
favourable conditions occur.
Commencement briefing: Prior to commencement of the activity students will be
briefed on the course boundaries, need for regular hydration, how to identify the location
markers and a safety bearing that will take them to an easily identifiable feature.