Safety Information for Schools Margam Country Park Information for visit and risk assessment preparation
Introduction The following Safety Information has been collated for schools for visit preparation and as an aid in producing risk assessments. Safety Information for Schools - Margam Country Park Safety Statement Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, Margam Country Park 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 your safety and health whilst on our site is of our utmost concern. We 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 Schools are informed of the following details which will help with the production of your own school educational visit risk assessment for the purposes of your visit. Background Ownership and Management Directions:- Venue Details Margam Country Park is managed and owned by Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council. It is managed as a Country Park. Margam Country Park has been open to the public since 1974 Junction 38 M4 and follow Brown Tourist Signs Encompassing 1000 acres, Margam Country Park offers groups the opportunity to explore historic gardens and open parkland with a past which stretches from the Iron Age to the Victorian era and up to modern day. Central to the park is the Tudor- Gothic mansion House (Margam Castle) whilst the grounds also include the 18 th century Orangery and the ruins of the 12 th century monastic chapter house. The open parkland is home to the historic deer herd, Page 2 of 9
considered by many as the best in Wales. The parkland provides the chance for walks (4 self guided walks are waymarked and start from the visitor centre courtyard.) Facilities Visitor Centre Courtyard includes toilets (1 disabled), Charlotte s Pantry Cafeteria, Display Area with video, Margam Park Shop and the Main Park Office. Main Entrance hall of the Castle is open with a display of historic interest. No access to upper floors (do not ascend the stairs) The Narrow gauge railway and train takes a trip through the historic landscape from the main car park area to Margam Castle. (Fee paying) An adventure playground, situated alongside New Pond, includes high walkways, an aerial slide, tunnels and swings. Farm trail featuring large paddocks with farm breeds. (Hand washing facilities are available in Pets Corner) Fairytale Land. Incorporates a series of scaled down fairytale theme houses, fenced in its own enclosure Furzemill fishing lake (Fee paying) Open Parkland has open access There are plenty of places to picnic and food is also available in Charlottes Pantry. Entry Charge Days/ times:- Car Parking/coach Parking fee. Free Entry From 10am-5.00pm daily. Attractions close at 5pm. Last entry to attractions is 4.30pm. The park is open all year, however the attractions are closed during the winter season. Please note that closing times may be subject to change please check with the Park Office for accurate times prior to your visit. Visitor Numbers Annually we receive approximately 100,000 visitors over approx. 8000 child visits to Park per year Suitability The venue and its attractions is considered suitable for pupils of all ages. Contact Information We look forward to welcoming you however if you wish to discuss aspects of your visit or would like to arrange a pre Page 3 of 9
visit please do not hesitate to contact Steve George, Visitor Services Officer, Margam Country Park, Margam, Port Talbot SA13 2 TJ Tel 01639 881635 We would request that the group leader reports to the main entry kiosk to exchange information prior to entry onto the site. Information Exchange:- School- numbers, copy of risk assessment, copy of Public Liability Insurance (if not Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council school) Margam Park-Leaflets and maps as required. Margam Country Park operates an emergency contact number for groups if they should require assistance while on site. Please note that this number is Tel (01639) 881635 and is staffed during opening hours. This is the Main Park Office Number. Teachers Resources available for self guided visits If, after your visit, you have any concerns or experienced any problems regarding the management of Margam Country Park or safety and health of members of your party, we would welcome the opportunity to discuss these with you. Tel : Steven George, Visitor Services Manager (01639) 881635 or e-mail : margampark@npt.gov.uk Details available on the website or free CD rom Education at Margam Park Resources for Teachers Material included:- General Information on Margam Park Module for Early Years Tudors at Margam History Module Art At Margam Geography at Margam General Information Animal Fouling Dogs are allowed within Margam Country Park but not into in Public any of the facilities (café, shop, fairytale land, adventure Access areas playground). Dogs must be kept on a lead or under close control. During May and June all dogs must be kept on leads when within the Deer Park (fawning period). A dog fouling Policy operates within the park and owners must clean up any animal fouling and place this safely in the Page 4 of 9
bins provided. Dog Fouling bags are available from the Main Entrance kiosk, Shop and Main Park Office. Water bowls are provided by the water tap in the main visitor centre courtyard. Communication Systems Criminal History / Civil Actions Equipment / Play Equipment throughout site Assistance dogs are most welcome All supervisory staff carry radios. Facilities with radios are Fairytale land, Shop, Charlottes Pantry Café, Main Car Park Kiosk, Main Park Office. All reasonable measures are taken to ensure staff who may be left alone with pupils or be in a position of substantial access with children have been subject to Criminal Record Bureau Disclosure. All equipment is regularly checked to ensure it remains fit for purpose and results of inspections are recorded in an equipment log. All play equipment within the dedicated area conforms to current British and European Standards and is subject to regular inspection. Emergency Evacuation Facilities for visitors with Special Needs School staff must supervise children when using this equipment. The climbing of trees or any structures outside of designated play areas is forbidden. Emergency evacuation procedures are in place. All staff are familiar with and regularly practise these. Evacuation Notices are posted within all buildings. On hearing the alarm, which is a continuous ringing bell, all visitors must make their way to the appropriate Assembly Point as indicated on the Evacuation Notice. Margam Park makes every effort to accommodate the requirements of visitors with special needs. Schools and party leaders must ensure that suitable arrangements are in place in order that appropriate supervision and assistance is available to pupils with special needs. Physical Impairment Wheelchair access is possible throughout the site although the gradient from the Orangery up to the castle is steep. 2 wheelchairs are available for use, one is available from the Main Entrance Kiosk the other from the Visitor Centre Courtyard. Please confirm these are available prior to your visit. An Electric Tramper Buggy is available for hire ( 10.00 deposit 1.00 per hour) Please confirm it is available prior to your visit. A short training session will be given on the first session. Page 5 of 9
