Graham Benson
For

FUZZY’S & BRITTA’S CIRCUS SCHOOL

www.circusschool.co.uk
01236 782 649

Last update Nov 2018

We have enclosed the risk assessment for Fuzzy’s and Britta’s circus school as a guide line for the main activates at our workshops. As with all physical activates there is an element of risk involved. To reduce any risk please make sure that all pupils are wearing appropriate clothing particularly flat shoes. If anyone in your group has any physical, mental or behavioral problems then please make sure you inform the workshop staff before the start of the session.

The risk section describes the risks involved in each of the activities if pupils are not supervised by a competent person. The solution shows how Fuzzy’s & Britta’s Circus School reduces or eliminates the dangers of the activities. Some activities will never be totally safe, e.g. unicycle, you as individuals or representatives of the school must then make an informed decision on whether you wish a particular activity to take place.

ACTIVITY Age Group RISK

Plate Spinning 3 + It is possible for children to poke themselves or others with the sticks, or fall while running. The worst case would be for the child to fall on their own stick stabbing themselves. Other possibilities are poking out an eye. This is very unlikely.

Solution
We use plastic sticks for younger children, or children not trusted with wooden ones. When issued with the equipment the group is told that anyone fighting with the sticks will have them removed. Under 5s will need 1:3 supervision. As long as discipline is maintained the likelihood of injury is very low.

Scarf Juggling 3 + A way of injuring a person would be if a child tied it around their neck, or choked while trying to eat it. Both are very unlikely. Another possibility is slipping on a scarf left on a floor, particularly a polished wood floor. Injury is possible from a fall.

Solution
Keep an eye on the younger ones. And have all equipment returned to the boxes when not in use.

Balloon Modeling 5 + Choking on burst balloons. Allergic reaction to Latex. Unlikely

Solution
There is a very remote possibility of a small child choking on a burst balloon therefore any burst balloons must be put in a bin immediately. A bursting balloon may frighten a person but it is unlikely to do any harm. Please inform the workshop staff if anyone has bad allergies.

Clowning 5 + As with most physical activities there is a chance of tripping and falling and getting hit.

Solution
Before the physical part of the exercise is started the pupils are taught how to choreograph routines, and to walk through routines before trying them at full speed.

Ball Juggling 5 + A child may get hit in the face by a ball causing a nose bleed or bruising. The other hazard is tripping on discarded balls. The above is unlikely.

Solution
The above is only likely to happen if children start throwing the balls at each other. The solution is to maintain discipline, and have all the balls returned to the box when not in use.

Devil Stick 5 + Bruising if hit by devil stick Injury is unlikely.

Solution
You are only going to get hurt doing high throws, or abusing equipment. Equipment is only given out after instruction and an eye is kept on the group.

Club Balance 5 + Sore neck. Bumping, tripping into each other. Likely.

Solution
The group is warmed up before head balances. The group is spread out and the room cleared of obstacles.

Mini Bike 5 + Bruising. Minor knocks and scuffs. Possible.

Solution
They will fall from a low height. The saddles are approximately 12 and 18” from the ground. On indoor surfaces scuffs are unlikely.

Pedle-Go 3 + The worst case would be hitting your head, dislocating the shoulder, wrist sprain or breaking a bone. Most likely is bruising. Possible.

Solution
They may fall from a low height 10cm. We insist on primary kids wearing crash helmets, elbow knee and wrist pads are available if required. Pupils are advised to pair up at the start.

Tooth Brush Twiddling 3 + A tooth brush may fly off the finger and hit someone. Likely hood of injury low

Solution
Basic discipline required.

Club Juggling 10 + Bruising if hit by the club. It is likely to happen to the chest or face when you learn.

Solution
Juggling clubs will only be given to people who can juggle three balls solid.

Club Swinging 5 + Bruising. Muscle sprains. Injury possible.

Solution
Warm up exercises first. Pupils may hit themselves with a club, but it should not do much damage.

Poi Poi (ball on string) 5 + Bruising to pupil and others close by. Injury unlikely.

Solution
We would recommend only doing Poi with a small group of pupils that can be trusted not to just go swinging it around at high speed. Pupils will learn with swinging clubs first. Only pupils that are serious about swinging will then move on to the Poi.

Unicycle 5 + Pupils will fall and are likely to hurt themselves. The worst case would be hitting your head, dislocating the shoulder, wrist sprain or breaking a bone. Most likely is bruising, cuts to your ankle. Or the usual falling injuries. Injury likely.

