Guidelines and Risk Assessment for Walk Leaders
It is essential to have route knowledge and preferably to have reconnoitred the walk.
All leaders must carry a fully-charged mobile phone.
If walkers advise the leader that they intend to go straight to the start of the walk in advance, make the walkers aware that if there is a change in circumstances (weather, transport, road closures etc.) the walk may not go ahead.
Mobile phone numbers should be exchanged with other leaders, where necessary and with any walker who leaves the group.
On the day of the walk.
Check the weather forecast.
If meeting at start of route, you must be there even if the walk is cancelled to advise walkers.
At the start of the walk.
At the Sands make sure everyone has a lift who needs one.
Make sure drivers know where to go.
Welcome newcomers and check they are appropriately equipped. Reject any that are not and advise what is needed to walk safely.
Count the walkers.
Be prepared to advise approximate finish time and breaks.
Let walkers know if there are any known hazards and a brief description of the route to be taken. (This should already be on the website.)
The walk leader should appoint a back-marker who can be changed during the walk.
On the walk.
Everyone must be kept reasonably together, especially in mist, and re-grouping should take place if there are any stragglers.
The overall pace should take in all levels of walkers and in particular the slowest.
The walk leader must assess weather conditions, and change/cancel/alter a walk as necessary.
All walk leaders must be able to give a grid reference or a what3words in the event of an accident. An Ordnance Survey or Harvey's (scale 1:25000) and compass must be carried, even if using a GPS device.
The leader should be aware of all hazards including road walking, the generally safe way to road walk is to face on-coming traffic but blind corners etc should be taken into account.
At the end of the walk.
Make sure all the walkers have returned and can get back to the Sands.
Report any accidents or serious path problems to the club's Safety Officer.