Risk assessments are legal documents required under Health and Safety law. They are a demonstration that you have considered all the possible risks pertaining to your activity and have been pro-active in putting controls in place to minimise the risk to the health and safety of all participants in the activity. Whether a club or a society, there will be risks, this guide is to help you assess the bare minimum. It is here to help you get started, but it is not a means of shirking your responsibility as a committee member when it comes to the health and safety of your participants.

If someone were to injure themselves during an activity coming under the auspices of your club or society, YOU are PERSONALLY at risk of civil and/or criminal court action. If something were to happen that had not been assessed and where no controls had been put in place to protect the well-being of the claimant, you can be sued, but more likely and more seriously, you will be handed a prison sentence.

Health and Safety law is some of the most stringent; in standing for a committee position, you have assumed responsibility for the Health and Safety of all of your activity’s participants. This cannot be taken lightly, you must be vigilant and make sure all participants are aware of the health and safety implications before partaking in your activity, and what they need to do in order they allay the risks.

This protects them and it protects you!

There are two parts to this document:

PART 1 will help you get an idea of how to complete the form and in what level of detail

PART 2 will give you some excellent starting points to get your brain thinking about all of the different areas of risk assessment you should be considering.

a guide to RISK ASSESSMENTS

DIT targeting

health and safety

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PART 1How to complete your Risk Assessment FormThere are two parts to your Risk Assessment Form: the Hazard Checklist, and the Risk Assessment.

The Hazard Checklist you just need to complete with your main details and “Y”s for the hazard areas that apply to your Club/Society.

The Risk Assessment is where you analyse each of the risks you have identified on the Hazard Checklist to assess the level of risk in detail.

1. Complete the top section of the Hazard Checklist (page 1 of the Risk Assessment form/document), i.e. your name, your position, etc.

2. On the Hazard Checklist, mark “Y” for “yes” next to all the hazards OR potential hazards that (may) affect your activities – ensure you consider each section and sub-section on the list (add any additional hazards specific to your activity in section 8). Please note, you do NOT need to mark “N” for those hazard areas that do not apply – only mark “Y” next to those that do.

3. For each area that you marked with a “Y”, record the corresponding Hazard Reference number (e.g. “1.1” = Inappropriate lighting”) in the Hazard Reference column on the main Risk Assessment (page 2 of the Risk Assessment form/document).

4. See the example on the Risk Assessment on how to complete each column properly, and in what level of detail.

a guide to RISK ASSESSMENTS

Club/Society Name:

Number of persons involved:

Nature of Activity: Frequency of Activity

Assessed By Approved By

Date Date

Hazard Ref.

Example 7.6

1.4

1.5

1.7

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.5

2.6

Potential Effect

Weights dropped on body part causing injury

Falling or tripping over untidy areas including kit cupboard, with the potential to cause injury. Objects not put away causing fire hazards.

Falling down stairs in the dark, slipping when wet, failing to securely grip the hand rail, all with potential to cause serious injury to those on the stairs and those at the bottom.

Slipping on the wet floor around the bath and shower areas after practice and matches, into other items such as showers, baths and other people.

Uneven playing surfaces causing trip/fall.

Hard or soft playing surfaces could cause ankle and leg injuries for players, and could make both training and matches unsafe.

Hard or sharp objects on the pitch, causing injury.

Injury to persons participating in the activity, or spectators, including collision between players and/or goalposts.

Injury, particularly to necks, backs and shoulders from impacts.

Existing Controls in Place

Instructors present, ‘spotters’ for all people bench-pressing

All storage areas to be kept tidy, with all equipment stowed in a safe manner. Players’ belongings to be stored in appropriate areas of changing rooms.

Handrail on the inside of the stairwell, and grip strips on the edge of each step.

Make players aware of hazards involved in the wet areas.

Pitches are maintained by professional ground staff.

Groundstaff maintaining playing and training areas, checking the quality of the turf before stepping onto the pitch. Avoid fixtures in July/August. Cancel fixtures if ground is frozen during winter.

