Den Building - Free Risk Assessment Template PDF
This free Den Building risk assessment template is designed for forest schools settings. It outlines typical hazards and suggests control measures, helping you tailor the document to your organization. Use it as a starting point, customise in our online wizard and download a professional PDF in moments.
Activity Summary
Students collaboratively design and construct shelters or dens using natural materials such as branches, leaves, and sticks, often supplemented by ropes or tarps, within the forest school environment.
Purpose of Activity
To provide students with the opportunity to construct temporary shelters using natural materials within a supervised forest school environment.
Benefits of Activity
- Develops physical literacy through crawling, stretching, lifting, and balancing.
- Encourages resilience and adaptability as children problem-solve structural flaws.
- Promotes collaboration and negotiation when working in small groups.
- Provides immersive role-play opportunities that deepen engagement with nature.
- Stimulates creativity as children imagine, design, and build their own dens.
- Fosters ecological literacy and confidence with wildlife.
- Encourages environmental assessment and risk judgement.
- Develops fine motor planning alongside safety awareness.
- Provides reassurance and builds a safe learning environment.
- Children learn to plan and adapt to natural conditions.
- Teaches limits, self-restraint and risk reflection.
- Encourages problem-solving, structural judgment and prudent risk taking.
- Promotes stewardship and environmental responsibility.
- Promotes teamwork, communication and physical coordination.
- Teaches self-care and awareness of bodily signals.
- Fosters social responsibility and safe teamwork.
- Encourages structural thinking and cautious decision-making.
- Reinforces group cohesion and boundary awareness.
- Encourages adaptive decision-making and engineering caution.
- Builds practical skills, trust, and respect for tools.
- Children learn spatial awareness and terrain assessment skills.
- Demonstrates adaptability and situational judgement.
- Helps children learn respect for materials and safe tool use.
Hazards and Control Measures
| Hazard | Control Measures |
|---|---|
| Bites or stings from insects or nettles | Walk the site beforehand and mark stinging plants. Wear long clothing and closed shoes. Teach children plant ID and how to move calmly around insects. Carry antihistamine cream and first aid kit. |
| Branches falling from canopy | Conduct a canopy check before building. Remove or cordon off areas beneath dead or overhanging branches. Cancel or relocate activity after high winds. Keep children informed of tree hazards. |
| Carrying sticks or logs | Instruct children to carry long sticks upright and to the side or drag them if longer than arms. Never allow swinging of sticks. Assign carrying pairs for heavier loads. Observe and correct carrying methods as needed. |
| Emergency first aid delay | Ensure qualified first aider is always present. Carry a stocked first aid kit with burn treatments and allergy meds. Know the fastest emergency access point and have charged phone. |
| Exposure to weather (heat/cold/wet) | Monitor weather forecasts daily. Instruct on appropriate clothing layers. Provide access to shelter, water, and warm-up spots. Shorten session if needed. Prepare emergency dry kit. |
| Falling from climbing on dens or pallets | Clearly state “no climbing” rule on all dens. Use signage if needed. Provide alternative climbing area if appropriate. Redirect play if children begin climbing structures. |
| Falling structure or collapse | Guide build technique (wide base, stable joins). Test each structure before use. No child allowed inside until stability is confirmed. Dens must be supervised during use. Dismantle carefully at session end to avoid injury. |
| Handling debris or litter / sharp objects | Adults scan area for sharp items and remove. Provide gloves and litter pickers if children are helping. Designate a clear area for disposal. Review all materials before use in build. |
| Heavy logs or branches | Demonstrate safe lifting (bent knees, straight back). Set a rule that logs over a certain size must be team-lifted. Have designated adult support when needed. Check logs for stability before use and supervise movements constantly. |
| Inadequate clothing leading to hypothermia or sunburn | Share kit list before session. Do a clothing check at arrival. Have spare hats, coats, and sun cream available. Encourage children to adjust layers as needed. |
| Inappropriate behaviour / collisions | Set behaviour code at start of session. Use group reminders regularly. Observe for rough play or throwing. Intervene early and reinforce teamwork and care messages. |
| Loose or unstable ground fixings | Check all pegs, sticks, and tied anchors are secure before allowing children near dens. Test ropes and load-bearing points. Instruct children not to move or adjust fixings without adult supervision. |
| Missing child | Set physical boundaries. Use hi-vis vests if needed. Brief children on staying in sight. Take regular headcounts. Assign adult zones. Carry a whistle and maintain radio or phone contact with staff. |
| Shelter or den collapse under wind or rain | Avoid building in strong winds or forecast rain. Test all load-bearing parts during build. Provide sandbags or secure fixings if using tarps. Dismantle or reinforce in poor weather. |
| Tools causing cuts or injuries | Tools stored centrally and only used with adult supervision. Deliver a clear safety talk before use. Provide gloves and one-to-one guidance. Limit tools to appropriate age groups and tasks. Clean and check tools regularly. |
| Uneven ground | Inspect the site before each session to identify roots, holes, and rocks. Mark hazardous areas with flags or cord. Brief children clearly and remind them to move slowly and watch their footing. Ensure all children wear sturdy, closed-toe footwear. |
| Weather-affected surfaces (wet wood, slippery logs) | Inspect wood before use. Avoid wet, mossy logs for walkways or support. Encourage three points of contact when balancing. Clean off excess mud or moisture. |
| Splinters or cuts from wood | Only allow handling of pre-screened or freshly cut sticks. Provide gloves for collection. Teach children to visually check for cracks or splinters. Provide a small first aid pack for minor cuts and inspect hands after handling. |
Related Risk Assessment Template Downloads
- Den Building
- Fire Lighting
- Forest School Tool Use
- Generic Forest School Site
- Group Campfires
- Nature Walk Through Woodland
- Open Fire Cooking
- Shelter Building
FAQ
How do I use this template?
Click “Edit Using Wizard” to customise the assessment for your organization, then download a PDF.
Can I edit the hazards and controls?
Yes, all sections can be adjusted in the wizard before exporting your final document.
