# Chelmer & Blackwater Ramblers

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# Leisurely and Moderate walks
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)
## people
**•** 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)