Risk Assessments

The Ramblers expect you to manage the risks that are specific to your type and grade of walk and the route you are planning to follow, so:-

• Think ahead about what might go wrong or cause a problem
• Think about what you can do, now and on the day, to reduce the chances of those things happening
• Think about what you will need to do if something does go wrong despite your planning

You do not need to complete any special form or keep any specific records before you lead your walk, but you should follow these steps every time:-

1. Be familiar with the Ramblers' example risk assessments - you can click below to see the one for your grade of walk
• Easy
• Leisurely or Moderate
• Strenuous
2. Then think about any additional risks that are specific to your route on the day. It's good practice to write down the risks and how you plan to mitigate them but it's not mandatory, and you don't need to fill in any form to record your planning.
3. The most important thing is that before a walk you feel confident, you're aware of potential risks and you've put the right mitigations in place.
4. On the day of the walk itself, you should let your walkers know of those risks and mitigations, which you can do in your Welcome Briefing.
5. Stay alert to your surroundings and your walkers, and take a dynamic approach on the day.

Based on our experience at MWW, we think the following might help you think about points 1-5 above:

1. Be familiar with the Ramblers' example risk assessments (as above)
• Are we showing your walk with the right walk Grade on the website, should it go up or down a level?
• If it's under-Graded are you more likely to get walkers who are not healthy enough, fit enough or equipped for extremes of hot weather, cold weather, rain or rough paths
2. Then think about any additional risks that are specific to your route on the day.
• Road Crossings or Road Walking
• Crossing streams or boggy ground
• Getting over stiles or up or down steep or loose ground
• Slippery grass or rocks
• Livestock on the route - cows, sheep, horses
• Running out of daylight
3. The most important thing is that before a walk, you feel confident, you're aware of potential risks and you've put the right mitigations in place.
• If you're not confident, either change your route or ask for advice or help from other Walk Leaders or the Group, via the Walks Co-ordinator or Chair
4. On the day of the walk itself, you should let your walkers know of those risks and mitigations, which you can do in your welcome briefing.
• This could be as simple as telling people that there is e.g. a specific stretch of road walking where extra care is needed, a section of narrow, rough or steep path, a chance of getting back as the sun is setting etc.
5. Stay alert to your surroundings and your walkers and take a dynamic approach on the day.
• Your planned route could be blocked by road works, footbridges being broken, forestry operations closing paths or a bull being in a field
• Your walkers could just be taking longer than you expected or some of them could be affected by health or fitness issues
• The weather could be changing and it might be better to drop down or turn back or to shorten the route