Risk Assessment
Scouting is full of adventure and risk-taking which makes risk assessment an important part of planning activities and events.
A risk assessment should be performed by those directly involved in the activity where possible. Youth members should be part of the process rather than the assessment being purely adult-led.
There are 6 questions to answer when you’re assessing risks:
- What do we want to achieve? (set objectives)
- What events could affect the objectives? (identify risks)
- What are we doing now and how are we already controlling the risk? (risk controls)
- How significant would it be if this occurred and how likely is it to occur? (current risk rating)
- What level of risk are we willing to accept to achieve our objectives? (target risk rating and treatment actions to get there)
- Who needs to know what? (record and report)
Scouts SA’s Basic Risk Assessment Template will help you make some decisions and share your assessment with others. The Risk Management Procedures can guide you through the process further.
If you have further queries please refer to your Group Leader or relevant Commissioner.
Refer to the page on Policies, Procedures and Safety Standards (Activity Standards) for more information on Scouts SA guidelines.
