Grwpiau Ysgol
Gweithgaredd 1
Rhaid i bob atyniad sy’n gweithio gydag ysgolion a grwpiau eraill baratoi Datganiad Iechyd a Diogelwch. Mae’r datganiad ar gyfer Big Pit i’w weld isod. Mae hwn yn nodi polisi’r corff mewn perthynas ag ymweliadau ysgol.
Mae nifer o rannau o’r datganiad wedi cael eu gadael allan gyda blwch gwag yno yn eu lle. Llenwch bob blwch â’r wybodaeth y dylai ei chynnwys yn eich barn chi. Gwiriwch eich atebion drwy glicio’r botwm Dangos gyferbyn â phob blwch.
BIG PIT: NATIONAL MINING MUSEUM OF WALES, BLAENAFON
SCHOOL VISITS AND RISK ASSESSMENT
Please remember that:
- schools are responsible for doing their own risk assessments, and that
- we are unable to fill in, check or sign any sections of school risk assessment forms as these are not our responsibility.
We recommend that teachers refer to the DfES document ‘Health and Safety of Pupils/Young People on Educational Visits - A Good Practice Guide, 1988’. http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/wholeschool/healthandsafety/visits. This clarifies that it is the responsibility of teachers and group leaders to complete a risk assessment prior to any visit being made.
The safety information we provide is intended as a preparatory tool. It does not replace the need for your own risk assessment specific to the needs of your group and in line with the official guidelines and school/LEA policies. Our safety information outlines the control measures undertaken by the museum to avoid or reduce risk, together with rules of conduct for visiting groups. Your risk assessment will take into account the age, ability and specific needs of your group, any risk associated with your transport or possible weather at the time of your visit, in addition to the museum's safety information.
We advise that all teachers/supervisors on the visit have copies of your risk assessment/relevant safety information.
Lastly, at the end of the document we have attached extracts from the museum’s Child Protection Policy, for information.
Safety Statement
Big Pit: National Mining Museum of Wales fully accepts its responsibilities under Health and Safety Legislation. A Health and Safety Policy is in place together with written risk assessments undertaken in respect of our legal duties relating to persons other than employees (i.e. visitors) coming onto our site and using our facilities.
Please be assured that the health and safety of visitors whilst on site is of our utmost concern. We have worked closely with the local authority regarding health and safety matters and want to ensure that your visit is a fun, enjoyable and learning experience.
We operate a policy for staff recruitment, training and assessment which ensures that all staff with a responsibility for the safety and welfare of visitors/ participants are qualified to undertake the duties they are assigned.
Teachers and other school staff are kindly requested to work in partnership with Amgueddfa Cymru - Museum Wales by actively supervising children within their care whilst on site. Pupils remain the responsibility of the school during the visit, including lunchtime.
We strongly recommend that group leaders conduct a preview visit in order to assess any potential risks for your group.
Background
Big Pit ceased production as a working colliery in 1980, and opened as a museum in 1983. The venue has been open to the public for over 20 years.
Venue / Attraction Details
Visitors can descend the 90 metres into the mine and see where generations of Welsh miners worked. The underground tour is guided by an ex-miner and lasts around 50 minutes.
On the surface, visitors can see the Mining Galleries, where a modern coalface is brought to life with light and sound. This AV presentation begins with a short film and lasts for 20 minutes.
The Pithead Baths have been restored to show where each shift began and ended. The baths building also contains exhibitions telling the stories of those who worked within the mining industry, in addition to displays of mining objects and tools, and topics like geology and social life.
Visitors can also see the original colliery buildings around the site, including the fan house, winding engine house, blacksmith’s forge and stables.
The Conservation Workshop is usually open to the public from Monday to Friday, and gives visitors a taste of what happens to museum objects behind the scenes.
General Information
Animals /Animals Fouling in Public Access Areas
Dogs are allowed on site, but not underground or in any of the buildings or exhibition areas.
Assistance dogs accompanying visitors who are deaf or blind are most welcome. Owners are expected to clean up after their dogs.
Criminal History
Museum staff who have regular and/or unsupervised access to children are subject to enhanced CRB checks.
Equipment
All equipment is regularly checked to ensure it remains ‘fit for purpose’.
School staff must supervise children when using this equipment.
Climbing on machinery within the site is not allowed.
Emergency Evacuation
Emergency evacuation procedures are in place. Museum staff are familiar with and practise these regularly. There is an alternative exit underground for emergency evacuation.
Fire Safety Instructions are located in each department. These give details of the procedures which should be followed if the alarm is raised, and indicate the Fire Assembly Point locations.
In case of emergency, an alarm will sound. You should leave by the nearest safe exit and follow the guidance of Museum staff.
Facilities for Visitors with Special Needs
Big Pit tries to accommodate the requirements of visitors with special needs.
Please contact us in advance to clarify what provision can be made for visitors with special needs.
Schools and group leaders must ensure that suitable arrangements are in place in order that appropriate supervision and assistance is available to pupils with special needs.
Our Access Guide is available on our website http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/bigpit or by ’phoning 01495 790311
Physical Impairment
Most areas of the site are accessible to all visitors, but due to the steep nature of some areas we recommend that wheelchair users and those with mobility problems are accompanied by an adult helper. There are uneven and gravelled surfaces in places. It is only possible for 4 visitors in wheelchairs to be underground at any one time.
Visual Impairment
The Mining Galleries includes an AV presentation with various light levels and colours. Museum staff are happy to allow visitors the opportunity to handle and touch a range of exhibits.
Hearing Impairment
AV presentations can be seen throughout the museum. Induction loops are installed in the exhibition areas.
First Aid
If First Aid is needed, please contact a member of Museum staff, who will then summon a trained first-aider.
