Walking Risk Assessment

Typical hazards & measures

• Hydration — Require each pupil to start with a filled bottle, schedule defined water stops away from kerbs and traffic, moderate pace on exposed sections, provide shaded pauses, monitor for headache, dizziness or cramps, carry spare water for refills, and note any welfare checks in the trip log.
• Toilet access — Map reliable toilets before departure, brief supervised entry/exit and a buddy system, carry small change and hygiene supplies, build planned stops into the timetable, permit urgent detours with an adult, and re-count at the door so continence needs are met without losing pupils.
• Low light and visibility — Prefer daylight; if dusk is possible, increase adult spacing to cover sightlines, add high-visibility for leaders, carry torches for decision points, avoid unlit cut-throughs, and postpone when lux levels are too low for safe group control or hazard detection.
• Construction sites and roadworks — Check live works on the day, avoid scaffolded facades and plant movements, obey closures and diversions, walk on the far pavement past active gates, and pause the group whenever sightlines are compromised until a clear, barriered path is available.
• Pollen and seasonal allergies — Check regional pollen forecasts before departure, brief families on pre-medication plans, favour hard-surface routes when counts are high, schedule shaded rest points, and support mask/eyewear for symptomatic pupils with quick access to water and tissues.