Hedges and Safety

Safety of the children is paramount when conducting field experiments or surveys, or when creating or maintaining a school hedge. Nearly all health and safety issues can be overcome if thought through and addressed correctly.

Risk assessments will need to be completed before students undertake any activities associated with practical science. These should consider the following:

• Nature of the work being undertaken;
• The types of plants and animals students are expected to be handling or come into contact with, such as berries and thorns;
• The types of equipment students are likely to be using.

Further consideration should be given to:

• Environmental conditions on the day;
• Local concerns, such as litter and seasonal berries;
• What to do in an emergency.

The Field Studies Council and RoSPA are highly recommended resources for risk assessment guidance.

All Health and Safety regulations for Local Education Authorities must be checked and abided by.