RISK APPRAISAL
GENERAL OUTLINE
The Wensleydale Tournament of Song provides opportunities for individuals and groups to perform in music and the spoken word in a competitive context. Performances take place in a framework of classes – some very specific and others general. Following each class or group of classes, the adjudicator gives an oral appraisal of, and a mark for each performance. Class winners are identified and, In some cases, the best mark will result in the awarding of a (returnable) trophy and/or a financial award.
The number in attendance varies greatly: classes involving schools or choirs result in considerable numbers in the venue both performers and audience, but some of the individual adult classes may be attended by fewer than ten performers and audience plus Council members and volunteers.
The Tournament has adopted the policies set out in the current syllabus (Appended) and the Tournament Website https://www.wensleydaletos.co.uk/policies
Most of the Tournament takes place at the Leyburn Community and Arts Centre and the hall at the Leyburn Methodist Chapel, while some classes with llarger attendances are held at the Tennants Garden Room. Each of these premises is covered by its own risk appraisal the relevant provisions of these appraisals are incorporated into this appraisal.
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With particular regard to the protection of children, it is emphasised that all children are to remain the responsibility of their teacher, parent
or guardian while on the premises. Where supervised by a teacher the school’s safeguarding policy and relevant risk assessments should
be followed.
The Tournament is run by the Tournament Council – and all Council members hold current DBS Enhanced Certificates. Council members
are in attendance at Tournament sessions. Those sessions are also greatly assisted by volunteers.
“Nominated Steward”
At each session there will be a Member of Council who will (along with any other duties) take over responsibility in the event of emergency. This Member will be briefed on the functions of this responsibility as well as information on emergency lighting, exits, fire extinguishers, outside congregating places and first aid provision.
The preparation of the Tournament includes measures designed to remove risk and hazards by
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rules designed to protect children,
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recruitment of competent people to run the events
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provision of safe equipment - e.g. staging
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The Leyburn Arts and Community Centre
is fully equipped to accommodate events such as the Tournament. Matters such as emergency lighting, toilets are in place and managed by the Centre in accordance with their Risk Appraisal. The Centre has a first aid kit in the entrance hall and the kitchen ttogether with First Aid and Accident Book should one be required and the Tournament also has a first aid kit which will be held at the ticket desk at reception. Centre staff and volunteers will be in attendance when available.
Leyburn Methodist Hall
is fully equipped to accommodate events such as the Tournament. Matters such as emergency lighting, toilets are in place and managed by the Methodist Chapel in accordance with their Risk Appraisal. The Hall has a first aid kit in the kitchen, and the Tournament also has a first aid kit which will be held at the ticket desk at reception.
Tennants Garden Rooms
Tennants staff are responsible for management of the premises throughout the Tournament events including dealing with emergencies.
The following detailed Risk Appraisal comprises Section A dealing with the Leyburn Arts Centre, Section B the Methodist Hall and Section C dealing with Tennants Garden Room.
SECTION A LEYBURN ARTS & COMMUNITY CENTRE
CATEGORY / AREA OF RISK A1
Setting up and removing the staging and moving piano
HAZARD: The staging will be erected as agreed with LACC by Centre staff.Volunteers assistance will be welcome but will observe the details specified by the Centre staff. The piano is moveable
on wheels and its movement will be under the direction of the
Centre staff.
CONTROL MEASURES: Secure sufficient volunteers to share the workload. Ensure volunteers aware of need to observe directions
of Centre staff.
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​CATEGORY / AREA OF RISK A2
Safeguarding Concerns - Children – Junior Classes
HAZARD: Inappropriate contact adult-child.
WHO AFFECTED: Children.
CONTROL MEASURES: Responsibility of parents and/or school staff as set out in the Syllabus (appended) to be emphasised in confirming bookings. Ensure no single and unauthorised adult in contact with children (except parent, guardian or teacher). A designated space will be available for Competitors studying unseen texts. The space will be supervised by Council Member and a teacher.
Enforce photo/filming prohibition.
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CATEGORY / AREA OF RISK A3 - Performers fall off the staging
SEE RISK B3 LEYBURN METHODIST HALL
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CATEGORY / AREA OF RISK A4 - Dirt/Spills
HAZARD : Spillage of food or drink - slip hazard created
NB: hot drinks to be prepared in the downstairs kitchen by volunteers
The upstairs kitchen will not be used by the Tournament.
WHO AFFECTED: All attending.
CONTROL MEASURES: Drink and food not permitted to audience or performers. Spills of drinks being taken to Council members and volunteers to be dealt with immediately by Council members and volunteers.
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CATEGORY / AREA OF RISK A5 Emergency – power cut or fire
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HAZARD: Power Cut.
Emergency lighting visible over exit doors providing limited light within the space. Danger of panic rush to exit doors causing injury.
