Safety Information for Schools Margam Country Park
Information for visit and risk assessment preparation
Introduction
The following ‘Safety Information’ has been collated for schools for visit preparation and as an aid in producing risk assessments.
Safety Information for Schools - Margam Country Park
Safety Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, Margam Country Statement Park fully accepts its responsibilities under Health and Safety Legislation. A Health and Safety Policy is in place together with written risk assessments undertaken in respect of our legal duties relating to persons other than employees (i.e. visitors) coming onto our site and using our facilities.
Please be assured that your safety and health whilst on our site is of our utmost concern. We want to ensure that your visit is a fun, enjoyable and learning experience.
We operate a policy for staff recruitment, training and assessment which ensures that all staff with a responsibility for the safety and welfare of visitors / participants are qualified to undertake the duties they are assigned
Schools are informed of the following details which will help with the production of your own school ‘educational visit’ risk assessment for the purposes of your visit.
Background Ownership and Margam Country Park is managed and owned by Neath Port Management Talbot County Borough Council. It is managed as a Country Park. Margam Country Park has been open to the public since 1974 Directions:- Junction 38 M4 and follow Brown Tourist Signs
Venue Details Encompassing 1000 acres, Margam Country Park offers groups the opportunity to explore historic gardens and open parkland with a past which stretches from the Iron Age to the Victorian era and up to modern day.
Central to the park is the Tudor- Gothic mansion House (Margam Castle) whilst the grounds also include the 18th century Orangery and the ruins of the 12th century monastic chapter house.
The open parkland is home to the historic deer herd,
Page 2 of 9 considered by many as the best in Wales. The parkland provides the chance for walks (4 self guided walks are way- marked and start from the visitor centre courtyard.)
Facilities Visitor Centre Courtyard includes toilets (1 disabled), Charlotte’s Pantry Cafeteria, Display Area with video, Margam Park Shop and the Main Park Office.
Main Entrance hall of the Castle is open with a display of historic interest. No access to upper floors (do not ascend the stairs)
The Narrow gauge railway and train takes a trip through the historic landscape from the main car park area to Margam Castle. (Fee paying)
An adventure playground, situated alongside New Pond, includes high walkways, an aerial slide, tunnels and swings.
Farm trail featuring large paddocks with farm breeds. (Hand washing facilities are available in Pets Corner)
Fairytale Land. Incorporates a series of scaled down fairytale theme houses, fenced in its own enclosure
Furzemill fishing lake (Fee paying)
Open Parkland has open access There are plenty of places to picnic and food is also available in Charlottes Pantry.
Entry Charge Car Parking/coach Parking fee. Free Entry Days/ times:- From 10am-5.00pm daily. Attractions close at 5pm. Last entry to attractions is 4.30pm. The park is open all year, however the attractions are closed during the winter season. Please note that closing times may be subject to change please check with the Park Office for accurate times prior to your visit.
Visitor Numbers Annually we receive approximately 100,000 visitors over approx. 8000 child visits to Park per year Suitability The venue and its attractions is considered suitable for pupils of all ages.
Contact We look forward to welcoming you however if you wish to Information discuss aspects of your visit or would like to arrange a pre
Page 3 of 9 visit please do not hesitate to contact Steve George, Visitor Services Officer, Margam Country Park, Margam, Port Talbot SA13 2 TJ Tel 01639 881635
We would request that the group leader reports to the main entry kiosk to exchange information prior to entry onto the site. Information Exchange:- School- numbers, copy of risk assessment, copy of Public Liability Insurance (if not Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council school) Margam Park-Leaflets and maps as required.
Margam Country Park operates an emergency contact number for groups if they should require assistance while on site. Please note that this number is Tel (01639) 881635 and is staffed during opening hours. This is the Main Park Office Number.
