Challenge Ropes- General Risk Assessment
- Experience staff to provide evidence of previous training and experience prior to working/ volunteering at the camp.
- All new staff go through the induction process.
- All staff to complete the training process for The Portsea Camp.
- All staff complete the challenge ropes exam for Portsea Camp.
- All staff must read and clearly understand The Portsea Camp Challenge Ropes Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) prior to becoming a Challenge Ropes conductor.
- All Experience staff are to stay up to date with latest Standard Operating Procedures.
- All relevant qualifications must be kept up to date by all Experience staff/volunteers.
- Ensure medical summaries are up to date and inform all staff of relevant medical conditions prior to activity commencement.
- Ensure participants have personal
medications on their person.
- Ensure staff have personal medications on their person and that instructors and teachers are informed if needed.
- First aid kit to be with every activity, unless specifically stated it’s not needed.
- Inform all visiting staff and volunteers of EpiPen and Defibrillator location.
- Monitor severe weather conditions to manage relevant medical conditions.
- Closed-toed shoes must be worn on site by everyone.
- Ensure footwear is secured to feet.
- Shoulders must be covered by clothing on all activities.
- No loose items of clothing on challenge ropes activities.
- SunSmart measures to be implemented when the UV index is rated 3 or higher.
- No singlets, dresses, crop tops or short length shorts to be worn during activities.
- Religious or medical clothing/items that cannot be taken off must be able to fit correctly within the PPE to be able to participate in activities.
- Participants to ensure jewelry is removed prior to Challenge Ropes activities (rings, bracelets, dangly earrings).
- Ensure all participants have hair tied low and tight towards the back of their head.
4 5 Extreme
Cuts/Bruises/ Sharps 4 4 High
- Ensure supervision ratios for Challenge ropes are adhered to 1:10 minimum of two people.
- Behavioral issues to be identified and managed prior to activity commencement.
- Participants with behavioral issues are placed in a group with a strong assistant leader/volunteer who is aware of the issues and has strategies to deal with participants.
- Safety briefings are delivered to all participants at the start of each activity.
- Ensure assistant instructor/s and volunteers monitor and manage behavior throughout activity.
- Situations that cannot be handled, shall seek additional support from Portsea Camp Staff.
- “Challenge by choice” concept is implemented to support participants' emotional wellbeing and development.
- Sharp objects & needles not to be picked up and the leader notified.
- Leader to inspect activity area prior to commencing activity. Make modifications to activity if hazards present. Notify Experience Manager
- Any noticeable wire fraying on Rope Challenge activities are to be immediately taken out of rotation and the Experience Manager notified.
- Appropriate training in correct handling and disposal of needles and syringes must be provided to
Trips/Falls 5 3 HIgh
Experience Leaders and records kept. If not, notify the upline for disposal.
- Appropriate footwear must be always worn.
- Areas around the camp to be cleaned of debris and trip hazards.
- Outside activity areas and pathways to be well lit at night.
- Monitor the number of participants in any one area.
- Staircases to be clearly marked with yellow paint and grip tapeupdated regularly.
- Monitor fatigue and rest accordingly. 3 2
Collisions 4 4 High
- Speed limit to be adhered to by all vehicles on site.
- Monitor the number of participants in any one area and modify activity accordingly.
- Objects with the potential for collision to be padded or clearly marked.
- Outside activity areas and pathways to be well lit at night. 2 2
Harness’/
3 5 High - Helmets and harnesses are checked and recorded in the Equipment logbook before being put into service.
- All Portsea Camp Experience Staff are trained to correctly inspect and fit harnesses and helmets.
- Experience staff have read and clearly understood the latest Standard Operating Procedures for Challenge Ropes prior to commencing activity.
- Daily inspection of harness’ and helmets to be undertaken by Experience Staff pre and post usage.
- Demonstration on correct fitting of harness and helmet included in activity safety briefing.
- Harness’ and helmets to be washed, used and stored according to manufacturer's recommendations.
- All harnesses and helmets involved in an incident must be retired immediately to avoid further usage.
- Quarterly inspections will be undertaken by staff who hold Rope Course Conduct or Supervisor Certificate
Carabiners 3 5 High - Carabiners are checked and recorded in the Equipment logbook prior to being put into service.
- All Experience Staff are trained to correctly inspect and operate carabiners.
- The Portsea Camp Experience staff have read and clearly understood
the latest Standard Operating Procedures for Challenge Ropes prior to commencing activity.
- Daily inspection of carabiners to be undertaken by The Portsea Camp Experience Staff pre and post usage.
- Carabiners to be washed, used and stored according to manufacturer's recommendations.
- All Carabiners involved in an incident must be retired immediately to avoid further usage.
- Quarterly inspections will be undertaken by staff who hold Rope Course Conduct or Supervisor Certificate.
- Ensure adequate training is provided on use of crab claws/cable grabs.
- No one is to ascend/descend Challenge Ropes course unless training has been completed with Experience Manager.
- Crab claws/cable grabs are checked and logged prior to going into service.
- Crab claws/cable grab are checked and recorded in the Equipment logbook prior to use.
- Crab claws and cable grabs are used and maintained as per manufacturer's recommendations.
- Staff using rescue equipment must hold Rope Course Conduct or Supervisor Certificate
objects out of pockets, shoes tied tightly and loose items removed prior to going on element.
Environment
Wildlife 3 5 High - Keep a safe distance from wildlife.
- Observe activity areas for wildlife prior to use. Make modifications to location if required.
- Ensure numbers of wildlife services are available if required. 3 2
Bites/Stings 4 5 Extreme - Check activity sites for potential nests/hazards prior to commencing.
- During the safety brief, ensure the location of EpiPens is made known to all staff and volunteers.
- Identify persons with known allergies/anaphylaxis to bites and stings. All persons with these known allergens are to always carry personal medications.
- Avoid contact with known sites of potential hazards (bee hives etc).
- Experience leaders have a first aid kit (with EpiPen) as well as a communication device for all activities.
Exposure to Heat 5 4 Extreme - Temperature cut off/modifications are implemented for each activity.
- SunSmart clothing and practices are to be implemented when UV rating exceeds 3.
- Drinking water is available and you should be drunk regularly throughout the day.
- Groups sit in shade where possible when meeting to ensure protection
3 3 High
3
- Staff will use weather reports to determine likelihood and plan for extreme weather.
Exposure to Cold 5 4 Extreme - Staff will use weather reports to determine the likelihood and plan for extreme weather.
- Appropriate warm clothing to be worn during cooler weather conditions.
- The Portsea Camp to ensure they have spare dry, warm clothing and blankets if required.
- Portable Gazebos set up for Dry spaces.
Dehydration 4 4 HIgh - Water bottles are recommended to be carried to all activities.
- Drinking locations to be pointed out upon arrival.
- Experience leaders encourage everyone to drink water regularly throughout the day.
- Temperature cut off/modifications are implemented for each activity.
Thunder and lightning 2 5 High - Follow the 30:30 rule on Thunder/Lightning.
- All outdoor activities cease immediately and seek shelter inside buildings.
- Staff will use weather reports to determine the likelihood and plan for extreme weather.