Lostwithiel u3a Walking Group Risk Assessment
For the attention of all members
The following generic Risk Assessment covers all walks and should be read in conjunction with the with specific information being sent to you for each walk. Pleas familiarise yourself with its contents.
Car sharing is considered necessary in some cases and any member of the group who volunteers to undertake the task must have fully comprehensive insurance.
We walk on a variety of terrains using paths, minor roads, fields and tracks and the following below is a basic list for your attention:
- On minor roads walkers should walk in single file with yellow reflective vests being available for walk leaders or nominated individuals if deemed necessary. One walk leader will be at the front and a second at the back.
- In fields you may encounter farm animals which may or may not have been present on the recce walk - please follow any instructions from your walk leader.
- TICKS - You are recommended to wear long trousers tucked into your walking socks. It is also recommended to wear a long sleeved light coloured shirt and use appropriate insect repellent to help protect against tick bites.
- You are recommended to bring along your own medication to deal with any bites and stings including your own tick remover.
- Wear sensible shoes/boots that are applicable to the walk - your leader will tell you of likely underfoot conditions in the e-mail invitation so that a sensible selection can be made.
- Weather conditions can change very quickly in Cornwall so although the walk leader will check forecast for the time and area before you set off you must be prepared for bad weather.
- Drink stops will always be necessary on the walk and although cafes, if any, will be mentioned in the instructions they may not be always open during the year so a hot/cold drink should be taken as an insurance.
- Your walk leader will have a simple First Aid Kit with him/her on the walk but this will only contain things like antiseptic wipes, plasters, triangular bandage to cover the very basic ailments.
- Your walk leader will have a mobile phone with him/her for emergency use if necessary but please remember that in some areas a signal is not always available so contact from and to is not always possible.
- Toilets, if available, will be mentioned in the specific guidance although not always tested otherwise a more natural method will be necessary.
- Many of the walks involve using coastal paths-again this will be identified on the walk invitation but please follow any local guidance keeping away from edges and any route changes due to subsidence.
Please carefully read the specific instructions which are sent to all members prior to the walk, normally about 7-10 days before the walk is due to take place. The instructions will specify the length of the walk, the degree of challenge (from easy to strenuous) the number of hills and stiles and the terrain.
In order that the leader has an updated and complete list of those intending to go on the walk please let your leader know if you are going at least 4 days before the walk day.
A register of participating walkers will be compiled before each walk. The walk leader will use it at the start of the walk and at other appropriate times. Please let you walk leader know if you intend to leave the walk at any point.
The walk leader will carry an updated list of emergency contact details, along with a map of the walk, a compass and a whistle.
HAPPY WALKING FROM YOUR WALK LEADERS.
Document date: 01/11/24
Author: Chris Dimond
Checked by: Annie Singer
Date of next review: 01/11/25
