Risk Assessment Guide to Safety - Leaders
It is essential that walk leaders read this for insurance purposes.
It is essential that you have knowledge of the route and ideally to have reconnoitred the walk.
You must produce a summary of the walk for circulation to the members, which should include:
Total distance and ascent for the walk
Any specific equipment requirements
A summary of the types of terrain that will be encountered
Any particular hazards, e.g. any exposed sections
You must assess the weather conditions on the day and if necessary amend or cancel the planned walk.
Make sure everyone is suitably clothed and shod, and prevent a member joining your walk if they are not properly equipped or you feel they may not be fit enough to complete the walk.
For groups of over ten people, you must appoint a “back marker”, who can be changed during the walk.
You must keep everyone reasonably together, especially in mist, and initiate re-grouping if stragglers make this necessary.
The overall pace should take in all levels of walkers in the group.
You must carry the appropriate OS map and a compass – just taking a GPS device is not acceptable. You must be able to give a grid reference in the event of an accident.
If there is an accident that causes an injury, this must be reported to the Transport Secretary at the conclusion of the walk for recording in the Accident Book.
Guests who are on one of their trial walks and who are prospective Club members will be covered by the Club’s insurance. Guests who are just visiting the area and so are not prospective members would not be covered, and they should be informed of this.
If walking above the snowline when ice axes and crampons are required, you must ensure all walkers in the group have this equipment. In any event, the terms of our insurance do not cover members walking in such conditions against any claims, and they should be informed of this.