Risk Assessment

Every orienteering event or activity must have a written risk assessment, including JOG.

The Organiser is responsible for the risk assessment, so the Organiser may write it. But the Planner needs to tell the Organiser what risks there are on the courses. Do this at an early stage, perhaps when you have first looked around the area - don't leave it too late!

Things for the Planner to look for:

• road crossings - our insurers do not allow juniors (under 16s) to cross public roads unsupervised unless the road has good visibility and the speed is 20mph or less.
• steep slopes and drops - steep ground is ok if appropriate for the age group, but would it be too slippery in wet weather?
• rough ground with tripping hazards - again it's ok if appropriate for the age group,
• barbed wire and broken glass etc - are they avoidable?
• streams - will they be safe to cross, especially after heavy rain?
• ponds, lakes, marshes etc. - is there a chance of people falling in?
• livestock - are there animals in the area? do they pose a risk?
• other users - is the location popular with horse riders, cyclists or dog walkers?

If you can plan courses to avoid the hazard then do so, otherwise tell the Organiser.

If you have to write a risk assessment yourself there is a guide on how to write a risk assessment.