Health and Safety – an OFS insurance issue

Our insurer, Perkins Slade, who provide third party liability cover for OFS, have made some new conditions regarding the renewal of our policy. It is required that we appoint a health and safety officer to oversee all aspects of our walking programme. I have agreed to take on this role on a temporary basis as I am the current walks organiser.

What does this mean for us as a walking group? Well, we all need to be more safety conscious and responsible particularly when walking along, and crossing roads.

At a recent meeting walk leaders were asked to state at the beginning of each walk, (if roads were part of the route), that members should always walk in single file facing on-coming traffic, except round blind bends. This is a very important issue and members are asked to take note of this requirement. When approaching a road which involves crossing over, walks leaders will give instructions to help small groups cross safely to the other side.

The committee will be considering at their meetings the use of florescent hi-vis jackets for both the leader and the back marker. These might be possibly be loaned to leaders. Watch this space.

Sue Crisp