Name of activity / event / location	Cricket Camp - Climbing & Abseiling Tower	Date of risk assessment	07/03/2024	Name of who undertook this risk assessment	M L
		Date of next review	31/03/2025

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.
Falling from a height – risk of breaks, fractures and death (ground impact		All present	All instructors are trained by an appropriate permit holder and assessed by a TSA County Assessor. All participants are provided with a suitable climbing harness. The instructor explains how to fit the harness correctly and is checked before ascent that the harness is fitted correctly. Whilst climbing the participant is connected to a safety rope at all times, using a suitable climbing knot. The instructor monitors the group to make sure no one climbs before their equipment and safety rope is checked by the instructor. The group is shown how to belay, either the 5-point with tailor (pre-arranged groups only) or bell ringing technique depending on the groups level and competency. Appropriately qualified and signed off staff required with a 5-point belay group. Gri Gri’s are used as the belay device. Safety knots are put into the rope by the instructor, at intervals as an extra safety back up. The instructor monitors the group whilst they are belaying. The instructor is responsible for lowering the participant from the activity. In the instance of both participants reaching the top at the same time, the instructor ties one off before lowering the other.
Equipment failure – risk of cuts, lacerations and death		All present	All equipment is visually checked by the instructor prior to being used. Items deemed to be faulty are removed from use immediately, logged and placed in the quarantine bin. 6 monthly inspections to be completed and logged by a PPE inspector having attended a ‘Competent Person’ course. All structures are checked annually by a competent person.
Objects falling from a height – bruises, contusions.		All present	Everybody in the area must be wearing a helmet. All structural elements are physically checked and recorded during 3 monthly inspections, as well as visually from the ground prior to the start of a session. All participants are to remove everything from their pockets before they put on their climbing harness. Footwear must be appropriate and securely fastened.
Exposure / hypothermia & sunburn – risk of sunburnt skin, heat exhaustion, dehydration		All present	Instructors and participants must have suitable clothing for the weather and activity. Both instructors and participants to drink plenty of water. Sun cream applied when needed.
Slips, trips & falls – risk of cuts, bruises and grazes		All present	All equipment not being used is put away in the store or stored neatly to the side. Participants warned about potential hazards. All participants must be wearing sensible footwear (closed toe shoes).
Adverse weather		All present	At the first sign of thunder and lightning continue until the flash to bang is no less than 30 secs, at which point the activity stops immediately. The activity may continue 30 minutes after thunder is last heard. If there are high winds then the activity will stop and anybody off the ground will be safely lowered down.
Group behaviour – loss of control of the group, participants being distracted/not listening.		All present	Group leaders are to ensure that the group is under control at all times. Instructor is to stop the session if participant behaviour becomes dangerous.
Entrapment		All present	Loose jewellery to be removed, long hair tied back and loose clothing to be secured. Instructor is trained in adequate rescue technique for activity.
Unauthorised access – accessing the activity at height without PPE or qualified supervision.		All present	All access points to be locked when the activity is not in use. Only authorized persons have a key to the area. Any access points to have a sign stating ‘No Admittance to Unauthorised Persons.’
Strains, sprains and other injuries		All present	Instructors to tell the group to be careful whilst on the activity and then monitor them to make sure they are using the activity in the correct way. A group leader to be first aid trained.
Structure failure		All present	Visual inspections of structure carried out during set up and logged on sheets. Detailed 3 monthly structure checks carried out and recorded. Areas of concerns to be inspected by technical expert. Annual inspection undertaken by competent person.
Human error – instructor complacency and loss of concentration could result in putting everyone at danger		All present	All instructors are trained by an appropriate permit holder and assessed by a TSA County Assessor. Instructors are encouraged to work with another instructor to ensure practices are adhered to. All instructors are aware of where risk assessments and operating procedures are stored.
Strangulation – broken neck, bruising, rope burn.		All present	Ensure correct belay technique is used to avoid slack rope. Loose items of clothing (e.g. Necker’s) are removed. Instructor trained in appropriate rescue techniques. Instructor to ensure participant is attached to the climbing rope appropriately incorporating both harnesses.