Risk Assessment For:			Undertaken:
	British Plate Armour Society		Date:
			Name:
			Signed:
Hazards		Those at risk	Controls
Archery		Spectators	Archery is only be done if site permits. Site must have either 1 clear side, or be large enough to allow safe fall of arrows within the arena. Archery not performed in windy conditions which would effect the accuracy of shooting. It is the decision of senior archery captain or senior society official present as to whether archery can be performed.
		Participants	Archery During display is only done at a 45deg angle with low boundage bows and safe arrows (fru-frus) ( as stated in society rules and regulations). No direct shooting is allowed. This ensures arrows hitting participants fall down onto helmet or upper body, and can not go into the face.
Guns & cannon		Spectators and participants	Guns and cannon are only used if site is large enough to maintain a safe distance in front such that no wading or other material ejected from the gun will enter the crowd or hit participants. No participants or spectators are allowed in this safe area. The exact size of the safe distance varies depending on the size and type of gun, it is the decision of the senior gunner or society offical on the day as to what safe area is required. If their is insufficient space then they are not used.
Backswings from weapons and participants entering the crowd		Spectators	A double roped arena must be in place for any display. There must be at least 3 feet between the inner and outer ropes. Participants must not go beyond the inner barrier, and spectators are not allowed inside the outer barrier. Crowd charges must stop at the inner barrier.
Trips, falls, slips etc		Participants	Arena should be clear of obstructions, rubbish, holes etc. Any unavoidable hazards (Holes etc) should be pointed out to participants, and if necessary roped off. In adverse weather conditions where the ground becomes slippery special care must be taken by participants. If the conditions warrant then requirement to wear medieval footwear will be lifted and modern boots with good grip and ankle support will be allowed. Anyone falling over accidentally must be allowed time and space to recover.
Injuries from weapons during combat		Participants	Participants must be trained in safe use of their weapons and all society combat rules must be followed during combat. All combatant participants must wear helmet and gauntlets, body protection of at least thick padding is recommended, although not compulsory. All non-combatant participants must wear a helmet. When fighting members of other societies who may not have such strict rules special care must be taken to prevent injury. (see society rules & regulations for full details of combat safety rules).
Overcrowding		Participants	The arena must be large enough for the number of participants. If the arena is too small then only a safe number of participants should fight at the same time.
Public access to armour and weapons.		Spectators	When the public are allowed to view or handle armour or weapons (either on a stall or after a battle at the arena edge) they must be supervised at all times. Armour must only be put on and off by society members, weapons must be handed out and taken back on a one on one basis by society members and warnings of sharp edge & burrs given.
Shoot the knight participation archery		members	Only low boundage bows with safe (fru-fru) arrows are to be used. The target knight must wear either full plate armour or half/three-quarter plate armour with a medium shield or larger. The helmet must be full face with a visor slit small enough to stop an arrow penetrating.
		Public	Members of the public participating must be supervised by a society archer at all times. The site for the stall must be wide enough to prevent any mis-shot or deflected arrows entering the crowd. There must be no public access behind the target area to prevent arrows that overshoot or deflect hitting spectators.
Carrying weapons in the crowd		Spectators	When carrying weapons outside the arena (e.g. during processions of to and from the arena) at an event special care must be taken. Long weapons such as Pole arms must be held vertical and belt weapons that extend behind the carrier must be controlled, especially when turning round.
			Note:
			The overall show outside the societies stalls, arena display and members actions is not the responsibility of the BPAS. The show organisers should have whatever insurance, health and safety policies and risk assessments are required for the event.