Pitches che by groundsman and captains before training and by referee on match days.

Safe storage of equipment, training in open space with appropriate equipment and supervision from a qualified coach, spectators standing a safe distance from the pitch, First Aid kit at all matches and training, players aware of risk and educated to avoid.

All contact equipment is padded and all new members of the club are instructed on how to properly contact training equipment as to avoid injury.

Score Low/ Medium/High Risk

Medium

Medium

High

Medium

Low

Low

Low

High

Low

Further Controls Required?

New grip tape for old equipment to minimise risk of objects slipping during lift

Players to be informed of correct storage of equipment.

Advise players to remove studded footwear when using the stairs. Make players aware of the steepness of the stairwell.

Caution signs for wet areas.

No

Monitor ground quality throughout the season. Train in different areas when the surfaces are unusable.

No

First Aid training for members of the squad, to enable them to assist with minor injuries.

High quality equipment, with explicit demonstrations of how to use all pieces of equipment.

OFFICE USE Who By

[IGNORE]

Medium

High

Medium

Low

Low

Low

High

Low

OFFICE USE Target date

[IGNORE]

Medium

High

Medium

Low

Low

Low

High

Low

DIT Hazard Checklist Student Activities & Risk Assessment

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Club/Society/Project Name:

Assessed By:

Approved By: Assessment Date:

Locations: Activities:

1 INDOOR HAZARDS y / n1.1 Inappropriate lighting1.2 Temperature1.3 Insufficient or unsuitable space1.4 Untidiness – causing trip / fire hazard1.5 Stairs – dark / steep / no handrail1.6 Lack of fire escapes / extinguishers / procedures1.7 Slip / trip / fall hazards1.8 Inadequate ventilation1.9 Inhalation of dust1.10 Poor surfaces for activities – slips / trips / impact1.11 Electrical hazards

2 SPORTING ACTIVITY HAZARDS 2.1 Uneven playing surface2.2 Playing surface too hard or soft2.3 Hard or sharp objects on pitch2.4 Sliding on Astroturf or tarmac2.5 Collisions / Conflict with surrounding objects or people2.6 Impact from sports equipment2.7 Contact sport injury2.8 Personal injury – fracture / sprains / cuts

3 HAZARDS ON COASTS & COASTAL WATERS3.1 Falls from cliffs, piers, sea walls3.2 Struck by falling objects from cliff3.3 Slips & falls on slopes / loose surfaces3.4 Quick sand & mud3.5 Access problems due to steep angle of beach slope3.6 Collisions between water users3.7 Swept away by wave surges3.8 Being washed against rocks / piers3.9 Low water temperatures3.10 Communication problems from waves / swell / distance 3.11 Struck by objects in water3.12 Stranded by tides3.13 Swept away by currents3.14 Rip tides3.15 Longshore drift3.16 Conflicts between beach users

4 HAZARDS ON STILL / MOVING WATER4.1 Getting swept away from equipment or people4.2 Collision with rocks in and to sides of rivers4.3 Striking / trapping by submerged obstacles4.4 Being dragged down by undertow4.5 Restricted or impossible access to / from water4.6 Access problems – rescue / getting kit into water4.7 Falls from drops in level at weirs / waterfalls4.8 Getting out of depth4.9 Low water temperature4.10 Separation from other people4.11 Slips / trips on steep banks or uneven surfaces4.12 Difficult communications4.13 Remote locations

5 HAZARDS ON HILLS AND MOUNTAINS y / n5.1 Slips & trips on grass, mud, rock5.2 River crossings5.3 Remote locations5.4 Difficult communication – weather / distance5.5 Falling debris5.6 Extra work imposed by terrain type / angle5.7 Lack of shelter5.8 Separation of group members5.9 Getting lost5.10 Falls from height5.11 Extremes of weather

