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Risk assessment

A hazard is anything with the potential to cause harm. The risk is the likelihood that someone could be A hazard is anything with the potential to cause harm. The risk is the likelihood that someone could be harmed by that hazard together with an indication of how serious the harm could be. The

harmed by that hazard together with an indication of how serious the harm could be. The law doesn’t requirelaw doesn’t require employers to eliminate all risk, but they are required to protect people as far as is ‘reasonably practicable’.

employers to eliminate all risk, but they are required to protect people as far as is ‘reasonably practicable’.

The ﬁrst stage of a risk assessment is to look for hazards. A hazard can be something easily seen, such as The ﬁrst stage of a risk assessment is to look for hazards. A hazard can be something easily seen, such as a trailing cable, a worn carpet or exposed wiring. Or it can be something less obvious -

a trailing cable, a worn carpet or exposed wiring. Or it can be something less obvious - a slippery sura slippery surface,face, for example. It can also be something general, such as poor lighting, or

for example. It can also be something general, such as poor lighting, or it can be something speciﬁc to theit can be something speciﬁc to the teaching environment e.g. excess noise from other users.

teaching environment e.g. excess noise from other users.

A hazard can also be something directly affecting participants, such as exposure to fumes - or something affecting A hazard can also be something directly affecting participants, such as exposure to fumes - or something affecting the environment in general, such as boxes piled up in a walkway and excess waste in the teaching area.

the environment in general, such as boxes piled up in a walkway and excess waste in the teaching area.

There are different types of hazards.

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• teaching room hazards, such as the room layoutteaching room hazards, such as the room layout

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• activity hazards, such as using equipment in the classactivity hazards, such as using equipment in the class

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• environmental hazards, such as the fumes environmental hazards, such as the fumes created when using cleaning chemicalscreated when using cleaning chemicals When looking for hazards it can be helpful to:

When looking for hazards it can be helpful to:

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• walk around the teaching roomwalk around the teaching room

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• talk to other users who may be more talk to other users who may be more aware of the hazardsaware of the hazards

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• look at any available safety look at any available safety data sheets and manufacturers’ instructions to identifdata sheets and manufacturers’ instructions to identif y potential problemy potential problem areas

areas

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• examine accident and health records to identify existing problem areasexamine accident and health records to identify existing problem areas

Making the yoga teaching space safe Making the yoga teaching space safe

There are a number of steps that must be taken to ensure the yoga teaching space is a safe place to There are a number of steps that must be taken to ensure the yoga teaching space is a safe place to exercise. This may include checking there are no over

exercise. This may include checking there are no over t hazards or obstacles that could threaten the t hazards or obstacles that could threaten the safetysafety of your participants, as well as ensuring all walkways are clear of any objects that might cause a slip, trip of your participants, as well as ensuring all walkways are clear of any objects that might cause a slip, trip or fall. Rugs and mats should also be secure, so

or fall. Rugs and mats should also be secure, so they don’t slip beneath a participant’s feet. Pthey don’t slip beneath a participant’s feet. Plants or otherlants or other objects placed on the ﬂoor should be clear of the

objects placed on the ﬂoor should be clear of the teaching area.teaching area.

If the yoga teaching space is in a place where the weather could have an effect on the safety of participants, If the yoga teaching space is in a place where the weather could have an effect on the safety of participants, (e.g. outdoors), then this will need to be included in the initial safety check as well. Participants should (e.g. outdoors), then this will need to be included in the initial safety check as well. Participants should be able to get to

be able to get to the yoga class safely and there should be the yoga class safely and there should be no branches or rocks on the walkway into theno branches or rocks on the walkway into the venue, and any snow or ice needs to

venue, and any snow or ice needs to be cleared before participants arrive.be cleared before participants arrive.

Another place where safety can be a

Another place where safety can be a factor is in the factor is in the products used in the teaching space. Some products used in the teaching space. Some teachersteachers may use scented candles and incense sticks to

may use scented candles and incense sticks to create a relaxed atmosphere; in such cases, the teacher willcreate a relaxed atmosphere; in such cases, the teacher will need to ﬁnd out about any allergies or sensitivities that par

need to ﬁnd out about any allergies or sensitivities that par ticipants might have, that may trigger a reaction.ticipants might have, that may trigger a reaction.

Scented candles are also a ﬁre hazard.

Even with all of these precautions taken, yoga teachers still carry

Even with all of these precautions taken, yoga teachers still carry a risk by operating a a risk by operating a business, and thatbusiness, and that risk should be insured. By

risk should be insured. By purchasing yoga insurance, teachers can create a safety net for purchasing yoga insurance, teachers can create a safety net for any accidentsany accidents or damages that might occur

or damages that might occur, despite every , despite every effort to create the effort to create the safest environment possible.safest environment possible.

