1/3/13. Operational Procedures Agility Course

Transcription

1 1/3/13 Operational Procedures Agility Course The assault course is situated to the north of the Venture Centre. It comprises of obstacles designed to develop teamwork, determination and confidence of the participants. It is not suitable for unsupervised use. Staff Qualifications. Staff must have undergone an in house training / familiarisation course. There must be a first aid qualified member of staff on duty on the assault course whenever the course is in use. Training will include group control and correct use of each obstacle. Ratios 1 instructor to up to 12 persons Session Structure Assemble group. Check clothing paying attention to loose clothing, jewellery, watches etc. Anything which may cause injury. A short warm up session is strongly suggested where this may be the first physical activity of the day / session. Especially for adult participants. It is a good idea to sart at the scramble net to give a more progressive physical challenge. Brief group on expectations and procedures. No participant will have to do any obstacle they feel unable to attempt. No person should proceed onto an obstacle until the instructor is there to supervise. Check for open wounds on hands and ensure these are covered. Establish if group has complete change of clothes as this effects how session is run. The instructor will take the group around the course giving good clear demonstrations in the safe use of each obstacle followed immediately by practice by participants. Safety All equipment must be checked before use as below. Any problems should be noted in the daybook and reported verbally to Simon or Mike. Unserviceable equipment should be taped off using the red and white warning tape located at the start of the assault course. The safety of this activity relies heavily on the ability of the instructor to control the group therefore if the behaviour of the group is unacceptable the activity must be abandoned. No person should proceed onto the next obstacle until the instructor has given clear instructions for that to happen. First aid kit is located at the start of the assault course. All persons including the instructor must wear safety helmets. Participants should war long trousers, long sleeve tops and robust foot wear

2 Underground Slide Visually check area in slide and base of slide Enter and slide feet first arms folded. Shout clear when they reach the bottom of the slide Instructor to demonstrate the slide. If this is appropriate to the nature of the group. Then clients slide down one at a time. Do not climb over the fence. Do not use when wet or if client is very wet. Monkey Bars Check area to base of bridge remove any rocks or other hazardous objects. No more than 2 persons at a time on monkey bars. No persons to climb over or across top of monkey bars. Be aware of the possibility of persons losing their grip as they set off and risk of falling onto log at start of obstacle. Participants should be told to drop feet first into water if they feel/they are going to fall rather than trying to swing to the other bank. There is an option to use the log walk along the side if required. Rope Bridge Demonstrate how to cross bridge holding handrails and placing feet on knots where support ropes join bottom rope. Group members may then attempt bridge. No more than 2 persons at once on bridge. Do not bounce the bridge. Do not put arms over ropes to avoid rope burns. Mainly an issue when wearing short sleeves. Tyres Check the concrete in the tyres is not broken up. Group walk down tyres and across river to: - Poles Under first pole over second pole. Space group so that as they climb over second pole they do not kick the following persons. Wall Check landing areas on both sides of wall. Remove any fallen branches/rocks Demonstrate how to climb over the all. Care to be taken if 2 persons climb over the wall at once, make sure they do not get in each others way. Once over wall stop on the platform then jump to the ground. Tunnels Check tunnels for rocks. Padding on entrance to concrete pipes. Give persons the option of missing out the tunnels. If they wish. Space persons out so that they do not get in each others way. Instructors to demonstrate first.

3 Rope swing Check landing and take off areas for rocks. Check river bed for rocks. Remove any hazardous objects. Check rope for signs of wear. Demonstrate swing and point out the risk of falling in. Give persons the option of missing the obstacle out. Pipe climb Using rope for support negotiate the obstacle. Be aware of slipping if feet are wet from previous obstacle. Exit module through or over fence. Tunnel from River Visually check tunnel for debris. If clear send group up tunnel well spaced apart Instructor should be at top to meet group Scramble net Check area at base of net for rocks. Remove any hazardous objects before module is used. Check net for rips and branches which may have fallen on to module. Demonstrate climbing net and rolling side ways down other side. Point out danger of trapping fingers as you climb over. Do not allow more than 2 persons at a time on the obstacle. Supervise this obstacle from the lower side Log walk Check footwear is clear of mud. The walk will need scrubbing down from time to time to remove grease build up.walk along logs to start of: - Postman s Walk Check cover of wire especially on handrail is intact. Check area under module for rocks or other hazardous material remove any which may be present. Demonstrate module holding onto handrail with 2 hands shuffling sideways along top wire. Shuffle feet sideways along bottom rope. Do not allow more than 2 persons at a time on this obstacle Barrel and net Check security and condition of supporting ropes. Check area under module for rocks or other hazards remove any which may be present. Demonstrate the obstacle enter feet first holding rope for support. Climb out of barrels head first exit on back holding rope above for support then dropping feet down. Vine walk. Check area under module for rocks or other hazardous material remove any which may be present. Check the wire and the dangling tapes. Demonstrate the module shuffling sideways along the base rope holding the dangling tapes high up. Crab wires

