Health & Safety


BARTON ON HUMBER GUNDOG CLUB HEALTH AND SAFETY STATEMENT

April 2008
Our General Policy is to:
1. Provide adequate control of the health and safety risks arising from the club’s activities.
2. Consult with all participants on matters affecting their health and safety.
3. Ensure safe handling of equipment which may be hazardous to health.
4. Provide information and instruction for all participants.
5. Ensure that all participants are competent in all respects to compete in Field Trials.
6. Prevent accidents where possible.
7. Review and revise our H&S policy at regular intervals.

Responsibilities
Overall and ultimate responsibility for all aspects of Health and Safety is that of the committee of the Barton on Humber Gundog Club. All participants of both shoots and Field Trials have a legal responsibility to ensure their own personal safety and that of other participants and also to ensure that legal licensing and insurance is current and up to date.
All participants must also observe the following:
1. That all points causing H&S concern are immediately reported to a BOHGC Official.
2. That all H&S equipment is not tampered with and any deficiencies are reported to a BOHGC Official.
3. That all participants take responsibility for their own H&S and cooperate on all H&S matters.

Risk assessment
All aspects of risk assessment will be covered by the appointed BOHGC officials and the Steward of the Beat prior to commencement of all Field Trials.

First Aid
The first aid box will be in the possession of an appointed BOHGC Official and any accidents or dangerous occurrences will be recorded by the BOHGC Committee.

Anti Fieldsports Lobbyists.
In the event of any malevolent action by anti field sports lobbyists, the trial will be immediately abandoned and all participants will follow the appointed BOHGC Officials to the predesignated rendezvous point whilst the matter is dealt with.
BOHGC Officials and/or the Steward of the Beat will immediately report the incident to the police or appropriate authority. At this point a decision will be taken as to how best to proceed.

Car Parking and Transport
Where appropriate, access to the meet or Trial will be clearly marked with a sign. There may be an element of off road driving and participants may be requested to share vehicles or walk.
All participants must be advised that they are solely responsible for their own transport arrangements and the BOHGC cannot take responsibility for any loss of property, damage or injury to person or property or dogs no matter how occasioned.

Pre Trial Briefing

The appointed Chief Steward will be identified at the beginning of the trial and will be responsible for all aspects of H&S through the duration of the trial.
No one may leave the trialling field without first notifying the Chief Steward, and all participants must observe the highest standard of safety & sportsmanship in respect of quarry, wildlife and the countryside in general. Any unsafe or inappropriate behaviour will result in dismissal from the trial.
Any person under the age of sixteen must be accompanied by an adult.

Weather
In the event of extreme weather conditions, the trial may be cancelled at the discretion of the BOHGC.
In extremely dry conditions on moorland, participants may be requested to refrain from smoking to minimise the risk of fire.

Ground Conditions
Where trials are held on rugged uneven or slippery or wet and muddy ground, participants must ensure that they wear suitable footwear as walking may be difficult. There is therefore an element of risk and participants are advised at all times to wear appropriate attire and also to assess their own levels of personal fitness as the BOHGC cannot accept responsibility for injury, loss or damage to person, dogs or property however occasioned.

Shotgun Safety
All participants carrying guns on trials are experienced shots and the BOHGC will be satisfied that each has an acceptable level of competence in respect of safety. All participants carrying guns must have an up to date license as well as current insurance cover and this must be made available to a BOHGC Official for inspection prior to commencement on the day of the trial. Shotgun safety and security is the sole responsibility of the person carrying the gun and hence the BOHGC can accept no liability for any incident arising from misuse.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ON ACCEPTANCE OF A RUN IN ANY TRIAL ORGANISED BY THE BOHGC, YOU ARE DEEMED TO HAVE READ, UNDERSTOOD AND BE PREPARED TO ABIDE BY THE HEALTH AND SAFETY THE AFOREMENTIONED HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATIONS.