Risk Assessment

Field Trip to Holloways Beach Environmental Education Centre (HBEEC)

Teachers/Leaders: Natarsha Browning (Class Teacher), Jack Figg (Teacher) Facility Plum
(Teacher-Aide), Jessica Apple (Special Needs Teacher Aide)
Number of Expert Staff being utilised at the Centre: 4
Year Level: 4 Number of Students: 24
th
Start Date: Wednesday 19 August 2020 End Date: Wednesday 19th August 2020
Activity Description:
Mangrove walk
Students will be walking through mangrove forests to observe a variety of mangrove species, animals
and other organisms.

Aquarium
Students will walk through the Aquarium at HBEEC to view marine animals. Students will handle non-
venomous marine organisms.

Boating
Students will board 4.2m vessels, skippered by HBEEC staff and explore the mangroves and marine life
in estuarine system. Students will participate in taking water samples from the estuary.

Inherent Risk Level Action Required / Approval

Low Little chance of Manage through regular planning processes
incident or injury.
Medium Some chance of an Document controls in planning documents and/or complete this Curriculum
incident and injury Activity Risk Assessment.
requiring first aid. Consider obtaining parental/carer permission.

High Likely chance of a A Curriculum Activity Risk Assessment is required to be completed.

serious incident Principal or head of program (e.g. DP, HOD, HOSES) approval prior to
and injury requiring conducting this activity is required.
medical treatment. Once approved, activity details are to be entered into the School Curriculum
Activity Register.
Obtaining parental permission is recommended.
Extreme High chance of a Consider alternatives to the activity.
serious incident A Curriculum Activity Risk Assessment is required to be completed.
resulting in highly Principal approval prior to conducting this activity is required.
debilitating injury. Once approved, activity details are to be entered into the School Curriculum
Activity Register.
Parental/carer permission must be obtained for student participation.

Likelihood Consequence
1 Insignificant 2 Minor 3 Moderate 4 Major 5 Critical
5 Almost Certain Medium Medium High Extreme Extreme
4 Likely Low Medium High High Extreme
3 Possible Low Medium High High High
2 Unlikely Low Low Medium Medium High
1 Rare Low Low Low Low Medium

Supervision Requirements Qualification Requirements Equipment Requirements

Each group will be guided by one The lead teacher [Natarsha During the fieldwork, students will
experienced staff member from Browning] will have a Bachelor of use equipment provided by HBEEC
HBEEC. Education (Primary) and a Senior to obtain water samples.
First Aid certificate, along with
Remaining teachers/teacher aides training in Asthma and Each group of students will have an
will shadow the groups to ensure Anaphylaxes. i-pad. Students will be briefed on
student safety and behaviour
management. They will also assist Each supervising adult will be
in helping the students meet the required to hold a Blue Card.
learning outcomes of the field
study.
Hazards
Actions by public
Injury to students from
interaction with the public on
the beach or on tracks around
the centre.
Biting midges – sand flies
General discomfort to
students from bites
Dangerous behaviour
Potential for serious injury
from a variety of sources
Dangerous plants, animals
or insects
Student bitten or stung by a
variety of plants or animals
when walking, investigating or
collecting in the bush
Dog attack
Students attacked by a dog
while doing beach walks,
walks on tracks etc.
safe use and how to protect the i-
pads from damage prior to the trip.
Likeliho Consequ Risk
Planned Control Measures
od ence Level
Students & accompanying Rare Critical Medium
adults/teachers instructed re: the
centre’s boundaries, stranger
danger etc.
Well-defined boundaries
maintained by HBEEC staff.
Students to bring insect repellent. Possible Minor Medium
Insect repellent to be applied
(min. 3 times a day)
Students strongly advised to
bring suitable clothing.
Students advised of the
possibility of discomfort and
infection caused by sandfly bites
and how and where to apply
insect repellent.
A suitable soothing cream
available at HBEEC in fridge for
children with reactions.
Students instructed on behaviour Possible Critical High
requirements:
• In class as pre visit
discussion
• During orientation talk with
centre staff
• During activities if warranted
Continuous misbehaviour will
follow HBEEC behaviour
management plan.
Leader &/or other adults certified Possible Major High
or proficient in First Aid.
Basic First Aid Kit to be carried
by adult.
Main First Aid Kit in office.
Students wear appropriate
clothing eg. covered shoes
Students instructed not to Unlikely Critical High
encourage contact with dogs.
Students to gather together with
accompanying adults and move
away from area until dogs have
passed.
Lost Students given adequate briefing Rare Critical Medium
Students become lost while before walk.
bush walking and
subsequently suffer exposure Procedures in place to keep
to elements students together and
supervised.