4 Check the area under the wires for rocks or other hazardous material. Remove any which may be present. Check the wire is covered and correctly secured. Demonstrate the obstacle by shuffling sideways along the wires. Maximum of 2 persons on this module. Net Crawl Check area under net for rocks or other hazardous material. Remove any which may be present. Check for lose wires which may cause a hazard. Organise activity involving crawling under net. Aerial Runway Check pulley and harness before use. Pay attention to all shackles, which must be secure. Harness should be in good condition. Brake rope must be in good condition pay especial attention to where it joins the main wire. Check main wire anchorage. The harness must be adjusted correctly in accordance with the manufacturers instructions. Brief group on how to stop persons and remove harnesses. Instructor goes to take off platform and checks that the harness is fitted correctly before persons use runway. After session padlock runway pulley out of use.

5 Risk factor Likelihood Severity Risk Assessment Agility course 7/3/2012 Carried out by Simon Read References used Venture Centre day book (near miss book) Accident book AALA website Generic Risk Assessments Module Hazard Who might be harmed Control Measure in place at present Recommended action and time span Likeliho od after further action Risk factor All Equipment failure All equipm ent users All All Falling off obstacles beyond the physical ability of the user Jewellery necklaces scarves rings etc getting caught on obstacles H Visually inspect equipment prior to use. Poles for signs of rot. Ropes for signs of deterioration. User M If possible evaluate the ability of the group prior to going on assault course. Also start assault course at Plank walk. The tasks done in this order are progressively more strenuous allowing clients to build up to the more physical tasks. Check medical forms for any problems. Users M Signage indicating checklist Remove jewellery etc this is part of the pre assault course briefing. 3 H3 Logged system for replacing assault course elements. Replacement dates to be detailed on the obstacle itself. Suggest Ropes less than 12 mm every 3 years. All larger ropes every 10 years. Galv wire every 10 years. Horizontal timbers 5 years. Vertical timbers 8 years. Chain every 10 years. 2 M2 Discourage the present starting point and encourage starting at plank walk. Challenge by choice. 2 M2 Secure storage for valuables of different groups at start of assault course. Should be user friendly. Also explain why they should not wear jewellery rather than just say don t. Emphasis in pre course/activity information. 3 H3 1 M1 M3

6 Risk factor Likelihood Severity Risk factor Likelihood Severity Specific Risk Assessments Module Hazard Who might be harmed Control Measure in place at present Recommended action and time span Likeliho od after further action Risk factor Mole Hole Monkey Bridge Banging into person /object if sliding headfirst down slide Unsupervised access by young children watching main group User M Instructor to give clear tuition on correct techniques as per operational procedure Unsupe rvised persons High speed descent caused by slid being wet or client being wet Bang head entering tube User L Instructor to give clear tuition on correct techniques as per operational procedure 2 M2 Notice at start of this module on correct technique. Feet first only. M 3 M3 Warning sign. Only persons under the direct supervision of a Venture Centre instructor will be allowed on any obstacle. 3 M3 3 M3 User M 1 M4 Notice on activity 4 M4 2 L2 Padding on edge of slide plus sign mind your head 1 L4 Logs or bars breaking User M Visual inspection 3 M3 Establish replacement policy M3 Fall off into river and land on rocks User M Visually inspect area before use. Remove any obvious hazards prior to use. 3 M3 Something handy to move rocks from river. M3 Fall off at start of module User L Padding on start bank If this is first time on obstacle inst stands at start of monkey bars to assist clients 3 L3 None L3 Fall off/slip on bank getting off module User L Rest of team to help people off obstacle 1 L2 Carry bars on further along obstacle? Consider will these cause more of a hazard by banging head. L2 Module Hazard Who might be harmed Control Measure in place at present Recommended action and time span Likeliho od after further action Risk factor Rope

