Risk assessment template

Use this template to document a risk assessment to manage health and safety hazards and risks.
For more details on the risk management process refer to theManaging Health and Safety Risks factsheet.
Note: for risk assessments with curriculum activities refer to theManaging Risks in School Curriculum
Activities procedure.
Activity description: Students will travel to Cape Hillsborough National Park via bus and carry out a field
trip that will involve walking, taking pictures, filling in forms, observing and taking notes. It will be an all
day excursion, including travel and lunch breaks.

Conducted by: Candice Curran Date: 01/03/2017

Step 1: Indentify the hazards

Biological (e.g. hygiene, disease, infection)

 Blood/bodily flid  Virus/disease  Food handling

Other/details:
Chemicals (note: refer to the label and safety data sheet (SDS) for the classification and management of all chemicals)

 Non-hazardous chemical(s)  Hazardous chemical (refer to a completed hazardous chemical risk assessment)
Name of chemical(s)/details:
Critical incident – resulting in:

 Lockdown  Evacuation  Disruption

Other/details:
Energy systems – incident/issues involving:

 Electricity (incl. mains and solar)  LPG gas  Gas/pressurised containers

Other/details:
Environment

☒Sun exposure ☒Water (creek, river, beach, dam)  Sound/noise

☒Animals/insects  Storms/weather  Temperature (heat, cold)

Other/details:
Facilities/built environment

 Buildings and fixtures ☒Driveway/paths  Workshops/work rooms

☒Playground equipment  Furniture  Swimming pool

Others/details:
Machinery, plant and equipment

 Machinery (fixed plant)  Machinery (portable)  Hand tools  Vehicles/trailers

Other/details:
Manual tasks/ergonomics

 Manual tasks (repetitive, heavy)  Working at heights  Restricted space

Other/details:

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People

☒Students ☒Staff ☒Parents/others

 Physical  Psychological/stress
Other/details:
Other hazards/details:
There is no mobile telephone service at Cape Hillsborough National Park, therefore a satellite phone must be taken on the
excursion in case of an emergency.

Step 2: Assess the level of risk

Consider the hazards identified in Step One and use the risk assessment matrix below as a guide to
assess the risk level.

DoE Risk Management Matrix

Consequence
Likelihood
Insignificant Minor Moderate Major Critical

Almost certain Medium Medium High Extreme Extreme

Likely Low Medium High High Extreme

Possible Low Medium Medium High High

Unlikely Low Low Medium Medium High

Rare Low Low Low Low Medium

Consequence Description of consequence Likelihood Description of likelihood

Will only occur in exceptional
1. Insignificant No treatment required. 1. Rare
circumstances.
Minor injury requiring first aid treatment Not likely to occur within the foreseeable
2. Minor 2. Unlikely
(e.g. minor cuts, bruises, bumps). future, or within the project lifecycle.
Injury requiring medical treatment or lost May occur within the foreseeable future,
3. Moderate 3. Possible
time. or within the project lifecycle.
Serious injury (injuries) requiring specialist Likely to occur within the foreseeable
4. Major 4. Likely
medical treatment or hospitalisation. future, or within the project lifecycle.
Almost certain to occur within the
Loss of life, permanent disability or multiple
5. Critical 5. Almost certain foreseeable future or within the project
serious injuries.
lifecycle.

Assessed risk level Description of risk level Actions

 Low
If an incident were to occur, there would be little
likelihood that an injury would result.
Undertake the activity with the existing
controls in place.
If an incident were to occur, there would be some
☒ Medium
chance that an injury requiring first aid would result.
Additional controls may be needed.

 High
If an incident were to occur, it would be likely that an
injury requiring medical treatment would result.
Controls will need to be in place before the
activity is undertaken.

 Extreme
If an incident were to occur, it would be likely that a
Consider alternatives to doing the activity.
Significant control measures will need to be
permanent, debilitating injury or death would result.
implemented to ensure safety.

