Risk management
Teacher/Trip Leader Responsibilities
The staff member in charge of a field trip is responsible for:
- Ensuring that the principles and requirements of the Field Trip Policy and other Yukon Education policies are followed when field trips are planned and carried out.
- Ensuring that all aspects of risk management for the field trip have been considered and that effective mitigation measures have been incorporated to minimize the risks identified.
- When a prior site visit is required, conducting the site visit to ensure full familiarity with the conditions that will prevail when the field trip takes place.
- Ensuring that all Consent Forms include full identification of known hazards and risks and that a plan to mitigate those risks is in place to maximize the safety of the students, staff and volunteers.
- Ensuring that the process for obtaining informed consent from parents has been completed and that a meeting is held when required to fully inform parents about the field trip.
- Planning and submitting paperwork for the approval of field trips in the required time lines.
- Ensuring that all field trips have clear and expressed links to the curriculum and clearly defined learning outcomes.
- Ensuring that all field trip participants are fully informed of the supplies and gear required for the field trip.
- Using a Medical Form to document all known medical conditions of students participating in the field trip, and determining whether the student will self-medicate and if the staff member in charge will maintain possession of the medication and/or a back-up supply of the medication.
- Inspecting all material and gear that will be used on the field trip to ensure that it is operational, appropriate, and well maintained.
- Advising any volunteers of their responsibilities and duties required of them during the field trip, in accordance with the Volunteers in the Schools Policy and using the Volunteer Registration Form.
- Maintaining a record as part of the field trip documentation of any unanticipated incidents on the field trip, including near misses, accidents, discharging of a firearm, illness/injury, and any other relevant incidents and information that the staff member in charge deems to be important.
- Assuming full responsibility for the students at all times during the field trip, leading the field trip in accordance with what was approved, and making any changes in accordance with the Contingency Plan or with approval from the school administrator.
Risk Analysis Form
This form is part of all Complex Trip Applications. If you require assistance with risk analysis please consult your school's administration or the Off-Site Review Committee.
Field tripping in the backcountry? Please read:
| Yukon's Emergency Response Network |
Trip Leader Debrief Series
Yukon off-site trip leaders gather 2-3 times each year to debrief major trips. This is an opportunity to share experiences and grow our collective knowledge. Trip leaders share near misses, incidents, success stories, location information, gear considerations etc. in an environment that is open and non-judgemental. These meetings are for trip leaders and Off-Site Review Committee Members.
If you are a Yukon off-site school trip leader and are interested in attending a trip debrief session please contact me: jesse.jewell@gov.yk.ca
If you are a Yukon off-site school trip leader and are interested in attending a trip debrief session please contact me: jesse.jewell@gov.yk.ca