For example, a participant could slip, trip or fall on the way to the

For example, a participant could slip, trip or fall on the way to the class; this could happen even if there areclass; this could happen even if there are no obstacles in the

no obstacles in the wayway, and the , and the participant could decide to participant could decide to sue for damage and/or sue for damage and/or personal injurypersonal injury. In such. In such cases, the general liability portion of the

cases, the general liability portion of the insurance policy would provide the protection required in order toinsurance policy would provide the protection required in order to face this claim. Other aspects of a

face this claim. Other aspects of a solid yoga instructor insurance policy should include malpractice liabilitysolid yoga instructor insurance policy should include malpractice liability insurance and product liability insurance.

insurance and product liability insurance.

Copyright © 2012 Active IQ Ltd. Manual not for resale Copyright © 2012 Active IQ Ltd. Manual not for resale Level 3 Diploma in Teaching Yoga (QCF) - Manual Level 3 Diploma in Teaching Yoga (QCF) - Manual

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These two portions of the

These two portions of the yoga insurance policy will provide protection in the rare case a participant claimsyoga insurance policy will provide protection in the rare case a participant claims damage or injury due to a lack of skill or competence of a yoga teacher, or due to a product used during damage or injury due to a lack of skill or competence of a yoga teacher, or due to a product used during the teaching session (National Association of

the teaching session (National Association of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2010).Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2010).

Common hazards in a teaching environment Common hazards in a teaching environment

Slip, trip and fall hazards Slip, trip and fall hazards

The main causes of slips, trips and falls are:

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• spillages - clean up all spillages - clean up all spillages immediatelyspillages immediately. Use another area . Use another area until the spillage or until the spillage or wetness is gonewetness is gone

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• trailing cables - try to place equipment to avoid cables crossing walkways and use cable guards totrailing cables - try to place equipment to avoid cables crossing walkways and use cable guards to cover cables where required, e.g. cables on a music system

cover cables where required, e.g. cables on a music system

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• rugs and mats - where they cannot be eliminated, make sure rugs or mats are securely ﬁxed andrugs and mats - where they cannot be eliminated, make sure rugs or mats are securely ﬁxed and that edges do not present a trip

that edges do not present a trip hazardhazard

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• slippery ﬂoor surslippery ﬂoor surfaces - assess the cause of faces - assess the cause of the slipperiness and treat accordinglythe slipperiness and treat accordingly, for example treat, for example treat chemically and use appropriate cleaning materials and methods

chemically and use appropriate cleaning materials and methods

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• changes in ﬂoor level - improve visibility through additional lightingchanges in ﬂoor level - improve visibility through additional lighting

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• poor lighting - improve lighting levels and placement of lighting to provide a more even lighting levelpoor lighting - improve lighting levels and placement of lighting to provide a more even lighting level over all ﬂoor areas

over all ﬂoor areas

Lifting and carrying hazards Lifting and carrying hazards

These include injuries resulting from lifting and carrying. Ensure participants lift any equipment in an These include injuries resulting from lifting and carrying. Ensure participants lift any equipment in an appropriate manner

appropriate manner, especially if , especially if using chairs for using chairs for props.props.

Fire Fire

Fire is a major hazard and may be caused in a variety of ways that include waste paper, faulty wiring or Fire is a major hazard and may be caused in a variety of ways that include waste paper, faulty wiring or other electrical faults, equipment overheating and candles.

other electrical faults, equipment overheating and candles.

Good management of ﬁre safety is essential to ensure that ﬁres

Good management of fire safety is essential to ensure that fires are unlikely to occur; and if they do occur,are unlikely to occur; and if they do occur, they are likely to be controlled or contained quickly, effectively and safely. If a fire does occur and grow, they are likely to be controlled or contained quickly, effectively and safely. If a fire does occur and grow, everyone must be able

everyone must be able to move quickly and safely to a designated safety to move quickly and safely to a designated safety point.point.

Fire risk assessments will help to ensure that

Fire risk assessments will help to ensure that fire safety procedures, fire prevention measuresfire safety procedures, fire prevention measures, and fire precautions, and fire precautions are all in place, and the risk assessment should identify any issues that need attention. This will include:

are all in place, and the risk assessment should identify any issues that need attention. This will include:

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• alarmsalarms

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• signagesignage

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• evacuation procedures (Emergency Action Plans)evacuation procedures (Emergency Action Plans)

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• staff trainingstaff training

Hazardous substances and chemicals Hazardous substances and chemicals

There are a number of chemicals which may cause harm, e.g. liquid soap in the washroom, or candles There are a number of chemicals which may cause harm, e.g. liquid soap in the washroom, or candles that may cause skin irritation. Ensure that these risks are minimised for the

that may cause skin irritation. Ensure that these risks are minimised for the safety of participants.safety of participants.

