Classroom Pets Risk Assessment Template

Typical hazards & measures

• Heating, UV and electrical equipment — Mount heat lamps, UV units and thermostats outside reach with guards, route cables away from traffic, test RCDs, log weekly temperature/UV checks, and isolate power before maintenance so thermal burns, shatters or electrical faults cannot occur during lessons.
• Animal stress and overhandling — Limit handling duration, enforce rest days, provide hides and species-appropriate enrichment, restrict noisy times, relocate the enclosure during exams or assemblies, and record stress signs to adapt timetables before welfare is compromised.
• Faeces, urine and litter handling — Assign trained adults to spot-clean daily using gloves and a lined bin, seal soiled litter immediately, dampen dusty bedding before removal, and complete a weekly deep clean outside pupil hours while disinfecting and drying the enclosure before animals are returned.
• Allergies and asthma — Identify pupils and staff with animal or bedding allergies in advance, seat them upwind of enclosures, use HEPA-vac cleaning and low-dust substrate, schedule non-contact observation options, and obtain parental consent with agreed opt-outs for high-risk reactions.
• Bites, scratches and stings — Handle only calm, appropriate species, teach scoop and support techniques, prohibit face-level holding, stop at signs of stress, provide gloves where justified, and clean and dress any break in skin immediately while documenting incidents and reviewing handling rules.