HEALTH AND SAFETY - RISK ASSESSMENT for Cross Country Race

Event: Birmingham League Invitation Cross Country - Division 2/Midland Counties Cross Country Women's League

PromotingClub: Northbrook Athletic Club.Date of Assessment: 1st November 2005 Venue: CoundonHallPark, Coventry. Latest Update: 2nd October 2007

Date of Event: Saturday 1st December 2007Assessment carried out by: A T French

Race Permit No: Signed:

STEP 1 – List the hazards identified. STEP 2 – Recommendations for minimising risk.STEP 3 – Action taken.

COURSE
See Appendix A for detailed Risk Assessment. / RECOMMENDATIONS
As detailed in Appendix A / ACTION TAKEN
Copy to Chief Marshal for implementation.
STRUCTURES
None observed. / RECOMMENDATIONS / ACTION TAKEN
COMPETITORS
  1. See Appendix A for course hazards.
  2. Changing facilities locked.
/ RECOMMENDATIONS
  1. As detailed in Appendix A
  2. Ensure access is available on day.
/ ACTION TAKEN
  1. Display RA at Registration.
  2. Club Secretary to collect keys.

COMMUNICATIONS
Course not fully sited from Start/Finish areas. / RECOMMENDATIONS
Provide strategic marshals with mobile phones. / ACTION TAKEN
Chief Marshal to arrange availability.
OFFFICIALS
Adequate marshalling for weather conditions. / RECOMMENDATIONS
Ensure enough are available. / ACTION TAKEN
Chief Marshal has collected names and scheduled locations. To be revued on day and augmented as conditions require.
FIRST AID
  1. First Aid required.
  2. Access to course restricted by locked gate.
/ RECOMMENDATIONS
  1. Arrange attendance of MedEvent UK Ltd. Have trained First Aider available as back up.
  2. Ensure access is available on day.
/ ACTION TAKEN
  1. Attendance verbally agreed to be confirmed in writing.
  2. Club Secretary to collect keys.

CAR PARKING
  1. Competitors: Two parking areas in park available.
  2. Officials: Limited parking available at Registration.
/ RECOMMENDATIONS
  1. Provide additional parking at Old Hall PH and direct competitors.
  2. Reserve for Officials.
/ ACTION TAKEN
  1. Agree with Old Hall PH for use and provide directions with Race information to Clubs.
  2. Chief Marshal has arranged for control of access.

HEALTH AND SAFETY - RISK ASSESSMENT for Cross Country Race

Appendix A

SUMMARY

The course is a MunicipalPark in the City of Coventry. The majority of the park is grassland and large areas are marked out for team sports. The grass is regularly cut during the summer and the surface, in general, is fairly even. There is a general overall gradient, falling from the North corner (point M) to the South corner (point I), with a noticeable dip between points K and L. The proposed course for the race follows the perimeter, in the main, and is designed not to incur on the marked pitches. The small and large spinneys and clump of trees, in the park, have been included as part of the course subject to race-day conditions.

Overall the assessment of the risk of injury is low subject to the qualifications in the notes below and the advice in the tabulated inspection. Changes to the weather could dramatically change this assessment

Notes

  1. Risk assessment done by TonyFrench) on Tuesday 1st November 2005 (Latest revision as above).
  2. Assessment to be reviewed on day of race.
  3. Assessment carried out in the context of the generally recognised risks of running cross-country races and aims to highlight specific hazards around the proposed route of course that Senior Marshal and Runners need to take account of.
  4. New and/or inexperienced runners should seek advice from their coach/team captain on general technique, precautions, suitable footwear and clothing: for cross country racing and prevailing conditions on the day.
  5. The course is in an unrestricted public park and competitors need to be aware and respect the rights of other users.
  6. Trained and proficient First Aid personnel will be provided on the day of the race and principle marshals will have mobile phones for communication.