Solution
We warn everyone that learns unicycling that they will fall, they may hurt themselves. To reduce this you can work in-groups of two or three: one on the unicycle the other two holding their hand at arms distance. At some time they will have to let go and try by themselves. To minimise injury safety equipment must be worn, hard hat is compulsory, elbow and wrist pads recommended. Clothing: No baggy trousers or dangely bits that can get caught up in the pedals. Shoe laces to be tucked into the shoes. Shoes must be flat soled with no deep treads.
We recommend that you only do this exercise with parental consent, and only with people serious about circus skills.

Stilt Walking (We only bring stilts if requested.)
(strap on) 10 + Broken Bones, head injuries, sprains. This is one of the most dangerous of circus skills we do. A fall is very likely.

Solution
It is the easiest of the circus skills but the one with the most danger as you cannot jump off strap-on stilts so if you fall you go all the way. To reduce the risk one to one instruction should be used, knee, elbow wrist pads and hard hat worn at all times. The instructor will be required to support the pupil by holding the pupils hands, or the small of the back.
We recommend that you only do this exercise with parental consent, and only with people serious about circus skills.

Stilt Walking
(hand held) 5+ Falling injuries, getting hit by the stilt when someone falls off. Injury possible.

Solution
You must were a hard hat. Make sure the area you are walking in is clear from tripping obstacles, and other people. You can only use the stilts with flat shoes, keep laces in the shoe.

Rola-Bola 5+ Falling injuries are very likely.
(Plank on a tube)

Solution
If possible the rola-bola is used on a crash mat. An instructor or teacher hold the pupil by the hands to steady them, until they are competent to try it themselves. Flat shoes must be worn.

PERFORMING RISK ASSESMENT

Performing Risk Assessment
By
Graham Benson
Date of assessment: 12 July 2018

“Magic” There is very little risk of injury with magic.
Severity: 1
Possibility: 1
Risk rating: 2
Solution: no action required

“Juggling normal Clubs, balls etc”
Severity: 2
Possibility: 2
Risk rating: 4
Solution: Reasonable Care taken whilst juggling.

“Juggling Dangerous stuff i.e. Knife, Axe, Base ball Bat”
Severity: 4
Possibility: 1
Risk rating: 4
Solution: Reasonable Care taken whilst juggling. Keep the audience at least 6 feet back.

“Juggling on the Roller Bowler” A plank on a tube.
Severity:4
Possibility: 1
Risk rating: 4
Solution: Reasonable Care taken whilst juggling. Keep the audience at least 6 feet back.

“Walk of Death” I juggle juggling three knifes over two adults lying on the ground.
Severity: 4
Possibility: 2
Risk rating: 8
Solution: There is a risk of the knives landing on the adults if dropped but this is slight. If the knifes are dropped they tend to go out to the sides missing the volunteers.

“Wee Bike Jump” I jump over an adult with a small bike.
Severity:2
Possibility: 1
Risk rating: 3
Solution: It is possible that I may trip over them.

“Whip Cracking”
Severity:4
Possibility: 2
Risk rating: 8
Solution: There is a risk of the adult assistant being hit by the whip. I supply gloves for them to wear.

“Fire Juggling and fire whip”
Severity:5
Possibility: 2
Risk rating: 10
Solution: Only paraffin to be used to fuel torches and whip. Paraffin to be stored in original container or metal fuel bottle. Small amounts are then transferred to dipping cup, and container re sealed. Dipping cup to be made of non-flammable material (metal, glass, ceramic). Dipping and shake-off area to be set-aside from performing area by minimum of 6 feet. A fire blanket and fire extinguisher is present at the dipping area. Audience to be kept back 6 feet for juggling 15 feet for fire whip.

INDEX

Severity of incident
No Injury: 1
Minor injury: 2
Reportable injury: 3
Major injury: 4
Fatality: 5

Probability of occurrence
Improbable: 1
Remote: 2
Possible: 3
Probable: 4
Likely: 5

Risk rating = Severity x Possibility

Determining action priority
1 - 5 Risk acceptable - No action
6 – 10 Low priority (Action if reasonably practicable, else acceptable)
11 – 15 Medium Priority (Must take action)
16 – 25 High priority (Must take action)

NOTE: If you require any clarification on any of the above items then please phone Graham on 01236 782 649 or Email safety@circusschool.co.uk

© Fuzzy’s and Britta’s Circus School 2018