Site Specific Risk Assessment: Wider Play Trail Written by: Ben Oliver Date: 16/4/08 Last updated: 07 Jan 2013 [CM]

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Aubrey Hines
5 years ago
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1 LOCATION: Shelter belt close between Dukes Cut / Pool Gates Falling off Breakage of structure while climbing Tampering with structure Tree Forts L Height of fort within 1.5m allowance Location to ensure adequate fall zone L use of oak and other durable timber Entry points into forts so climbing not required if climbing access intended (1 fort) use of timber of suitable dimensions Pinning with suitable bolts / wood pegs monitor during weekly inspection L weight of structure prevents movement record Troll Bridge Level of Controls Slipperiness L Weekly monitor and after heavy rain Parental guidance Structural decay L Use of oak boards Weekly monitor Trip hazard caused by timber movement and / or erosion to surrounding ground Falling off Logs L Weekly monitor where timber edge exposed by 10mm or more fill / consider re-pinning / replacing boards L Selection of material and trimming to ensure suitable fall zones No log to enable climbing above 1.5m Removal of surrounding stumps etc Position on earth use woodchip if necessary to create cushioned surface Slipperiness L Leave bark on where possible Weekly monitor record Six monthly clean with wire brushes to remove algae and roughen surface record Six monthly clean with wire brushes to remove algae and roughen surface Old Arboretum

2 Falling off Breakage of structure while climbing Wood splitting - entrapments 2 climbing stumps: Acorn Climb and Pulpit L Location to ensure adequate fall zone record Removal of hard objects (stumps etc) within fall zone Weekly check to ensure no hard objects brought into fall area Climbing holds to be cut in to trunk to ensure no objects sticking Replace bark chip as required out that people might fall onto Use of 300mm bark chip around pieces to create cushioned surface minimum 1.5m radius around each piece L Weekly monitoring to check for signs of possible rot Design of holds to be chunky L Weekly monitor if found consider filling record I spy Falling off L Design to ensure no suitable foot/hand holds to discourage climbing Do not use woodchip to make clear difference to climbing structures Acorn climb and Pulpit Chosen location to ensure adequate fall zone / removal of hard objects (stumps etc) within fall zone in case of misuse Monitor Entrapments L Design to avoid sharp edges Spy holes of correct size Large picture hole below 600mm to remove entrapment record Old Arboretum

3 LOCATION: Shelter belt from Holly Bush Gate around Circular towards Loop Tree roots balance beams and log bridge Movement in boards L All beams to be fixed End boards to be dug into ground Weekly check Slipperiness M Provide guidance to parents Monitor on a weekly basis and after rain consider adaptation if necessary Flatten stumps with chainsaw Falling off beams L removal of possible spears in surrounding area Log bridge - rolling L Monitor weekly Dig in end Log bridge - slipperiness Log bridge rotting leading to failure Six monthly clean with wire brushes to remove algae and roughen surface L Monitor weekly Surface flattened as per guidelines from RW Nov 08 L Weekly monitor take advice from tree team - replace when necessary record findings Den building Climbing building L Use of oak 5 x5 timber jointing collapse Weekly monitor of structure Obvious moveable parts chosen to ensure visitors aware that they are not suitable for climbing Falling from building L Clear guidance on what the structure is for Use of smooth wood on uprights so more difficult to climb Trim surrounding vegetation to remove spears Clear ground of obvious hard stones Weight of boards / materials falling onto people inside den L Use of larch and hazel rods specially chosen monitor materials brought in by visitors remove oversized branches Trapped fingers L Design of larch boards to have cut out section between boards Pokes in eye from L Trim surrounding vegetation to remove spears surrounding vegetation Nettles and brambles L Weekly monitoring and strimming as necessary in surrounding area Splinters from boards L Weekly monitoring of boards Old Arboretum

4 LOCATION: Woodland area off Loop near Holford Ride Wood Stepping stones Stones being L weight of stones tampered with dig in smaller stones weekly monitoring Stones toppling L Use large diameter wood Bed down stones Wedge stones together Surrounding undergrowth brambles etc Slipperiness falling off stones Wood rotting and breaking down Foot sculpture toppling causing crushing slipperiness L clear path either side of stones weekly check L weekly check check path sides - clear of potential spears L Weekly check L weekly check installation away from wood stepping stones so that it is clearly not part of the stepping stones trail Six monthly clean with wire brushes to remove algae and roughen surface LOCATION: Victory Glade Falling from trunk due to slipperiness / possible movement Noxious weed growth brambles / nettles along edge of trunk Crush injury under bouncing section Felled Trunk and stumps Level of Controls L Size of trunk prevents movement L&P team to check weekly and record Leave bark on to provide grip monitor for loosening of bark as the trunk ages Remove loose bark as necessary Situated in area with soft mud/grass Six monthly cleaning of exposed trunk Maintain fall zone clear of hard objects - removal of hard objects areas brought into fall zone Where bark has been removed clean exposed trunk areas with wire brush on six monthly basis to prevent build-up of algae consider flattening top surface with chainsaw L Removal during monitoring L&P team to check weekly and record L Shave off protruding branch burrs under log Remove section from trunk tip to remove foot crush point L&P team to check weekly and record Old Arboretum

