Risk Evaluation

As part of our commitment to safety at Conisbrough Castle we have recently undergone a re evaluation of the risks inherent in visiting a site such as ours with an education group.

This risk evaluation is quite comprehensive but is by no means exhaustive and should not be seen as a replacement for a preliminary site visit to assess the risks for yourselves.

HAZARD/RISK	LEVEL OF RISK	HOW THE RISK IS MANAGED BY THE CASTLE/IVANHOE TRUST	HOW GROUP SUPERVISORS SHOULD AID IN RISK MANAGEMENT
Outside the Castle
Walk from coach parking area to Castle entrance follows a busy road used by busses and lorries.	Low	Highlighted in risk evaluation document.	Pupils should be adequately supervised or arrangements should be made to drop-off and pick-up near site entrance.
Crossing the disabled car park between Visitor Centre and Toilets due to vehicle movement.	Medium	Signage is displayed to warn motorists that children are crossing.	Pupils should be warned of the dangers of vehicle movement and should treat the crossing as a road.
Delivery and collection vehicles arriving on site near Visitor Centre.	Low	Signage is displayed to warn motorists that children are crossing.	Pupils should be warned of the dangers of vehicle movement and should treat the crossing as a road.
Visitor Centre's tiled floor is slippery when wet or dusty.	Medium	Warning cones and verbal instructions are used when appropriate.	Pupils should be instructed not to run in-doors.
Trip hazard over threshold on entrance into public toilet area.	Low	Highlighted in risk evaluation document.	We recommend that pupils be supervised at all times.
Stinging plants growing wild around site.	Low	Highlighted in risk evaluation document.	We recommend that pupils be supervised at all times.
Grass banks around the site can be slippery when wet.	Medium	Highlighted in risk evaluation document.	We recommend that pupils be supervised at all times.
Uneven earth paths around the Castle can be muddy and slippery in wet weather.	Low	Highlighted in risk evaluation document.	We recommend that pupils be supervised at all times.
Climbing the sides of the mound is hazardous with risk of falls and serious bodily harm.	High	Highlighted in risk evaluation document, castle staff has been instructed to curtail any dangerous activities that they witness.	We would ask that any activity involving the climbing of the mound be discouraged.
Steep drops to either side of castle entrance.	Medium	Highlighted in risk evaluation document.	We recommend that pupils be supervised at all times.
Dog fouling on grassed areas.	Low	Daily site checks are made and fouling is removed.	Vigilance is recommended
Discarded and dangerous litter.	Low	Daily site checks are made and litter is removed.	Vigilance is recommended
Inside the Castle
Climbing high walls can result in falls and risk of serious bodily harm.	High	Highlighted in risk evaluation document, castle staff has been instructed to curtail any dangerous activities that they witness. Climbing of walls is prohibited.	We recommend that pupils be supervised at all times.
Low stone foundations in the grounds are slippery when wet.	Medium	Highlighted in risk evaluation document. Signage is displayed at castle gate warning of the danger.	We recommend that pupils be supervised at all times.
Low stone foundations representing a trip hazard.	Medium	Highlighted in risk evaluation document. Signage is displayed at castle gate warning of the danger.	We recommend that pupils be supervised at all times.
Sudden drops and unexpected changes in ground level.	Medium	Highlighted in risk evaluation document. Signage is displayed at castle gate warning of the danger.	We recommend that pupils be supervised at all times.
Inside the Keep
Keep steps are uneven with some exposed to the elements.	Medium	Verbal warnings are given to escorted groups as appropriate. Highlighted in risk evaluation document.	We recommend that pupils be supervised at all times.
Trip hazard on wooden floors in the keep caused by protruding pegs.	Low	Highlighted in risk evaluation document.	We recommend that pupils be supervised at all times.
Trip hazard between wooden floors and stone structures in the keep.	Low	Highlighted in risk evaluation document.	We recommend that pupils be supervised at all times.
Bulky school bags being carried around the Keep can cause falls and over-balancing on stairs.	Medium	Castle staff will indicate a safe area where bags may be left in the Visitor Centre.	Pupils should be advised before the visit that bags would have to be left unattended.
Low light levels inside the keep requiring time for eyes to adjust when entering from outside at entrance to keep and from roof area.	Medium	Escorted groups will be given time to allow their eyes to adjust to varying light levels.	We recommend that pupils be supervised at all times.
Mineral salts forming on the stonework can be harmful if ingested or come into contact with eyes or other soft tissues.	Low	Highlighted in risk evaluation document. Sweeping of the Keep is carried out on a regular basis.	We recommend that pupils be supervised at all times.
Condensation inside the Keep at certain times of year making the steps slippery.	Low	Verbal warnings are given to escorted groups as appropriate. Highlighted in risk evaluation document.	We recommend that pupils be supervised at all times.
Dust in the keep is harmful if ingested or comes into contact with eyes or other soft tissues.	Low	Highlighted in risk evaluation document. Sweeping of the Keep is carried out on a regular basis.	We recommend that pupils be supervised at all times.
Height above the ground at the top of the keep may come as a shock or surprise to those suffering from vertigo.	Low	Highlighted in risk evaluation document.	We recommend that pupils be supervised at all times.
Occasional/seasonal high winds at the top of the keep.	Low	Highlighted in risk evaluation document. Castle staff will advise on the day if the risk becomes greater.	We recommend that pupils be supervised at all times.
General
Heavy props are available for children to handle.	Low	Highlighted in risk evaluation document.	We recommend that pupils be supervised at all times.
Use of Castle by members of the public.	Low	Highlighted in risk evaluation document.	We recommend that pupils be supervised at all times.
Tripping and falling due to trailing shoe laces and inappropriate clothing.	Medium	Castle staff will instruct pupils to make a personal check of shoes.	Pupils should be instructed to carry out occasional checks.
Seasonal presence of stinging and biting insects.	Medium	Highlighted in risk evaluation document.	We recommend that pupils be supervised at all times.
During the growing season, we will have our grounds maintenance team working on the site one day per week cutting grass and performing other duties.	Low	The grounds team have received all necessary training and are aware of the needs and requirements of pupils visiting the castle and will perform their duties with respect to those requirements.	We recommend that pupils be supervised at all times, and should be discouraged from approaching any area where the grounds team are working.

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Outside the Castle

Inside the Castle

Inside the Keep

General