Relevant safety equipment on

hand ie. mobile phone & GPS

Check weather conditions.

Medical conditions Teachers collect, summarise Possible Critical High
Student medical conditions medical conditions (on Alert List)
causing emergency from Consent Form.

Teachers check school-based

records for any additional medical
information.

IHP, EHP and Action Plan/s for

students with special health needs
made accessible to all supervising
adults and all recommendations
followed.

Leader &/or other adults certified

or proficient in First Aid.

Basic First Aid Kit to be carried

by adult.

Main First Aid Kit in office.

Student medication carried in

Basic First Aid Kit.
Mosquitos Students advised to bring insect Unlikely Major Medium
General discomfort and repellent.
distraction from mosquito
bites or the transmission of Students advised to wear
mosquito borne viruses) suitable clothing.

Students advised of the

possibility of infection from
mosquitoes.

Wet areas inspected on a regular

basis by HBEEC staff.
Snake bites Students advised on the: Unlikely Critical High
Students are bitten by a • dangers of snakes
snake • likelihood of seeing a snake
• procedure to follow if
confronted by a snake

First Aid Kit and trained

personnel taken on any walks of
any distance away from the
centre.

Mobile phone carried if any

distance from the centre.
Solar radiation Hats to be worn whenever Likely Minor Medium
Students become dehydrated outside.
and/or sunburnt
Supplies of water available -
electric water cooler on kitchen
verandah, taps near steps of
cabins.

Students required to bring water

bottle.

Sunscreen SPF15+/30+ to be
applied by all participants.

Suitable clothing to be worn - no

singlets, brief tops etc.
Trees Annual inspection of trees and Rare Critical Medium
Branches or coconuts fall palms, if required de-nut palms &
from trees onto students or lop dead trees or branches by
adults HBEEC.

Ongoing vigilance by HBEEC

staff.
Abduction/Hostage Adequate supervision provided at Rare Critical Medium
Situations all times.
Students abducted by
strangers, estranged parents Staff awareness of strangers on
or injured by same. site.

Student awareness of strangers

on site to be raised.
Uneven terrain Students will wear adequate Possible Minor Medium
Walking surfaces that cause footwear.
students to fall over and graze
their skin. Students advised of uneven
terrain and required to walk.
Glass tanks Students instructed not to touch Possible Major High
Glass tanks break or students the glass tanks.
cut their hands
HBEEC staff check tanks on
regular basis.
Marine Stingers Students instructed not to put Unlikely Major Medium
Students stung by marine their hands into the water while
stinger while boating boating.

Vinegar available on boat.

Students instructed on how to

board / disembark.
Deep water All students must wear PFD2 at Unlikely Critical High
Student falls from boat or boat all times. Students instructed on
capsizes safe boating procedures prior to
departure.

All students must provide details

of their medical history on Parent
Consent Form.
 Boats are up to survey
requirement.

Boating staff licensed and trained

for rescue.

Adequate & relevant land-based

instruction prior to departure by
HBEEC staff

Boat operator plus additional

adult on boat for supervision.
Travelling Experienced bus driver with Unlikely Critical High
Students involved in accident current license
while travelling on the bus
Students to remain seated while
on the bus

Submitted by

Name: Natarsha Browning Position: Classroom Teacher

Email: nbrow@equ.gov Date: 01.08.2010

Signature:

Approval

Name: Position:

Email: Date:

Approved as submitted

Approved with the following conditions:

Not approved for the following reasons:

Signature: