Risk Assessment and Management Plan OUTDOOR ADVENTURE ACTIVITY s1

RISK ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT PLAN – OUTDOOR ADVENTURE ACTIVITY

COMPLETING THE RISK ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT PLAN AND A CHECKLIST FOR THE ACTIVITY

Risk Assessment and Management Plan - Completing the 5parts. CHECK LIST FOR THE ACTIVITY  Part A – Event Summary and Approval: is a summary of the event to be completed by all schools holding a canyoning activity. Signed by  First aid, medications, medical forms for students and staff Activity Manager/Teacher in Charge and Principal acknowledging the risk assessment has been read and tailored to the school’s practices by adding or deleting within the Risk Treatment / Prevention measure column.  Equipment – inspected, checked, spares, navigation, PPE  Part B – Risk Criteria to identify risk ratings: is for information. It contains the risk criteria, risk matrix, risk control rating and priority  Communications – mobile, PLB, satellite phone ratings. Part B is to be used in Part C to apply a consistent approach to risk rating across schools.  Local knowledge – site, conditions, weather  Part C – Identifying and Analysing Risk Worksheet: is required to be completed by all schools holding a canyoning activity. Part C should be reviewed for practices and application by your school and tailored accordingly by adding or deleting controls within the Risk  Protocols – safety during activity, lost, minimum impact Treatment / Prevention measure column.  Qualified life saver present  Part D – Site Specific information and hazards  Part E – Treatment Plan : a table to be completed if there are residual risks rated high or above to ensure familiarity with the  Emergency – plan, contacts, rescue, equipment, funds treatments / controls identified for these risks. Part E is for bringing attention to the risks with the highest risk ratings. The  Group preparation – prior swim test, fitness/capability, briefing, treatment/controls around these risks require the greatest attention. clothing and personal equipment  Hygiene, sanitation, hydration, nutrition For assistance completing this Risk Assessment and Management Plan contact Audit and Assurance on 6205 6207 or [email protected]. 

PART A ACTIVITY SUMMARY AND APPROVALS ACTIVITY SUMMARY School/s Activity Date/s Time Location Participants Number of students: Number of staff: Number of volunteers: Interested Parties Activity Description

APPROVALS

I have read and tailored the risk assessment to reflect my school’s practices by adding or deleting controls within the Risk Treatment / Prevention measure column of Part C. Any risks with a residual rating of High or above are in Part E and I am familiar with the treatments/controls identified for these risks.

Activity Organiser / Teacher In Charge printed name:______Signature: ______Date: ______

Principal printed name: ______Signature: ______Date:______

PART B RISK CRITERIA TO IDENTIFY RISK RATINGS Risk Matrix This risk matrix is used to complete Part C. Consider and apply the consequence first. Then consider and apply the likelihood to establish the risk rating. Use of the defined consequences and likelihoods below will assist a consistent approach being applied to risk ratings across the Education Directorate.

1 Consequence People Injuries or ailments not Minor injury or first aid Serious injury causing Life threatening injury or Death or multiple life requiring medical treatment treatment case hospitalisation or multiple serious injuries threatening injuries multiple medical causing hospitalisation treatment cases Products and Services No disruption to excursion Limited disruption to the Some activities unable to Major disruption to the Major disruption with no excursion proceed activities with multiple activities able to proceed activities unable to proceed Environment No environmental or other Minor short term Minor long term Extensive environmental Extensive and widespread damage environmental or other environmental or other damage (long term effect) environmental damage property damage property damage Financial 1% of budget or <$5,000 2.5% of budget or <$50,000 > 5% of budget or > 10% of budget or >25% of budget or <$500,000 < $5,000,000 > $5,000,000

Insignificant Minor Moderate Major Catastrophic Risk Matrix 1 2 3 4 5 Likelihood Is expected to occur Almost certain in most 5 Medium High High Extreme Extreme circumstances Likely Will probably occur 4 Medium Medium High High Extreme Might occur at some Possible Low Medium Medium High Extreme time in the future 3 Could occur but Unlikely Low Medium Medium High High doubtful 2 Rare 1 Low Low Medium Medium High

