RISK ASSESSMENT
School:
Assessment carried out by:
Activity:
Date:
What are the Hazards
Who might be
harmed and
how?
Existing Control Measures
What are you already doing?
Putting up displays
Staff
Pupils
 Staff instructed not to stand on
chairs/tables to access display boards
 Displays restricted to head height
 Washing line assembly with pulleys
which can be raised and lowered from
ground level used
 Displays prepared as far as possible
before putting them up
 Staff encouraged to wear appropriate
footwear
 Provision of equipment suitable for users
to access display areas e.g. kick stools
and low steps
 Ensure display boards are easily
accessible
 Signs and barriers employed when access
equipment in use
 Access equipment is suitable for
purpose, readily available, and checked
prior to use
 Damaged access equipment is labelled
and removed from use
 Use of ladders and other access
equipment is restricted to those
competent in its safe use
Falls
Injury from falling
object
Collision with
access equipment
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Work at height
Date of Review:
What further action is
necessary?
Refer to the HSE publication “The
Work at Height Regulations 2005
– A brief guide” available on the
HSE website
You may have other further
actions that you may wish to
add
Action by who?
Action by
when?
Name of person Realistic
responsible to
time frame
be added here
to be added
Completed
Sign and
date when
further
actions have
been
completed
Placing or retrieving
items stored above
head height
Staff
Pupils
Collapsing shelf
Injury from falling
object
Table, desk, chair
gives way
Opening and closing
windows
Staff
Pupils
Members of the
public
Falls
Injury from falling
object
Falls from height during
drama lessons
Staff
Pupil
Members of the
public
Item falls from
gantry onto
audience
Stage light falls
during adjusting
Fall from stage
during production
Fall through open
trap door
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 A heavy box low shelf policy in place
 Shelving is placed at an appropriate
height to eliminate need for access
equipment to be used
 Frequently needed items are easily
accessible
 Loose items are not stored in high places
 Kickstools, etc to be used if needed
 Use long handled window poles
 Window opening limiters fitted to all
windows above ground floor
 Windows and doors maintained in a safe
condition
 Installation of remote means of opening
high windows (or mechanical openers)
 Only trained staff allowed to use access
equipment
 Code of conduct for staff and pupil
behaviour in the drama studio adopted
 Policy in place detailing safe
arrangements for adjusting lights,
working on gantry, etc
 Lighting rigs which can be lowered to
ground level installed
 Suitable access equipment provided
 Frequent documented checks on
condition of access equipment
 Access to backstage/gantry areas
restricted at all times
 Gantry area scaffolds have appropriate
edge protection and handrails
 Creation of an exclusion zone beneath
areas where work is taking place
 Damaged access equipment suitably
labelled and removed from use
Physical education
lesson
Staff
Pupil
Falls from faulty
equipment
Unauthorised
access to high level
gym equipment
Injury when
retrieving items
from high level
Cleaning
Staff
Falls
Site management
Staff
Pupil
Falls
Injury from falling
object
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 Staff competent to supervise activities
 Code of conduct for person behaviour in
gym/PE dept in place
 Safe arrangements detailed in
department policy
 Lightweight telescopic pole used to
remove items from high level
 Access equipment suitable to user is
provided
 Access equipment checked prior to use
 Damaged equipment is labelled and
removed from use
 Items trapped at high level removed
during planned maintenance
 Fixed and moveable equipment regularly
maintained
 Cleaning staff not permitted to work off
ground level
 High level cleaning equipment e.g.
extension poles angled mops/brushes
used
 Use of specialist contractors to carry out
high level deep clean
 Risk assessment completed prior to any
work at height
 Weather conditions considered before
planning outside work
 Check made for environmental hazards
e.g. overhead cables, uneven surfaces,
wet ground
 Staff instructed not to climb on furniture,
bins or other inappropriate structures
 Access equipment restricted to those
competent in its safe use
 Use of long handled tools where
appropriate
 Only battery powered tools used when
working at height
 Suitable access equipment used
 Access equipment checked prior to use
 Damaged access equipment labelled and
removed from use
 Adequate and appropriate signage in
place
 Area is cordoned off
 Work scheduled to take place when
persons are not in the immediate area
 Access equipment is removed and
secured when not in use to prevent
unauthorised use
 Appropriate footwear is worn
 Accompanying tools and equipment
carried on person are in tool belts or
secured appropriately
Maintenance and
repairs
Contractor
Staff
Pupils
Public
Falls from access
equipment
Collapse of
incorrectly
assembled scaffold
Unauthorised
access to scaffold
Fall from roof
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 Only Board approved contractors used
 Work planned before/after school day or
during holiday periods
 Arrangements in place for
communication with contractor, site
access, signage, security, etc
 Changes in safety arrangements
communicated to staff
 Access equipment secured when not in
use
Information,
communication
technology
Technician
Falls from height
 Staff instructed not to climb on furniture,
bins or other inappropriate mobile
structures
 Staff to undertake a suitable risk
assessment prior to any work at height
 Staff to follow agreed safe systems of
work
 Equipment restricted to those
competent in its safe use
 Equipment suitable for task
You may have other existing
precautions you may wish to add
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