Name of activity / event / location	Fire Lighting	Date of risk assessment	25/07/2024	Name of who undertook this risk assessment	M E
		Date of next review	25/07/2025

Hazard Identified? / Risks from it?	Category	Who is at risk?	How are the risks already controlled? What extra controls are needed?	What has changed that needs to be thought about and controlled?
Hazard – something that may cause harm or damage. Risk – the chance of it happening.	Category to help organise risks	Young people, Leaders, Visitors?	Controls – Ways of making the activity safer by removing or reducing the risk from it. For example - you might use a different piece of equipment or you might change the way the activity is carried out.	Keep checking throughout the activity in case you need to change it…or even stop it! This is a great place to add comments which will be used as part of the review.
Failure of equipment	General	All Present	Activity leader is responsible for checking the equipment for any obvious flaws before use. Equipment to be checked annually. Any defective equipment to be removed and reported to the duty warden or a member of the site team.
Nature of terrain, slips, trips, and falls – personal injuries, sprains, and strains.	General	All Present	Check for natural hazards in the build area. Make sure everyone’s wearing suitable footwear. Assess the weather risk before and during the session. Consider moving this activity to another area if needed. Any unused equipment is to be kept clear of entrances, exits, and general walking areas
Risk of burns from mistakes or misuse.	Fire	All Present	Ensure you have enough responsible individuals to properly supervise young people when they’re using hot items (such as ovens, stoves, candles, and fires). Everyone should use heat sources in a defined area, and restrict access to limit passers-by and through traffic. Leaders should brief young people on the dangers and safe use of heat sources before they use them. Leaders should explain the rules for firelighting including no picking up burning wood, not throwing objects onto the fire, and holding wood by one end and lowering it onto the fire with your fingers near the ground. No one should wear loose clothing around fires – watch out for open coats, neckers, and scarves. The size of the fire should be no larger than necessary and the addition of fuel should be monitored to ensure it will remain the size required. Leaders should make sure there is a first aid kit available and that an individual with current first aid training is available. Leaders should make sure that cold water is available nearby – there should be at least a bucket, running water is best if possible, for immediate treatment of burns.
Pollutants from wood – risk of ill health to participants.	Fire	All Present	Everyone should only use natural wood for cooking. Leaders should check the wood from wood pile before the meeting and decide whether it’s suitable.
Axe and saw – risk of injury to non-participants or observers.	Fire	All Present	Leaders should create a safe cutting area (check guidance for safe size and distances).
Sharp items (saws, axes, and knives) – risk of injuries from mistakes or misuse.	Fire	All Present	Leaders should give young people information and training before they use sharp items. Leaders should supervise young people and continue to assess their competence. There should be at least one adult or Young Leader for each group. Leaders should count out the sharp items and be clear on how many are being used. Leaders should count the sharp items back in to make sure they’re all returned. Leaders should make sure items are masked (have their blade covered) and stored safely between uses.
Uncontrolled spread of fire.	Fire	All Present	Leaders should make sure fire fighting equipment is available. Options include extinguishers, fire buckets, spades, and beaters. Everyone should think about location of their fire. It shouldn’t be near tents or directly under low trees that could be damaged. They should also consider wind direction. Everyone should build their fire off the ground on a stable platform when possible.
Rough wood – risk of splinters or blisters from handling.	Fire	All Present	Leaders should tell everyone to take care when cutting or snapping wood. Everyone should wear strong gloves if they can.
Injury or bullying through lack of supervision, horseplay, collision, or verbal exchange	General	All Present	Leader to discuss appropriate behaviour and expectations prior to the start of the activity. A safety briefing is given prior to starting. If the group becomes unmanageable the activity is to cease and return together to re-explain expectations and appropriate behaviour A leader or responsible person to supervise at all times must keep eye on the activity and ensure that contact is kept as minimal as possible and as YP becomes excited they do not become rough.
Emergency aid	General	All Present	Make sure a qualified first aider is present throughout the activity. Make sure a first aid kit is on-site during the activity.
Accidents general	General	All Present	Safety talks are to be given at the start of the session. Activity leader to consider the group size using the activity. Activity leader is to read the operating procedure before use.
Injury or harm caused by using a generic risk assessment	Activity - Self-Led	All Present	THIS RISK ASSESSMENT IS PROVIDED AS AN EXAMPLE ONLY. YOU SHOULD CONSIDER THE RISKS AND MITIGATIONS AS THEY APPLY TO YOUR SITUATION.