5 LOCATION: Ted s Fright, corner of Willsley Drive and Palmer Ride Dogs faeces / bites Noxious weeds in area brambles, nettles Whole area L Weekly monitoring of area Install dog bin with appropriate signage Consider fencing if becomes a significant issue L Weekly monitoring remove as required include as standard task for learning volunteers through summer months Fall from trunks Bridge M Maintain grass sward surfacing - fall height less than 1.5m and depth test (150mm clear soil) has been carried out - monitor grass surface for compaction / erosion if necessary consider 300mm bark chip surfacing variety of trunk heights / widths in area to vary challenge provides choice weekly monitor remove hard objects from fall zones Movement of timber L Both ends set into bank to prevent movement Weight of timber Slipperiness L Monitor bark remove loose bark as required Flatten surface with chainsaw once bark has come off Cleaning regime Timber rotting failure in bridge sections M Initial choice of sound timber from durable species (Douglas fir) Monitor during inspections After 3 years consider PICTUS tomography (2014) Once free from bark clean every six months with wire brush to remove algae Splinters Slide M Choice of timber with fine grain (lime) Place timber with grain down slope so that sliding with the grain not against Weekly monitor sand / fill sections as necessary Oil every six months Silk Wood

6 Movement of structure L Choice of size of timber weight to prevent movement Weekly monitor Fall from trunks Movement of timber - joints Trunk roots M Maintain grass sward surfacing - fall height less than 1.5m and depth test (150mm clear soil) has been carried out - monitor grass surface for compaction / erosion if necessary consider 300mm bark chip surfacing remedial actions to reduce slipperiness variety of trunk heights / widths to vary challenge provides choice weekly monitor remove hard objects from fall zones Design to minimise the likelihood of falling on another trunk section L Size of timber used Use of timber arms to brace and secure Work carried out by experienced wood sculptor Cut joints and pin smaller trunk arms Cut joints on larger timber arms assess movement with tree team Dig in end of each timber arm to secure Slipperiness L Rough up surface to create better grip Remove bark Cut upper surface to create flat walk areas Variety of levels of challenge Cleaning regime clean every six months with wire brush to remove algae Cracks entrapments L Weekly monitor where necessary fill cracks Splinters L During construction smooth areas where hands likely to be gripping e.g. steps onto logs Weekly monitor where necessary sand rough areas Timber rotting failure in bridge sections M Initial choice of sound timber where possible of durable species oak / Douglas fir Identification of trunks where rot may occur more quickly (2 beech / G/5 rot already present) Monitor during inspections After 3 years consider PICTUS tomography or before if monitoring of rot suggests necessary (2014) Treat beech log with clear wood preserve every six months Silk Wood

7 LOCATION: Dark Dell, group of prominent western red cedar, Broad Drive Dogs faeces / bites Noxious weeds in area brambles, nettles Whole area L Weekly monitoring of area Install dog bin with appropriate signage Consider fencing if becomes a significant issue L Weekly monitoring remove as required include as standard task for learning volunteers through summer months Wooden entrance ways toppling or rotting crush injury Trips, slips falls off branches, over roots etc Dark Dell L Manufacture from sound timber use of secure fixtures Dig each entrance in suitable depth use of buried cross piece between legs for added stability Monitoring process L Area surveyed before hand Monitoring process Branches breaking L Area surveyed before hand dead limbs removed Monitoring process Branches poking L Pruning carried out prior to opening by tree team people in the eye low Monitoring process light levels LOCATION: Tall Tree Trail, Beeches Bank off of Waste Drive (starts close to Waste Gate) Dogs faeces / bites Noxious weeds in area brambles, nettles Whole area L Weekly monitoring of area Install dog bin with appropriate signage Consider fencing if becomes a significant issue L Weekly monitoring remove as required include as standard task for learning volunteers through summer months Silk Wood

8 Bridge Fall from beam inc. M Fall height less than 1m slipperiness Thickness of beam 4 use of squared timber for better edge grip Cleaning process every six months to remove algae Use of large stumps to create resting points Set beam into stump to reduce trip weekly monitor remove hard objects from fall zones Movement of timber L Beam with fitted joints to ensure rigidity of structure Size of timber sections to reduce movement weight holds in place Timber rotting failure in balance beams M Initial choice of sound timber from durable species (Douglas fir, oak) Use of 4 by 4 timber for strength Monitor during inspections Silk Wood

INSTALLATION, ASSEMBLY & OPERATIONAL MANUAL

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