Risk Assessment for Chiltern Retreat Rural Camping
The Connell Partnership Trading As Chiltern Retreat, Parmoor Park Farm, Frieth, Henley on Thames, Oxon, RG96NL
Chiltern Retreat is a public campsite with toilets, washing up sinks, shower facilities and open fires that are used by members of the public as a base for holidays. The campsite is based in Lane End and Frieth village. It is spread across 4 fields within the farm holding and a woodland area that borders Moor End Woodland.
The Connell Partnership T/A Chiltern Retreat seeks to reduce risks by providing a site-specific risk assessment that can encourage members of the public to reduce any risks. The risks on site are not limited to the below but are provided as a guide and each guest will need to assess their own risks accordingly and not use this as their sole assessment for their specific needs.
| Hazard | Control Measures Required: | Explanatory Notes on Hazard: |
|---|---|---|
| Burns |
- Burn Shield, Cling Film, Burn Dressing, Eye Wash all in the main facilities block along with first aid kit. - No rubbish is to be put on the fire. - No accelerants are to be put on the fire. - Ensure all cooking equipment, i.e: BBQ or gas hob, is stable and away from flammable materials. - Make sure all children are aware of the fire pit so they can avoid walking in or near it, in case it is not lit but still hot. |
- Flames can cause varying degrees of burns and death in serious cases to anyone that is in the vicinity of a fire. - Fires getting out of control can cause damage to surrounding area and property near to the fire; including but not limited to habitats, camping equipment and vehicles. - The firepit rings are metal and will get extremely hot when a fire is lit. Even once the fire itself is extinguished, the metal will still burn if touched as will remain hot for a long period of time. |
| Spread of Fire in Hot and windy weather conditions |
- Bucket of Sand/Water next to the fire pits. - Fire extinguishers are signposted for identification purposes and can be found in communal areas and near every pitch throughout the campsite. - Weather will be monitored and a decision will be made whether it is safe to light fires. - Clear funnel above fire pits. - Maps showing where the fire assembly points are on site. |
- In extremely dry spells or heatwaves the ground becomes dry and fire can spread rapidly. - Fire pit ban to be implemented during extreme hot weather, reviewed on a daily basis, liaising with fire officials for advice. - If it is extremely dry the risk of fire getting out of control increases. |
| Spread of Fire in Windy weather | - Do not try and light a fire in windy weather as this can lead to sparks flying. | - Sparks can result in the rapid spread of fire across fields and woodland. |
| Gas bottles that supply the communal facilities |
- Gas bottles are contained in a large solid metal cage so that unauthorised persons or animals cannot tamper or damage the bottles supplied. - Gas safety certificates are issued on all facilities. - Fire extinguishers are nearby. |
- Gas is used for heating water used by facilities and in the event of a fire they could explode. |
| Emergency Services |
- The campsite management
and first aiders can be
contacted via phone on
07738266923 // 07833917822 - Local Doctor High Wycombe Hospital, Minor Injury and Illness unit. 01494 52661 - Emergency: Call 999 state your location according to your location on your nearest emergency location sign using what2words or booking confirmation email so they can find you on site - Nearest A & E Departments: • Stoke Manderville, Aylesbury • Royal Berks, Reading • John Radcliffe, Oxford • Wexham Park, Slough - If there is a suspected gas leak, damage to pipework or installation or any other gas emergency please call campsite management or you can contact Flogas 24/7 in extreme cases on 03457 200 100 |
- In the event of an emergency we provide contact details for campers to use depending on the urgency or severity of the situation. - We have included the use of ‘what3words’ on signs around the campsite to help assist emergency services. |
| Awareness of location on site to aid emergency services in finding you location on site |
- Please ensure groups are aware of their location address across site in the event of an emergency so they can be found quickly and accurately. Chiltern Retreat - Woodland, Moor End, Frieth Road, RG96PS (Opposite Moor End cottages Layby) What3Words: “bedrooms.outlooks.august” - Broadfield - uses the woodland entrance and address listed above. - Parmoor Park Field, Parmoor Lane, Frieth, Henley on Thames, Oxon, RG96NN (By village cricket pavilion and opposite St Katherines) What3Words: “Passage.dubbing.distanced” - Lower Court Farm, Marlow Road, Lane End, HP14 3JP What3Words: Reserves.Proofs.Converter” |
