Risk Assesment

SH4

Generic Risk Assessment

Activity: ‘Hashing’ ie cross country running

Who is at Risk: Hares

Hashers : ages 8-80 years

General Public / animals

Hazard Control Measures Risk Rating
Terrain :including natural and man-made environments
  1. Appropriate footwear should be worn
  2. Potentially dangerous terrain eg cliff tops and open moorland are not to be used for trails during the winter months or at other times when there is inclement weather eg high winds, heavy rain, fog
  3. Hares will check the state of the tide when trails are laid near the coast
  4. Hares will keep an eye on the weather during the day and amend the route if conditions change significantly relaying if necessary
  5. The trail will be checked on the day to identify/remove any significant hazards
  6. All hashers will be briefed by the hare at the circle up highlighting any hazards which cannot be removed and opportunities to avoid hazards eg a dry route.
   Medium
Night running
  1. Hashers are encouraged to wear bright, reflective clothing, particularly during the winter months so they can be seen at all times
  2. Suitable head or hand-held torches are to be used.  Hashers are encouraged to carry a spare torch
  3. The GM will bring a spare torch to the circle up to be loaned out in an emergency
 Medium
Other people/property
  1. Hashers will reminded to be respectful of other people at the briefing eg other runners, dog walkers, farm animals etc. 
  2. Any specific action required (eg dogs on leads, closing gates) will be mentioned in the briefing. 
 Low
Traffic
  1. Trails are to avoid busy roads. Where this is impractical the road section should be as short as possible, well-marked for runners to follow and manned by the hare or their delegated representative
  2. All hashers should take special care when crossing or running along roads, it is the hasher’s responsibility to run safely
     High
Injuries
  1. All hashers are encouraged carry a mobile phone and to bring appropriate safety equipment.  This may include waterproof coat, sun block, insect repellent, a space blanket, water
  2. Hashers are encouraged to bring spare clothing and footwear to change into after the event to avoid hyperthermia
  3. The hares will monitor the weather throughout the day of the event and amend the trail accordingly if necessary
  4. A First Aid Kit will be available at the end of the hash for use in the event of minor injury
  5. The Hash emergency phone will be in the pub.  Hashers are encouraged to have the hash emergency number and that of the GM stored in their phone so that contact can be made with the hare in the event of an accident, Eg it may be necessary for the hare to direct emergency services to a casualty 
  6. Hashers are encouraged to download the ‘what3words’ app so that they can be accurately located if there is a phone signal. 
  7. Hashers are advised to use insect repellent and to check for evidence of ticks at the end of the run. 
 Low
Water hazards
  1. Water crossings should be avoided during the winter months
  2. Any water crossings will be mentioned to hashers in the pre-hash briefing
  3. Water crossings will be manned by the hare or their delegated representative to assist if required.
  4. When planning a water crossing hares must be mindful of the depth and flow of the water and the capabilities of hashers eg not all hashers can swim, are there likely to be children (school holidays) and/or older hashers taking part?
  5. An alternative ‘dry’ route should be provided 
 High
Lost hashers
  1. All hashers are expected to ‘book in’ with the On Sec and have their presence recorded at the circle up before the hash.
  2. Under 18s are the responsibility of their parent/other responsible adult  
  3. Hashers must make it known to the On Sec when they have finished the trail so that they can be recorded as a safe return
  4. Hares, or their delegated representatives, must ensure that all hashers are accounted for during and after the hash. This may be done by ‘sweeping’ or by placing delegated representatives at strategic points and monitoring that all hashers are on track 
  5. It is the hare’s responsibility to ensure that all hashers get back to the pub
  6. If hashers are still out on the trail at 9.30pm attempt will be made to contact them by telephone to check their where-abouts and whether assistance is required. 
  7. In the event of hashers still being on the trail once the ‘Down Downs’ have been awarded, any committee members present will liaise with the hare re appropriate action. 
   Medium

 

Risk Assessment will be reviewed:

  • Annually
  • If there is reason to doubt the effectiveness of the assessment
  • Following an accident or near miss
  • Following changes to the committee
  • Following the introduction of more vulnerable personnel to the hash

 Signed: 

SH4  GM

 

H&S rep.