Public Transport Risk Assessment Template

Typical hazards & measures

• Platform-edge proximity — Mark a firm stand-back line one body length from the edge, place adults at carriage markers and tactile paving ends, face the group toward incoming vehicles, forbid bag stacking near the edge, and step forward only on the leader’s clear call to board.
• Supervision ratios and briefing — Set ratios by age and crowd risk, position adults at front, middle and rear with one at gates, deliver a clear pre-brief on signals, rules and contingencies, and pause the journey whenever visibility or control drops below the agreed standard.
• Ticket gates and pinch points — Group by ticket type, preload cards, send pupils through in small waves with an adult beyond the barrier, direct mis-reads straight to staff while others hold position at a visible meeting point, and only move off when all members are through.
• Service disruption and cancellations — Check live status before departure and at each interchange, build generous buffers, carry means to pay across operators, nominate a single decision-maker to reroute or hold, and notify families with revised ETAs whenever delays, strikes or closures alter the plan.
• Security alerts or suspicious items — Teach pupils never to touch unattended items, withdraw to a safe distance, follow transport staff instructions for evacuation or invacuation, keep the group quiet and together, and have one leader liaise with responders while others supervise.