If, after your visit, you have any concerns or experienced any problems regarding the management of Margam Country Park or safety and health of members of your party, we would welcome the opportunity to discuss these with you. Tel : Steven George, Visitor Services Manager (01639) 881635 or e-mail : [email protected] Teachers Details available on the website or free CD rom Resources Education at Margam Park Resources for Teachers available for self guided visits Material included:- General Information on Margam Park Module for Early Years Tudors at Margam –History Module Art At Margam Geography at Margam
General Information Animal Fouling Dogs are allowed within Margam Country Park but not into in Public any of the facilities (café, shop, fairytale land, adventure Access areas playground). Dogs must be kept on a lead or under close control. During May and June all dogs must be kept on leads when within the Deer Park (fawning period). A dog fouling Policy operates within the park and owners must clean up any animal fouling and place this safely in the
Page 4 of 9 bins provided. Dog Fouling bags are available from the Main Entrance kiosk, Shop and Main Park Office. Water bowls are provided by the water tap in the main visitor centre courtyard.
Assistance dogs are most welcome Communication All supervisory staff carry radios. Facilities with radios are Systems Fairytale land, Shop, Charlottes Pantry Café, Main Car Park Kiosk, Main Park Office.
Criminal History All reasonable measures are taken to ensure staff who may / Civil Actions be left alone with pupils or be in a position of substantial access with children have been subject to Criminal Record Bureau Disclosure. Equipment / All equipment is regularly checked to ensure it remains ‘fit for Play Equipment purpose’ and results of inspections are recorded in an throughout site equipment log.
All play equipment within the dedicated area conforms to current British and European Standards and is subject to regular inspection.
School staff must supervise children when using this equipment. The climbing of trees or any structures outside of designated play areas is forbidden. Emergency Emergency evacuation procedures are in place. All staff are Evacuation familiar with and regularly practise these.
Evacuation Notices are posted within all buildings. On hearing the alarm, which is a continuous ringing bell, all visitors must make their way to the appropriate Assembly Point as indicated on the Evacuation Notice. Facilities for Margam Park makes every effort to accommodate the visitors with requirements of visitors with special needs. Schools and party Special Needs leaders must ensure that suitable arrangements are in place in order that appropriate supervision and assistance is available to pupils with special needs.
Physical Impairment – Wheelchair access is possible throughout the site although the gradient from the Orangery up to the castle is steep. 2 wheelchairs are available for use, one is available from the Main Entrance Kiosk the other from the Visitor Centre Courtyard. Please confirm these are available prior to your visit. An Electric Tramper Buggy is available for hire (£10.00 deposit £1.00 per hour) Please confirm it is available prior to your visit. A short training session will be given on the first session.
Page 5 of 9 Hearing Impairment –Induction loop systems are available in the Main Car Park kiosk, the Orangery and the main Park Office and the shop.
We are aware that clarification of specific provisions may be needed by schools in relation to more detailed risk assessment requirements for certain special needs pupils. In such circumstances we would invite schools to contact us. First Aid All supervisory staff are First Aid trained. Any first Aid requirement make your way to any member of staff who will arrange assistance. Insurance We have a public liability insurance cover or adequate to at (Public Liability) least £5 million.
A copy of our insurance certificate is available to visiting parties prior to their arrival for information. Loss of Please note that due to the nature of the venue children are Bearings at risk of getting lost if they stray from organised parties. Lost Person All facilities and members of staff can help in lost person Stations situation. Please make your way to the nearest member of staff who will arrange assistance.
Maximum Party Due to the nature of Margam Park large numbers of visitors Sizes can be catered for at any one time. If you have any queries please contact the Visitor Services Officer Medical Needs The Visitor Services Officer should be contacted by the school or party leader if any pupil is known to have any specific or serious medical condition / need. Discussion will be needed to consider emergency arrangements.
We will, where it is safe to do so, aim to fully include pupils with specific or serious medical conditions within activities offered.
Harmful / At certain times of the year some poisonous berries and Poisonous plants may be prevalent within the formal gardens and the Plants / Fungi Parkland. Schools should advise all children that berries and (Mushrooms & plants should not be picked or eaten. Children should wash toadstools) their hands before eating. Certain fungi (mushrooms & toadstools) are also known to grow periodically. Schools should advise all children that fungi should not be picked or eaten. Required Visitor Visitors must not Conduct (no -enter areas which are not open to the public access to areas -behave in an unruly manner for site staff -touch or approach any working machinery only) -ignore the instructions of the guide (if provided)
Children are able to use the facillities without direct
Page 6 of 9 supervision although group leaders must always be situated close to groups.
