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HAZARD / RISK ASSESSMENT & MANAGEMENT SYSTEM Activity: BUTTRESS WALK/SCRAMBLE Established: Review History: 03 (NC) 09 (DC) 10 (DC, PL) Hazards Risk Crossing v. deep water Fall overboard and drown. in Barge Consequence would be Disastrous and Likelihood is Possible. Risk is thus High i.e. D x P = H

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a. b. c. d.

f. g. Trapped underneath/drown. Consequence would be Disastrous and Likelihood is Unlikely. Risk is thus Moderate i.e. D x U = M

a. b. c. d. e. f. g.

Exposure to the Elements

Sunburn, heat exhaustion, hyperthermia & hypothermia can be encountered in Pindari’s summer and winter weather. Last three can kill. Consequence could be Disastrous and Likelihood is Possible. Risk is thus High i.e. D x

Nick Crowther Next Review: 07 / 11

e.

Barge capsize

Author:

a. b. c. d.

Controls Identify poor and non-swimmers. All participants to wear PFD’s for Barge trip. Brief all participants to not move around or goof off. The only movement allowed is directed by the driver who may try to get the barge up on the plane. This can only be done with small groups – approximately 10 – 12. Do not overload the barge. (Max is approx 20may very depending on size and weight and age of the group) In this case the barge is only driven over very slowly. Require staff to ensure above met in full. The boat operator should not perform any sharp or sudden turns. Barge driver licenced/current. Barge serviceable/sea-worthy. Keep speed down. Cancel/delay trip if storms or winds about. The boat operator should not perform any sharp or sudden turns. The boat operator should ensure an even distribution of weight, maintaining stability. At least one facilitator on board should have a current Bronze Medallion. Participants are briefed on all clothing requirements in the initial daily brief.. Apply sunscreen often and wear broad brim hat, long sleeved shirt & long trousers. Increase water intake to match loss. A water resupply opportunity should be made available at the end of the activity.

Residual Risk Consequence still Disastrous but likelihood now Unlikely so Risk reduced to Moderate i.e. D x U = M

Consequence still Disastrous but likelihood now Rare thus Risk reduced to Moderate i.e. DxU=M

Consequence still Disastrous but likelihood is now Unlikely thus Risk reduced to Moderate i.e. D x U = M

2 Hazards

Risk P=H

Storms

Storms in this region can build quickly and deliver severely. Lightning strikes, hail, strong wind and heavy rain can cause panic, stress and have direct physical consequences on the operation of this activity. Injuries could arise from lightning strikes, slips, trips and falls. The likelihood is POSSIBLE. The consequences could be DISASTROUS. The risk is therefore HIGH. (P X D = H). Loose/narrow/slippery Walk/scramble track is up/over relatively steep often bare rock and path, stakes, snags, trips, whippy branches, rocky lightly vegetated gullies and loose/falling rocks traverses near vertical cliffs. Track thus poses frequent risk of injury particularly slips/falls from such hazards. Consequence could be Disastrous as person could die from injuries. Likelihood is Possible. Risk is thus High i.e. P X D = H

Controls e. Rest in shade & wear loose clothing in heat. f. Wear or carry warm clothing if weather is cold. Have a coat or poncho or at worst a garbage bag to combat wind chill if wet & cold. g. At least one facilitator current First Aid h. All staff and participants to be briefed on arrival in regards to protective measures from the elements. a. Weather conditions and forecasts should be closely monitored by facilitators. b. Where necessary / possible programs may be adjusted to avoid predicted storms. c. The facilitator should cancel or postpone the activity in the event of a sudden storm. d. In the event of a lightning storm, participants and facilitators should move off the wire cable and wait for the storm to pass before finishing the activity.

a. Cancel activity if route is too wet or slippery. b. Provide a knotted rope for the initial climb to the start of the cable when wet conditions prevail. c. Activity thoroughly briefed and demonstrated before participants start. d. All participants and staff to be attached to a climbing rope (as a traverse aid) via a climbing harness and karabiners where necessary. (That is, there are 3 safe sections that follow a simple cord where it is not necessary to clip in). e. Climbing rope is anchored to fixed anchor points using alpine butterfly knots & steel mallions by competent facilitators. f. Participant staff (e.g. teachers), may be used as extra supervisors. g. Participants buddy up (confident with less confident) and monitor each other throughout walk/scramble. h. Station facilitators/v. confident participants at choke points,

Residual Risk

Apply all controls. The likelihood reduces to RARE. The residual risk is therefore MODERATE. (R X D = M).

Consequence now Serious and likelihood UNLIKELY thus Risk now MODERATE i.e. (U X D = M).

3 Hazards

Animals

Risk

Bites and stings from snakes, spiders, wasps and bees can have significant consequences. The likelihood of such occurrences during this activity is POSSIBLE. The consequences could be DISASTROUS. The risk is therefore HIGH. (P X D = H).

