HAZARD

RISK

AT RISK

Students (S)

Instructors (I)

Public (P)

PROBABILITY

Low (L)

Appreciable (A)

High (H)

LEVEL

Minor (M)

Serious (S)

Fatal (F)

MANAGEMENT

OK/AMEND

Weather

Risk of Hypothermia, particularly if delayed/lost due to poor weather and/or cloud (inc. high winds). Heat exhaustion; sunstroke; sunburn in warm conditions.

Injury due to lightning strike. Injury due to slips/falls occasioned by wet rocks/grass.

S

I

L

L

L

L

MSF

MSF

MSF

MSF

Specialist mountain weather forecasts consulted where available. Local weather reports obtained where available.

PPE appropriate to weather conditions carried by students and instructors. Instructors trained, experienced, hold the appropriate qualification/insurance in navigation, weather signs and first aid.

Steep, broken terrain, slippery rock or grass, muddy or loose paths

Possibility of injury due to slips, stumbles or falls in ascent/descent.

Risk of injury due to stone fall, either natural or caused by participants or other walkers/cyclists.

S

I

P

A

L

L

MSF

MSF

MSF

Route chosen is appropriate to students’ abilities, equipment and prevailing conditions. Students are supervised as appropriate to their abilities and prevailing conditions. Instructors are suitably trained, experienced, qualified and insured. The element of risk is understood and accepted by all.

Water hazards such as burns, rivers, snow bridges and marshy ground

Burns/rivers in spate may occasion lengthy detours leading to risk of exhaustion and hypothermia in students.

Possibility of slipping or falling into water resulting in immersion hypothermia.

Risk of drowning.

Risk of physical trauma.

S

I

L

L

L

L

MSF

MSF

MSF

MSF

Specialist mountain weather forecasts consulted where available. Local weather reports obtained where available. Instructors take into account implications of burns/rivers in spate on route choice; are conversant with weather signs; are trained and experienced in river crossing techniques and procedures. Students receive appropriate instruction and supervision in river crossing techniques.

Lyme’s Disease

Risk of contracting Lyme’s Disease from a tick bite.

S

I

A

MSF

Ensure that all participants are aware of the signs & symptoms of Lyme’s Disease.

Advise on suitable clothing in tick habitat.

Advise on checking for ticks & appropriate removal techniques if one found.

Carry a ‘tick removing hook’ in first aid kit.

HAZARD

RISK

AT RISK

Students (S)

Instructors (I)

Public (P)

PROBABILITY

Low (L)

Appreciable (A)

High (H)

LEVEL

Minor (M)

Serious (S)

Fatal (F)

MANAGEMENT

OK/AMEND

Weather

Hypothermia and/or exhaustion, particularly if delayed/lost due to poor weather including whiteouts, blizzards, very strong winds.

Cold injuries (frost nip, frostbite) in bad weather.

Sun burn.

Snow blindness.

Injury due to lightning strike.

Can lead to change in avalanche hazard; snow/ice conditions, etc.

See relevant sections below.

S, I

A

L

L

L

L

MSF

MS

MS

MS

MSF

Specialist mountain weather forecasts consulted where available. Local weather reports obtained where available.

PPE appropriate to weather conditions carried by students and instructors.

Instructors trained, experienced, qualified & insured in navigation, weather signs and appropriate first aid.

Refer to other sections for specific hazards which are affected by weather e.g. avalanche.

Steep broken terrain. Slippery rock (inc. verglas), snow on grass, muddy, icy or loose paths. Steep snow and ice slopes. Cornices.

Possibility of injury due to slips, stumbles or falls in ascent/descent (inc. tripping over crampons).

Also risk of injury due to stone fall and/or icefall, either natural or caused by participants or other walkers.

Avalanche risk (see section below)

S

I

p

A

L/A

MSF

MSF

Route chosen is appropriate to students’ abilities and prevailing conditions. Students are suitably trained in basic defensive winter skills. Students are supervised as appropriate to their abilities and prevailing conditions. Appropriate PPE (CE approved) is used. Instructors are suitably trained, experience. The element of risk is understood and accepted by all.

Refer to weather and avalanche section.

Water hazards such as burns, rivers, snow bridges and marshy ground

Burns/rivers in spate may occasion lengthy detours leading to risk of exhaustion and hypothermia in students.

Possibility of slipping or falling into water resulting in immersion hypothermia and increased risk of cold injuries.

Risk of drowning.

Physical trauma.

S

I

L

L

L

L

MSF

MSF

Specialist mountain weather forecasts consulted where available. Local weather reports obtained where available. Instructors take into account implications of burns/rivers in spate on route choice; are conversant with weather signs; are trained and experience in river crossing techniques and procedures. Students receive appropriate instruction and supervision in river crossing techniques

Avalanche

All types

Risk of burial/trauma injuries; being swept over broken ground and resulting injuries.

Avalanches being triggered by students, instructor, other walkers or environmental influences.

S

I

P

Variable

MSF

MSF

Specialist mountain weather and avalanche forecasts consulted as appropriate. Local weather forecasts obtained where available.

Instructors suitably trained, experienced, qualified & insured in avalanche prediction using a variety of information sources and techniques; safe travel methods; search and rescue techniques.

HAZARD

RISK

AT RISK

Speaker (S)

Public (P)

PROBABILITY

Low (L)

Appreciable (A)

High (H)

LEVEL

Minor (M)

Serious (S)

Fatal (F)

MANAGEMENT

OK/AMEND

Travel to Venue

Road Traffic Accident

(Specifically because lectures are held during the evenings in winter when it is dark and roads may have snow or ice on them).

S & P

L, A & H

M, S & F

Manage time so speakers have plenty of time to get to venue and have the option of overnight accommodation if appropriate.

Fire

Risk of burns, smoke inhalation, death

S & P

L

M, S & F

Ensure all venue used comply with fire regulations. Point out fire exits/procedure to audience.

Slips/trip hazards

Trip hazard over electric cables.

Slips on wet floor

S & P

L

M

Ensure that all electric cables are suitably located to mininize risk.

Ensure floor areas/surfaces are clean and clear of debris.

Ensure steps are clearly marked.