Tree Climbing Risk Assessment Template

Typical hazards & measures

• Miscommunication among climbers — Instructors should establish clear communication protocols and hand signals to ensure safe interactions among climbers. Assign a “lead climber” to guide the group.
• Safeguarding — Ensure all adults working with youth have completed safeguarding or child protection training appropriate to their role. Any one-to-one interaction must be risk assessed, authorised, and take place in an open or observable setting, with prior notification to relevant leaders or guardians. Keep clear records of one-to-one meetings and ensure all safeguarding concerns are reported immediately following organisational procedures.
• Allergies (e.g., pollen, insect bites) — Pre-screen participants for allergies and have antihistamines or EpiPens on hand if necessary. Avoid climbing in areas with a high concentration of allergens, such as flowering trees.
• Climbing trees with wildlife (e.g., birds, bees, or bats) — Inspect trees for signs of wildlife before allowing climbing. Avoid trees with nests, hives, or signs of animal habitation. Instruct participants to respect wildlife and not disturb their habitats.
• Overconfidence in climbing ability — Provide incremental challenges that align with participants' skill levels. Have instructors assess each climber's capabilities and set safe height limits accordingly. Reinforce the importance of self-assessment.