Risk Assessment: Outdoor Venues
← Back to all risk assessments
| Activity | Animal handling sessions at outdoor venues (parks, gardens, fetes, outdoor events, school playgrounds) |
|---|---|
| Venue Type | Outdoor spaces (private gardens, public parks, school grounds, event fields) |
| Persons at Risk | Participants, public, POTG staff, venue staff, animals |
| Assessed by | Ciera O'Rourke (Owner/Lead Practitioner) |
| Review Date | April 2026 (reviewed annually or following incident) |
IMPORTANT NOTE:
This template covers common outdoor hazards. A site-specific assessment MUST be completed before each new venue is used. Weather conditions must be assessed on the day. POTG reserves the right to cancel outdoor sessions due to unsuitable weather.
Risk Rating Matrix
| Likelihood | Severity | Risk Level | Action Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low (1) | Low (1) | Low (1-3) | Acceptable risk - monitor |
| Medium (2) | Medium (2) | Medium (4-6) | Control measures required |
| High (3) | High (3) | High (7-9) | Immediate action required |
1. Weather Conditions
Hazard 1.1: Rain and wet conditions
Risk Rating: High (6) – Likelihood: High (3) x Severity: Medium (2)
Control Measures:
- Weather forecast checked 24 hours before session and on morning of session
- Light drizzle: gazebo/shelter required, animals kept dry in carriers
- Moderate rain: session moved indoors or cancelled
- Heavy rain: session cancelled – animal welfare and participant safety compromised
- Wet ground: handling mats/blankets used, participants seated on dry surfaces
- Amphibians: cannot handle if raining (skin absorption risk from rainwater contaminants)
- Electrical equipment: not used in wet conditions
- Slip hazard increased on wet grass – participants briefed
Residual Risk: Low (3)
Hazard 1.2: Strong winds
Risk Rating: High (6) – Likelihood: Medium (2) x Severity: High (3)
Control Measures:
- Wind speed monitored on day – UK Met Office warnings checked
- Light breeze (up to 15mph): acceptable, secure all equipment
- Moderate wind (15–25mph): session relocated to sheltered area or indoors
- Strong wind (over 25mph): session cancelled
- Gazebos/tents: weighted down securely or not used if windy
- Birds (Rosie): NOT brought outdoors in ANY wind – flight risk even if clipped
- Loose items secured (papers, towels, light equipment)
- Dust/debris blown into eyes: first aid available
Residual Risk: Low (2)
Hazard 1.3: Extreme heat and sun exposure
Risk Rating: High (6) – Likelihood: Medium (2) x Severity: High (3)
Control Measures:
- Temperature checked on day – sessions cancelled if over 30°C
- Shade provided: gazebo, trees, buildings – essential for all outdoor sessions
- Animals kept in shade at all times – carriers shaded, never in direct sun
- Water available for animals (fresh, changed frequently)
- Participants offered water breaks, sun cream available if needed
- Session length reduced in hot weather (maximum 45 minutes)
- Reptiles: can overheat quickly, monitored continuously
- Skinny pigs: sunburn risk, shade essential, short sessions only
- Signs of heat stress in animals: panting, lethargy, seeking shade – session ended immediately
- Signs of heat stress in participants: dizziness, nausea, headache – moved to shade, water, 999 if severe
Residual Risk: Low (3)
Hazard 1.4: Cold temperatures
Risk Rating: Medium (6) – Likelihood: Medium (2) x Severity: High (3)
Control Measures:
- Minimum outdoor temperature: 15°C for all animals
- Sessions cancelled if below 12°C
- Reptiles/amphibians: require 18°C minimum – not suitable for outdoor winter sessions
- Animals transported in insulated carriers, heat packs if needed
- Handling time reduced in cold weather (maximum 30 minutes)
- Participants dressed appropriately – reminded in booking confirmation
- Session moved indoors if temperature drops unexpectedly
Residual Risk: Low (3)
2. Ground Conditions and Terrain
Hazard 2.1: Uneven ground, holes, and trip hazards
