Public Bat Walks: Health & Safety Policy 2003
This policy applies to all bat walks organised and run by the London Bat
Group. If the London Bat Group is providing assistance to another organisation
or authority that has organised a bat walk, then they are required to agree that they will be assuming
full responsibility for public Health and
Safety during the walk.
Planning the Bat Walk
If the organiser or leader of the bat walk is not familiar with the proposed
site they must ensure that it is checked as follows before agreeing to the walk to ensure that the
site is suitable to hold such an event.
- Carry out a Risk Assessment of the proposed location of
the walk, which should be reassessed within the week before the event.
- Consult the London Bat Group Generic Risk Assessment to ensure that all
points are covered and also ensure that there are no additional hazards.
- Ensure that you are reasonably confident that bats can be expected to be seen at a safe
location.
- Ensure that one or more (depending on the numbers of participants)
assistants are available for the walk.
- Check available exits from the site and if they will be open or closed
during the event and ensure that participants know how to leave.
- Consider the advisability of making attendance at the walk bookable to
limit attendance to a safe number.
Publicising the Bat Walk
- Try to ensure that any publicity recommends that people wear suitably warm
and weatherproof clothing and shoes, and that they bring a torch.
- Make it clear that unaccompanied children will not be permitted on the
walk, and that it is recommended that there should be a maximum of two
children per responsible adult for night walks.
Conducting the Bat Walk
- Before setting off remind people that it will be getting dark and that
those with children should ensure that they know where they are at all
times.
- Tell people that they are welcome to leave early if they wish to, and give
clear directions to identified exit points.
- If you have identified any significant hazards inform people at the start
and ensure how you are dealing with them.
- Ensure that walk assistants are fully informed of any identified risks, and
are scheduled to cover these if necessary.
- They should also be told where the nearest A&E Hospital and public
telephones are located.
Insurance
London Bat Group has Public Liability Insurance via its affiliation to the Bat
Conservation Trust (an excess applies) which applies to its own events. This
policy does not cover personal accident or equipment or liability arising out of
injury to the general public on underground visits. |