SECTION / HAZARDS / ADVISE TO COURSE SETTER/MARSHAL / ADVISE TO COMPETITORS / COMMENTS/REVUE NOTES
ALL - Wet weather. / Standing water possible. / Check depth and possible unseen obstructions - re-route if necessary. / Take additional care.
ALL - Cold weather. / Hard surface/ice/Low temperature. / Critically assess on day. / Wear suitable shoes and clothing for conditions.
ALL - Mist/fog. / Low visibility. / Review number of marshals required.
ALL - Snow. / Unknown surface below snow. / Walk course to test surface.
SECTION / HAZARDS / Risk
Rate / ADVISE TO COURSE SETTER/MARSHAL / ADVISE TO COMPETITORS / Res Risk / COMMENTS/
REVUE NOTES
A - B. / Lower section prone to flooding. / M / Check on day. Adjust alignment if too deep. Start to be wide enough for, up to, 250 runners. / Take care through water. / L
Turn at B. / Football pitch close to next section. / L / Taper turn in two stages to funnel competitors towards alignment 1 metres from touchline. / Take care on first lap when race is still bunched up. / L
B - C. / Close to football pitch. / L / Set course to ensure runners are, at least, 1 metre from touchline. / Beware of other park users. / L
Turn at C. / Stony. / M / Take care of footing / L
C - D. / None observed. / L / L
D - E. / Gate from Pub car park / L / Marshal to control / Keep clear of gate (if open) / L
Turn E. (Entrance to small spinney). / Entry width restricted. / M / Ensure safe funnelling to entrance / Single file recommended. / L
E - F. / Small protrusions of tree roots. / M / Ensure clear marking of route. / Beware of roots and overhangs. / L
Narrow route in spinney. / M / Over-taking not recommended in spinney. / L
F - G. / None observed. / L / L
Turn at G / Side slope / M / Keep course clear of tree / Take care of footing / L
G - H. / None observed. / L / L
H - I. / None observed. / L / L
Turn at I / Very soft underfoot / M / Ensure turn not too tight / Take care of footing / L
I - J. / Long section. / L / Check visibility of course route. / L
Turn J. / Entrance gap / M / Set turn clear of entrance gap / L
J - K. / None observed / L / L
Turn K. / Tree clump. Log across path and narrow pathway / M / Ensure route clearly marked. Alternative route around log. / Beware footing. Overtaking not recommended. / L
K - L. / Long section through hedge gap and past entrance gap / M / Check visibility of course route. Marshal hedge gap and set clear of entrance gap. / L
L - M. / None observed. / L / L
M -N. / None observed. / L / L
N - O. / None observed. / L / L
Turn at O (Through gap in hedge.) / Possible clash with other park users. / M / Marshal with care and consideration for other users of park. / Sharp left and right turn. / L
SECTION / HAZARDS / Risk
Rate / ADVISE TO COURSE SETTER/MARSHAL / ADVISE TO COMPETITORS / Res Risk / COMMENTS/
REVUE NOTES
O - P. / None observed. / L / L
Turn P. (Entrance to large spinney). / Narrow entrance. / M / Bring tapes out to 15 metres from trees before turning. To allow runners clear sight of entrance. / Single file beware of shrubbery. / L
P - Q (Spinney). / Rough/uneven/tree roots/side slopes/dips and climbs. / M / Ensure route through is clearly marked. / Take extra care and choose footing carefully. / L
Q - R. / Some roots near end of section. / M / Beware of roots. / L
Turn R. / Small ditch. / M / Beware of ditch. / L
R -S. / None observed. / L / L
Turn S. / Tight 180° turn. / L / Beware footing. / L
S - T. / Ditch to left. / L / Beware of side ditch. / L
T - A. / Some soft areas. / L / Beware footing. / L
On last lap.- Left turn at A. / Hard gravel. / M / Beware footing. / L
A - U. (Finish line). / None observed. / L / Erect finish funnel diagonally across field to ensure suitable length. / L

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Fixture: Birmingham & district Invitation Cross Country League - Division 2 Date: Saturday 1st December 2007

Midland Counties Cross Country Women's League

PromotingClub: Northbrook Athletic Club. Venue: CoundonHallPark, Coventry.

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PROPOSED PLAN OF COURSE

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