6 PEOPLE & ORGANISATIONAL HAZARDS6.1 Lack of information, training or instruction6.2 Poor activity planning or preparation6.3 Poor activity delivery or organisation 6.4 Ignorance of rules and / or procedures6.5 Unsafe behaviour or attitude6.6 Lack of appropriate first aid equipment and experience6.7 Medical conditions of participants6.8 Poor safety control from group leaders6.9 Poor safety awareness from participants6.11 Lack of cooperation within group6.12 Differing skill levels within group6.13 Low level of physical fitness / strength6.14 Aggression between participants6.15 Aggression from crowd / public6.16 Contact between participants increasing risk

7 EQUIPMENT AND OTHER HAZARDS 7.1 Cash handling7.2 Transport to and from your activity7.3 Food poisoning7.4 Hazardous substances7.5 Equipment with moving / hot parts7.6 Heavy equipment7.7 Electrical hazards from equipment7.8 Noise from equipment7.9 Risk of trapping body / clothing in equipment7.10 Inadequate environment for equipment operation7.11 Inadequate protective equipment7.12 Equipment in unsuitable condition

8 OTHER HAZARDS SPECIFIC TO YOUR ACTIVITY8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7 8.8 8.9 8.10

DIT Hazard Checklist Student Activities & Risk Assessment

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Read on for Part 2.

For any items with “Low” risk, you probably do not need any further controls.

For example, risk of flooding in DIT Lecture room..

For any items with “Medium” risk, you should consider whether you need any further controls.

For example, risk of electric shock from loose light fitting in DIT Lecture room.

For any items with “High” risk, you MUST identify further controls.

For example, risk of electrocution from live wires hanging from ceiling in DIT meeting room.

PART 2Thinking Caps On!The following risks pertain to most (if not all) clubs and societies at some point in the year. If these are not on your assessment, then assume that the risk assessment is not acceptable.

Being the most knowledgeable about your activity, it is your responsibility to determine the controls put in place, the severity of the risk and the likelihood of it occurring.

FIREFire is a risk to all activities and can have severe consequences. Are you aware of fire exits and escape routes? Are these exits and escapes clear of obstacles? Is there an evacuation procedure displayed in the room? Where should you evacuate to? What is the best way to evacuate in the event of a fire? Where are the nearest fire extinguishers? Is what you are doing a fire hazard (for example using hotplates for food, or candles in a play)? What should you be doing to minimize the threats to health and safety in the event of a fire?

ELECRTOCUTIONIt might not seem obvious, it might not seem like it relates to your activity, but at some point in the year it is likely members of your club or society will use something that uses electricity, be it an overhead projector in a meeting, a light in a changing room, a video or DVD player, a hair-dryer after a shower, or even a CD player. Have you made sure that these are not faulty, that the people operating them know how to use the responsibly? Yes it sounds patronising, we all use lights and CD players, but we need to know that you have considered what could go wrong if they were faulty, not to standard or mishandled. In an extreme case, you could be taken to court by someone who fiddled with a light in a changing room and got a shock, however stupid you may think them to be for doing this, as long as they can claim nobody said it would be a risk then they may have the law on their side.

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a guide to RISK ASSESSMENTS

TRIPS, SLIPS AND FALLSKeep things tidy. Are there things that could cause trips and falls? Make sure to keep chairs stored properly, bags and coats stored out of the way, make sure the floor is not wet (if it is, should it be cleaned up?), make sure people are aware that they can trip, slip or fall and that they be careful. Simple really.

LIGHTINGIndoors or outdoors, this can apply. In a lecture theatre, is the lighting appropriate for the event (could everybody see trip hazards, would people be able to see exits in the event of a fire). What should you do, to make sure people can see? Outdoors, can you see other players on the pitch, or will it be light by the time you get to the end of your activity for it to be safe? What should you do to make sure you know when it will be dark? How can you avoid your activity becoming dangerous because of the dark? Are there facilities such as floodlighting at your disposal?

