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Use this risk assessment as a starting point to think about your specific walk. Be mindful of any additional hazards.\nReview and share your plan with walkers on the day – and make changes if you need to.\nLeaders are stressed and\n• 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)
\n• 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)\nWalkers are exposed to\nWalkers put themselves and\n• 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.\nWalkers are exposed to extreme\nWeather • Make contingency plans cold, heat, or wet\n• Set an appropriate pace and take breaks as needed\n• 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.\nWalkers 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)\nLivestock 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).\nProperty is damaged • Follow the Countryside Code (England & Wales) and Scottish Outdoor Access Code (Scotland)\nThe 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)
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