Activity/Location/Category
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Hazard to health
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Possible risk to people
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Precautions
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Activities on the nature reserve and seashore- Guided walk
- Birdwatching
- Pond Dipping
- Mini-beast Safari
- Seashore Safari
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- Heavy windows and high benches in hides
- Uneven paths and boardwalk
- Overhanging trees and branches
- Cold, deep, dirty water and soft mud
- Seaweed on shore
- Misuse of equipment
- Biological hazards (see below)
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- Head injuries, cuts, splinters, sprains, crushed fingers, eye injuries, fractures, bruising
- Drowning, hypothermia
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Already taken- Surfaced paths on reserve.
- Boardwalk and pond dipping platform have rails along edge and chicken wire on boards to add grip.
Before the visit- Ranger to inspect site and facilities beforehand.
- At the start of the day, teachers to make sure any children with open cuts on their hands have the cuts covered with waterproof plasters.
On the visit- Ranger to instruct children in correct use of equipment and highlight hazards.
- Teachers to supervise children and ensure they listen to the safety warnings given by the ranger.
- Teachers to keep the group together and stop any children running on ahead along paths.
- Teachers to ensure children wash their hands at the end of the activity.
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Biological Hazards
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- Dangerous plants
Dangerous insects/invertebrates - Dangerous animals
- Diseases
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- Bites, stings, rashes, poisoning, eye injuries, anaphylactic shock, Leptospirosis, Lyme’s disease
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Already taken
Information available on the internetOn the visit- Ranger to highlight hazards.
- Teachers to supervise children and ensure they listen to the safety warnings given by the ranger.
- Teachers to ensure children wash their hands at the end of the activity.
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Extreme Weather
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- Exposure to sun/heat/ultra-violet light
- Cold weather/snow/ice
- Rain
- Strong winds
- Stormy seas
- Lightning
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- Sun burn, heat exhaustion
- Hypothermia
- Drowning
- Electrocution
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Already taken- All activities apart from the seashore safari take place in semi-shaded areas.
- Indoor space and facilities available in wet / cold weather.
- Railings around most of the harbour with life buoys available.
Before the visit- Teachers to make sure children are dressed appropriately for the weather.
- Rangers to consult weather forecast before visit and make alternative plans if necessary.
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- Arrival in car park / crossing the road
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- Moving vehicles
- Harbour and sea wall
- The sea/waves
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- Car accident
- Drowning
- Falls from height
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Already taken- Railings around most of the harbour with life buoys available.
On the visit- Teachers to take responsibility for crossing children over the road. Rangers will be available to assist.
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Visitor Centre exterior and interior
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- Steps/stairs
- Pond
- Paved path
- Litterbins/recycling bins
- Viewing Balcony
- Other members of the public
- Fire/gas explosion
- Electrical wiring/equipment
- Smooth floor
- Display stands, glass cabinets
- Hot food and drinks served in tea room
- Pushchairs and prams
- Glass doors at entrances
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- Head injuries, sprains, cuts, grazes, fractures, splinters, bruising
- Drowning
- Infection/diseases
- Burns, scalding, electrocution
- Abduction/assault from member of the public
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Already taken- Viewing Balcony has high railings on all sides.
- Pond, rubbish and recycling bins are fenced off.
- Anti-slip grip strips on stairs.
- Anti-slip flooring installed in visitor centre.
- All furniture had curved edges. Hazard tape on edges of glass cabinets.
- Fire evacuation procedures in place and regularly tested.
Before the visit- Ranger to inform centre and tea room staff of visits and times.
- Advisory signs for the public to be put up at entrances to wildlife garden.
On the visit- Teachers to accompany children at all times when they are inside the visitor centre.
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