Leaders Meeting Monday 8 th May 2006

Contents AimsVideo Duty of Care Leader Responsibilities –Risk Assessment –Environmental Issues and Equipment –Emergency Procedure Conclusions

Aims To determine for what Leaders are responsible for To highlight the issues facing leaders How to solve leadership problems

Video Show UWE video

Video outcomes Highlight the many problems from the video: 1. … 2. … 3. …

Participation Statement The BMC recognises that climbing and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.

Duty of Care Duty of care –Everyone has a Duty of Care to not cause harm to others by their acts or omissions – ‘neighbour test’ Higher duty of care –More experienced members have a higher duty to ensure that those in their care are aware of the hazards and risks that may arise Approved Code of Practice –Not legally binding but compliance with it may be tested by a court to establish whether reasonable precautions were taken to prevent harm

Leader Responsibilities BMC does not require volunteer club leaders to hold leadership or instructional qualifications Leaders should select objectives that are: – –Within their capabilities – –Within the physical and mental capacity of the group Leaders should: – –Have an awareness of foreseeable hazard – –Make those hazards clear to those involved – –Minimise the risks where possible – –Be aware of appropriate actions in an emergency

Leading with MPS Disseminating information on conditions, access agreements, restrictions, route details etc. An advisory role to pass on experience and to ensure the safety of participants in the activity Endeavour to have a first-aider in the group Inspecting any equipment used –to ensure that it is suitable –whether it is club or personal property –route cards must record the checked items Completing Route Sheets Making final decisions on issues affecting the activity

Risk Assessment 1. Identify the Hazards 2. Identify who is at risk (or at harm) 3. Assess level of risk and whether precautions in place are acceptable 4. Record assessment 5. Review assessment

Continuous Risk Assessment Identify Hazard Assess who may be harmed and how Evaluate risks: Existing precautions adequate? What else should we do? Review and Revise Assessment

Environmental Issues and Equipment Numbers spoiling the experience RubbishNoise Kit suitable to environment Leaders kit Technical Activities Check lists

Emergency Procedure Avoid further danger Assess situation First Aid – Primary Survey / DrABC Shelter Outside help needed? –Calling for help –Sending for help Record incident

Leadership Problems Examples for discussion: –Your group comes across a steep rock outcrop on the first trip of the year –1 member wants to turn back –1 member gets separated –Between the group of 7 only you have 1 head torch –1 member falls in a stream –The group is lost in a whiteout

Conclusions 1. What the club expects from its leaders