Guided Tours
The underground tour is guided by an ex-miner.
Interpreter-led Activities
The Museum will have assessed the risks involved in a particular activity and will verbally advise you of these and the control measures adopted.
Height Restrictions
Children need to be at least 1 metre tall to take the underground tour.
Insurance / Public Liability
The Museum has commercial insurance in place for public liability
Lost Children
Please advise children separated from their group to inform a Museum Assistant or member of Museum staff if they are lost. Should a group leader become aware that one of their group is missing, they should inform a Museum Assistant or a member of Museum staff who will take appropriate action.
Maximum Group Sizes / Supervision
Please ensure that your pupils are supervised at all times.
We ask you to keep to the following ratio:
School years 1 to 3 (ages 5 to 8) =: 1 responsible adult: 6 children
School years 4 to 6 (ages 8 to 11): 1 responsible adult: 10-15 children
School years 7 onwards (secondary age 11+): 1 responsible adult: 15-20 children
The above are the ratios suggested by the DfES. Group leaders should assess the risks and consider an appropriate safe supervision level for their group.
There is no maximum number for groups visiting, but there is a limit of 17 persons per guide for the underground tour. This will be organised by the member of staff who collects the group from the waiting room.
Medical Needs
School or group leaders should contact Booking Office staff if any pupil is known to have any specific need or serious medical condition. We will need to consider and discuss emergency arrangements with you.
Where it is safe to do so, we will aim to include fully pupils with specific or serious medical conditions within activities offered.
Required Visitor Conduct
Visitors must not:
- enter areas which are not open to the public
- behave in an unruly manner
- touch any working machinery
- climb on any machinery within the site
The Museum reserves the right to ask groups or individuals behaving in an offensive or unreasonable manner to leave the site.
All groups of students under the age of 16 must be supervised at all times and remain the responsibility of party leaders or supervising adults throughout their visit. Unsupervised groups may find that they are denied entry.
Schematic Map
A map is provided on your entrance ticket that gives information on coach/car parking and authorised pedestrian routes.
Site Inspections of Venue Facilities / Areas
Museum staff conduct regular inspections of the facilities, which are recorded.
Site Staff Identification
All museum staff wear identification badges and can be approached if you have any worries or concerns. They will be able to help you or direct you to the appropriate place for help.
Vehicle Traffic
A Visitor Coach Park is available for use. It is located adjacent to the drop-off point at the main visitor entrance.
Weather Protection / Sun Safety / Clothing
Big Pit is an outdoor industrial site, so protective clothing is needed in case of bad weather. Sturdy shoes are recommended for the underground tour. Sun protection is advised during hot weather.
Welfare Facilities /First Aid Room
There is a first aid room at the Pit Top area.
Toilets (including disabled toilets) are located on all 3 levels of the Big Pit site.
Sandwich Room - There is a sandwich room which can accommodate 70 people. Please note that this room is used on a first come first serve basis.
Areas of Higher Risk
Buildings
- Blacksmith’s Shop - Open fire in forge at times. Do not allow children to pass beyond the barrier.
- Conservation Workshop - Chemicals and paint substances being used at times. Do not allow children to pass beyond the barriers; take heed of advice of conservation staff.
- Mining Galleries - Dark areas, loud noises, and varying levels of light in parts of the presentation.
- Winding Engine House - Warn children not to distract the driver when the engine is in motion. Children must not pass beyond the barrier.
Underground Activities
Children should remain with the group at all times underground.
All visitors will be provided with hard hats for the underground visit.
Big Pit is subject to the Coal Mines Act safety legislation.
It is against the law to take smoking materials or incendiary substances underground. These include cigarettes, tobacco, matches and lighters, mobile phones, battery-operated watches and key fobs, calculators, radios, personal cassette players and all photographic equipment.
This ‘contraband’ will be collected by the Museum guides before the underground tour begins and will be kept securely locked away on the surface until the tour ends.
CHILD PROTECTION AT
AMGUEDDFA CYMRU – NATIONAL MUSEUM WALES SITES
Our Child Protection Policy appears in full on the Web under About Us/Strategy and Policy.
Please read the extracts below before your visit.
Leaders/Teachers Responsibilities while visiting the Museum
Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales wishes to ensure that children are protected from harm while at the Museum. In addition to the Museum’s responsibilities, we ask that leaders/teachers of groups exercise their own responsibilities.
In particular, all leaders/teachers shall:
- Ensure they supervise the children/young people at all times
- In the case of an accident, contact a member of museum staff who will follow the Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales Staff Emergency Procedures
- In the case of a lost child, contact a member of Museum staff who will follow Museum procedures
- Not have in their possession or consume alcoholic beverages or use illegal drugs or smoke on the museum premises
- Not verbally or physically abuse a child/young person
- Ensure adequate insurance cover for the group and leader
- Inform the group of how to behave while in Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales
- Observe Museum Wales Fire Precaution Procedures
We wish to remind all leaders/teachers that the primary responsibility for the welfare of the children in their care rests with them at all times.
We will communicate concerns to the leader/teacher-in-charge, (unless this person is the source of concern) and reserve the right to follow this up with the school/organisation.
Concerns about the conduct of the leader/teacher will be reported directly to the school/organisation and possibly the police.
Group conduct while in the Museum
The Museum wishes all visitors to have an enjoyable visit. We therefore expect all visitors to display courtesy and respect for others and for Museum property at all times.
Group leaders/teachers should therefore not allow members of their group to:
- Use threatening, abusive or violent behaviour
- Bully (verbally or physically)
- Make any sexist, racist or other offensive remarks toward any other person or group
- Vandalise Museum property or displays
- Leave litter on the Museum premises