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 hall at the Leyburn Methodist Chapel, while some classes with larger 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
The 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 Methodist Hall and Section B dealing with Tennants Garden Room.
SECTION A LEYBURN METHODIST HALL
CATEGORY / AREA OF RISK A1
Setting up and removing the staging and moving piano
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 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)
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 A3 - Performers fall off the staging
HAZARD - Staging with unguarded edge,
WHO AFFECTED
Performers - Adjudicators
Council members and volunteers
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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CATEGORY / AREA OF RISK A4 - 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
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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
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 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 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 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 B TENNANTS GARDEN ROOM
CATEGORY / AREA OF RISK B1
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 B1
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
CATEGORY / AREA OF RISK B3 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.
CATEGORY / AREA OF RISK B4
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