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Copyright © 2012 Active IQ Ltd. Copyright © 2012 Active IQ Ltd. Manual not for resaleManual not for resale Level 3 Diploma in Teaching Yoga (QCF) - Manual Level 3 Diploma in Teaching Yoga (QCF) - Manual

Risk assessment Risk assessment

A risk assessment is simply a careful examination of what could cause harm to people, so that the yoga A risk assessment is simply a careful examination of what could cause harm to people, so that the yoga teacher can weigh up whether enough precautions have been taken, or if more could be done to prevent harm.

teacher can weigh up whether enough precautions have been taken, or if more could be done to prevent harm.

Participants have a right to be protected from harm caused by a failure to take reasonably controlled measures.

There are ﬁve key principles to risk assessment:

1. Identify the hazardsIdentify the hazards

2. Decide who might be harmed and howDecide who might be harmed and how

3. Evaluate the risks and decide on precautionsEvaluate the risks and decide on precautions

4. Record the ﬁndings and implement themRecord the ﬁndings and implement them

5. Review the assessment and update if necessaryReview the assessment and update if necessary

The following information and guidance is provided by the Health and Safety Executive and describes each The following information and guidance is provided by the Health and Safety Executive and describes each of the 5 steps:

of the 5 steps:

Step 1 Identify the hazards Step 1 Identify the hazards

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• WaWalk around and look lk around and look at what could reasonably be at what could reasonably be expected to cause harmexpected to cause harm

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• Ensure all users are asked what they think. They may have noticed things that are Ensure all users are asked what they think. They may have noticed things that are not immediatelynot immediately obvious to others

obvious to others

Step 2 Decide who might be harmed and how Step 2 Decide who might be harmed and how

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• For each hazard be clear about who might be harmed; this will help identify the best way ofFor each hazard be clear about who might be harmed; this will help identify the best way of managing the risk. That doesn’t mean listing everyone by name, but rather identifying groups of managing the risk. That doesn’t mean listing everyone by name, but rather identifying groups of people (the participants or the teacher)

people (the participants or the teacher)

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• In each case, identify how they In each case, identify how they might be harmed, i.e. what type of might be harmed, i.e. what type of injury or ill injury or ill health might occurhealth might occur

Step 3 Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions Step 3 Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions

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• see if there’s more that should be see if there’s more that should be done to bring the environment up to standarddone to bring the environment up to standard

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• having spotted the hazards, decide what to do about themhaving spotted the hazards, decide what to do about them

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• can the hazard be removed altogether?can the hazard be removed altogether?

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• if not, how can the risks be if not, how can the risks be controlled so that harm is unlikely?controlled so that harm is unlikely?

When controlling risks, apply the principles below, if possible in

When controlling risks, apply the principles below, if possible in the following order:the following order:

1. Try a less risky optionTry a less risky option

2. Prevent access to the hazardPrevent access to the hazard

3. Reduce exposure to the hazardReduce exposure to the hazard

4. Provide welfare facilities (e.g. ﬁrst aid and washing facilities)Provide welfare facilities (e.g. ﬁrst aid and washing facilities)

Step 4 Record ﬁndings and implement them Step 4 Record ﬁndings and implement them

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• When writing down your results, keep When writing down your results, keep it simple, for example ‘it simple, for example ‘ TTripping over rubbish: bins ripping over rubbish: bins provided,provided, weekly checks’

weekly checks’

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Step 5 Review your risk assessment and update if necessary Step 5 Review your risk assessment and update if necessary

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• Few environments stay the same. Sooner or later new equipment, substances and procedures areFew environments stay the same. Sooner or later new equipment, substances and procedures are brought in that could lead to new hazards. Therefore, review on an on-going basis. Periodically brought in that could lead to new hazards. Therefore, review on an on-going basis. Periodically conduct a formal review to make sure the environment is still improving, or at least not reverting conduct a formal review to make sure the environment is still improving, or at least not reverting back to unsafe practices

back to unsafe practices

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• Look at the risk assessment again. Have Look at the risk assessment again. Have there been any changes? Are there been any changes? Are there improvements that stillthere improvements that still need to be made? Have any par

need to be made? Have any par ticipants spotted a problem? Have there been any accidents or nearticipants spotted a problem? Have there been any accidents or near misses? Make sure the risk assessments are up-to-date

misses? Make sure the risk assessments are up-to-date

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• During the year, if there is a During the year, if there is a signiﬁcant change, don’t wait. Check your risk assessments and, signiﬁcant change, don’t wait. Check your risk assessments and, wherewhere necessary, amend them

necessary, amend them

Reporting Hazards Reporting Hazards

It is important that you report any potential health and safety hazards to the manager of the venue. These It is important that you report any potential health and safety hazards to the manager of the venue. These reports are one of the most effective ways to identify hazards. When hazards are reported (before they result reports are one of the most effective ways to identify hazards. When hazards are reported (before they result in an injury or illness), managers can take preventive actions to make sure injuries or illness do not result.

in an injury or illness), managers can take preventive actions to make sure injuries or illness do not result.

Each organisation will have a speciﬁc procedure for reporting hazards.

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