Your safety is paramount. Our policy is to identify and mitigate hazards as they become apparent.

The following is designed to help teachers complete Risk Management Statements for a Museum visit.

Ideally teachers should visit the Museum prior to bringing their class to familiarise themselves with the Museum and its ‘hazards’.

School visit safety guidelines

Conduct

Students should be advised of appropriate behaviour for a museum visit. In particular we request students to walk only and speak in a quiet voice. Stairs, hard floor surfaces, and the corners of showcases and displays represent the most common hazards.

Accompanying adults

The Museum requires that students be accompanied by supervising adults with the minimum ratio of 1:3 for ECE, 1:6 Years 1–4, 1:7 Years 5–6, 1:10 Years 7–8, and 1:30 for Years 9–13. Students are to remain in these groups with their accompanying adults at all times. Supervising adults should be advised of their responsibilities and the behaviour to expect from their students. Help these adults by advising them on how to make the visit an effective teaching and learning experience.

Accompanying adults are responsible for ensuring that:

• They provide active supervision by staying in close proximity to students and are able to provide immediate assistance or direction
• Students do not eat or drink in galleries
• Students behave in an appropriate manner
• Their group is in the correct venue on time and not in unbooked areas
• Please be considerate of other pre-booked groups in a gallery.

Parents or guardians shall provide supervision and care for children under the age of 14 while attending the Museum. While Auckland Museum complies with its obligations under Vulnerable Children’s Act (2014), including the designation of a Child Safety Officer, the Museum does not accept responsibility for any children left unattended. Students remain the responsibility of their teachers and accompanying caregivers at all times.

Food and drink

The consumption of food and drink in gallery spaces is not allowed at all and we ask that you strictly observe this rule as a part of our conditions of entry.

School bags

Limited bag storage is available. We politely request that as many bags as possible be left at your school or on the bus.

First aid

Trained staff are available to assist you with first aid. Should an incident requiring first aid occur, please notify any Auckland Museum staff member who will be able to provide assistance. First aid kits are located at:

• Welcome Lounge (Ground Floor)
• Weird and Wonderful (Level 1)
• The Learning Innovation Lab (Ground Floor)

Additional first aid kits can be located by Auckland Museum staff and are inspected regularly as part of the Museum safety programme.

Emergencies

Emergency signals are communicated by alarms and intercom. Museum staff are trained in emergency and evacuation procedures. Some displays have audible alarms triggered by intrusion or inappropriate use.

Security

Visitor Hosts are in attendance throughout the galleries. They are equipped with radios and are trained to deal with emergencies.

Surveillance

Recorded video surveillance operates throughout the Museum.

Telephones

Telephones are available for emergency use in the Welcome Lounge, Weird and Wonderful, and the Information Desks.