Risk Control Ratings Risk control ratings are used in Part C in the column titled ‘Risk Treatment / Prevention measure’. The terms adequate, room for improvement and inadequate are used to rate the identified control. (A) Adequate – Controls are well designed for the risk and address the root cause. Management believes they are effective and reliable at all times (R) Room for Improvement – Most controls are designed correctly and are in place and effective, however some controls are neither correctly designed or are not effective. Some more work is required to improve the control effectiveness. Management has doubts about the operational effectiveness of some controls. (I) Inadequate – Significant control gaps or no credible control. Either controls do not address the root cause or the controls do not operate at all effectively. Controls if they exist are just reactive. Management has no confidence that any degree of controls is being achieved due to poor control design and/or very limited operational effectiveness. Priority Rating Priority ratings are to be placed in Part C in the right hand column. Where priority ratings of A, B or C are selected ensure the identified authority is notified, if the treatment with these priority ratings are required. Priority Description Authority to be notified Priority Rating Extreme Requires immediate attendance of multiple emergency services / Requires immediate notification to the Director- General A multiple casualties to hospital High Requires attendance of emergency service personnel (ambulance, Requires immediate notification to the Director, School B police, fire brigade) or transportation to hospital Improvement Medium Requires immediate attention from a first aid officer or life saver Requires immediate notification to the Principal C Low Requires assistance on site by EDU staff or possible minor attention Requires immediate notification to EDU staff on site D by a first aid officer

PART C IDENTIFYING AND ANALYSING RISK WORKSHEET

2 Ref Likelihood Consequence Likelihood Residual Priority rating Risk Rating Risk Treatment / Prevention (After measure Controls) Initi Description and Adequacy of al Existing Controls Risk (What are you going to do to Rati Risk prevent or reduce the risk ng Timetable What can happen? How it can happen? - tailor to the school’s (bef (by when) What is the outcome if it happens? practices by adding or ore deleting within this con section) trol Risk Control Rating: s) (A)Adequate, ( R) Room for Improvement, (I)Inadequate

1. Accident - activity specific injury: 3 High a) Follow Directorate’s 3 1 Med Prior to and C General movement around and through canyon areas Mandatory Procedures (A) ongoing during  Slip b) Group preparation – training, activity  Trip practice and full briefing (A)  Fall and fall from height c) Staff qualifications, experience, supervision, safety  Rock jump points (A) Uneven surface, slippery surface, poor footwear, rushed group, not paying attention. d) Equipment checked prior to Leading to; trip - clothing and personal Minor or major injury items, footwear (A) Difficult extraction e) First aid attention and equipment (A) f) Activity leader to have extensive knowledge of the cave used (A) g) Buddy systems where students support and spot one another (A) h) Use of handlines and spotters in slippery locations and places where there may be drops (A) i) Reconnaissance, of rock pool or water body for ‘all clear’ (A)

2. Health and Fitness 2 Med a) Careful monitoring of 2 1 Low Prior to and D Fatigue and exhaustion resulting from overexertion participants and supervision of ongoing during  Insufficient physical preparation rest stops and pacing by activity  poor activity planning activity leader (A)  deteriorating environmental conditions b) Follow Directorate’s overconfidence Mandatory Procedures (A) c) Group preparation – training,  poor decision making practice and full briefing (A)  disorientation d) Staff qualifications, experience, supervision, safety points (A) e) First aid attention and equipment (A) f) Fitness testing and conditioning prior to excursion (A) g) Buddy system in place where buddies monitor each other (A)

3. Health and Fitness 2 High a) Careful monitoring of 3 1 Med Prior to and C Medical emergency in canyon participants (A) ongoing during  Asthma attack b) Follow Directorate’s activity  Diabetic incident Mandatory Procedures (A)  Epilepsy c) Group preparation – training, practice and full briefing (A)  Anaphylaxis d) Staff qualifications,  Etc experience, supervision, safety Leading to points (A)  Evacuation difficult e) Medical forms and emergency  Prolonged period in canyon treatment plans followed up  Difficult logistics with parents prior to trip (A) f) First aid equipment and student medications easily accessible (A) g) Staff knowledge of rescue and evacuation options and communication with rescue. (A)