Controls attached with an extra / longer cow tail to aid maneuverability. i. Separate rope or wire cable for facilitators/helpers at the most difficult sections. j. Secure Assistant to tree with a safety rope at the second assist point in all conditions. k. Use 2 karabiners to transfer to next section so always attached l. Only one participant is permitted to traverse a rope section (section is defined as between two anchor points). However: a. a facilitator or co-opted very confident participant may also traverse that section to help less confident participants, and b. another participant may also clip one karabiner to that section while remaining clipped to the previous section thus maintaining a position at the anchor station.. m. Wear helmets and call out if a rock falls. n. The pace of each individual is determined by the person behind them – Never leave a mate. o. Participants should stay below the rope and anchor points, and should stand where possible. p. Facilitator to participant ratio to be not less than 2:15- 29 (3:30+). q. At least one facilitator is climbing qualified and rescue trained. r. One facilitator to be current First Aid. s. Participants to get First Aid brief on arrival. t. All participants should use lace-up footwear with good tread. u. Search & Rescue plan current/practiced. a. The facilitator should clear the course of any obvious dangers such as wasp nests whilst setting up the activity. b. Repellant / Insect spray should be kept on the barge and readily accessible if required. c. Participants should be encouraged / briefed not to aggravate any wildlife, but where possible should avoid them and let them pass. d. Facilitators should be first aid qualified and have a first aid kit on them. e. Any participants with known conditions should be made known to staff, and where necessary have there epi pen on

Residual Risk

Apply all controls. The likelihood reduces to RARE. The residual risk is therefore MODERATE. (R X D = M).

4 Hazards

Risk

Loss of communication Due to the location and the distance from the Buttress to the campsite, a loss of communication can have dramatic consequences, particularly in response to an emergency such as a fire or a first aid emergency such as anaphylactic shock. The likelihood of such events is POSSIBLE. The consequences could be DISASTROUS. The risk is therefore HIGH. (P X D = H).

a. b. c.

d. e. f.

Controls their person, or at least with their teacher. All facilitators should have a UHF radio and have spare batteries. The channel used on the Buttress is 25. All other activities operate on channel 24. The facilitator should check in with “home base”, “mobile base” (Polaris with high powered radio) or a designated other throughout the activity. If possible the facilitator could use their personal mobile phone – providing they have network coverage. Facilitators should be aware of and act in accordance with emergency response procedures. Messages can be relayed to home or mobile base as required.

Residual Risk Apply all controls. The likelihood reduces to RARE. The residual risk is therefore MODERATE. (R X D = M).

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EXPLANATION OF RISK ANALYSIS TABLES 1.

Key to abbreviations: a. Consequence: C=Catastrophic D=Disastrous, S=Serious, M=Minor, I=Insignificant b. Likelihood: C=Certain, L=Likely, P=Possible, U=Unlikely, R=Rare c. Risk: EH=Extremely High, H=High, M=Moderate, L=Low, VL=Very Low 2. Risk is a product of Consequence and Likelihood; Likelihood is a product of Probability (usually based on available data [historical]) and Exposure (number of times situation likely to arise in a given period). Wherever possible the assessor should use objective data (e.g. 1 in 106 ) but will usually have to use subjective judgement based on personal or collective experience. Accordingly: HAZARD/RISK LEVEL = CONSEQUENCE x EXPOSURE x PROBABILITY Severity of outcome Frequency and Likelihood or (injury/damage) of duration of exposure chance that the existing hazard to that hazard hazard will occur 3. Likelihood terms are defined as follows: a. Certain – will occur at least once every time activity is conducted b. Likely - will occur very often over numerous repetitions of the activity c. Possible - will occur often over numerous repetitions of the activity d. Unlikely – will occur very occasionally over numerous repetitions of the activity e. Rare – most unlikely to occur but would eventually after numerous repetitions of the activity 4. The consequences are defined as per Table below: CONSEQUENCE CATASTROPHIC DISASTROUS

SERIOUS MINOR

INSIGNIFICANT

The following Table was used to calculate Risk: HAZARD CONSEQUENCE

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IMPLICATION Emu Gully would close down. Could result in death or permanent total disability. Total degradation of morale and/or public support. Litigation certain. Major disruption to activities. Could result in perm disability or temp disability 3 mths +. Significant loss of morale and public image. Litigation likely. Minor disruption to activities. Failure that results in serious injury and medical treatment. Potential for impact to morale and public image if occurs often. Litigation possible. Insignificant disruption to activities. Failure that results in minor injury and first aid. Potential for some effect on morale and public image. Litigation most unlikely. No disruptions to activities. No effect on personnel No effect on morale or public image. No litigation.

Catastrophic Disastrous Serious Minor Insignificant

HAZARD LIKELIHOOD Certain Likely Possible Unlikely Rare Extremely High High Moderate EH High Moderate High Moderate Low Moderate Low Low Very Low