WORKING EVENTS HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY
General Policy is to:-
Responsibilities
Northumberland and Durham Labrador Retriever Club will minimise risk as far as possible at all
events. All those involved with working tests/field trial and shoot activities have legal responsibilities to take care of the health and safety of themselves and others and to co-operate in
order to comply with the law. ALL those involved have to:-
Risk Assessment
First Aid
Anti field-sports Lobbyists
All those involved in the field trial should be observant at all times of the risk of malevolent action
from anti-field sports lobbyists. If anything unusual is observed, circumstances should be immediately reported to the Chief Steward, any committee member or Gamekeeper who will ensure appropriate action is taken i.e. that the Police or other appropriate authority is contacted.
Health and Safety Protocols
Car Parking and Transport
Where necessary, access to the meet of a field trial will be clearly marked with a sign. At all trials
there will be a certain amount of off road driving. At some trials there may only be access by 4x4 vehicles and some competitors with their dogs and spectators may be asked to share vehicles or walk. All competitors and spectators must make their own transport arrangements.
Pre Field Trial or Working Test Briefing
The Chief Steward/Secretary will be identified at the beginning of the event and will outline safety measures at the briefing. All persons attending must consider themselves under the control of the Secretary, Chief Steward, Stewards and Officials of the Club. Any member of the committee or attendee must inform the chief steward/secretary if they see anything dangerous or potentially
dangerous, during the course of the event. Anyone present who perceives a potential risk should report this to the officials.
At each Field Trial the following will have specific responsibilities:-
Chief Steward: Make announcements before the trial commences, including any particular risks or safety issues. During the trial, oversee the organisation and any relevant safety matters with regard to the guns, helpers, competitors and spectators.
Steward of the Beat (Gamekeeper or Host): To assist in conducting the trial, and make all present aware of any particular hazards. Jointly with the Shoot Captain he will ensure the guns are aware of good safety practices and will oversee the placing of the guns.
Judges: To be aware of any hazards and conduct the trial with regard to safe practices for handlers, their dogs, and any helpers or spectators.
Flagman: To carry a red flag indicating the safe location of spectators/competitors not in line. Guns should be aware of the location of the flag and spectators should stay close to the flag.
ONCE THE EVENT HAS STARTED NO ONE IS TO LEAVE WITHOUT FIRST NOTIFYING THE CHIEF STEWARD/SECRETARY.
Everyone present is expected to comply with the highest standards of safety and sportsmanship with respect to their dogs, quarry, wildlife and the countryside in general. Any unsafe or
inappropriate behaviour will result in instant dismissal from the event. Any person under the age of sixteen must be accompanied by an adult.
Weather
In cases of extreme weather conditions, the event may have to be cancelled. In hot, dry conditions to minimise the risk of fire; dependant on the ground, there may be a request for no-smoking.
Topography
The ground used for our events is diverse and challenging countryside where walking may be
difficult. A good level of fitness is required for participants, dogs and spectators and it is recommended that suitable footwear is worn and appropriate clothing according to the sports
custom.
Shotgun Safety
All participants carrying guns must have an up to date licence as well as current insurance cover (with weapons to be used on the day entered on the Certificate) and this must be made available to a Northumberland and Durham LRC Official for inspection prior to commencement on the day of the event. All participants carrying guns at trials should have experience in shooting game and be fully conversant with the shotgun safety set out by officially bodies such BASC and National Gamekeepers etc. before accepting an invitation from the Society to shoot at a trial. Each gun must in addition be a competent shot and fully aware of shooting safety protocol. Shotgun safety and security is the sole responsibility of the person carrying the gun and Northumberland and Durham LRC can accept no liability for any incident arising from misuse.
Catering
There are no outside caterers at any of our working events. Competitors and spectators must make
their own arrangements for themselves and their dogs.
Emergencies
In the event of an emergency, the Chief Steward/secretary will have a mobile phone with the numbers of the local emergency services. Please be aware that sometimes there can be no service and the Secretary will elect persons to leave the venue to seek help. Veterinary support will also be
available for canine emergencies (please see running card). Any accidents will be recorded.
Please note that by accepting a run, or invitation to participate/spectate at any working event organised by the Northumberland and Durham LRC, you are deemed to have read, understood and to abide by the aforementioned Health & Safety Rules & Regulations set out in this policy statement by the Society.
Reviewed April 2019 ID/Sept. 2013
Changes or alterations to the above policy will be made at six monthly intervals if required and the policy reviewed annually.
- Provide knowledge of the Health and Safety requirements which must be followed in order to ensure the well being of everyone involved.
- Provide adequate control of the Health and Safety risks arising from our activities.
- Provide information for those involved with the event.
- Ensure that all those involved in a field trial are competent to undertake shooting activities/tasks. (See Shotgun Safety)
- Prevent accidents where possible.
- Review and revise this policy at regular intervals.