Risk Rating: Medium (6) – Likelihood: High (3) x Severity: Medium (2)
Control Measures:
- Site inspection on arrival – ground conditions assessed
- Level ground selected for handling area where possible
- Holes, rabbit burrows, mole hills identified and avoided
- Tree roots, rocks, uneven patches marked or avoided
- Participants briefed: watch step, no running on uneven ground
- Children supervised closely when moving around outdoor space
- If ground very uneven: groundsheet/mats used for handling area
- Wheelchairs/mobility aids: flat accessible route confirmed
Residual Risk: Low (3)
Hazard 2.2: Slippery grass or mud
Risk Rating: Medium (4) – Likelihood: Medium (2) x Severity: Medium (2)
Control Measures:
- Ground conditions checked – recent rain, dew, irrigation noted
- Muddy areas avoided for handling zones
- Wet grass: participants warned, careful movement emphasized
- Participants seated where possible to reduce slip risk
- Blankets/mats provided for seated participants
- Animals: kept on dry surfaces (towels, mats) not directly on wet ground
Residual Risk: Low (2)
Hazard 2.3: Animal waste and contamination
Risk Rating: Medium (4) – Likelihood: Medium (2) x Severity: Medium (2)
Control Measures:
- Area checked for dog/wildlife feces before setting up
- Contaminated areas avoided completely
- Participants briefed: do not touch any droppings found
- Hand hygiene mandatory after any outdoor session
- Groundsheets used as barrier between participants and ground
- If area heavily contaminated: session relocated
Residual Risk: Low (2)
3. Animal Escape Prevention
Hazard 3.1: Animal escape – small mammals and reptiles
Risk Rating: High (9) – Likelihood: High (3) x Severity: High (3)
Control Measures:
- ONLY slow-moving, docile animals used outdoors
- Permitted outdoors: Tortoise, hedgehog, large calm rabbits, guinea pigs
- NEVER outdoors: Mice, geckos, fast snakes, insects, amphibians (unless fully enclosed)
- Handling area: enclosed pen/barriers if available, or very close supervision
- Participants seated in circle, animals in center
- Ratio: 1 adult per 3 children handling animals outdoors
- Staff positioned to block escape routes
- Handling over towels/mats (visual barrier for animal, easier recapture)
- Carriers kept closed when not actively transferring animals
- Escape procedure: stay calm, surround area, gentle recapture with towel/container
- If animal cannot be located within 10 minutes: search area marked, longer search conducted
Residual Risk: Medium (6)
Hazard 3.2: Bird escape or flight
Risk Rating: High (9) – Likelihood: High (3) x Severity: High (3)
Control Measures:
CRITICAL DECISION: Birds outdoors ONLY in perfect conditions
- Rosie (galah): Outdoor sessions only in completely calm weather (no wind)
- Wind speed must be 0–5mph maximum
- Even clipped birds can glide significant distances in breeze
- Session conducted in enclosed area if possible (walled garden, courtyard)
- Open fields/parks: birds NOT taken outdoors
- Handler maintains close proximity at all times
- Bird always within arm’s reach of handler
- Participants do not transfer bird – handler places on participant
- ANY increase in wind: bird returned to carrier immediately, session moved indoors
- Loud noises (vehicles, machinery, dogs): can startle bird into flight
- Escape procedure: call bird name, familiar whistle, food enticement, handler approach calmly
- Microchip and registration details ready if bird cannot be retrieved
Residual Risk: Medium (6)
4. Public Access and Crowd Control
Hazard 4.1: Uninvited members of public approaching animals
Risk Rating: High (6) – Likelihood: High (3) x Severity: Medium (2)
Control Measures:
- Public events: barriers/ropes define handling area
- Signage: ‘Please ask before approaching’, ‘Animals working – do not disturb’
- POTG staff positioned at perimeter to manage public interaction
- Polite briefing: ‘These animals are working, please watch from here’
