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Home » Risk Assessment Templates » Forest Schools » Shelter Building Activity

Shelter Building Risk Assessment Template

Create a professional, comprehensive risk assessment for shelter building in forest schools settings. Tailor hazards and measures to your needs and download a professional PDF. Add your own branding.

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What this covers.

This template focuses on typical risks and controls for shelter building in forest schools settings. You can add, remove or adapt items to match your context.

Potential benefits

Builds gross motor skills through lifting, dragging, and balancing components.
Promotes teamwork and shared problem-solving as children build functional shelters.
Encourages experimentation and resilience when shelters fail or need redesign.
Increases spatial awareness by working with physical materials and layouts.
Develops planning and communication as children negotiate roles and strategies.

Typical hazards & measures

Muscle strain twisting — Encourage warming up, use proper posture during twisting motions. Teach that twisting heavy branches should be done with feet stable and rotating feet, not spine. Provide spotters or assist as needed.
Dehydration — Offer frequent water breaks, have accessible fluid supplies. Educate participants on thirst cues and encourage drinking before feeling thirsty. Monitor consumption and adjust pace accordingly.
Lifting strain — Teach manual handling: lift with legs, keep back straight, work in pairs for heavy items. Demonstrate safe lifting and supervise during carrying. Provide rests and assess individual capability before lift.
Fire risk from rope friction — Avoid rope rubbing on wood surfaces. Regularly inspect lashings for heat friction. Use suitable rope materials. Teach participants to adjust tight lashings to prevent friction sparks or heat.
Splinters — Supply gloves and warn about rough wood. Sand or trim exceptionally rough edges during build. Monitor usage of natural materials and intervene if material deteriorates or poses splinter risk.

How to use this template

Click Create Risk Assessment: Shelter Building to begin immediately.
Review suggested hazards and measures, then tailor as needed.
Download your PDF. Create a free account if you want to save.

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Select benefits

Select the benefits that apply - you can edit, remove, or add new ones during the wizard.

Select the hazards that apply - you can edit, remove, or add new ones during the wizard.

Select benefits

Builds gross motor skills through lifting, dragging, and balancing components. Develops planning and communication as children negotiate roles and strategies. Encourages experimentation and resilience when shelters fail or need redesign. Enhances understanding of structural stability through real-world testing. Increases spatial awareness by working with physical materials and layouts. Promotes teamwork and shared problem-solving as children build functional shelters.

Select hazards

Allergic reactions and insect stings Gather medical information beforehand, check site for insect nests/hives, brief group on recognising and avoiding triggers, carry appropriate medication (e.g., epi-pens, antihistamines), ensure staff are trained in rapid response, and monitor for symptoms. Choking on small items Instruct not to put sticks, leaves, seeds in mouth unless supervised and part of identified activity. Monitor all craft materials. Provide safe alternatives and remove small choking hazards. Contact with vegetation and protruding materials Trim or remove low branches, thorns, or protruding materials in work zones; instruct safe handling of sticks (points down, away from group); encourage wearing long sleeves and eye protection where needed; brief participants on awareness of overhead and side hazards. Cuts from tools Deliver tool-safety brief on safe use, handling, and storage. Ensure appropriate adult:child ratios. Provide gloves, supervise every tool use, lock away tools when idle, and return tools properly. Dehydration Offer frequent water breaks, have accessible fluid supplies. Educate participants on thirst cues and encourage drinking before feeling thirsty. Monitor consumption and adjust pace accordingly. Dog or livestock encounter Brief group to be still and calm if animals approach. Avoid known animal routes. Staff to direct movement and supervise near paths. Inform participants not to feed or approach unfamiliar animals. Entry while unstable Clear rule: no one enters shelter until leader inspects and approves stability. Keep participants clear during build. Communicate approval before entry. Dismantle before anyone enters if stability uncertain. Falling tree branch Avoid building under dead or cracked trees. Inspect site for hanging dead wood and remove or cordon. Monitor wind strength and suspend activity if risk present. Keep zones clear of potential drop paths. Fire risk from rope friction Avoid rope rubbing on wood surfaces. Regularly inspect lashings for heat friction. Use suitable rope materials. Teach participants to adjust tight lashings to prevent friction sparks or heat. Fungal contact Identify and avoid fungi during site briefing. Teach children not to touch or ingest unknown plants. Monitor and remove suspicious fungi from activity area. Ensure hand washing before breaks. Heat stress / sunburn In warm weather provide shade breaks, offer water regularly, encourage hats and sunscreen. Limit work in direct sun, plan shady breaks, monitor for overheating, and adapt session if needed. Lifting strain Teach manual handling: lift with legs, keep back straight, work in pairs for heavy items. Demonstrate safe lifting and supervise during carrying. Provide rests and assess individual capability before lift. Muscle strain twisting Encourage warming up, use proper posture during twisting motions. Teach that twisting heavy branches should be done with feet stable and rotating feet, not spine. Provide spotters or assist as needed. Overcrowding Limit number of participants building in one shelter to a safe size. Establish working zones and boundaries. Rotate roles to avoid congestion. Supervise to ensure safe spacing and movement. Overuse of large poles Limit wood size: above head height poles must be smaller diameter than supports. Pre-cut or supervise cutting. Explain reasoning and inspect structures continuously for oversized components. Poor knot tying Teach and practice useful secure knots before build. Confirm children can tie adequate lashings. Check all knots during build. Intervene when knots slip or loosen and re-tie under guidance. Poor supervision ratio Maintain appropriate adult:child ratio per local policy. Ensure at least one experienced leader present. Brief all helpers on hazards and intervention strategies. Monitor group continuously. Rope burn Provide gloves and teach safe rope handling. Use appropriate rope types, inspect for frays and remove damaged rope immediately. Attach bright tape to guy-ropes and keep areas visible to all participants. Shelter collapse Instruct on secure lashing and structure design appropriate to material size. Supervise builds, inspect before allowing entry, and only permit cleanup under adult control. Dismantle methodically, supports last. Splinters Supply gloves and warn about rough wood. Sand or trim exceptionally rough edges during build. Monitor usage of natural materials and intervene if material deteriorates or poses splinter risk. Trip hazards in working area Inspect site before and during sessions; remove or clearly mark uneven areas, ropes, litter, and debris; position ropes away from main walkways or mark them with visible tape; maintain tidy-up routines; supervise to ensure movement zones stay clear. Weather exposure Check weather forecast before session; restrict activity in high winds or storms. Ensure participants wear appropriate clothing, take shelter, and pause if conditions change. Leaders maintain communication and safe exit plan.

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