PUBLIC TRANSPORTAt some point in the year, it should be assumed that public transport will be used to reach an activity (be it a weekly bus journey to Sandymount, or a one off bus journey to a social event). The risks here are pretty low, it is not in the transport operators interest to endanger customers, but assess it nonetheless. When is the best time to travel? Should participants be taking water with them on a hot day? Are participants using a night bus in an unknown area? What is the best way to minimise personal risk at the bus stop and during the journey? Do you have the number of a registered taxi service? Do participants know how to get to the activity and will they be able to get home again safely?

SOCIAL EVENTSThe social side of clubs and societies is just as important as the activity itself. We are at College to enjoy ourselves and we all want to take advantage of what Dublin has to offer us, this includes social events. What is the social event? Where is the social event? What will you be doing? Are you going to a restaurant, are you going to a nightclub, are you going to a bar or a pub, or are you going to a house party? If it is being held in the name of your club or society, or has been in any way promoted by your club and society, then you have to assess it. Like public transport, it is not in a merchants interest to put you at risk, but you need to demonstrate that you are being safe. Is the food safe, especially when it comes to house parties and barbeques?

Can people get home safely?

Is the environment safe? (i.e. are you going to come to harm in a night club well known for violence, etc. )

Would it be better to hold the event at a DIT venue?

Please consider all of these things.

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a guide to RISK ASSESSMENTS

ALCOHOLNot applicable to all clubs and societies, but definitely to a majority. Alcohol is a risk in itself. It is a DIT requirement to adhere to the DIT Student Alcohol Policy. You must make sure that people are drinking responsibly, and that if they are not, there is someone to put a halt to their alcohol intake. Are people aware of their limits? Is there a designated person, not drinking to excess, who can monitor the safety of others? Will people be in a fit state to get home safely? Will people be at risk (physically and legally) because of the amount of alcohol they have consumed? Have you told people that it is the club’s or society’s policy that participants do not drink to excess? Don’t stop having fun, but do be safe.

PUBLIC MEETINGS AND EVENTSSome Clubs and Societies hold public meetings and events, open not only to members of DIT, sometimes they may involve guest speakers, sometimes they may be more akin to a social event. Who is coming to the meeting? Do you have controls on them? What is the capacity of the room? How do you prevent overcrowding? How do you ensure proper ventilation? How do you stop ‘gatecrashers’? Do you have controls in place to stop outburst of violence?

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIESThe risks during physical activity are wide ranging in both likelihood and severity. Clubs, it would be assumed, are usually more aware of these risks than societies, but physical activity assessments are not solely applicable to clubs. Societies are involved in dance, drama, performances of other kinds, social events, and sports events etc. Have you warmed up? Do you have first aid procedures? Are people aware of what risks they may face if they are dancing, running, building stage sets, etc? Is everybody aware of game rules? Is the activity too rough to be safe? Is there someone to referee an activity, or to ensure that people are being safe? Is the equipment being used in these activities up to standard (be they ropes for mountaineering, goal posts in a football match, or power tools when building stage sets).

The above are the kinds of questions you should be asking yourselves during the risk assessment process. It takes a little while to complete the assessment to a high standard, but it is better that an hour be taken on an assessment that can save the wellbeing of your participants, than the alternative of civil and criminal prosecution. These are the basics; they should act as a springboard to get you started. It is your responsibility to complete the assessment fully and to as high a standard as possible, assessing all the risks involved in your activity.

Once you have completed your Risk Assessment form, save the file as your Student Activity Group’s name (e.g.“Weightlifting.doc”) and send it to the relevant email address:

Clubs: Caragh.obuachalla@dit.ie Societies: anita.conway@dit.ie neil.murphy@dit.ie teri.oboyle@dit.ie

Thank you for making sure that DIT Sports continue to be safe for all involved!

