Excursions with Student-Operated Equipment

Tools Not Toys

Allowing students to operate equipment from cameras and drones to power tools in a workshop can significantly enhance learning. However, handing a student a controller or a tool introduces specific operational hazards that must be managed. 

The risk here is twofold: injury to the student and damage to expensive (often third-party) equipment.

Case Study: Drones in the Wind

Think about using drones in a coastal environment. It sounds fun, but without preparation, this could have ended in damage or injury. 

The wind at the coast is unpredictable. However, you can get up to date weather data by using Xcursion Planner, specifically wind, rain and air quality. We were able to make safer decisions about when to fly and when to ground the gear. 

Similarly, on a design technology trip involving power tool use at a partner facility, your risk assessment will require the host to brief all students, and school staff to actively monitor their work.

A Framework for Operational Safety

The key is recognising that equipment adds another layer of risk, one that must be addressed before the excursion begins. 

1. Pre-Trip Competency Checks

Never let a student operate equipment for the first time on the excursion. Ensure students have demonstrated safe use of the equipment beforehand in a controlled school environment. 

2. Direct Supervision Levels

You cannot supervise a drone pilot from the bus. Assign a trip leader to directly oversee the operation zone. Their sole job is to watch the operator and the environment.

3. Emergency Shut-Down Knowledge

It is not enough for the student to know how to stop. Trip leaders should know how to quickly disable the equipment if needed. If a drone goes rogue or a saw jams, the teacher must be able to intervene instantly.

Integrating Competency into Your Risk Assessment

Using school excursion software like Xcursion Planner, you can log student competencies against the trip and make notes and checklists for clear PPE for students. You can create a checklist that requires staff to verify PPE is correctly fitted before the equipment is released. This creates a robust audit trail that proves you didn't just hand over the power tools to the kids, you actually managed the risk.