WHO AFFECTED : All Present
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CONTROL MEASURES: Nominated Steward to take charge in emergency with Centre staff in attendance. Torches to be provided.
Electrical malfunctions to be referred to Centre staff. Council members and volunteers not to carry out repairs.
HAZARD: Fire alarm sounds.
WHO AFFECTED: All Present.
CONTROL MEASURES: Centre staff to take charge in emergency with Nominated Steward. Centre staff available to call Fire Brigade otherwise Nominated Steward will do so.
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CATEGORY / AREA OF RISK A6
General management of audience and performers
HAZARD: Overcrowding leading to general discomfort, and difficulty
for people taken ill.
WHO AFFECTED: Audience.
CONTROL MEASURES: Written Seating plan to be approved by Centre staff including provision for overall capacity and allowing for disabled access and general easy movement. Layout to provide for access to fire exits, toilets, and kitchen. Fire doors to be kept shut
Door Stewards to keep numbers equal to number of seats.
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HAZARD: Wheelchair users to be accommodated at all sessions.
WHO AFFECTED: Wheelchair users - Others attending.
CONTROL MEASURES: Door Stewards to look after users including adjusting seating to allow preferred location where possible.
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HAZARD: Audience and performers waiting to enter .
((Entry not permitted during individual performances. Those waiting are held in the entrance lobby. Delays possible up to 15 minutes).
This risk cannot be eliminated because disturbing performances would be unacceptable. Some may be distressed by the squash.
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WHO AFFECTED: Those waiting to go into hall.
CONTROL MEASURES: The concern of overcrowding relates mainly to the junior classes supported by many schools. This risk will be managed by assessing the likely numbers coming, and whether such events will take place at the Methodist Hall. Otherwise, programming will be arranged with this issue in mind and in consultation with the Centre. There is space available in the café using the side entrance (Quietly).
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HAZARD: Kitchen represents hazard through electrical equipment etc. Unauthorised people in kitchen get in the way of Council members and volunteers operating.
WHO AFFECTED: Council members and volunteers.
CONTROL MEASURES: Access to kitchen only for Council members and volunteers. NB The Hall first aid kit is kept in the kitchen.
HAZARD: Electrical equipment.
WHO AFFECTED: All Present.
CONTROL MEASURES: Performers using mains electrical equipment use sockets at back of stage. Mains electrical equipment used by Tournament to be PAT tested.
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SECTION B LEYBURN METHODIST HALL
CATEGORY / AREA OF RISK B1
Setting up and removing the staging and moving piano
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HAZARD: Manual handling of wooden floor panels and metal frame components. Process relies on volunteers who know how to erect the staging. Connecting the items in the correct ways.
Risks – lifting and handling loads too heavy.
Danger Strained muscles, Falling injuries.
WHO AFFECTED: Volunteers erecting staging.
CONTROL MEASURES: Secure sufficient volunteers to share the workload. Ensure volunteers aware of risks.
Record the erection process to ensure that safe processes carried out even if knowledgeable volunteers not available.
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CATEGORY / AREA OF RISK B2
Safeguarding Concerns - Children – Junior Classes
HAZARD: Inappropriate contact adult-child.
WHO AFFECTED: Children.
CONTROL MEASURES: Responsibility of parents and/or school staff as set out in the Syllabus (appended) to be emphasised in confirming bookings.Ensure no single and unauthorised adult in contact with children (except parent, guardian or teacher).
Competitors studying unseen texts in the Chapel will be supervised by Council Member and a teacher. Enforce photo/filming prohibition
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CATEGORY / AREA OF RISK B3
Performers fall off the staging
HAZARD: Staging with unguarded edge.
WHO AFFECTED: Performers - Adjudicators.
Council members and volunteers.
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CONTROL MEASURES: This risk is accepted - barrier systems would reduce interaction provided on stairs to performers stage and to adjudicator platform. Competitors warned of danger and offered
the opportunity to perform on floor in front of stage.
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SECTION B LEYBURN METHODIST HALL Contd.
CATEGORY / AREA OF RISK B4 - Dirt/Spills
HAZARD: Spillage of food or drink - slip hazard created.
WHO AFFECTED: All attending.
CONTROL MEASURES: Drink and food not permitted to audience
or performers. Spills of drinks being taken to Council members and volunteers to be dealt with immediately by Council members and volunteers.
CATEGORY / AREA OF RISK B5 Emergency – power cut or fire
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HAZARD: Power Cut
Emergency lighting visible over exit doors providing limited light within the space. Danger of panic rush to exit doors causing injury
WHO AFFECTED: All Present
CONTROL MEASURES: Nominated Steward to take charge in emergency. Torches to be provided to Nominated Steward and at the ticket table. Electrical malfunctions to be referred to Chapel Safeguarding Officer Council members and volunteers not to carry out repairs.