- Children from public running up: intercepted before reaching animals
- Drop-in sessions: time slots managed to prevent overcrowding
- If crowd becomes unmanageable: animals returned to carriers, session paused
Residual Risk: Low (3)
Hazard 4.2: Dogs and other animals approaching
Risk Rating: High (9) – Likelihood: High (3) x Severity: High (3)
Control Measures:
CRITICAL: Dogs are the highest outdoor risk
- Site selection: avoid popular dog-walking areas if possible
- Clear signage: ‘Please keep dogs away – working animals’
- Perimeter maintained – at least 3 meters from nearest animal
- Dog approaching: staff intercept owner, polite request to keep dog back
- Loose dog: animals immediately secured in carriers until dog removed
- Aggressive dog: session paused, participants moved to safety, venue staff/police called if needed
- Wildlife (squirrels, foxes): usually avoid humans but carriers kept secure
- Birds overhead (crows, gulls): monitored, larger birds can dive at smaller animals
Residual Risk: Medium (6)
Hazard 4.3: Large crowds and overcrowding
Risk Rating: Medium (6) – Likelihood: Medium (2) x Severity: High (3)
Control Measures:
- Maximum numbers agreed with organizer before event
- Booking system preferred (school groups, parties) to control numbers
- Drop-in events: timed slots (e.g., groups of 15 every 30 minutes)
- Queue management: barriers, staff directing flow
- If numbers exceed safe capacity: new participants asked to wait, animals given break
- Animal welfare monitored: too many people = stress, session paused
- Crush risk for participants assessed: adequate space maintained
Residual Risk: Low (3)
Hazard 4.4: Unsupervised children from general public
Risk Rating: High (6) – Likelihood: Medium (2) x Severity: High (3)
Control Measures:
- Public events: parental supervision required for children under 8
- Clear signage: ‘Children must be supervised by parent/carer’
- Unsupervised child approaching: staff ask where parent is, guide to find them
- No handling permitted without parent present and agreeing
- Safeguarding: staff never alone with unknown children
- Lost child: handed to event organizer/security, not kept with POTG
- Rough handling by child: immediate intervention, parent spoken to
Residual Risk: Low (3)
5. Insects, Plants and Wildlife
Hazard 5.1: Stinging insects (wasps, bees)
Risk Rating: Medium (6) – Likelihood: Medium (2) x Severity: High (3)
Control Measures:
- Area checked for wasp nests, beehives before session
- Active nests/swarms: session relocated immediately
- Food and sweet drinks attract wasps – not permitted near animals
- Participants briefed: stay calm if wasp approaches, don’t swat
- Allergy information collected – EpiPens available if participant carries one
- Sting treatment: remove sting if visible, cold compress, antihistamine if available
- Severe allergic reaction: 999 immediately, use EpiPen if available and trained
Residual Risk: Low (3)
Hazard 5.2: Poisonous plants and vegetation
Risk Rating: Medium (4) – Likelihood: Low (2) x Severity: Medium (2)
Control Measures:
- Common toxic plants identified before session (foxglove, laburnum, yew, hemlock)
- Handling area positioned away from toxic vegetation
- Participants briefed: do not pick or eat any plants
- Young children supervised closely – tendency to put things in mouth
- Stinging nettles: area avoided or cleared before use
- If plant ingestion suspected: seek medical advice immediately, identify plant if possible
Residual Risk: Low (2)
Hazard 5.3: Ticks and biting insects
Risk Rating: Low (3) – Likelihood: Low (1) x Severity: High (3)
Control Measures:
- Long grass and undergrowth avoided – ticks more common
- Participants encouraged to wear long trousers in wooded/grassy areas
- Post-session reminder: check for ticks when home (Lyme disease awareness)
- Insect repellent available for participants if requested
- Not applied to hands before animal handling (toxic to animals)
Residual Risk: Low (1)
6. Equipment and Outdoor Setup
