Information about completing risk assessments

Milestones is a large modern building which houses the museum as well as public service areas and staff offices.  The museum displays a range of social history, transport and technology collections from Hampshire’s Victorian and 1930s past.  Visitors can walk through recreated streets from the past and visit a variety of buildings which house either period interiors or a modern gallery space.

All materials used to create our scenes are real e.g. bricks and stone.  The Victorian part of the museum has a predominantly cobbled floor with tramlines.  The 1930s area is flat though some areas of the flooring are textured.  Both areas have pavements with drop kerbs.

On your visit you will receive a briefing on arrival to remind you and your group of key safety information. We have first aiders and a first aid room on site.  Please report any incidents, however minor, to a member of staff.  Mobile phones may not work well in all areas of the building but there is access to landlines in case of emergency.  Milestones’ staff should be easily identifiable – most carry radios and wear uniform with the Milestones logo on.

Risk assessment guidance

All Milestones’ activities and resources are risk assessed in accordance with Hampshire County Council policy.  Milestones is a Hampshire County Council facility and therefore operates within the County’s rigorous Health and Safety policy.  Schools are also required to do their own risk assessments which take into account any specific needs that the group they are bringing may have.

This document contains some basic guidance to help you complete your risk assessment for your visit to Milestones.  We suggest you take the opportunity to meet our Education Officer for a pre-visit meeting or make your own familiarisation visit in order to complete your risk assessment.  

General visit to Milestones

Hazard identified	What we do about it
Risk of traffic accident in car park when entering Milestones	The coach can stop directly outside the door and the children disembark straight on to the pavement Appropriate supervision of children through correct ratio of adults to children (KS1 1:5; KS2 1:10)
Risk of tripping/falling over when travelling downstairs	Children to travel on stairs on left hand side in single file holding on to handrail
Risk of falling over on uneven cobbled streets or kerb stones	Children asked to walk around museum Appropriate level of adult supervision
Child protection issues	Milestones provides toilets and lunchroom facilities for use only by visiting school pupils and accompanying adults in a non public area of the building
Fire alarm	The building is equipped with tested fire alarms The group will be given information on evacuating the building during the health and safety briefing

Specific risks for the audioguide programme

Hazard identified	What we do about it
Inappropriate use of audioguides could lead children to injure themselves or others	During health and safety briefing, everyone is shown how to use the audioguides correctly Carry cords can be adjusted in length
Risk of tripping over when carrying audioguide and listening to commentary	All narration requires children to pause the programme while they find the appropriate place to stand, observe and listen
1930s programme – Anderson Shelter: Risk of bumping head or accident inside as it is darker inside than out	Shelter built to order and complies with Hampshire County Council Health and Safety requirements having rubber edging at every edge

Specific risks for object handling sessions (Toys, Home Sweet Home and Who’s Who?)

Hazard identified	What we do about it
Some objects from the handling collections are quite heavy/sharp	There will be supervision and guidance on how to handle the objects The condition of the objects is checked regularly by the facilitator of the session Any objects which may pose a health and safety risk are secured in a Perspex box The session is appropriately supervised by the facilitator and adult helpers

Specific risks for Early Years Session - Tweeny’s Shopping trip

Hazard identified	What we do about it
Role play – trying on clothes (children may find difficulties with dressing themselves and taking clothes on and off the hangers/ rail; rail may unbalance as children take clothes off of it)	All costumes made from contemporary materials and have Velcro fastenings (no zips) Direct adult supervision required for this activity, particularly when removing clothes from the rail or returning them back to the rail The session is appropriately supervised by the facilitator and adult helpers
Role play with pretend food and cleaning toys / magnetic letters and numbers (including props for story telling) – some small pieces causing a danger to children	All resources are recommended by the manufacturers for 3+ years High level of adult supervision All props handled under supervision of museum staff

Specific risks for Early Years Session – Post Office

Hazard identified	What we do about it
Bumping head on inside of ‘climb in’ parcel	During input session, warn children about taking care when playing inside parcel so they don’t bump their head High level of adult supervision
Sorting activities / magnetic letters and numbers – some small pieces causing a danger to children	All resources are recommended by the manufacturers for 3+ years High level of adult supervision
Fingers getting trapped in door of post box	Door of post box is hinged with no spring