Health & Safety Report for a Novice Hunter Trial

What sort of issues do I need to consider when preparing a health and safety report for a novice hunter trial?

As an event organiser, you will have a duty of care to those taking part, both spectators and competitors. You will therefore need to carry out a risk assessment beforehand and take steps to eliminate or at least reduce the identified risks as far as possible.

As long as you have done your best, credit will be given, even if it does not enable you to escape liability altogether.

Given the size of this event, you may decide to carry out your own assessment as opposed to employing a health and safety consultant. If so, the following points should be considered:

• How are people going to get in and out of the event?
• Is the collecting ring and start/finish area large enough and roped off?
• Check your insurance policy covers the event
• Are there enough people to act as stewards to ensure safety?
• Is your course safe: keep spectators off the course if possible, are there any overhanging trees/cables, what is the ground like? Make a last check of the ground on the day and if the weather is bad keep checking
• Advise competitors in your conditions of entry to wear BS approved crash hat and back protector
• Dogs must be kept on the lead at all times
• Food hygiene for any catering facilities
• Adequate toilet facilities
• Keep an accident book
• Arrange suitable cover for the day by a Dr, Vet and Farrier
• Limit the use of ATV’s
• Communication: mobile phones, whistles, flags, walkie talkies