The City of Edinburgh Council Risk Assessment for Sciennes Primary School Playground – Action Plan (based on Yearley’s H&S Risk Assessment) Item 1
Activity/ Hazard Falls from Timber Sleeper Wall (8)
2
3
Collision with Boulders (12)
4
5
6
Sand blowing in the wind (9)
Recommendation Extend the impact area to a minimum of 1.5 metres from the wall at all points to reduce the likelihood of falling onto the timber edge. Supervisors should monitor the children’s behaviour and consider intervention when boisterous activity is combined with high numbers of users. The edges of all boulders and rocks on site should be rounded off so that the energy of any possible impact is spread over a wider part of the body. A physical barrier/boundary can be created between the macadam area and the boulders, to slow children down naturally, but care must be taken to ensure such a barrier/boundary does not induce tripping into the boulders.
Monitor the sand blowing in windy conditions and consider keeping the children indoors when the wind is particularly troublesome. Sweep the sand from the macadam surface as required to ensure that it does not become slippery
Action Drawings by Harrison Stevens to instruct contractor. P1 engaged to undertake work to extend IAS area to 1.5m Dynamic risk assessment during Playground Supervision
Action Owner BM
Target Date 26 February 2016
Playground Ongoing Supervisors
Status Completed 19 February 2016 (4) On Track
(4) P1 engaged to undertake work rounding edges of all boulders and rocks during half term to minimise risk to children during works DECISION: Introducing boundary or barrier assessed as introducing an additional hazard. Tripping can already occur on macadam playing surfaces, with subsequent risk of head injury from impact. ACTION - Round boulders to provide the same level of energy transfer in the event of a collision, then the severity of injury is likely to be similar and the risk may be considered to be similar to macadam surface. Dynamic risk assessment during Playground Supervision. Bring children indoors if the wind is particularly troublesome. Dynamic risk assessment during Playground Supervision
BM
19 February 2016
Completed 19 Feb 16 (6)
HT
19 February 2016
Completed 19 February 2016
(6) Duty SMT officer
Ongoing
On Track (4)
SSO
Ongoing
On Track (6)
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The City of Edinburgh Council Risk Assessment for Sciennes Primary School Playground – Action Plan (based on Yearley’s H&S Risk Assessment) Item 7
Activity/ Hazard Falls from Tunnel Mound Rocks onto Rocks below (12)
8
9
Falls from Tyre Climbing Walls (6)
12
13
Falls from Vertical Poles and Little Tikes Unit (9)
Action
Action Owner BM
Target Date 19 February 2016
19 February 2016
Remove the one rock at the base of the other climbing rocks to ensure that falling children are more likely to land in the gravel pit. (See EN 1176 compliance in report) Round off the rocks at the base of the mound, or remove them completely.
P1 engaged to undertake work during half term to minimise risk to children during works
P1 engaged to undertake work to round off rocks during half term to minimise risk to children during works
BM
Monitor to ensure the gravel remains topped up to acceptable levels and that no hard objects have been placed into the gravel.
Dynamic risk assessment during Playground Supervision to remove hard objects Top up gravel as required. Store of gravel on site To date playground has not been open out of school hours Future - Top up gravel as required from store of gravel on site
Supervisors Ongoing
Supervisors should monitor the capabilities of children climbing to the top of the vertical poles. This is already low risk, and residual risk with supervision is low The Little Tikes unit should be removed or relocated away from the fixed play equipment so that encouragement to climb is removed.
Dynamic risk assessment during Playground Supervision
Playground Supervisors
During out of school hours use the loose parts and Little Tikes unit should be removed from site.
Remove when grounds open out of hours
The condition of the gravel should be monitored periodically during out of school hours opening to ensure it remains suitably topped up and free of hard objects.
