School Bus Risk Assessment

Typical hazards & measures

• Communication and tracking failure — Equip drivers with hands-free radio/phone for stops only, maintain a control room contact, carry paper registers and route cards, and default to the nearest safe stop and muster if comms fail, resuming only when contact is re-established.
• Route planning and scheduling — Survey routes for safe stops and turnarounds, avoid tight streets and low bridges, set realistic timetables with buffers, publish contingency detours, and brief drivers and escorts so adjustments are applied consistently without ad-hoc routing.
• Driver competence and fatigue — Use licensed, vetted drivers with route familiarisation, mandate pre-trip checks, enforce duty hours and rest breaks, prohibit phone use while driving, and require incident reporting and refresher training at set intervals.
• Roadside breakdown and collisions — Move to a safe verge or lay-by, set triangles where lawful, keep pupils seated until directed, evacuate to a fenced verge if necessary, headcount and contact control and guardians, and await recovery with the bus secured.
• Luggage, instruments and sports kit — Stow large items in racks or bays, keep aisles and exits clear, team-lift heavy loads, avoid overheads on moving buses, and secure rolling or sharp items in lidded containers before departure, unloading only once fully stopped.