4. Health and Fitness 3 Mediu a) Careful monitoring of 2 1 Low Prior to and D Exposure to environment m participants and ongoing during  Hypothermia environmental conditions - activity  Hyperthermia supervision of use of protective clothing – wetsuits,  Dehydration thermals, warm sox etc (A) b) Follow Directorate’s Mandatory Procedures (A) c) Group preparation – training, practice and full briefing including waterproofing (A) d) Staff qualifications, experience, supervision, safety points (A) e) Checks of student gear prior to entering canyon – water, food, clothing etc (A) f) Staff local knowledge of canyon system (A) g) Group to carry emergency equipment – clothing, stove etc relevant to canyon (A)

5. Environment - Weather extremes 2 High a) Checking for warnings and the 2 1 Low Prior to and D Rising water levels development of potentially ongoing during Heavy rain/storms whilst in canyon. dangerous conditions prior to activity Leading to - prolonged extraction or rescue times activity and during activity (A) Group being washed away, drowning, separated, b) Access to communication stranded equipment (A) c) Careful ongoing monitoring of environmental conditions – adjustment of plans as a result, use of contingency plans (A) d) Follow Directorate’s Mandatory Procedures (A) e) Group preparation – training, practice and full briefing in dealing with emergencies (A) f) Staff qualifications, experience, supervision, safety points (A) g) Follow emergency plan if overtaken by extreme weather event (A) h) Staff knowledge of canyon and proneness to flooding. (A)

6. Environment 1 High a) Monitor local conditions prior 3 1 Med Prior to and C Natural disaster + Rock fall to departure and cancel ongoing during  Dislodged by Earthquake/tremor activity if conditions activity  Dislodged by equipment considered hazardous. (A)  Dislodged by person b) Follow emergency plan (A) Leading to c) Established communications  Injury protocols developed and implemented prior to  Property damage departure in case of  Environmental damage emergencies (A) d) Maintain local knowledge of cave (A) e) Avoid known areas of natural disaster risk (A) f) Group preparation – training, practice and full briefing (A)

7. Environment 2 Med a) Group preparation and 1 1 Low Prior to and D Damage to canyon environment briefing (A) ongoing during  Vegetation b) Maintain supervision at all activity  Students toileting in the canyon times (S) c) Awareness of site use  Litter and food scraps left in canyon requirements and Minimum Caused by lack of knowledge, lack of care, non- Impact Codes (A) compliant behaviour d) Staff qualifications, experience, supervision, (A) e) Potty systems, pee bottles, litter bags etc taken into canyon (A)

8. Equipment failure 2 Med a) Follow Directorate’s 2 1 Low Prior to and C Roping equipment Mandatory Procedures (A) during activity  Faulty / damaged equipment b) Group preparation – training,  Inappropriate use of equipment practice and full briefing in  Rope wear on sharp/course rock dealing with emergencies (A) c) Staff qualifications,  Dropped equipment experience, supervision, safety Leading to; points (A)  Injury d) Equipment regularly inspected  Property damage (A)  Environmental damage e) Compliance with Statutory Requirements/Licence Requirements (A) f) Ensure use of equipment is within tolerances (A) g) Safety & Emergency Contingency Plan developed (A) h) Ropes inspected regularly for wear during abseiling session i) Use of PPE - helmets

9. Limited communication 2 High a) Group preparation – training, 2 2 Low Prior to activity D The nature of a canyon makes communication difficult. practice and full briefing (A) In the event of an incident an effective method of b) Staff qualifications, communication is essential. This will affect emergency experience, supervision, (A) response time and assistance. c) Knowledge of network Satellite phones and EPIRBs will have limited coverage. (A) connectivity. d) Knowledge and location of site specific communication methods. (A) e) Leave an itinerary with local authorities with estimated time of returns (A)