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11
Recommendation
Status Completed 19 February 2016 (6) Completed 19 February 2016 On Track
SSO/BM SSO
(6) Out of hours opening awaiting inspection 17 March Ongoing
On track
On Track (6)
The Little Tikes Unit has been relocated Supervision to ensure compliance Dynamic risk assessment during Playground use
Page 2 of 7
HT at Assembly
26 February 2016
Playground Supervisors SSO 17 March
On Track
On track
The City of Edinburgh Council Risk Assessment for Sciennes Primary School Playground – Action Plan (based on Yearley’s H&S Risk Assessment) Item Activity/ Hazard
Recommendation
Action
14
Collision with Stone Slabs of Amphitheatre (8)
P1 engaged to undertake work to round off slabs during half term to minimise risk to children during works
15
Falls from Timber Tower Structure Tree and Guardrails (12)
The edges of all stone slabs should be rounded off so that the energy of any possible impact is spread over a wider part of the body. Modify the structure to close off the access to the tree, in accordance with existing designs.
16
Falls from Timber Logs in the Nature Strip (6)
Ensure the logs are kept at least 1.5 metres from the fence to prevent falls onto it.
17
Damaged Fence to Nature Strip (9)
The fence should be repaired.
18
Slipping in Icy Conditions (16)
Ensure the dynamic risk assessment is proceduralised so that it is undertaken every day. Take action to implement the findings every time. Ensure that any ice is removed from around and on the boulders and rocks. Consider keeping the playground out of bounds when it is not possible to provide effective gritting/salting, including during out of school hours periods.
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20
21
Consideration should be given to improving the drainage from the macadam side of the playground to reduce the likelihood of ice.
Action Owner BM
Target Date 19 February 2016
Status
Designer Robin Wood Wildchild commissioned to install tree guards
BM
25 January 2016
Completed 1 Feb
BM to contact architect to redesign layout and then contact contractors to carry out any changes required CEC property maintenance instructed to repair
BM
Easter Break
(6) In Progress (6)
BM
27 January 2016
Dynamic risk assessment daily during cold weather
BM/SSO
Ongoing
Dynamic risk assessment daily during cold weather
SSO
Ongoing
On Track (12)
Dynamic risk assessment daily during cold weather. Children kept indoors if above measures are not implemented. Playground closed out of hours in freezing weather. Solutions to be provided by Harrison Stevens. Instruct P1 contractor.
HT/SSO
Ongoing
On Track
BM
Summer 2016
In Progress
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Completed 19 Feb 2016 (6)
Completed 27 Jan 16 (4) On Track
The City of Edinburgh Council Risk Assessment for Sciennes Primary School Playground – Action Plan (based on Yearley’s H&S Risk Assessment) Item Activity/ Hazard
Recommendation
Action
22
Ensure an effective inspection system in accordance with EN 1176-7:2008, including routine visual inspections, operational inspections and annual main inspections. The inspections should continue during out of school hours periods, such as holidays.
Routine inspections BM, SSO and PSAs Operational inspection quarterly Bob Wallace
Ensure staff conducting inspections are aware of possible defects, by consultation with experts and/or the manufacturer and undergo training as necessary. Make good any repairs within reasonable timescales.
Defective Playground Equipment or Surfacing
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24
Encourage users to report faults.
25
Annual inspection Corporate Property
Action Owner Staff
Target Date Daily
HT
1March & quarterly
Status On Track
Murdo McLeod
Annually
Consult Wildchild re play unit
SSO BM
Holidays 17 March
In Progress
RoSPA Training for schools on inspection and risk assessment. BM attending
M Westwood
Ongoing inspections and dynamic risk assessment Information for pupils at assemblies and Playground Handy hints sheet produced by Pupil Council March 2015 Playground safety at Sciennes – brief for staff distributed to all staff Feb. 2016
BM/SSO
Ongoing
On Track
HT
Ongoing
On Track
HT
Ongoing
On Track
Out of hours inspections SSO
Playground supervisors to SSO or BM 26
Loose Parts Play Items (9)
Ensure supervisors are aware of the risks and provide suitable guidance to children.
Information for pupils at assemblies Playground Supervisors attended course run by Grounds for Learning March 2015 and were part of the Loose Parts Training run by Louise Caldwell March 2015. Playground safety at Sciennes – brief for staff distributed to all staff Feb. 2016.
