Walk Leaders - Important

ACTION PLAN FOR WALK LEADERS ARISING FROM RISK ASSESSMENT

 

• All walks are to be “pioneered’ in advance to establish the likely risks involved. Any sections found to have a high level of risk should be re-routed to avoid such risk.

 

• In the event of exceptionally inclement weather, the leader must consider whether it is safe to proceed with the walk as planned.

 

• The leader must appoint a back marker to act as “sweeper” so that the whole group can always be accounted for.

 

• Walkers should be warned of hazards and risks as the walk progresses; e.g. particularly slippery section, need to go around farm animals, potentially hazardous road crossing, dilapidated stile etc.

 

• An official club walk must never have less than four walkers so that in the event of injury; injured plus one stay put and two go for help.

 

• The walking group should carry a first aid kit and a mobile phone to call for help if necessary. The leader must be able to pin point the location of the group so that help can be directed should the need arise. Mobile phones need to be charged and registered for 999 text calls. The phone should not be relied on to automatically transmit location information to the Emergency Services.

 

• All walkers must follow “The Country Code”.

 

• For walks in mountainous areas the above apply plus the following:

- Leader must have contingency plans to cut the walk short in the event of an accident or inclement weather.

- Leader to ensure that the group all have appropriate clothing including waterproofs.

- Leader to carry a survival bag for emergency use.

- Leader or one of the group to carry a GPS receiver so as to be able to pin point location in the event of an accident or inclement weather.

- Leaders must be aware that the availability of a mobile phone signal cannot be relied on in remote or mountainous areas.

 

20/4/2017