Cardiff University Students’ Union Hiking and Rambling Club Code of Practice

  • About Us
  • The Walks
  • Saturday:
  • Traditionally a local walk, within easy reach by train. Most begin at Cathays railway station, just north of the Students' Union. As there's plenty of space on the trains, we don't sign-up for Saturdays, and the only cost is the ticket!
  • Sunday:
  • Often a more vigorous day, with access to a 15-seater minibus so no limit on location. As space is limited on these walks, members must sign-up online on a Sunday evening the week before. For the minibus the cost is £2. Further details are sent to members by e-mail each week.
  • The Socials
  • The club holds socials on Tuesday evenings starting at The Taf (Students' Union pub). We then head out into Cardiff for a variety of great events: Pub crawls, Cocktail nights, Pub quizzes, Club dinners, Bowling, the Cinema. Exact details will usually be announced on Facebook and Twitter.
  • The Trips Away
  • As well as day hikes, we run 4 expeditions away throughout the year where we all stay in a comfy bunkhouse somewhere for a weekend of walking.
  • Links:
  • Logo
  • The Committee Names and responsibilities.
  • President: Sarah Allen
  • Secretary: Katie Partridge
  • Treasurer: Anna Sharrard
  • Social Secretary: Cleo Au
  • Health and Safety Officer: Mary Lawrence
  • Expeditions Officer: Alex Alt
  • OPERATING PROCEDURES
  • An email must be sent on the Sunday evening of each week by a committee member informing the members of the club about the Tuesday social and Saturday and Sunday hikes. Within this specific details for each event should be listed, including: equipment and money needed, meeting places and times. A copy of this email should then be posted on the Facebook page and an event for Tuesday social should be made.
  • A ‘signup’ for the Sunday hike should be posted on the club page on the union website and the members should be informed that it is live so they can sign up.
  • Prior to the weekend the committee should organise between themselves which of them will be leading the walks and arrange which of our qualified drivers will be driving the minibus on Sunday.
  • On Saturdays the committee member leading the walk should arrive at the previously discussed meeting place (Cathays station) at the correct time if not a little earlier (often 10am) and make themselves known to members who have turned up to the hike. Once everyone has left the train at the specific location, the leader should do a quick count of everyone there and continue throughout the day to check no one has got left behind.
  • On Sundays the committee member leading the walk should arrive at the back of the students at the correct time if not a little earlier (often 9am) and make themselves known to members who have turned up to the hike. They should also locate the minibus driver and make sure they know what they are doing. A register should be taken making sure only the members who have previously signed up are here and their £2 should be collected if it hasn’t already. If someone on the list does not turn up the first reserve should be called. The leader of the walk should also make sure every participant is wearing/carrying the correct equipment and if not they should send them home and call the first reserve.
  • Regular weekend sessions/activities
  • Turn up on time (prompt)
  • Bring appropriate equipment (as stated in the weekly email)
  • One Off Activities, Weekend and Abroad trips
  • All Activities must be registered with the Union so that we are covered with Insurance provided by the Union
  • Participants on trips abroad need to organise their own personal accident and travel insurance.
  • Equipment
  • Clothing
  • Money should be paid no the dates previously stated
  • Basic Safety guidelinesthat all must follow when doing activities
  • Pulled from NGB advice, risk assessments and managed centre guidance
  • Where National Governing Body advice is not available, the club should endeavour to rationalise their activities and create sensible and working practices of their own.
  • First aid provision
  • Through club members– the health and safety officer at least should have a basic knowledge of first aid but preferably have an official qualification. It would also be useful if a few other committee members had some knowledge if not be trained in first aid.
  • Emergency / Accident procedures
  • We are to follow as a minimum the Student Activities Emergency Procedure –(this document is available in electronic form from the Athletic Union)

All reports to be informed to CUSU via CUSU accident report form, appendix centre procedures

  • For our regular activity and one off trips which do not use managed facilities we are to followthe Student Activities Emergency Procedure –(this document is available in electronic form from the Athletic Union)
  • Incident reporting to CUSU
  • We are to report all accidents incidents and near misses to the Activities Safety coordinator who will follow up. This is to be doneASAP / within 24hrs on the accident report form available from the Athletic Union
  • Participation Statement

“Members that sign up to this club may be participating in activities which involve an element of risk, in an environment where professional and rescue services may not be immediately available. It is their responsibility to ensure that they fully understand the exact nature of each activity that they undertake, the risks that are involved, the skill level required; and the equipment needed for their safe participation. They shall never participate in an activity where they are unsure of the above aspects. By signing up to the club they agree that they are aware that they agree to act in accordance with this code of practice. All individuals, after joining Athletic Union and this club, have the right to participate as a full club member in all training sessions. Selection is based purely on ability and fitness criteria. If not selected for a team members may not be entitled to a refund of membership fee. The athletic union will uphold the clubs decision if they decide not to refund membership fees.”

  • Clubs responsibilities/commitment to members,
  • The club is responsible for the safety and wellbeing of its members and is committed to abiding by this as is feasibly possible
  • The club is committed to avoiding putting the members in overly dangerous situations
  • Members responsibilities
  • All members are required to register to the club before commencing activity.
  • Members are expected to abide by all procedures set out by the athletic union and the club specifically
  • Members are expected to bring appropriate equipment as stated by the club and cooperate with the club if their participation is refused if they do not
  • Equipment – Usage/Storage/Maintenance,
  • All equipment used is listed on the Equipment Inventory and is insured for registered activity.
  • Any damaged equipment is removed from use and is either repaired or written off with the knowledge of the Athletic union
  • Personal equipment is not insured by CUSU, Members are to ensure that they are fully responsible for their own equipment at all times.
  • Insurance
  • All registered participants are insured by the Athletic Union for Public / Products Liability to the value of £10,000,000. A copy of this certificate is available from the AU if required.
  • Small craft and equipment
  • Accident cover and reporting
  • Abroad
  • Personal possessions and stuff. Can have more than 1 accident policy.
  • Finance
  • Expected costs
  • Club Account and budgets
  • Claims
  • Receipts invoices
  • Expenses
  • Fines
  • Social Events
  • Refer to the AU social policy- (copies available from the Athletic Union)
  • Behaviour personal codes of conduct/responsibility
  • The club and its members agree to follow the Activities Laws and Policies including the Social policy as advertised and communicated by the Athletic Union and the Students Union
  • As a member of this club I will Respect others
  • I will not neglect the safety of other members or cause any intentional harm directly or indirectly
  • I understand that drugs and alcohol are not permitted before and during activity.
  • I will inform the activity leader of any medical condition that I have that could have impact on the activity.
  • Complaints procedure
  • Members are to report to the committee to raise an issue in the first instance
  • Advice can be sought from the Athletic Union if difficulties arise and cannot be resolved
  • The club and members are to follow any guidelines set by the Athletic union /Students Union
  • REFUNDS procedure
  • Review

This document is to be reviewed annually and in line with Risk Assessment updates

DOCUMENT CREATED ON: 10/11/15

DOCUMENT CREATED BY: Charlotte Cadman Health & Safety Officer

DOCUMENT REVIEWED ON:

NAME / POSITION / DATE
Charlotte Cadman / Health & Safety Officer / 10/11/15
Sarah Allen / President / 18/09/16