Responsibilities
Northumberland and Durham Labrador Retriever Club will minimise risk as far as possible at all
events. All those involved with working tests/field trial and shoot activities have legal responsibilities to take care of the health and safety of themselves and others and to co-operate in
order to comply with the law. ALL those involved have to:-
- Be co-operative on health and safety matters
- Not interfere with anything provided to safeguard health and safety
- Take reasonable care of their own health and safety
- Report all health and safety concerns to a member of the N. & D. F.T. committee.
- Individual handlers are responsible for the welfare and conduct of their dogs and must carry out their own risk assessment of the tasks asked of their dogs during the event.
Risk Assessment
- Risk assessments will be undertaken by the Chief Steward and the Steward of the Beat before commencement of the trial and the Working Test Secretary before working tests.
- Any findings of risk assessments will be reported to Secretary/Chief Steward.
- Assessments will be reviewed annually.
- Action required to remove/control risks will be approved by the Secretary/Chief Steward.
First Aid
- A first aid kit will be available.
- All accidents to be reported to the chief steward/secretary who will be responsible for investigating accidents and act upon such findings to prevent a recurrence.
Anti field-sports Lobbyists
All those involved in the field trial should be observant at all times of the risk of malevolent action
from anti-field sports lobbyists. If anything unusual is observed, circumstances should be immediately reported to the Chief Steward, any committee member or Gamekeeper who will ensure appropriate action is taken i.e. that the Police or other appropriate authority is contacted.
Health and Safety Protocols
Car Parking and Transport
Where necessary, access to the meet of a field trial will be clearly marked with a sign. At all trials
there will be a certain amount of off road driving. At some trials there may only be access by 4x4 vehicles and some competitors with their dogs and spectators may be asked to share vehicles or walk. All competitors and spectators must make their own transport arrangements.
Pre Field Trial or Working Test Briefing
The Chief Steward/Secretary will be identified at the beginning of the event and will outline safety measures at the briefing. All persons attending must consider themselves under the control of the Secretary, Chief Steward, Stewards and Officials of the Club. Any member of the committee or attendee must inform the chief steward/secretary if they see anything dangerous or potentially
dangerous, during the course of the event. Anyone present who perceives a potential risk should report this to the officials.
At each Field Trial the following will have specific responsibilities:-
Chief Steward: Make announcements before the trial commences, including any particular risks or safety issues. During the trial, oversee the organisation and any relevant safety matters with regard to the guns, helpers, competitors and spectators.
Steward of the Beat (Gamekeeper or Host): To assist in conducting the trial, and make all present aware of any particular hazards. Jointly with the Shoot Captain he will ensure the guns are aware of good safety practices and will oversee the placing of the guns.
Judges: To be aware of any hazards and conduct the trial with regard to safe practices for handlers, their dogs, and any helpers or spectators.
Flagman: To carry a red flag indicating the safe location of spectators/competitors not in line. Guns should be aware of the location of the flag and spectators should stay close to the flag.
ONCE THE EVENT HAS STARTED NO ONE IS TO LEAVE WITHOUT FIRST NOTIFYING THE CHIEF STEWARD/SECRETARY.
Everyone present is expected to comply with the highest standards of safety and sportsmanship with respect to their dogs, quarry, wildlife and the countryside in general. Any unsafe or
inappropriate behaviour will result in instant dismissal from the event. Any person under the age of sixteen must be accompanied by an adult.
Weather
In cases of extreme weather conditions, the event may have to be cancelled. In hot, dry conditions to minimise the risk of fire; dependant on the ground, there may be a request for no-smoking.
Topography
The ground used for our events is diverse and challenging countryside where walking may be
difficult. A good level of fitness is required for participants, dogs and spectators and it is recommended that suitable footwear is worn and appropriate clothing according to the sports
custom.
Shotgun Safety
All participants carrying guns must have an up to date licence as well as current insurance cover (with weapons to be used on the day entered on the Certificate) and this must be made available to a Northumberland and Durham LRC Official for inspection prior to commencement on the day of the event. All participants carrying guns at trials should have experience in shooting game and be fully conversant with the shotgun safety set out by officially bodies such BASC and National Gamekeepers etc. before accepting an invitation from the Society to shoot at a trial. Each gun must in addition be a competent shot and fully aware of shooting safety protocol. Shotgun safety and security is the sole responsibility of the person carrying the gun and Northumberland and Durham LRC can accept no liability for any incident arising from misuse.
Catering
There are no outside caterers at any of our working events. Competitors and spectators must make
their own arrangements for themselves and their dogs.
Emergencies
In the event of an emergency, the Chief Steward/secretary will have a mobile phone with the numbers of the local emergency services. Please be aware that sometimes there can be no service and the Secretary will elect persons to leave the venue to seek help. Veterinary support will also be
available for canine emergencies (please see running card). Any accidents will be recorded.
Please note that by accepting a run, or invitation to participate/spectate at any working event organised by the Northumberland and Durham LRC, you are deemed to have read, understood and to abide by the aforementioned Health & Safety Rules & Regulations set out in this policy statement by the Society.
Reviewed April 2019 ID/Sept. 2013
Changes or alterations to the above policy will be made at six monthly intervals if required and the policy reviewed annually.