School Visit Risk Assessment
Below is a general risk assessment for use by school groups visiting The Keep Military Museum. Museum staff are present in the galleries during school visits to provide guidance and answer queries, but it is the responsibility of school staff to ensure that students are supervised at all times. Recommended minimum supervisory ratio, as laid down in the DFES publication “Health and Safety of Pupils on Educational Visits” is as follows:
- Years 1-3: 1 adult to 4 pupils
- Years 4-6: 1 adult to 6 pupils
- Year 7 onwards: 1 adult to 10 pupils
|
Nature of Risk |
Preventative Measures |
Action by |
| 1 - Traffic outside museum.
The museum is positioned at the junction of two busy roads. |
It is essential that great care is taken with road crossing. Adequate numbers of school staff should be present and high visibility vests should be worn. | School staff. |
| 2 - Tripping/falling within museum. | The museum has some uneven surfaces and potential trip hazards. Children will be briefed to take care and not to run within the museum. | School and museum staff. |
| 3 - Falling on stairs. | The Keep is a very tall building with two steep turret staircases. Children should be supervised at all times when moving between floors and should not enter the turrets without supervision. | School and museum staff. |
| 4 - Danger from objects in the museum collections. | Certain artefacts such as small arms and bayonets pose safety risks either through weight or sharpness. Children will be instructed in the safe handling of such items before any contact is permitted and supervised closely. Sharp edges will be blunted. | Museum staff. |
| 5 - Danger from toxic or otherwise harmful materials in artefacts. | All artefacts used as part of the handling collection will be checked to ensure that they are from hazardous substances, e.g. asbestos, poisonous or radioactive substances, before contact is permitted. | Museum staff. |
| 6 - Danger of falling from rooftop observation area. | Roof barriers to be maintained in good condition. All groups proceeding onto roof to be closely supervised. Maximum permitted no (50) of persons on roof not to be exceeded. Running is not permitted on the roof. | Museum and school staff. |
| 7 - Child Protection. | Members of museum staff having contact with school groups to be CRB cleared. School staff to be present at all times. | Museum and school staff. |
| 8 - Fire. | Fire exits within the museum building are clearly marked. School staff to be made aware of fire evacuation drill and muster areas by museum staff. In the event of fire, the lift is not to be used. | Museum staff. |
| 9 - Allergies. | School staff to notify museum of any allergies likely to be triggered by the museum environment and contact with artefacts. These might include dust allergies or reactions to coarse uniform cloth, animal hair, etc. | School staff. |
| 10 - Existing Health Conditions | School staff to notify museum in advance of any existing health issues and discuss implications – museum staff to consider the impact of environment on these issues. | School and museum staff. |