Introduction to the Risk Assessment form

(a) The University requires that a written risk assessment be carried out for planned and supervised activities for children and young people.

(b) Risk assessments are a requirement under health and safety legislation and should be carried out by someone who is both familiar with the concepts of hazard and risk and the activity being assessed. The assessor will normally be the person supervising the children. The assessment should be written and be completed well before the activity takes place. A risk assessment is a legal document representing the opinions of the employer. It should thus be countersigned by a senior member of staff who believes the assessor to be competent to carry out the assessment.

(c) A risk assessment need not be complex but it should be comprehensive. It does not generally require technical formulae or professional health and safety expertise. But specialized information for some activities may be necessary.

(d) The risk assessment should be based on the following considerations:

• what are the hazards?
• who might be affected by them?
• what safety measures need to be in place to reduce risks to an acceptable level?
• can the supervisor put the safety measures in place?
• what steps will be taken in an emergency?

Download the Risk Assessment form.

In this guidance:

• Guidance for completing the risk assessment form
• Additional guidance
• Specific hazards & control measures