HAZARD: Fire alarm sounds.
WHO AFFECTED: All Present.
CONTROL MEASURES: Nominated Steward to take charge .
Switch off supply at Circuit break as appropriate
Secretary (or Council Member if Secretary absent) calls Fire Brigade
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CATEGORY / AREA OF RISK B6
General management of audience and performers
HAZARD: Overcrowding leading to general discomfort, and difficulty
for people taken ill.
WHO AFFECTED: Audience
CONTROL MEASURES: Written Seating plan to be approved by Chapel Safeguarding Officer including provision for overall capacity and allowing for disabled access and general easy movement
Layout to provide for access to fire exits, toilets, and kitchen
Fire doors to be kept shut. Door Stewards to keep numbers equal to number of seats.
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HAZARD: Wheelchair users to be accommodated at all sessions.
WHO AFFECTED: Wheelchair users - Others attending.
CONTROL MEASURES: Door Stewards to look after users including adjusting seating to allow preferred location where possible.
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HAZARD: Audience and performers waiting to enter.
((Entry not permitted during individual performances. Those waiting are held in the entrance lobby. Delays possible up to 15 minutes).
This risk cannot be eliminated because disturbing performances would be unacceptable.Some may be distressed by the squash.
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​WHO AFFECTED: Those waiting to go into the Hall.​​
CONTROL MEASURES: The concern of overcrowding relates mainly to the junior classes supported by many schools. At these times the Chapel main doors are open and performers can wait in the Chapel until they come through to the hall to perform. At other times, if the hall seating is full, audience and performers at a suitable break can be invited to pass through the hall to the Chapel.
HAZARD: Kitchen represents hazard through electrical equipment etc. Unauthorised people in kitchen get in the way of Council members and volunteers operating.
WHO AFFECTED: Council members and volunteers.
CONTROL MEASURES: Access to kitchen only for Council members and volunteers. NB The Hall first aid kit is kept in the kitchen.
HAZARD: Electrical equipment.
WHO AFFECTED: All Present.
CONTROL MEASURES: Performers using mains electrical equipment use sockets at back of stage.
Mains electrical equipment used by Tournament to be PAT tested
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SECTION C TENNANTS GARDEN ROOM
CATEGORY / AREA OF RISK C1
Performers fall off the staging
HAZARD: Performers could fall off the stage - Falling injuries.
WHO AFFECTED: Performers - Adjudicators
Council members and volunteers
CONTROL MEASURES: This risk is accepted - barrier systems
would reduce interaction. Competitors advised warned of danger and advised not to go to edge of stage. Competitors advised warned of danger and offered the opportunity to perform on floor in front
of stage.
CATEGORY / AREA OF RISK C1
Safeguarding Concerns - Children – Junior Classes
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HAZARD: Inappropriate contact adult-child.
WHO AFFECTED: Children.
CONTROL MEASURES: Responsibility of parents and/or school staff as set out in the Syllabus (appended) to be emphasised in confirming bookings. Ensure no single and unauthorised adult in contact with children (except parent, guardian or teacher).
Enforce photo/filming prohibition.
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CATEGORY / AREA OF RISK C3 Emergency – power cut or fire
HAZARD: Power cut.
Emergency lighting visible over exit doors providing limited light within the space. Danger of panic rush to exit doors causing injury.
WHO AFFECTED: All Present.
CONTROL MEASURES: Nominated Steward to take charge immediately - Tennants staff take control as soon as possible Tennants staff present to assist attendees in evacuating out of and away from the building and have received necessary briefing to carry this out effectively. Exit routes clearly signed and easily identifiable.
HAZARD: Fire alarm sounds.
WHO AFFECTED: All Present.
CONTROL MEASURES: Tennants Staff take control.
Tennants staff present to monitor for any fire situation and alert attendees of need to evacuate.
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CATEGORY / AREA OF RISK C4
General management of audience and performers
HAZARD: Overcrowding leading to general discomfort, and difficulty for people taken ill.
WHO AFFECTED: All present.
CONTROL MEASURES: Seating plan to be provided by Tennants including provision for overall capacity and allowing for disabled access and general easy movement.
HAZARD: Wheelchair users to be accommodated at all sessions.
WHO AFFECTED: Wheelchair users - Others attending.
CONTROL MEASURES: Door Stewards to look after users including adjusting seating to allow preferred location where possible.
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HAZARD: Electrical equipment.
WHO AFFECTED: All Present.
CONTROL MEASURES: Performers to use electrical equipment using sockets at the stage. All Mains electrical equipment used at Tennants to be PAT tested. (Includes performers’ equipment).
HAZARD: Audience waiting to enter can assemble outside the hall – no risk involved.