Classroom Pets Risk Assessment Template

Typical hazards & measures

• Hand hygiene and cross-contamination — Install a sink or hand-sanitiser station beside the enclosure, display “before/after handling” prompts, supervise handwashing for younger pupils, and clean tables with separate cloths for animal activities so learning materials never contact unwashed hands or soiled surfaces.
• Emergency incidents and first aid — Keep a stocked first-aid kit and bite/scratch protocol at the enclosure, display emergency contacts, train staff to manage anaphylaxis and to isolate the area after incidents, and review controls after any event before normal handling resumes.
• 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.
• Enclosure placement and room layout — Position enclosures off escape routes and away from door swings, secure stands against tipping, protect cables with covers, and keep a clear 1.2 m circulation path so classes can queue, move and evacuate without contacting glass, heaters or trailing leads.
• Carcass handling and end-of-life — If an animal dies, wear gloves, place remains in a sealed, labelled container, record the event, inform leadership and families sensitively, follow lawful disposal or veterinary transfer, and offer age-appropriate reflection without public display.