Hearing Impairment Induction loop systems are available in the Main Car Park kiosk, the Orangery and the main Park Office and the shop. First Aid Insurance (Public Liability) Loss of Bearings Lost Person Stations Maximum Party Sizes Medical Needs We are aware that clarification of specific provisions may be needed by schools in relation to more detailed risk assessment requirements for certain special needs pupils. In such circumstances we would invite schools to contact us. All supervisory staff are First Aid trained. Any first Aid requirement make your way to any member of staff who will arrange assistance. We have a public liability insurance cover or adequate to at least 5 million. A copy of our insurance certificate is available to visiting parties prior to their arrival for information. Please note that due to the nature of the venue children are at risk of getting lost if they stray from organised parties. All facilities and members of staff can help in lost person situation. Please make your way to the nearest member of staff who will arrange assistance. Due to the nature of Margam Park large numbers of visitors can be catered for at any one time. If you have any queries please contact the Visitor Services Officer The Visitor Services Officer should be contacted by the school or party leader if any pupil is known to have any specific or serious medical condition / need. Discussion will be needed to consider emergency arrangements. We will, where it is safe to do so, aim to fully include pupils with specific or serious medical conditions within activities offered. Harmful / Poisonous Plants / Fungi (Mushrooms & toadstools) Required Visitor Conduct (no access to areas for site staff only) At certain times of the year some poisonous berries and plants may be prevalent within the formal gardens and the Parkland. Schools should advise all children that berries and plants should not be picked or eaten. Children should wash their hands before eating. Certain fungi (mushrooms & toadstools) are also known to grow periodically. Schools should advise all children that fungi should not be picked or eaten. Visitors must not -enter areas which are not open to the public -behave in an unruly manner -touch or approach any working machinery -ignore the instructions of the guide (if provided) Children are able to use the facillities without direct Page 6 of 9
supervision although group leaders must always be situated close to groups. Schematic Map Site Inspections of Venue Facilities / Areas Site Staff Identification Vehicle Traffic Party leaders must not leave children unsupervised. Is available which includes authorised pedestrian routes, vehicle routes and coach parking areas as well as many other items of interest. (Visitor Guide PDF available to download) Additional copies can of course be collected on the day of your visit if needed. Margam Park staff conduct regular inspections of all the Park facilities, an internal reporting mechanism is in place for any safety hazards. Site inspections are recorded in a log. Visitors are requested to report any hazards to staff. Venue staff wear blue shirts and jackets which include the Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council Logo and are happy to help with any problems or difficulties you may have experienced whilst at the Park. A site speed restriction, with appropriate signage of 10 m.p.h. is in place. A Visitor Coach Park is available for use within the Orangery Car Park. Weather Protection / Sun Safety Welfare Facilities Within the grounds, certain vehicles may require access. The speed limit will be strictly observed and vehicles will stay, where possible, on identified internal roadways. A number of areas are available throughout the Park which offer protection from adverse weather (adverse conditions or hot sunny days) although wet weather provision is limited. The castle entrance hall (seat 100+ on the floor). Shaded picnic area to the rear of the castle (with BBQ facilities), common covered areas include the cafeteria and the shop. Three public toilet blocks are present (with disabled facilities) within Margam Park. One is located close to the main entrance kiosk, the second is beside the Fairytale land and the third is in the visitor centre courtyard All public conveniences are regularly supervised / cleaned by park staff. Charlottes Pantry cafeteria is available within the venue offering a selection of snacks and drinks. Drinking Water is freely available. Areas of Higher Risk Contact with animals Visitors should not enter animal enclosures except for organised handling activities. Page 7 of 9
Handwashing facilities, soap and paper towels are provided for hygiene precautions following any animal handling. Good hygiene practices are encouraged as it is a form of controlling health risks such as; - E-Coli 0157 from contact with animals - Listeria from contact with infected and sick lambs - Lyme Disease from deer tick (avoid tick habitats where possible, wear long trousers, tucked into socks)) -Weil s Disease from watercourses (avoid intentional immersion, particularly in slow moving or stagnant waters) - Toxoplasma from contact with cat faeces. - Toxocariasis from contact with dog / cat faeces. Residential Accommodation Please note that expectant mothers may be exposed to increased risks from infection from animals. These include possible transmission of - Bovinechlamiydiosis from contact with newly born lambs which can cause miscarriage. As such any expectant mums are requested to avoid all contact with newly born lambs. Is available via the Margam Discovery Centre. Visits arranged within the centre are assessed under the Discovery Centre Safety Policy Contact:- Tim Orrell Centre manager (01639) 895636 Rides and facilities within Margam Park Safety Equipment / Clothing Water Courses & Ponds All rides and facilities within the park are designed to be safe (i.e. compliant with relevant local and National Standards etc.) and are regularly examined, inspected and maintained to ensure they remain in a safe operating condition. The Margam Narrow Gauge Railway and Train is supervised by trained staff, who also provide assistance where necessary. Please note that appropriate sun screens are recommended for use particularly during the long hot summer days. Margam Park includes 3 large ponds and associated streams. A small pond is located beside the main entrance kiosk. Within the formal Orangery Gardens are 2 ornamental ponds, and 2 ornalmental fountains on the Orangery terrace(see map) Control measures in place in respect of risks from water courses are as follows; -A barrier is present along the edge of the lake Page 8 of 9
where pedestrian footpath is located Vegetetation is allowed to grow to minimise pond access -Appropriate water treatment is in place for the fountain to reduce risks of contraction of legionellosis -A below surface safety grid is positioned in the ornamental Orangery pond. Please note in the event of heavy rainfall the areas near streams are likely to be restricted until considered safe. Page 9 of 9