Risk Assessment

LOCATION

Grange Park, Northamptonshire. 

DATE OF LATEST ASSESSMENT

21/3/2019

Assessor

Julia Doherty, Walk Director

For more information about this particular walk, please click the areas of interest below.  The details are correct as of publication, and we will regularly update this assessment.

Traffic Roads

Hazzard

There are no main roads on this route, however, there are many little side roads as we walk through a busy housing estate.

Who May Be Harmed

All walkers

How the risk is controlled

• Warn walkers in pre-walk talk
• Cross at safer places
• Keep the group together
• Wear hi-vis vests
• Footwear to be assessed at check-in

Note areas to cross safely – must cross as one group.

 

Dual Paths

The hazard:

The path is used by lots of other dog walkers, runners, regular walkers and cars (for people who live in the housing estate)

Who may be harmed?

Those that are hard of hearing or have other sensory ailments.

How the risk is controlled:

• Inform the group at the beginning of the walk that we may come across others on route.
• Keep to one side of the path (naturally fall to the left)
• Check the group is not drifting across the path
• Ask walkers to help warn others of bikes approaching
• Take extra care when crossing others on the trail

 

 

 

Dog Mess

The hazard:

There are plenty of dog bins on this route.  It is a very dog friendly route.

How the risk is controlled:

• Warn in pre-walk talk
• Warn as necessary on route
• AG Walk leaders to carry spare dog poo bags at all times

 

 

 

Dogs

The hazard:

Please keep your dogs on a lead at all times. All sized dogs are welcome.

Who may be harmed?

All, particularly those fearful of dogs

How the risk is controlled:

• Warn in pre-walk talk and as necessary on the route
• Keep nervous walkers away from dogs and warn dog owner to keep the dog away from the group
• Dogs are allowed on this walk, however, we ask that no more than one dog per adult.

 

 

 

Overhanging Branches

The Hazzard

There are numerous wooded areas on this trail and often branches are overhanging (especially near the streams areas).  We ask all walkers to be diligent.

Who may be harmed?

All walkers

How the risk is controlled:

• Warn in pre-walk talk and as necessary on the route

 

 

 

Weather

The Hazzard

This walk is fairly flat and we can easily cut it short if the weather turns bad.  We have exit points at nearly every junction in the walk.

Who may be harmed?

All walkers. All, particularly those that are frailer and aren’t dressed appropriately

How the risk is controlled:

• Check walkers’ clothing at the beginning of the walk
• Take water, hats, raingear.
• Be aware of places to shelter (numerous places throughout the trail).
• Abandon walk if necessary – use exit strategy.
• It is Adventure Geek’s responsibility to check the weather forecast before the walk begins.  If the weather looks bad (bad rain, windy etc, then we will reschedule the walk for a future date and notify everyone accordingly).

 

 

 

Other People

The Hazzard

Other people who may look suspicious.

Who may be harmed?

All walkers.

How the risk is controlled:

• Move past any potentially threatening group avoiding eye contact
• Carry an attack alarm, should you feel there is cause to do so.  (Adventure Geek Leaders all carry an electronic whistle)
• Have a charged mobile to hand

 

 

 

Slips, Trips and Falls

The Hazzard

The main hazards on this route will be the cars on the small side roads, perhaps exposed roots when we walk through the wooded areas.

Who may be harmed?

All walkers particularly those with balance difficulties/mobility issues.

How the risk is controlled:

• Warn in pre-walk talk and as necessary on the route
• Help walkers around muddy spots, narrow paths, etc.
• Abandon walk if path accessibility is very bad

 

 

 

Inclines

The Hazzard

This is a relatively flat walk, therefore there are no strong inclines or declines on this route.

Who may be harmed?

All walkers, particularly those with heart problems, high blood pressure etc e.g. Angina

How the risk is controlled:

• Warn in pre-walk talk
• Be aware of walkers’ health needs – AD walk leaders to note the medical declarations on the registration entry.
• Allow everyone to take inclines at their own pace – tail walker to always stay at the back.  We will walk as fast as the slowest person.
• Remind walkers to take and use the medication if necessary
• Rest at the top of any incline and wait for the group

 

 

 

Stiles

The Hazzard

There are no stiles on this route.

Who may be harmed?

All, particularly those with balance difficulties/ mobility issues

How the risk is controlled:

• Warn in pre-walk talk
• Help walkers as necessary over stiles

 

 

 

New Walkers

Who may be harmed?

All, particularly the new walker

How the risk is controlled:

• Read through health check questionnaire with all new walkers
• Share relevant disclosed health information with other leaders
• Be extra vigilant whilst walking
• Buddy new walker with a regular walker or another walk leader
• Accompany the new walker back to base if necessary
• Give the new walker briefing which includes what to expect during an adventure geek walk, who the walk leaders are and their names, explain that we have a first aid kit, ask if they are ok with dogs, has anything happened since registering from a health perspective that we may need to know.