Just saying the words “Risk Assessment” is likely to send most students running from the room shrieking- and I quite enjoy seeing students get deflated and disheartened about risk assessments (and we don’t blame them at all for this). They can seem quite intimidating but they are a demonstration that you have considered all the possible risks relating to your activity. It shows you have been pro-active in putting controls in place to minimise the risk to the health and safety of all participants in the activity.

We quite often say "They're not a stick to beat people with but a really useful planning tool". But really... they are a stick to beat people with. And I'm the one who has the pleasure/pain of using the stick.

Despite all their best planning accidents still happen. We want them to have fun but still be safe.

Here's how to do a risk assessment:

Step 1- look for hazards.
Step 2- Decide who might be harmed and how.
Step 3- Evaluate the risks and decide whether the existing precautions are adequate or whether more should be done.
Step 4- Record your findings (on the form)
Step 5- Review your assessment and revise it in light of experience.

It's mind numbingly simple but students seem to enjoy putting themsleves