- Our campsite has 4 locations across site for which campers can be pitched. - All areas have individual addresses and postcode to help find them. - We have included the use of ‘what3words’ on signs around the campsite to help assist emergency services to each locations entrance. |
| Cricket balls flying out of the cricket pitch boundary line during play – specific to “The Park Field” |
- Make campers aware of when cricket matches will be in play so they can be vigilant. - Players of the local cricket club are aware of the risk and will take precautions to avoid balls going outside of the boundary lines. - Ample signage around the boundary fence to raise awareness. - Pitch people away from the boundary fence. |
- Cricket Balls may cause damage/injury or even fatalities if they hit guests, vehicles, or property. |
| Hypothermia Particularly when induced by sudden cold wet weather | - Check weather forecasts in advance of all activities. - Remind all campers prior to arrival to ensure they have appropriate clothing and equipment, including weather proof tents. | - In exposed locations weather can change suddenly. Winds are particularly hypothermic and dangerous. Please ask at the reception for weather forecast. These can change hourly. |
| Wind causing damage or injury from misplaced or flying objects |
- Check weather forecasts daily during visit. - When extreme weather is forecast take care that tents pegs are firmly in place and that all flaps/zips are fully done up. - Site your car strategically to block the wind. - Take down any gazebos and awnings that may blow away. - In extreme weather ask people to leave site or relocate to a safer part of the site. |
- The wind can move or displace objects that may cause damage to property. Or even injury or fatality to people hit by flying objects in serious cases. - The wind can result in trees falling down so woodland camping becomes a risk in these conditions of high winds. |
| Infection or allergic reaction via contact with wild animals, livestock or plants |
- Good hand and general hygiene are essential to ensure that hands and all cooking and eating utensils are clean from residues that may be picked up from contact with wild animals or plants that may cause you harm. - Use toilet and dishwashing facilities available at the campsite with anti-bacterial soap, which is provided. - Drink water labelled as “Suitable for drinking”. |
- Rabbits, foxes, stoats, badgers, and mice are all known to frequent the area, and the local
councils advise is that infection can result where people do not practise good hygiene. Farm animals including sheep, cattle and dogs do range near the campsite and are an additional source of infection. - Also, certain plants or trees can cause allergic reactions so residues picked up must be washed off skin. |
| Falling or tripping over in the dark | - Ensure all group members have personal lights for use at night. -Light sensors are installed to come on in all communal facilities areas once dark. | - There is minimal lighting on the campsite. Rough ground, tree roots and other objects are therefore a hazard. |
| Injury or death caused by machinery on site |
- Brief customers on avoiding touching machinery around the campsite and farmyard. - Check fields and woodland pitches for hazards prior to setting up. - Keep children supervised at all times. |
- Occasionally farm equipment and machinery may be on the campsite. This includes but is not limited to; tractors, telehandlers, dumpers, log splitters and mowers. Under no circumstances should any unauthorised person be allowed to play on or near this equipment or machinery as there is a serious risk of injury or death. |
| Diseased or dead trees/plants falling down |
- Trees across the site are regularly inspected to assess for disease or dead plants. Any posing a threat or showing these signs are felled. - However, if winds are strong, we cannot guarantee your safety if pitching amongst any trees, even alive and healthy trees can fall in high winds. -Please review weather forecasts and remove yourselves from pitching areas near trees/shrubs in the event strong winds are forecast. |
- The campsite has various trees and shrubs planted across it. In windy weather it increases the risk of fallen ranches/shrubbery or trees falling down. - Campsite staff will give warnings on site in the event they feel your group would be better located or to leave site altogether if it is deemed necessary for your safety. |
Customers must identify other risks which are associated with their own planned activities and the age groups that they are booking on behalf. Chiltern Retreat Rural Camping will not be held responsible for any injury or death caused as a result of a customer’s negligence to act appropriately and give appropriate levels of supervision with the above risks in mind. Chiltern retreat will also not be held responsible for any death or injury caused due to a lack of risk assessment material undertaken by the customer that is relevant specifically to them.
REVIEWED AND AMENDED ON 25/11/2022
BY: Isobel Connell