Page 4 of 7
(9)
The City of Edinburgh Council Risk Assessment for Sciennes Primary School Playground – Action Plan (based on Yearley’s H&S Risk Assessment) Item Activity/ Hazard
Recommendation
Action
27
Remove the loose parts during out of school hours use.
Playground Supervisors at end of lunch session and SSO/Teaching staff at other times. Playground safety at Sciennes – brief for staff distributed to all staff Feb. 2016 Loose parts removed out of hours.
Ensure supervisors are aware of the risks and provide suitable guidance to children.
Information for pupils at assemblies.
28
General Bumps and Slips (8)
Action Owner HT
Target Date Ongoing
Status
HT
Ongoing
On Track (6)
On Track
Playground safety at Sciennes – brief for staff distributed to all staff Feb. 2016
ADDITIONAL ACTIONS 29
David Yearley to inspect and make comment on risk benefit of making flush one rock set in synthetic grass by upper sand area.
25 March
Not started
30
Feasibility study to look at replacing rocks that edge the Astroturf hill with tyres.
Easter break
Not started
Page 5 of 7
The City of Edinburgh Council Risk Assessment for Sciennes Primary School Playground – Action Plan (based on Yearley’s H&S Risk Assessment) Compliance with EN Standards Item Activity/ Hazard
Recommendation
Action
29
Boulders to be rounded off. (item 3)
P1 undertook work rounding edges of all boulders and rocks to >3mm during half term to minimise risk to children during works
Timber to the side of the tunnel entrances to be rounded off.
Boulders and timber edges (EN)
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31
32 33
Protection against falling (EN)
Action Owner BM
Target Date 19 February 2016
P1 undertook work rounding edges of all wood to >3mm during half term to minimise risk to children during works
BM
19 February 2016
Stones slabs of the amphitheatre to be rounded off. (item 14)
P1 undertook work to round off slabs to >3mm during half term to minimise risk to children during works
BM
19 February 2016
Edges to the underside of the support struts to the type ramp to be rounded off.
P1 undertook work rounding edges of all wood to >3mm during half term to minimise risk to children during works Consideration given to RoSPA RA statement: “Regardless of interpretation, I consider the guardrails to be sufficient to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, children from falling off the unit accidentally ... In my opinion this would significantly reduce the utility or benefit of this item.”
BM
19 February 2016
Completed 19 Feb 2016 EN Standard covered.
19 February 2016
Completed 19 Feb 2016
Consider placing barriers around the timber tower structure. Currently it is fitted with guardrails which are considered sufficient to prevent children from falling off this item.
HT
Status Completed 19 February 2016 Completed 19 February 2016 Completed 19 Feb 2016
Signage to prohibit children under four
34
Extent of impact area and extent of falling space (EN)
Remove rock in falling space (at foot of tunnel). (item 7)
No further action other than monitoring use P1 undertook work during half term to remove item
Page 6 of 7
BM
The City of Edinburgh Council Risk Assessment for Sciennes Primary School Playground – Action Plan (based on Yearley’s H&S Risk Assessment) Extend impact area to a minimum of 1.5m - falls from timber sleeper wall. (item 1)
35
P1 undertook work during half term to extend impact area
BM
19 February 2016
Completed 19 Feb 2016
Inspection regime (additional actions) INSPECTIONS Playground safety
Action
Action Owner HT
Target Date 17 March 2016
Status
1 March then termly Daily
On track
36
RPII Annual Outdoor Inspection (level 3) to be carried out once remedial work has been completed. Independent RoPSA inspections to be carried out quarterly
HT
37
Daily documented inspection to be carried out as part of the dynamic risk assessment (including out of term time) Daily visual inspection to be carried out– during term time
BM /SSO
38
39
Not started In progress / on track Overdue Completed EN standard covered off in previous recommendations Risk rating in red (1-7 is low risk and considered tolerable)
Page 7 of 7
Playground Daily Supervisors
On track
On track On track