Following an incident when a graduating student was injured by a descending mortarboard, a university has advised students that this tradition should be given a miss.
Boggart.blog was able to get hold of a copy of the risk assessment for the forthcoming degree congregation.
Risk Assessment For Degree Congregation, July 26 2008.
To be held in the Guildhall.
The guildhall is a purpose built hall designed to hold over 6oo people. There are four main entrances which are clearly signposted.
Risk factor Low.
Action Needed None.
Emergency exits are clearly signed, all emergency doors were in full working order, although it was noted that one could break a fingernail pushing down and holding down the bar to open the doors.
Risk Factor Low
Action needed. Warning stickers to be applied to all dooors with such openings.
Aisles are wide and carpetted, allowing orderly movement to and from seats, although the incline could prove strenuous for those with heart conditions.
Risk Factor Low
Action needed Warning signs in foyer and notices in the Order of Events. Reserve seating towards the front of the auditorium for those who choose not to tackle the slope.
Steps onto staged area situated to right and left of stage. Graduates will enter the stage from the left, receive their degree and exit to the right. It is imperative that this one way system is adhered to.
Risk Factor Low to Medium
Action needed Directional arrows to show the flow of graduates. Clear no entry signs to be situated in the appropriate place on each set of steps.
Speech by the Director of Studies. Liable to be overlong and incredibly boring. Could lead to instances of fidgeting and mischief or alternatively could induce coma in more susceptible spectators.
Risk Factor High
Students and parents to be given iPods to ease the boredom.
Students throwing mortarboards into the air. You would think they would understand by now that what goes up must come down, especially the physics graduates, but oh no, they do it every year. Risk of injuries caused by falling mortarboards include head and facial lacerations, bruised knuckles sustained whilst trying to catch and/or deflect said mortarboards.
Risk Factor Medium
Action needed. Instruct graduates to refrain from throwing mortarboards. Ensure mortarboards have an impact absorbing surface, perhaps make them out of that rubber stuff they put under play equipment, after all it's usually black.
Champagne reception on the lawns. Marquees will need to be tethered with guy ropes and tent pegs. This could lead to trips and falls. Champagne corks could pop and cause injury. Danger of choking on bones if smoked salmon not filleted properly. Glasses could get broken. Food might be thrown if the graduates consume too much champagne. Food might be thrown up if the graduates consume way too much champagne which they may very well do as it is free.
Risk Factor My god it's an absolute bloody minefield out there. We really should call the whole thing off and send the degrees through the post with a voucher for the local photo shop to do the photos.
