Covid -19 Risk Benefit Assessment
Assessed by: carly Uttridge
Dynamic Risk Benefit Assessment: Covid -19
Date: Septemper 30th 2020
Benefits of being engaged in an outdoor activity in natural environment: Being outdoors in nature reduces stress, strengthens our immune system. Forest school builds confidence, social skills, motivation and concentration,our mental and physical health and supports our well-being. It also creates a sense of community and belonging.
Value Added Benefits: Staff-student relationships, staff skills development, alternative Education, child led play , enhanced nature connection.
UK Gov Guidelines: As of 14th Sept 2020 There will be a ban on social gatherings in England, limiting people to " the rule of 6". It will apply both indoors and outdoors, and to all ages. So, gatherings in private homes, venues like pubs and restaurants, and in outdoor spaces like parks will all be affected. The new ban on meet-ups of more than six will not apply if the gathering is for work or education purposes.
NHS recommendations: -Wash hands regularly with soap and water (hand sanitizer if not possible to wash effectively)
Catch coughs and sneezes in a tissue or use your sleeve. Bin tissues immediately.
Wash hands-Self-isolate if showing any symptoms of Covid 19 (high temperature, cough, anosmia) for 14
FSA guidance: Government has acknowledged that "the risk of transmission outdoors is significantly lower". Forest School session should not proceed without suitable hand washing facilities. Tippy tap of similar and soap.
Hazard and to whom Likelihood (1-5): 3 Hazard severity : (1-5): 3 Risk factor : (1-5): 9
Control measures to reduce the risk Residual risk factor Spread of Covid -19 during forest school Contraction of the virus within a group setting Further cross contamination within the community
We are informing people to:
*Follow the NHS recommended listed above
*Not attend the sessions if they fall into one or more of the vulnerable groups listed by the NHS (including drop off and pick ups)
*stay away for at least 14 days if they or any member of their household has a high temperature or even a mild cough
*Not share food and drink and to bring their own.
We are actively and regularly:
1. Hand washing at the start of the session, before snacks, after snacks, before an activity IF using tools 3 x handwashing systems on site- soap dispenser pump action as well as soap on a rope.
2. Do not come to FS if feeling unwell -add to form for parents to sign
3. Cleaning and disinfecting objects and surfaces (tools, toilets, mats) at regular intervals.... in i.e. tools for a second group to use, mud kitchen equipment.
4. Widen the log circle
5. Siblings/families to sit together and spaced apart.
6. Informing ourselves of updated HSE and govt advice and to follow accordingly
7. limit hot cooked snacks on the fire...instead pre-packed and wrapped snacks per child, in paper bags. Children not to prepare their own snacks to cook on the fire
8.Children to bring own drink
9.Follow NHS recommendations listed above
10.Keeping open and informed dialogue with participants and parents/carers.
11.At Wonder Woods parents/carers to fill in and sign a new consent form with RA attached.
12.Children at camp to split into 'pods' siblings and friends to stay and work together as much as possible especially on focused activities.
13.Hammocks -sprayed at the end of the day with pump action dispenser (Dettol/bio friendly spray)
14.Parents to stay in cars or away from the drop off pick up point so that the leader canwelcome/dispatch each child at a time to their parents.
15.Reducing group sizes at Forest school camps to the gov guidelines of pods of 8-10 children to 1 staff member. No more than 30 people per day in a setting.
16.Parents must adhere to social distancing and be respectful of the 2 metre rule when attending a forest school session with their children.