Hazard 6.1: Gazebo or tent collapse
Risk Rating: High (6) – Likelihood: Low (2) x Severity: High (3)
Control Measures:
- Gazebo inspected before each use (frame integrity, fabric condition)
- Erected on level ground, all legs secured
- Weighted down: sandbags, water weights, or pegged to ground
- Minimum weight: 10kg per leg in calm conditions, 20kg per leg if breezy
- Wind monitoring: gazebo dismantled if wind exceeds 15mph
- Animals and participants never underneath unsecured gazebo
- Staff positioned to monitor structure throughout session
Residual Risk: Low (2)
Hazard 6.2: Portable electrical equipment outdoors
Risk Rating: Medium (6) – Likelihood: Low (2) x Severity: High (3)
Control Measures:
- Electrical equipment: NOT used outdoors in rain or wet conditions
- Battery-powered alternatives preferred (heat packs, LED lights)
- If mains power required: RCD protection mandatory
- Outdoor-rated extension leads only (IP rating appropriate)
- Cables routed safely, secured to prevent trip hazards
- Equipment kept under gazebo/dry area
- Visual inspection before use (damage, moisture)
Residual Risk: Low (2)
7. Additional Safeguards and Controls
Weather Decision Matrix
Sessions CANCELLED if:
- Rain: Moderate or heavy rain forecast
- Wind: Over 25mph sustained wind
- Temperature: Below 12°C or above 30°C
- Storms: Thunderstorm, lightning, hail forecast
- Weather warnings: Met Office yellow/amber/red warnings in area
Pre-Session Outdoor Checklist
- Weather forecast checked (24hr and day-of)
- Ground conditions assessed (level, dry, contamination)
- Area checked for hazards (holes, toxic plants, nests)
- Escape prevention strategy in place
- Public access management plan ready
- Shade available for animals and participants
- Water available for animals
- Gazebo/shelter secured if using
- Barriers/signage positioned
- Emergency procedures understood
Animals Suitable for Outdoor Sessions
Permitted Outdoors (with controls)
- Aldabra Tortoise (slow, calm, weather-dependent)
- African Pygmy Hedgehog (calm weather only, short sessions)
- Netherland Dwarf Rabbit (supervised, barriers preferred)
- Guinea Pigs/Skinny Pigs (supervised, shade essential for skinny pigs)
- Bearded Dragon (warm weather only, 20°C+)
- Rosie (galah) (ONLY in zero wind, enclosed areas, close supervision)
Not Permitted Outdoors
- Fancy Mice (too fast, high escape risk)
- Sugar Gliders (gliding risk)
- All Geckos (too fast, escape risk)
- Insects (escape risk, weather-sensitive)
- Amphibians (skin sensitivity, moisture requirements)
- Snakes (escape risk in open areas)
Insurance and Liability
- Public Liability Insurance: £5,000,000 (Policy No. SALSALIA/J356824/0468/25)
- Covers outdoor sessions at third-party venues and public events
- Event organizer’s insurance confirmed where appropriate
Right to Cancel
POTG reserves the right to:
- Cancel outdoor sessions up to 2 hours before due to weather
- Cancel on arrival if conditions unsafe
- Move session indoors if weather deteriorates
- End session early if animal welfare or participant safety compromised
- Limit animals brought if conditions marginal
- Animal welfare and participant safety always take priority
8. Review and Monitoring
This risk assessment is reviewed:
- Annually (or sooner if circumstances change)
- Following any incident, near-miss, or complaint at outdoor venue
- Following any animal escape or near-escape
- When introducing new outdoor venues or event types
Site-Specific Assessments:
- EVERY new outdoor venue requires site-specific assessment
- Weather assessed on day of every outdoor session
- Public access level documented for each venue
All incidents reported to:
- Venue organizer/event coordinator (immediately)
- Insurance company (if claim required)
- HSE if reportable under RIDDOR
| Assessed by: | Ciera O'Rourke | Date: | April 2026 |
| Next Review: | April 2027 | Signature: |
Pets on the Green Ltd – Company No. 17111255
4 Redvers Road, Warlingham, Surrey, CR6 9HN
