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Instructional Programs and Materials AP 260 - Appendix A: Field Trip Risk Assessment

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What is a Risk Assessment?

A risk assessment is a careful examination of what has the potential to cause harm to students, staff and volunteers while on the trip, and in turn identify what can be done to prevent it.

A thorough school trip risk assessment will not only help you comply with health and safety law; it also helps to keep students safe and healthy and puts parents’ minds at ease when they know the risks are adequately controlled.

This means considering things like how many children will be present, transportation arrangements, the place (or places) children will be visiting and the activities they will be doing.

Not all the risks can be eliminated.  However, a risk assessment simply helps you to ensure children aren’t unnecessarily exposed to things that could be dangerous and provides proof that you’ve done all you can to keep them safe.

Anyone involved in the planning of a school trip must be 100% sure that they have done all they can to create a safe environment for the participants. This means that anyone appointed with the task of doing a risk assessment must be competent and experienced, or overseen by a leader who is.

Steps involved in creating a risk assessment

  1. Identify the risks
  2. Outline control measures
  3. Record the findings; an example is included at the bottom of this document
  4. Review risks before the trip with all participants
  5. Review the risk assessment after the trip.  Note any additional challenges you encountered, along with what worked and what didn’t.
  6. Provide a final copy of the risk assessment to the Principal.

 

*Refer to sample below*









SAMPLE

Field Trip Risk Assessment

 

Name of School and Activity

Facility Services - Day Hiking

 

Risks

Mitigation

Becoming separated from the group
  • Lost and Alone training at school
  • Trailhead Briefing
  • Teacher/Parent - engine/caboose - travel single file
  • Stop and collect groups at every trail junction, and consistently perform headcount to ensure group numbers

Motor Vehicle Accident
  • Students are transported by Sparksman buses with progressional drivers
  • Emergency vehicles accompany buses for multi-day trips
  • Do not drive in severe driving conditions (decision made by Spaksman Transportation)
  • On Day Trips buses stay at trailhead

Not knowing area/trail
  • Staff conduct a pre-trip where they complete the trail and determine risks, mitigation strategies and emergency communication options

Stains and Sprains
  • Moderate pace of group
  • Appropriate footwear
  • Coaching
  • Dynamic risk assessment

Slips, Trips and Falls
  • Trailhead briefing
  • Identify concerns on trails
  • Appropriate route selection
  • Supervision, coaching
  • 2 body lengths away from fall hazards (cliffs)

Weather Related Injuries
  • Pre-trip planning, check current forecasts
  • Emergency gear carried
  • Proper hydration
  • Appropriate and extra layers
  • Coaching students
  • Buddy checks
  • Carry sunscreen
  • Self-monitoring
  • Cancellation/postponing trip

Negative impacts on the environment and other users
  • Students are taught Leave No Trace ethics at school
  • Students practice Leave No Trace ethics in the field

Lack of Group Management/Leadership
  • Certifications - OCC Field Leader, OCC navigation, map reading and winter modules, mentoring
  • Extensive hiking experience

Medical Emergencies (allergic reactions)
  • Route card filed with a responsible party (School Administrator)
  • Leader carries a list of all medical conditions present with the group
  • Appropriate First Aid Certification (40 or 80hr) Wilderness First Aid
  • Stocked first aid kit(s)
  • Two way emergency communication (satellite phone, satellite communicator such as inReach or Spot, VHF radio, Cell phone)
  • Emergency vehicle to accompany bus frequently on day trips, usually drive by parent/staff member
  • Students with severe allergies must carry personal EpiPen
  • Each trip will have 1 school EpiPen (as per safety guidelines for Physical Activity in Alberta School 2018)

Animal Encounters
  • Check alerts on the web when applicable
  • Stick together as a large group if dangers animals are spotted
  • Leader/Teacher is always at the front of the group with bear spray accessible
  • Trip leaders to carry Bear spray
  • Explain animal encounter procedures to students
  • Use bug spray as needed
  • Tick talk and periodic check

Drowning
  • Students are not allowed to swim
  • Swimming is not allowed during backpacking trips due to water temperature

Stream crossings
  • Slow moving water to be crossed if mid-calf or lower and no downstream hazard
  • Fast moving water ankle deep and no downstream hazards

 

Field Trip Review

The forecast called for sun for the entire day however we ran into a torrential downpour.  Next trip we will ensure that everyone has a rain poncho and include weather-related risks in our assessment.

Adopted:

March 3, 2024

Amended:

  

Reference:

Section 1, 11, 31, 33, 52, 53, 196, 197, 222 Education Act

Guide to Education ECS to Grade 12

Safety Guidelines for Physical Activity in Alberta Schools

Safety Guidelines for Secondary Inter-School Athletics in Alberta

School Physical Activity Health and Education Resource for Safety (SPHEReS)

Drivers’ Hour of Service Regulation
Cross Reference:

AP 260 Field Trips and Excursions

AP 260 Appendix B Disclosure Letters

AP 260 Appendix C Field Trip / Excursion, Waiver Forms Information

AP 565 Student Transportation in Private Vehicles

Form 260-1 Field Trip Application Form

Form 260-2 Educational Summary

Form 260-3 Health Certification And Parents’/Guardians’ Waiver

Form 260-4 Planning For A Field Trip – Checklist A

Form 260-5 Principal’s Final Checklist For Out-Of-Town Travel

Form 260-6 Sample Consent Form For Field Trips/Excursions (In & Out Of Province)

Form 260-7 Sample Field Trip Letter To Parents/Guardians

Form 260-8 Student Travel Waiver

Form 260-9 Field Trip Vehicle Log and Inspection