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Step 3: Control the risk
In the table below:
1. List the hazards/risks you identified in Step One.
2. Rate their risk level (refer to information contained in Step two to assist with this)
3. Detail the control measures you will implement to eliminate or minimise the risk.
Note: control measures should be implemented in accordance with the preferred hierarchy of
control. If lower level controls (such as administration or PPE) are to be implemented without
higher level controls, it is important the reasons are explained.

Hierarchy of controls

Most effective Elimination: remove the hazard completely from the workplace or activity.
(High level)
Substitution: replace a hazard with a less dangerous one.

Redesign: changing a machine or work process to make it safer.

Isolation: separate people from the source of the hazard.

Administration: putting rules, signage or training in place to make a workplace safer.

Least effective Personal protective equipment (PPE): protective clothing and equipment.
(Low level)

Hazards/risks and control measures

1. Description of 2. Risk level 3. Control measures (Note: if only administration or PPE controls are
hazards/risks used, please explain why)
Low Although students will be walking the designated tracks outside there is a
strict not hat and no sunscreen and the students will not be able to
Sun Exposure
participate in the field trip. Students will be required to apply sunscreen
twice during the day and wear a hat at all times. Teachers and parents will
ensure this takes place. Cape Hillsborough is a dense forrest national park
and sunlight is filtered through from the canopies of the trees.

Low Students will not be permitted to enter the water at any stage during the
field trip. Part of the walks do enter the sand on the beach, however
Beach
students will not make contact with any water. Closed in footwear is a
prerequisite for the field trip and students will remain in them all day.

Medium There are many animals and insects in Cape Hillsborough National
Park.Students will be on a strict no touching policy if they do see any
Animals / insects
animals or insects. Insect repellent may be worn with parent consent.
Although it would be a rare occurance, there are snakes that live within the
forest and should a student encounter one and be bitten, the situation could
be critical. A first aid kit will be taken on the field trip, along with a car and
satellite telephone should the emergency arise. There are crocodile
warning signs up, however students will not be entering the water or areas
where crocodiles inhibit.
Low Students will be exposed to light tourist traffic at 10km/h at Cape
Hillsborough National Park. They will be in their groups and supervised at
Driveway/Pathway
all times. Students will also find all housekeeping and ground rules in their

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 excursion booklet outlining the expectations for the field trip.

Playground Equipment Low Once students have eaten their lunch they will be permitted to play on the
playground under teacher and parent supervision. Respectful and
appropriate behavriour only will be tolerated.

Other details: Due to Cape Hillsborough National Park having no service, a satellite phone will be taken on the field trip incase of
an emergency. A first aid kit will also be taken on the walks as well. The group will stay together on the walk, but split into groups
of 5 per adult to supervise.
Although the students are walking and this is a low risk activity, a student may trip or fall over a rock or log along the dirt track. A
first aid kit will be carried on both walks by one of the teachers or parents, in case of an accident.

Submission
This activity will be conducted in accordance with this risk assessment, implementing the control measures outlined in Step
Three. Changes will be made to the activity, if required, to manage any emerging risks to ensure safety.
Contact person: Candice Curran Date: 28/01/2018
Indicate those others involved in the preparation of this risk assessment:
Classroom teacher
Principal
Teacher Aide

Step 4: Monitor and review controls

Complete during and/or after the activity Yes No
1. Are the planned control measures sufficient and effective in minimising the level or risk? ☒ 
2. Have there been any charges to the planned control measures?  ☒
3. Are further control measures required in future? ☒ ☒
Details:
Extensive contol measures have been put into place to ensure a safe and enjoyable field trip, however if extra control measures
need to take place they will be reassessed during the field trip and adjustments will be made and all staff and parents will be make
aware of the changes immediately. These changes will be documented for future excursions.

Review completed by: School Principle Designation:

Signature: Date:28/01/2018

Reviewed May 2018 V2 Department of Education

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Uncontrolled when printed