LNHG Health and Safety Policy

Lorn Natural History Group

GENERIC RISK ASSESSMENT FOR FIELD TRIPS & TRAINING DAYS (excluding boat-based)
To be considered by organisers in advance of outdoor activities
Scales: High – Medium – Low

Hazard	Chance of hazard	Potential severity of risk	Mitigation by LNHG
Poor weather (wind, rain, snow, fog)	High	Potentially high, e.g. hypothermia, loss of direction	– Listen to weather forecast Mountain trips: – Cancel of trip if forecast indicates high risk – Map, compass, GPS, mobile phone – Adequate protective clothing Lone working in mountains only: – Take emergency shelter & rations – Consider satellite phone – Take torch and whistle for emergencies
Steep ground, cliffs	High	Potentially high	– Do not tackle dangerously steep ground
Getting lost (in fog or forests)	Low	Potentially high	– When risk of getting lost, ensure anyone unfamiliar with the area is not left alone Mountain trips: – Keep in sight with one another – Plan route in advance with bearings, GPS points – Take map, compass, GPS – Take mobile phone, but do not rely on it; consider satellite phone in remote areas if lone working
Snow on the ground (avalanches, slips)	Medium	Potentially high	Mountain trips only: – Abort fieldwork if risk appears high
Rivers, burns	High	Medium	– Do not cross if there is no safe crossing place or in spate – Abort route if need be
Damage to eyes from dense spruce	Medium	Medium	– Change route or wear eye protection
Lyme disease	Low	High	– Warn participants; tuck trousers into socks; regularly check tick bite locations for a month afterwards; seek medical advice if symptoms appear
Land management operations (e.g. harvesting, stalking)	Medium	Low	– Liaise with contracting party in advance if such activities likely; avoid relevant area if need be
Travel to/from site	Low	Potentially high	– Take care when driving, particularly on tracks – Be alert for timber lorries
Unable to communicate by phone in emergency	Low	High	– Owing to unreliable reception, do not rely on mobile phone in emergency [see emergency procedure in H&S policy]

LORN NATURAL HISTORY GROUP
HEALTH & SAFETY POLICY

The field trips organised by Lorn Natural History Group have the purpose of observing and recording wildlife. The routes chosen by the organiser will avoid hazardous ground and situations, and be suitable for any reasonably fit person to undertake. Participants attend at their risk.

RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PARTICIPANTS

1) Participants take part at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety
2) They are responsible for ensuring that their outdoor clothing and footwear is suitable to the conditions
3) Participants have a duty to inform the organiser before setting out of any relevant health or medical issues
4) They will inform the organiser if they find a particular route unsuited to their ability
5) In locations unfamiliar to them where there is a risk of getting lost, they will keep in sight of other members of the party

RESPONSIBILITY OF THE LORN NATURAL HISTORY GROUP

General

1) To at all times have Public Liability Insurance for its events and activities

Before setting out

1) Plan non-hazardous route and study the risk assessment using the standard form
2) Ensure a First Aid kit is taken & identify any First Aiders if present
3) Ask participants if they have any medical or health issues which might be relevant (e.g. epilepsy)
4) Identify who has working mobile phones, GPS and maps
5) Ask that anyone returning early informs the organiser
6) Warn participants of Lyme disease, and suggest people tuck their trousers into their socks
7) To remind participants that they attend at their own risk

EMERGENCY PROCEDURE IN EVENT OF ACCIDENT

1) If injured party cannot be moved, phone 999 for help
2) If out of mobile range, send for help, leaving at least one person with the injured
3) Post accident: Inform LNHG members at next committee meeting of incident, identify future mitigation and review H&S policy

Author: James Fenton
20 February 2018

This project is supported by Scottish Natural Heritage