10. Lost group or individual 2 High a) Group preparation – training, 1 1 Low Prior to and D Navigation difficult in some canyons and canyon areas. practice and full briefing (A) during activity External rescue, loss of reputation b) Staff qualifications, Individual wanders off or falls behind experience, supervision, (A) c) Activity leader to have extensive knowledge of the canyon. (A) d) Leave an itinerary with local authorities with estimated time of returns (A) e) Have a buddy system with a staff member being the last member out of the canyon. (A)

Canyoner trapped on rope on descent 2 High a) Group preparation – training, 2 1 Low Prior to and D 14.  Hair/clothing/equipment snagged or otherwise practice and full briefing (A) during activity jamming rope b) Equipment and clothing  Harness Hang Syndrome checks by staff (A)  Anxiety / panic c) During the briefing establish Emergency situation requiring rope rescue in complex communication protocols environment between activity leader and students (A) d) Activity appropriate to students’ skill level (A) e) Buddy check system – visual inspection of clothing and equipment immediately prior to descent (A) f) Staff qualifications, experience, supervision, (A)

15. Inversion (hanging upside down) 2 Med a) Group preparation – training, 1 1 Low Prior to and D  Faulty / damaged equipment practice and full briefing (A) during activity  Inappropriate use of equipment especially in cliff edge Injury negotiation b) Equipment inspection (A) and possible use of additional harness systems for top heavy students c) During the briefing establish communication protocols between activity leader and students (A) d) Activity appropriate to students’ skill level (A) e) Buddy check system – visual inspection of clothing and equipment immediately prior to descent (A) f) Staff qualifications, experience, supervision, (A)

16. Rope Anchor management 2 High a) Staff qualifications, 3 1 Med Prior to and C  Rope unsecured experience, supervision, (A) during activity  Anchor point failure b) Regular inspection of the  Location creates trip hazard system at site (A) c) Regular inspection of actual  Injury anchors (A)

17. Other

15 PART D SITE SPECIFIC INFORMATION AND HAZARDS The site specific information is provided to assist schools: select a site that suits student capability; and understand some of the hazards. Delete the sites that are not being visited on your trip. Add any other hazards that you are aware of.

Location Hazards Location

Macquarie Pass  Many abseils  Long day Grand Canyon – Blue Mtns  Other uses on walking track  Cold long swim at end Fortress Canyon – Blue Mtns  Jumps and wide steps  Hot ridge walk out in summer  Dirt road access difficult in wet weather  Multiple entry points  Waterfall at end of canyon Empress Canyon – Blue Mtns  Conflict with multiple user groups  Difficult start to waterfall abseil  Waterfall during abseil  Cold waiting spot at top of waterfall  Jump ins – first is shallow, second is narrow  Difficult detachment from rope in pool at bottom of abseil in deep water and falling water  Difficult communication between top and bottom of abseil due to waterfall Bungonia Canyon  Long day  Can be tricky to locate exit track Tuross Falls  Cold water

Other …. (enter here) 

16 PART E TREATMENT PLAN - FOR RISKS WITH RESIDUAL RISK RATINGS OF HIGH OR ABOVE Part E is for identifying the risks with the highest risk ratings. The treatment/controls around these risks require the greatest attention. To complete Part E transfer the risks with a residual value of high or above to the table below.

Risk as stated in Part C What can happen? How Treatment/Controls to Residual Risk rating Person responsible for Residual Expected completion Ref it can happen? be implemented as after treatment/ implementing Actual completion date Consequence Residual Likelihood date What is the outcome if stated in Part C controls treatment/controls it happens?

For assistance completing this Risk Assessment and Management Plan contact Audit and Assurance on 6205 6207 or [email protected].

Submit the completed signed form to [Curriculum to provide details on how to submit this risk assessment].

Schools are reminded of records management and disposal protocols and the correct category (School Management – visits) for the filing of Risk Assessment and Management Plans, communications, and trip permissions etc.