Party leaders must not leave children unsupervised. Schematic Map Is available which includes authorised pedestrian routes, vehicle routes and coach parking areas as well as many other items of interest. (Visitor Guide PDF available to download) Additional copies can of course be collected on the day of your visit if needed. Site Inspections Margam Park staff conduct regular inspections of all the Park of Venue facilities, an internal reporting mechanism is in place for any Facilities / safety hazards. Site inspections are recorded in a log. Areas Visitors are requested to report any hazards to staff. Site Staff Venue staff wear blue shirts and jackets which include the Identification Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council Logo and are happy to help with any problems or difficulties you may have experienced whilst at the Park. Vehicle Traffic A site speed restriction, with appropriate signage of 10 m.p.h. is in place.
A Visitor Coach Park is available for use within the Orangery Car Park.
Within the grounds, certain vehicles may require access. The speed limit will be strictly observed and vehicles will stay, where possible, on identified internal roadways. Weather A number of areas are available throughout the Park which Protection / offer protection from adverse weather (adverse conditions or Sun Safety hot sunny days) although wet weather provision is limited. The castle entrance hall (seat 100+ on the floor). Shaded picnic area to the rear of the castle (with BBQ facilities), common covered areas include the cafeteria and the shop. Welfare Three public toilet blocks are present (with disabled facilities) Facilities within Margam Park. One is located close to the main entrance kiosk, the second is beside the Fairytale land and the third is in the visitor centre courtyard All public conveniences are regularly supervised / cleaned by park staff.
Charlottes Pantry cafeteria is available within the venue offering a selection of snacks and drinks. Drinking Water is freely available.
Areas of Higher Risk
Contact with Visitors should not enter animal enclosures except for animals organised handling activities.
Page 7 of 9 Handwashing facilities, soap and paper towels are provided for hygiene precautions following any animal handling.
Good hygiene practices are encouraged as it is a form of controlling health risks such as; - E-Coli 0157 from contact with animals - Listeria from contact with infected and sick lambs - Lyme Disease from deer tick (avoid tick habitats where possible, wear long trousers, tucked into socks)) -Weil’s Disease from watercourses (avoid intentional immersion, particularly in slow moving or stagnant waters) - Toxoplasma from contact with cat faeces. - Toxocariasis from contact with dog / cat faeces.
Please note that expectant mothers may be exposed to increased risks from infection from animals. These include possible transmission of - Bovinechlamiydiosis from contact with newly born lambs which can cause miscarriage. As such any expectant mums are requested to avoid all contact with newly born lambs. Residential Is available via the Margam Discovery Centre. Accommodation Visits arranged within the centre are assessed under the Discovery Centre Safety Policy Contact:- Tim Orrell Centre manager (01639) 895636
Rides and All rides and facilities within the park are designed to be safe facilities within (i.e. compliant with relevant local and National Standards etc.) Margam Park and are regularly examined, inspected and maintained to ensure they remain in a safe operating condition.
The Margam Narrow Gauge Railway and Train is supervised by trained staff, who also provide assistance where necessary. Safety Equipment / Please note that appropriate sun screens are recommended Clothing for use particularly during the long hot summer days.
Water Courses Margam Park includes 3 large ponds and associated streams. & Ponds A small pond is located beside the main entrance kiosk.
Within the formal Orangery Gardens are 2 ornamental ponds, and 2 ornalmental fountains on the Orangery terrace(see map) Control measures in place in respect of risks from water courses are as follows; -A barrier is present along the edge of the lake
Page 8 of 9 where pedestrian footpath is located Vegetetation is allowed to grow to minimise pond access -Appropriate water treatment is in place for the fountain to reduce risks of contraction of legionellosis -A below surface safety grid is positioned in the ornamental Orangery pond. Please note in the event of heavy rainfall the areas near streams are likely to be restricted until considered safe.
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