7 Bridge Under Over log Wall Tunnel Rope burn User M Wear appropriate clothing as per op 2 M2 procedures Long sleeve tops etc Hit in head by rope hand rail User L Do not swing the bridge 2 L2 Fall of into river User M Correct instruction 3 M3 M3 Fall over log on to floor User L Bark chippings on floor 3 L3 Mark logs 3 L3 Under 1st log then over 2 nd log Under and over as appropriate Bang head on log User L 3 L3 Mark logs Under and over to 3 l3 emphasis technique Stand up too early and bang back User L None 3 L3 None 3 L3 Kick following students User L Correct instruction / supervision Ensure team members are spread out over this module. Wait for person in front of you 3 L3 3 L3 Fall off while climbing wall User M Bark chippings on starting side. 3 M3 3 M3 Supervision and correct instruction Kick persons whilst getting over wall Users M Supervision and correct instruction 2 M2 Wider wall 3 M3 Bad landing while jumping off module Users M Supervision and correct instruction Bark chippings on landing area 2 M2 Sign Use platform and land with feet together 3 M3 Bang head on entrance Users L Padding on entrance to tunnels 3 L3 L3 Scrape knees Users L Correct clothing Long trousers or miss it 3 L3 L3 out

8 Risk factor Likelihood Severity Module Hazard Who might be harmed Control Measure in place at present Recommended action and time span Likeliho od after further action Risk factor Rope swing Cargo Net Balance Planks Postman s walk Tiger net Rope burn Users M Correct instruction 3 M3 M3 Fall on rocks into river Users M Check visually before use. Remove any obvious rocks or if this is not possible miss out this module. Swing into people Users M Correct group control 3 M3 M3 Fall backwards off net User M Good instruction Chippings at base of obstacle Trap fingers between net and poles User M Correct instructional techniques 3 M3 M3 Arms legs head etc going though net when rolling or climbing down far side Kicked in head by other user whilst rolling down obstacle User H Correct instruction 2 H2 Netting with small holes (fishing net) on far side over existing net on far side of obstacle. Done Users L Correct instructional techniques 3 L3 Signage reminding of correct technique 3 M3 3 L3 Fall of logs if slippy Users M Surface of logs scrapped annually to prevent build up of moss etc 2 M2 2 M2 Fall off log into ditch where log crosses ditch Users M 2 M2 Railings /netting on log over ditch 1 M1 Hurt hands on wire rope Users M 1 M1 Replace with chain would remove risk completely Fall off onto ground Users M Chippings on landing area and appropriate instruction and group control 1 M1 M1 Fall off getting in obstacle Users M Correct demonstration and padding on falling area Fall off getting out Users M Correct demonstration and padding on falling area 1 M1 M1 M1 M1

9 Risk factor Likelihood Severity Module Hazard Who might be harmed Control Measure in place at present Recommended action and time span Likeliho od after further action Risk factor Vine walk Parallel Ropes Pole crawl Tyre Crawl Falling through gap between wire and tree at Users M Instructor / group control 3 M3 Consider through tree fixing M3 start of obstacle rather than around the tree Slip on wire when wet Users M 2 M2 Consider chain instead of wire rope M2 Fall of obstacle on to ground due to lack of Users M Chippings on potential fall area 3 M3 3 M3 strength technique of client Rope burn Users L 3 L3 3 L3 Fall off due to lack of physical ability Users M Chippings on landing area 3 M3 Consider lowering obstacle 3 M3 Fall off when working in pairs Users M Spotting techniques to be used when working this module as a pair. Chippings on landing area 3 M3 Consider lowering obstacle 3 M3 Fall off Users L Demonstration of correct technique by instructor Crash matting under obstacle Bang knees on rocks in ground Users L Long trousers essential Visually check obstacle before use 1 L1 1 L1 3 L3 3 L3 References Where the above risk assessment refers to correct instructional technique these are contained in the centres operational procedures for the agility course Next date for review staff induction 2011 (exact date to be arranged) or sooner if any incidents near misses or changes to the assault course. H= Could cause Death or major significant injury (RIDDOR reportable) M= Could cause and injury likely to last 3 days or more (RIDDOR reportable) L= Minor injury The likelihood was also given a rating based on the following

10 1 = Very likely 2 = Frequent event 3= Unlikely 4=Extremely unlikely