Camps & Overnights Risk Assessment Template

Typical hazards & measures

• Nearby water bodies — Map and brief boundaries, mark no-go zones along banks, and tape off deep or fast water. Enforce shoes near water, supervise washing-up only at shallow points, and run headcounts before/after water-adjacent tasks. Carry throw lines and train leaders in simple reach-rescue.
• Heat, hydration and sun exposure — Schedule shade breaks, hats and broad-spectrum sunscreen with reapplication timers. Provide potable water at all activity points and set a sip-buddy system. Limit exertion at peak heat, use breathable sleeping gear, and monitor urine colour charts at taps to prompt early action on dehydration.
• Open flames and cooking equipment — Designate a fire/cook zone 10m from tents with clear boundaries, water/sand and extinguishers ready. Supervise lighting and use of gas or solid-fuel stoves, keep pans attended, tie back hair, secure long sleeves, and enforce no-running, no-aerosols, and a strict cold-ash disposal routine.
• Cold exposure and hypothermia — Brief on layering, hats, dry socks and changing wet kit quickly. Provide heated shelter access, hot meals and drinks, and set buddy checks for shivering, slurred speech or apathy. Keep spare sleeping bags and liners bagged, and establish a no-cotton rule for nightwear in damp or windy conditions.
• Manual handling and lifting — Demonstrate safe lifting, team-carry heavy tents and catering crates, and use trolleys where possible. Avoid twisting, keep loads close, and pace arrivals to reduce rush. Adults manage gas bottle moves with gloves. Build in rest stops, rotate tasks, and check for uneven ground before setting down.