Working :: Health & Saftey Health and Safety Policy Statement
General Policy is to:-
Overall and final responsibility for health and safety is that of the Field Trial Committee of the Golden Retriever Club of Northumbria.
All those involved with field trial and shoot actitivities have legal responsibilities to take care of the health and safety of themselves and others and to co-operate in order to comply with the law. ALL those involved with field trials have to:-
Antifieldsports Lobbyists
All those involved in the field trial should be observant at all times of the risk of malevolent action from anti-fieldsports lobbyists. If anything unusual is observed, the circumstances should be immediately reported to the Chief Steward, any member of the committee or Gamekeeper who will ensure that the appropriate action is taken i.e. that the Police or other appropriate authority is contacted.
Health and Safety Protocols
Car Parking and Transport
Where necessary, access to the meet of a field trial will be clearly marked with a sign. At all trials there will be a certain amount of off road driving. At some trials there may only be access by 4x4 vehicles and some competitors with their dogs, spectators may be asked to share vehicles or walk. All competitors and spectators must make their own transport arrangements and the G.R.C.N. cannot accept any responsibility for injury, loss or damage to person or property however occasioned.
Pre-Field Trial Briefing
The Chief Steward will be responsible for safety, supervision and discipline at the Field Trial. The Chiew Steward will be identified at the beginning of the trial and will outline safety measures at the pre-trial briefing. All persons attending a field trial meeting must consider themselves under the control of the Secretary, Chief Steward, Stewards and Officials of the Club. Any member of the committee or attendee must inform the chief steward if they see anything dangerous or potentially dangerous, during the course of the trial. ONCE THE TRIAL HAS STARTED NO ONE WILL BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE THE TRIAL WITHOUT FIRST NOTIFYING THE CHIEF STEWARD. It is expected that everyone present will comply with the highest standards of safety and sportsmanship with respect to quarry, wildlife and the countryside in general. Any unsafe or inappropriate behaviour will result in instant dismissal from the trial. Any person under the age of sixteen must be accompanied by an adult.
Weather
In the case of extreme weather conditions, e.g. gale force winds, poor visibility due to fog or heavy rain, the field trial may have to be cancelled. In hot, dry conditions on heather moorland to minimise the risk of fire, there will be a request for no-smoking.
Topography
The ground used for all our trials is moorland, woods and farm land. The ground is rugged and at times walking may be difficult. There is thus an element of risk with slipping or tripping. It is recommended that suitable footwear is worn and appropriate clothes according to the shooting custom, also a reasonable level of fitness is required. The G.R.C.N. cannot accept responsibility for injury, loss or damage to person or property however occasioned.
Gun Saftey
Depending on which trial is taking place, there will be 4-8 guns. The people carrying guns are very experienced in gun safety. It is the G.R.C.N. policy that insurance cover and security of shotguns is the responsibility of the individual shooting at the trial.
Catering
There is no outside caterers at any of our field trials. Competitors and spectators must make their own arrangements.
Emergencies
In the event of an emergency the Chief Steward will have a mobile phone with the numbers of the local emergency services. Please be aware that sometimes there can be no service. Veterinary support will also be available for canine emergencies (please see running card). Any accidents will be recorded.
General Policy is to:-
- Provide adequate control of the Health and Safety risks arising from our activities.
- Consult with all those involved in the field trial on matters affecting their health and safety.
- Ensure the safe handling and use of equipment, which maybe hazardous to health.
- Provide information and instruction for all those involved with the field trial.
- Ensure that all those involved in the field trial are competent to undertake shooting activities/tasks.
- Prevent accidents where possible.
- Review and revise this policy at regular intervals.
Overall and final responsibility for health and safety is that of the Field Trial Committee of the Golden Retriever Club of Northumbria.
All those involved with field trial and shoot actitivities have legal responsibilities to take care of the health and safety of themselves and others and to co-operate in order to comply with the law. ALL those involved with field trials have to:-
- Be co-operative on health and safety matters
- Not interfere with anything provided to safeguard health and safety
- Take reasonable care of their own health and safety
- Report all health and safety concerns to a member of the G.R.C.N. F.T. committee.
- Risk assessments will be undertaken by the Chief Steward and the Steward of the Beat before commencement of the trial.
- Any findings of risk assessments will be reported to Secretary/Chief Steward.
- Assessments will be reviewed annually.
- Action required to remove/control risks will be approved by the Secretary/Chief Steward, who will also be responsible for ensuring the action required is implemented and will check that the implemented actions have removed/reduced the risks.
- For any accident or emergencies a first aid kit will be available.
- All accidents to be reported to the chief steward who will be responsible for investigating accidents and act upon such findings to prevent a recurrence.
- The Chief Steward will be responsible for investigating accidents and acting on investigation findings to prevent a recurrence.
Antifieldsports Lobbyists
All those involved in the field trial should be observant at all times of the risk of malevolent action from anti-fieldsports lobbyists. If anything unusual is observed, the circumstances should be immediately reported to the Chief Steward, any member of the committee or Gamekeeper who will ensure that the appropriate action is taken i.e. that the Police or other appropriate authority is contacted.
Health and Safety Protocols
Car Parking and Transport
Where necessary, access to the meet of a field trial will be clearly marked with a sign. At all trials there will be a certain amount of off road driving. At some trials there may only be access by 4x4 vehicles and some competitors with their dogs, spectators may be asked to share vehicles or walk. All competitors and spectators must make their own transport arrangements and the G.R.C.N. cannot accept any responsibility for injury, loss or damage to person or property however occasioned.
Pre-Field Trial Briefing
The Chief Steward will be responsible for safety, supervision and discipline at the Field Trial. The Chiew Steward will be identified at the beginning of the trial and will outline safety measures at the pre-trial briefing. All persons attending a field trial meeting must consider themselves under the control of the Secretary, Chief Steward, Stewards and Officials of the Club. Any member of the committee or attendee must inform the chief steward if they see anything dangerous or potentially dangerous, during the course of the trial. ONCE THE TRIAL HAS STARTED NO ONE WILL BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE THE TRIAL WITHOUT FIRST NOTIFYING THE CHIEF STEWARD. It is expected that everyone present will comply with the highest standards of safety and sportsmanship with respect to quarry, wildlife and the countryside in general. Any unsafe or inappropriate behaviour will result in instant dismissal from the trial. Any person under the age of sixteen must be accompanied by an adult.
Weather
In the case of extreme weather conditions, e.g. gale force winds, poor visibility due to fog or heavy rain, the field trial may have to be cancelled. In hot, dry conditions on heather moorland to minimise the risk of fire, there will be a request for no-smoking.
Topography
The ground used for all our trials is moorland, woods and farm land. The ground is rugged and at times walking may be difficult. There is thus an element of risk with slipping or tripping. It is recommended that suitable footwear is worn and appropriate clothes according to the shooting custom, also a reasonable level of fitness is required. The G.R.C.N. cannot accept responsibility for injury, loss or damage to person or property however occasioned.
Gun Saftey
Depending on which trial is taking place, there will be 4-8 guns. The people carrying guns are very experienced in gun safety. It is the G.R.C.N. policy that insurance cover and security of shotguns is the responsibility of the individual shooting at the trial.
Catering
There is no outside caterers at any of our field trials. Competitors and spectators must make their own arrangements.
Emergencies
In the event of an emergency the Chief Steward will have a mobile phone with the numbers of the local emergency services. Please be aware that sometimes there can be no service. Veterinary support will also be available for canine emergencies (please see running card). Any accidents will be recorded.
