The Health and Safety unit have collaborated with the Vision Support Team to produce guidance for creating risk assessments for visually impaired students.
For access to education, it is important that students with visual impairment are considered, and risk assessments are completed for the following:
- Access to the indoor setting environment
- Access to the outdoor setting environment
- Any offsite trips
- All lessons that include a practical component of learning delivery (e.g. PE and DT)
- Forest school activities
- Afterschool activities
Each of these activities has its own full risk assessment rather than forming one whole risk assessment. When risk assessing a particular subject such as Food Technology or DT think through risks for all activities and components within the learning aims for the lesson. Risk assessments should be updated and shared regularly.
The school should have a risk assessment lead person and use a risk assessment software programme (EEC Safety Suite) for other pupils or general activities across the setting. Use the same template to complete any risk assessment for pupils with visual impairment as a starting point, as these generic risk assessments may contain standard risks that need to be included. Then consider the following additions:
- Mobility and travel on and off site – use of environmental audit and accessibility plans
- Lighting levels in all areas
- Trip hazards
- Site access
- Working on activities independently
- Evacuation of the building – PEEP plans
- Steps and stairway/lift negotiation
- Safe use of any information technology equipment
- Any use of class specific equipment or machinery
Learn more
- Vision Impairment Risk Assessment – Guidance Sheet
- EEC Health and Safety Management
- Vision Support Team
- Tel: 01823 357000
- Email: CYPspecialistservice@somerset.gov.uk
- EEC Training email: CHSU@somerset.gov.uk
