Youth activities often involve environmental risks that require proactive planning and appropriate safety measures. The examples below highlight risks that require safety precautions and an Acknowledgement of Risk (AOR) form.
Click any linked risk to explore strategies for managing it safely.
General Environment
Activities that take place in environments with inherent risks:
☐ Activities in labs, shops, art studios, or kitchens
☐ Activities in remote outdoor locations
☐ Activities in unfamiliar or new locations
☐ Exposure to extreme weather conditions
☐ Exposure to allergens (e.g., in food, pollen, insect bites)
☐ Limited access to restroom facilities
☐ Navigation of rugged or uneven terrain
☐ Outdoor activities lasting longer than one hour
☐ Presence of bodies of water (e.g., lakes, rivers, waterfront)
☐ Proximity to busy roads or high-traffic areas
☐ Use of mountain trails or hiking paths
Physical Hazards
Activities that involve potentially hazardous materials, equipment, or tools:
☐ Bikes, scooters, skateboards, longboards, or other non-motorized or electric vehicles
☐ Computers or electronic devices for online interaction
☐ Electrical shock
☐ Elevated heights without fall protection
☐ Excessive noise
☐ Flashing or strobe lights
☐ Hazardous materials (e.g., chemicals, biologicals, radiation)
☐ Heavy objects
☐ Hot surfaces (e.g., stove, burner, or hotplate)
☐ Ladders
☐ Machinery
☐ Needles or sharps
☐ Poor air quality or airborne particles
☐ Sports equipment that may cause injury
☐ Other potentially hazardous materials or equipment requiring PPE or safety measures
Personal Safety/Security
Activities that may involve safety or security concerns:
☐ Activities in public or densely populated areas
☐ Activities in urban areas with higher crime or housing insecurity
☐ Activities occurring during evenings or weekends
☐ Field trips to remote areas far from emergency services
☐ Limited supervision or unstructured free time
☐ Off-campus activities
☐ Overnight stays (i.e., extended time away from caregiver)
☐ Unsupervised free time before, during, or after activities
☐ Use of locker rooms, showers, or changing areas
☐ Use of shared spaces accessible to the public
Transportation
Activities that involve transporting youth participants:
☐ Charter vehicles operated by third-party providers
☐ Ferry or water taxi
☐ Public Transit
☐ Vehicles driven by program personnel
☐ Walking through areas with traffic or moving vehicles
Physical Activity
Activities with elevated physical or water-related safety risks:
☐ Cardio-intensive activities (e.g., continuous running, sprinting, repeated drills)
☐ Moderate physical activities (e.g., running, jumping, calisthenics)
☐ Activities involving regular physical touch (e.g., dance, games, theater)
☐ Participation in high-contact sports (e.g., football, wrestling, basketball)
☐ Participation in water activities (e.g., swimming, wading, water play, boating)