Use this risk assessment as a starting point to think about your specific walk. Be mindful of any additional hazards. Review and share your plan with walkers on the day – and make changes if you need to. Leaders are stressed and • All new walk leaders complete introductory training and make the most of opportunities to develop their Lack of overwhelmed skills confidence • Peer support available from more experienced leaders and/or skill Walkers are exposed to • Leaders only lead within their capabilities • A leader may decide to cancel the walk if there are too few people, or too many people Too many or Leaders are stressed and with insufficient helpers (e.g. co-leaders or mid-markers for a big group. Refer to too few overwhelmed recommended ratios)
• Advertise any limits on group size (and booking information, if needed) in advance walking • Where needed, limit invitations to people with a specific shared experience (e.g. women-only walks, cancer in the group support groups) Walkers are exposed to Walkers put themselves and • Share information with walkers in advance to establish clear expectations and responsibilities Walkers act others at risk • Give a walk briefing before setting off, to share your plan and expectations recklessly Leaders are stressed and • Communicate with walkers throughout the walk overwhelmed • Check the weather before the walk • Let people know what to wear and what to bring if the route is over exceptional ground for Essex. Walkers are exposed to extreme Weather • Make contingency plans cold, heat, or wet • Set an appropriate pace and take breaks as needed • Stay alert to changing conditions and adjust plans accordingly Walkers get lost • Where possible, recce the route a week or so in advance – or carefully plan with good local knowledge, guidebooks and/or maps There is a communications • Leaders are familiar with the route and contingency plans in case changes are needed Getting lost blackout • Pre-register phone with 999 emergency text service • Know the hours of dusk and darkness, and plan accordingly • Leaders complete training on Preventing & Managing Incidents • Check for muddy/slippery/steep sections when planning • Advise walkers of terrain and suitable footwear in advance if the route is over exceptional ground for Essex. Walkers trip or fall, resulting in • Recommend use of walking poles if appropriate Terrain injury • Make contingency plans, to draw on if needed in response to the group & conditions • Zigzag up/down any steep sections – highlight benefits of walking poles • Offer reassurance to nervous walkers & take adequate breaks • Adjust plans on the walk if needed Unsafe/unstable Walkers trip or fall, resulting in geographic injury • Follow any local warnings or signs and advise walkers to keep away from sheer drops/edges features or • Check paths are suitable for a group to use safely and make changes if necessary obstacles (e.g., • Avoid crossing any significant water features – use bridges or other recognised water crossing points water, tides, rock Walkers get into difficulty and • Check the tide times fall, overhangs, drown and fallen trees) Livestock Walkers are at risk of injury • Cross fields with livestock calmly and quietly, keeping the group together and any dogs on a short lead from livestock (releasing the dog if charged by cows). Deviate from the right of way if necessary (this is a legal right). Property is damaged • Follow the Countryside Code (England & Wales) and Scottish Outdoor Access Code (Scotland) The wider public are at risk of • Leave gates and property as you find them injury from escaped livestock Roads Walkers are at risk of road • Maintain single file on any road sections without footpath/pavement traffic accident • Plan route to avoid busy roads where possible Other road users are at risk of • Check for suitable crossing places accident • Consider wearing Hi Viz vests at front and back of group where walk requires significant main road walking • Regular headcounts and communication with the group • Don’t allow group to stretch out too much • Remind all walkers to look back at any corner/change of direction to ensure people behind know the route Walkers could get left Losing walkers to take behind/lost • Appoint a backmarker and exchange mobile numbers before start of walk • Communicate with group throughout the walk • Walkers should carry a whistle to attract attention of group if lost • Ask walkers to complete and carry an In Case of Emergency (ICE) card containing details of relevant health conditions • Leaders complete training on Preventing & Managing Incidents Accident or • Know how to contact the emergency services Walkers require first aid or medical • Ensure mobile phone is fully charged, and consider carrying a power bank medical attention emergency • Carry a first aid kit – and extra supplies/layers to keep people comfortable while waiting for help to arrive • Walkers should carry a whistle to attract attention in the event of an emergency • Pre-register mobile phone for emergency SMS (see ICE card for details)