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a guide to RISK ASSESSMENTS

1 Indoor Hazards Yes/No 1.1 Inappropriate lighting - 1.2 Temperature - 1.3 Insufficient or unsuitable space - 1.4 Untidiness – causing trip / fire hazard - 1.5 Stairs – dark / steep / no handrail - 1.6 Lack of fire escapes / extinguishers / procedures - 1.7 Slip / trip / fall hazards - 1.8 Inadequate ventilation - 1.9 Inhalation of dust - 1.10 Poor surfaces for activities – slips / trips / impact - 1.11 Electrical hazards -

2 Sporting Activity Hazards Yes/No 2.1 Uneven playing surface - 2.2 Playing surface too hard or soft - 2.3 Hard or sharp objects on pitch - 2.4 Sliding on Astroturf or tarmac - 2.5 Collisions / Conflict with surrounding objects or people - 2.6 Impact from sports equipment - 2.7 Contact sport injury - 2.8 Personal injury – fracture / sprains / cuts -

3 Hazards On Coasts & Coastal Waters Yes/No 3.1 Falls from cliffs, piers, sea walls - 3.2 Struck by falling objects from cliff - 3.3 Slips & falls on slopes / loose surfaces - 3.4 Quick sand & mud - 3.5 Access problems due to steep angle of beach slope - 3.6 Collisions between water users - 3.7 Swept away by wave surges - 3.8 Being washed against rocks / piers - 3.9 Low water temperatures - 3.10 Communication problems from waves / swell / distance - 3.11 Struck by objects in water - 3.12 Stranded by tides - 3.13 Swept away by currents - 3.14 Rip tides - 3.15 Longshore drift - 3.16 Conflicts between beach users -

4 Hazards On Still / Moving Water Y / N 4.1 Getting swept away from equipment or people - 4.2 Collision with rocks in and to sides of rivers - 4.3 Striking / trapping by submerged obstacles - 4.4 Being dragged down by undertow - 4.5 Restricted or impossible access to / from water - 4.6 Access problems – rescue / getting kit into water - 4.7 Falls from drops in level at weirs / waterfalls - 4.8 Getting out of depth - 4.9 Low water temperature - 4.10 Separation from other people - 4.11 Slips / trips on steep banks or uneven surfaces - 4.12 Difficult communications - 4.13 Remote locations -

5 Hazards On Hills & Mountains Yes/No 5.1 Inappropriate lighting - 5.2 Temperature - 5.3 Insufficient or unsuitable space - 5.4 Untidiness – causing trip / fire hazard - 5.5 Stairs – dark / steep / no handrail - 5.6 Lack of fire escapes / extinguishers / procedures - 5.7 Slip / trip / fall hazards - 5.8 Inadequate ventilation - 5.9 Inhalation of dust - 5.10 Poor surfaces for activities – slips / trips / impact - 5.11 Electrical hazards -

6 People & Organisational Hazards Yes/No 6.1 Lack of information, training or instruction - 6.2 Poor activity planning or preparation - 6.3 Poor activity delivery or organisation - 6.4 Ignorance of rules and / or procedures - 6.5 Unsafe behaviour or attitude - 6.6 Lack of appropriate first aid equipment and experience - 6.7 Medical conditions of participants - 6.8 Poor safety control from group leaders - 6.9 Poor safety awareness from participants - 6.10 Lack of cooperation within group - 6.11 Differing skill levels within group - 6.12 Low level of physical fitness / strength - 6.13 Aggression between participants - 6.14 Aggression from crowd / public - 6.15 Contact between participants increasing risk -

7 Equipment & Other Hazards Yes/No 7.1 Cash handling - 7.2 Transport to and from your activity - 7.3 Food poisoning - 7.4 Hazardous substances - 7.5 Equipment with moving / hot parts - 7.6 Heavy equipment - 7.7 Electrical hazards from equipment - 7.8 Noise from equipment - 7.9 Risk of trapping body / clothing in equipment - 7.10 Inadequate environment for equipment operation - 7.11 Inadequate protective equipment - 7.12 Equipment in unsuitable condition -

Club/Society/Project/Name:

Assessed By:

Approved by:

Locations: Activities:

8 Other Hazards Specific To Your Activity Yes/No 8.1 - 8.2 - 8.3 - 8.4 - 8.5 - 8.6 - 8.7 - 8.8 - 8.9 - 8.10 - 8.11 -

Risk Assessment – Student Activities

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