3.4 Explain the difference between health and safety checks and risk benefit assessment

This guide will help you answer 3.4 Explain the difference between health and safety checks and risk benefit assessment.

What are Health and Safety Checks in Playwork?

Health and safety checks are routine inspections that look for hazards in the play environment. These checks are often done before children enter the setting or before play activities start. The aim is to spot anything that might cause harm and take action straight away.

This is a proactive approach. It looks for anything that could be unsafe, such as damaged equipment, wet floors, broken fencing or unsafe storage of materials. The focus is purely on preventing accidents or injuries.

Health and safety checks are often done with the help of a checklist. This ensures nothing is missed and that checks are consistent every time. Staff completing these checks are not weighing up the benefits of a risk. They are only deciding if something is safe enough to be used without danger.

Examples of what might be included in a health and safety check:

• Playground equipment is secure with no loose bolts
• Sandpits are clean and free of sharp objects
• Pathways are clear of trip hazards
• Fire exits are unlocked and clear
• First aid kits are stocked and within reach
• Protective surfaces in play areas are intact
• Tools or materials are stored safely

Health and safety checks are a legal requirement and form part of workplace health and safety law. They protect both staff and children.

What is a Risk Benefit Assessment in Playwork?

Risk benefit assessment is different. It recognises that some risks are part of play and can be good for children’s development. The assessment weighs up the benefits of a play activity against the potential harm.

This process asks if the activity helps children learn, grow and gain confidence. It then considers if the risks can be managed so that harm is unlikely.

Risk benefit assessment is common in playwork settings where activities such as climbing, den building, water play, using loose parts or outdoor exploration happen regularly. It accepts that removing all risk can limit children’s learning opportunities.

Examples of questions in a risk benefit assessment might be:

• What does the child gain from doing this activity?
• How can any dangers be reduced without removing the activity?
• Is the risk age-appropriate and within the child’s abilities?
• Are staff ready to support if something goes wrong?

Benefits might include developing physical coordination, problem-solving skills, social interaction, creativity or resilience.

Key Differences

Health and safety checks aim to remove hazards. Risk benefit assessment aims to balance risk with benefit.

Health and safety checks are often quick and methodical. They follow the same process every time. Risk benefit assessment takes more thought and considers the child’s needs, developmental stage and the learning potential of the activity.

Another difference is the timing. Health and safety checks are usually carried out before play begins. Risk benefit assessments can be done before, during and after an activity, especially if something changes or a new risk appears.

Why Both Are Important in Playwork

Playwork settings need both processes. Health and safety checks make sure children start in a safe space. Risk benefit assessment makes sure children still have access to challenging play that helps them grow.

Without health and safety checks, children could face avoidable hazards. Without risk benefit assessments, children might miss chances to learn from activities that carry small manageable risks.

Using both means children can play in environments that are safe but still stimulating and adventurous.

Practical Examples in a Play Setting

Example 1 – Fixed Playground Equipment
Before opening the playground, staff do a health and safety check. They find a loose bolt on a swing seat and fix it. This is hazard removal. Later, they consider letting children swing high. This has risk of falling but benefits balance, strength and confidence. They decide it is acceptable if there is supervision. This is risk benefit assessment.

Example 2 – Outdoor Fire Pit Activity
Health and safety checks before the activity ensure there are no flammable items near the pit, the fire is contained and water or sand is available to put it out. Risk benefit assessment then considers the experience of cooking outdoors, the life skills gained and the social interaction. The risk of burns is managed by clear boundaries and adult oversight.

Example 3 – Loose Parts Play
Health and safety checks remove unsafe items such as rusted metal rods or broken glass. Risk benefit assessment then asks if heavy wooden blocks add value to play. The risk of blocks falling is weighed against the benefit of creative building and teamwork. Controls such as advising children on safe lifting are introduced.

How to Carry Out Health and Safety Checks

Health and safety checks can be done using these steps:

• Walk around the whole play area before children arrive
• Use a checklist to make sure nothing is missed
• Pay attention to equipment, surfaces, pathways, fencing and storage
• Remove or fix hazards immediately
• Record findings and actions for future reference

Staff should know what counts as a hazard and be confident in taking action straight away.

How to Carry Out Risk Benefit Assessment

Risk benefit assessment often uses a written form but can also be a mental process during play. Key steps are:

• Identify the activity and its purpose
• List possible benefits to the child’s development
• Identify risks linked to the activity
• Decide how each risk can be controlled or reduced
• Balance the risks against the benefits
• Make a decision to go ahead, adapt, or stop the activity
• Review after the activity for future improvements

This process is flexible and can be adapted to fit quick decisions or planned events.

Legal and Professional Considerations

Health and safety checks link directly to legal duties under legislation such as the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. Employers must provide safe environments for staff and children.

Risk benefit assessments connect with professional practice guidance such as the Play Safety Forum principles. They support the idea that children need challenge in play to develop skills and awareness.

Playwork staff must know how to meet legal duties without removing the value of risk in play. Training helps workers understand both processes in depth.

Staff Roles and Responsibilities

All staff in the play setting should take part in health and safety checks and risk benefit assessments. This builds shared responsibility and awareness.

In health and safety checks, staff must:

• Notice hazards quickly
• Take action to remove dangers
• Report faults or concerns promptly

In risk benefit assessment, staff must:

• Encourage play experiences that offer challenge
• Help children manage risks themselves
• Step in when risk becomes too high

Both roles need observation, quick thinking and good communication with colleagues.

Balancing Risk and Safety

Risk benefit assessment is more about balance than removal. It accepts that risk can be positive when children are learning new skills. The balance is found by keeping risk within a level that children can handle and learn from, without creating serious danger.

Staff should remember that over-protection can limit growth, while ignoring risks can endanger children. Playing safely with challenge helps children prepare for life beyond the play setting.

Recording and Reviewing

Both health and safety checks and risk benefit assessments benefit from records. Written notes or tick lists can show what was checked, what was found and what action was taken.

Reviewing these records helps to improve practice. For health and safety checks, this means spotting patterns such as repeated faults. For risk benefit assessment, this means learning which activities give the most benefit with the least serious risk.

Training and Skill Development

Workers in playwork settings should be trained to carry out both processes well. Training might include hazard identification, child development knowledge, play theory and legal awareness.

Role-play scenarios, practical demonstrations and supervision help staff get confident in making decisions about safety and risk in real time.

Final Thoughts

Health and safety checks and risk benefit assessment work side by side in playwork. One protects children from harm by removing hazards. The other protects their right to experience challenge, learning and growth through play.

By practising both with care and consistency, staff can create spaces that encourage children to explore while staying safe. This balance is at the heart of great playwork.