Walking Risk Assessment Template

Typical hazards & measures

• Separation and lost pupils — Use buddies and numbered subgroups, headcount at start, waypoints and arrival, teach a simple "stop and stay put" rule, set conspicuous muster points on the map, and halt progress immediately if numbers do not reconcile, resuming only after regrouping.
• Air quality and pollution — Review the day's air-quality index, shorten or reschedule during poor episodes, choose greener backstreets over main roads, increase spacing around idling vehicles, and prioritise sensitive pupils with alternative indoor tasks when pollution peaks.
• Water edges (rivers, canals, ponds) — Maintain a set stand-off distance from banks, cross only at bridges chosen in planning, post an adult within arm's reach at narrow sections, carry a throw line where appropriate, and abandon any waterside segment when levels or wind increase risk.
• 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.
• 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.