Group walks – risk assessment                       

Use this risk assessment to help you understand the risks and any steps you need to take to stay safe before leading a group walk. 
Please complete and keep a copy for every walk. Copies should be kept for 1 year after the date of the walk.

Walk Leader		Date of walk		
BSW group		Date of risk assessment		
		Date of recce		

Possible hazards
	
Who might be harmed and how?
	Ways to control the risk
	Action taken? 
(tick in the box)	
Transmission of COVID-19 through close contact / meeting other people	Walkers, members of the public – risk of spreading COVID-19	Avoid particularly busy or narrow routes where social distancing is not possible.		
		Advise walkers at the start of the walk to maintain social distancing from others – this is everyone’s responsibility.		
		Advise walkers what to do at any pinch points or road crossings to maintain social distancing.		
		Carry a face covering in case of incidents.		
		Ensure you have a record of who attended the walk.		
		Advise walkers on maintaining social distance from members of the public		
Transmission of COVID-19 through touching gates, stiles, fences or equipment	Walkers, members of the public – risk of spreading COVID-19	Avoid touching gates and path furniture where possible.		
		Suggest walkers bring hand sanitiser and/or wear gloves.		
		Advise walkers not to share food, drink or equipment such as walking poles.		
Bad weather
(including extreme temperatures)	Walkers – risk of illness and injury, risk of the group being stranded	Check the weather forecast and postpone/cancel if necessary. All walkers to bring suitable clothing and items for the conditions.		
		Make a note of ‘escape routes’ on the recce.		
Busy roads	Walkers – risk of vehicle collisions	Avoid routes along busy roads and/or check for suitable crossing places on the recce. 		
Steep, slippery or muddy sections.	Walkers – risk of trips/slips	Check for muddy/slippery sections on the recce and adapt the route if necessary. All walkers to bring suitable footwear for the conditions.		
Livestock	Walkers – risk of injury

Risk of property damage if livestock escape	Cross fields with livestock calmly and quietly, keeping the group together. Be prepared to divert around livestock if necessary.		
		Follow the Countryside Code. Leave gates and property as you find them.		
Cliffs or sheer drops	Walkers – risk of falls	Check paths are suitable for the group to use safely and make changes if necessary.		
		Follow any local warnings or signs and advise walkers to keep away from the edge. 		
(Please add more lines if needed)				

How to carry out a risk assessment

This template is a tool to help you plan and lead your group walks safely. You must do a risk assessment for each walk.

•	Use the template to assess whether your group walk is safe to go ahead.

•	We've included suggestions for the ways to control the risks – you do not need to tick
      every box. The important thing is to identify the potential hazards and note the actions you
      will take to reduce the risk.

•	It’s important to carry out a risk assessment before the walk takes place. You should start 
      filling it out when planning your walk and update it with any extra hazards that you notice 
      on your recce.

•	Think about the different types of hazards and risks. We’ve included some common 
      examples but think carefully about your own walk in case anything needs adding.
Examples of other risks might include:
•	Flooded paths, after heavy rain
•	Unexploded ordnance (if walking on a right of way across a military site)

This isn’t an exhaustive list, so think carefully about any specific risks you may  
encounter on your walk.

•	Next, consider the steps you can take to minimise the risk. 
	      Remember that this may sometimes mean changing your original plan. 
                  For example:

•	I will recce the route again to check whether the paths are flooded, and plan an alternative if necessary
•	I will read the local warning signs on my recce and advise walkers about the risks in my welcome briefing 

•	If you’re not sure what to do to reduce the risk, check the Ramblers website for advice, 

Walk Leaders & COVID-19

Due to COVID-19, there are extra steps we need to take to organise and lead group walks safely. 
You may wish to visit the Ramblers website for the latest updates and guidance.

It’s essential for all walk leaders to consider the following questions, when deciding whether to take part in BSW activities:

Do you (or does someone else from your household) have COVID-19 symptoms?
	If so, you should self-isolate for 7 days. If another person in your household has symptoms, you should self-isolate for 14 days.

You must not take part in BSW activities during this time.

Symptoms include a high temperature, a new continuous cough and the loss, 
or a change to your sense of smell or taste. Find out more about COVID-19, 
and what you should do if you have symptoms on the NHS website in England.	

Are you ‘clinically vulnerable’?
	If you (or someone you live with) are at higher risk of getting seriously ill from 
coronavirus, you should take extra care to minimise contact with others from 
outside your household.
Taking part in a BSW activity may put you and those around you at higher risk. 
It may not be the right decision at this time. 
Remember – everyone over 70, and those with certain underlying health conditions 
are considered to be ‘clinically vulnerable’. You can find more information 
from the NHS in England.