Scheme:Date:

Route: Assessment carried out by:

Hazard / Does the risk apply? / Who might be harmed? / How can the risk be controlled? / What further action is needed to control the risk?
Meeting place in a car park / Walkers / Meet in area away from moving traffic. / If car park too busy, disruptive to other members of the public, consider other parking options
Road crossings / Walkers / Warn walkers upon approach and gather group at safe crossing point, marshal if necessary. Walk leaders to wear high-vis / Change route if road crossing is unsafe
Train crossings / Walkers / Keep group together; warn walkers to be alert, look for signalling lights and listen. / Avoid route if crossing is unsafe/poor visibility
Steep drop (i.e. hidden ditches etc) / Walkers / Warn before approaching the area in question. Single file walking may be appropriate. / Avoid this part of the route in wet or icy weather
Uneven ground / Walkers / Front marker point out pot holes, tree roots or other uneven surfaces out to walkers and ask walker to relay information down the line. / Extra care on uneven paths in Autumn (surface may be covered in leaves) or winter if icy. Consider avoiding.
Livestock in field (cattle, sheep, horses etc) / Walkers / Warn walkers at start and remind them of protocol:
Walk in single file; no shouting or exaggerated behaviour; stick to paths/perimeter; do not walk between the herd or between mother and young; comply with any signage on site; keep dogs on short lead, if animal is charging let go of lead.); do not feed or touch animals. / Change route if walkers are unhappy to walk this route
No pavement / Walkers / Keep the group together and ask walkers to stay alert and look and listen for traffic, walk in single file on the right hand side facing the traffic, cross to the left on right hand bends, then cross back to the right after the bend / The Highway Code advises ‘large’ organised groups (undefined) to walk on the left side.
Other pedestrians/
cyclists/ horse-riders on bridleways / Walkers & pedestrians & cyclists / Walk in single file on narrow sections of the route. Front marker/back marker to alert group if a cyclist or other walkers/runners approach to allow room to pass / Advise walkers at the start if group has a tendency to walk in clusters of 3+, which might appear anti-social to other path users.
Routes near water / Walkers (particularly small children and vulnerable adults) / Inform walkers at the start that the route will pass by water (river, canal, lake, ditches etc) / Avoid routes that may be susceptible to flooding during certain times of the year.
Overhanging vegetation / Walkers / Remind walkers to be vigilant of overhanging trees, bushes etc during a walk. / Report to CMS if the right of way needs to be maintained to improve access/ease of use.
Steps, boardwalks, wooden footbridges / Walkers / Ensure there is a handrail if steps are steep; that the steps/bridge is in safe condition. Warn walkers at the start and on approach. / Avoid during wet weather or icy conditions.
Avoid if leading Walks First Steps & Grade 1.
Golf courses / Walkers / Stop to check where golfers are on the course before proceeding with route. Warn walkers on approach. / Divert route in the future if the group interferes with play
Steep inclines / Walkers (new walkers) / Warn walkers at start (offer alternative route if possible) Allow walkers to take their time to complete the section then have a rest period at the top if necessary. / Ensure this is part of a Grade 3 or 4 walk only
Inclement weather – heavy rain, thunderstorms, snow, ice. / Walkers / Warn walkers that routes may be slippery or muddy when icy or wet. Walk to be cut short if necessary to keep walkers safe. If the walk needs to be cancelled – leader should to go to the start of the walk to cancel in person if possible.
ADDITIONAL HAZARDS

Other points of consideration for all walk leaders.

Hazard / Who might be harmed? / How can the risk be controlled? / What further action is needed to control the risk?
Medical and physical conditions worsened by exertion / Walkers / Leader to ask all new walkers to fill in a sign up form
leader to ask all walkers if there is anything they need to be aware of at the start of the walk.
Leader to advise walker if they require any 1-2-1 support to complete a walk then they need to attend with a carer.
Large numbers of people attending / Walkers / Front and back marker at all times should be pre-arranged. If expecting large numbers additional support arranged prior to the walk. Regular walkers called upon to help manage the group in the middle. Leaders to wear high-vis jacket. / Walk cancelled if group is too large
Dogs / Walkers and pedestrians / Ask walkers with dogs to keep dogs on a short lead throughout the walk and walk to the rear of the group.