Nature of Hazard
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Actions taken to alleviate risk in advance
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Advice given at event to participants
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Personal Harm/
Preventing accidents
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RA given to participants in advance.
Leader to take all reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of group members on the day.
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Review dangers. Advise attendees that they do not have personal accident insurance through the Bat Group but do have third party insurance.
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Poor weather conditions
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Organiser to monitor conditions and cancel visit if appropriate.
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Danger due to inappropriate clothing.
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Advise participants to consider weather conditions and dress appropriately. Wear sturdy, non-slip footwear, thick clothing offering protection against brambles, nettles etc. Waterproof clothing and/or sun protection as appropriate. Wear an appropriate protective helmet.
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Check participants clothing and respond appropriately. Helmet’s issued to those without one.
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Medical conditions.
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Ask in advance of visit if anyone has a medical condition which could compromise their safety or the safety of other group members, e.g. diabetes, fear of heights, allergies to plasters, bee/wasp stings, etc.
Carry basic first aid kit on site ((plasters, wasp ease, bandage, wipes, etc.).
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Ask participants if there is any action to be taken in the event of an emergency.
Group informed of location of medical kit, but note, where possible, they should treat themselves.
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Emergencies.
Evacuation Plan.
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Ensure leader’s mobile phone is present, available for use and fully charged. Ensure contact phone numbers are available. Plan evacuation from your proposed location using emergency services.
RA given to participants in advance.
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Tell group where leader’s phone is, how to use it and where the emergency phone numbers are. Show location card. If in doubt,
don’t move casualty. Implement evacuation procedure using emergency services.
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Traffic, water, animals and obstacles
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RA given to participants in advance.
Check route before the event – identify and avoid dangers and keep risk to a minimum.
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Inform group of risks and actions taken to reduce them.
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Underfoot, e.g. tripping, slipping, steep drops/slopes, mud.
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Check route.
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Inform group to be aware of risks.
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Above, e.g. branches, power cables and telephone wires.
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Check route.
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Inform group to be aware of risks.
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Use of Ladder
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RA given to participants in advance.
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Is use of ladder necessary?
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Leader to anticipate whether ladder is necessary to achieve goal.
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Where appropriate use a torch to inspect bat boxes.
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Wet conditions
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Visit cancelled if appropriate
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Risks, e.g. High winds, muddy/slippery rungs and handling cold metal highlighted. If in doubt don’t use the ladder.
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Inappropriate ladder.
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Acquisition of appropriate ladder.
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Faulty ladder
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Use HSE guidelines to check ladder regularly.
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If in doubt don’t use the ladder. Record date of annual inspection. Leaders and participants to check ladder before use.
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Transport of ladder on car roof.
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Secure fitting to roof rack.
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Nature of Hazard
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Actions taken to alleviate risk in advance
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Advice given at event to participants
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Carrying ladders.
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Advise safe carriage of ladder to avoid harming carriers or nearby people. Walkers stay clear of carriers.
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Siting ladder.
Climbing ladder and working from ladder.
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Inform participants of dangers.
Ensure proper footing for ladder with someone at the base of the ladder to secure it and watch for danger.
Ladder angle 75° – 1 in 4 rule (1 unit out for every 4 units up).
If in doubt do not use the ladder.
Use both hands to climb ladder.
Keep both feet and one hand on ladder at all times (feet on same rung).
Do not lean over vertical line of ladder.
Keep body facing ladder and between the stiles.
Ensure rungs are level and dirt/slip free.
Don’t use top three rungs
Carry tools in a bag or belt to remain ‘hands free’.
If you are not satisfied with ladder’s position or feel unsafe for other reasons, e.g. dizziness, or height, warn people on the ground and come down immediately.
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Opening Bat boxes
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RA given to participants in advance.
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Warning given on day.
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Risk of hornets, etc. in the box or flying into your face.
Risk of falling objects, e.g. bat box lids, tools and branches.
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Demonstrate how to open boxes safely at height.
Bring/advise to bring appropriate helmet.
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Warn that other animals may be in boxes incl. mice and spiders. Discuss safety issues if other creatures are found.
Warn participants of dangers. Don’t stand beneath person on ladder unnecessarily. All participants to wear an appropriate safety helmet. Show group how to fit helmets.
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Handling Bats
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RA given to participants in advance.
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Bites and danger of rabies.
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Participants to have up-to-date rabies vaccinations if they handle bats.
Participants are advised to read the BCT guideline on Bat and Rabies:
http://www.bats.org.uk/pages/-bats_and_rabies-1099.html
Bring suitable gloves/disinfectant wipes if you handle bats/droppings etc.
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Check handlers have been vaccinated.
Warn group that bats can bite and scratch.
Ensure use of appropriate gloves.
Explain the danger posed by rabies, how rabies is contracted and the need for rabies vaccination before you handle bats.
Demonstrate how to handle bats safely (for protection of handler and bat).
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Signature of Bat Group leader after safety issues have been addressed and explained to Group
