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Slips and Trips – Icy conditions and winter weather
Slip and trip accidents increase during the Autumn and Winter season for a number of reasons: there is less daylight, leaves fall onto paths and become wet and slippery and cold weather spells cause ice and snow to build up on paths. There are effective actions that you can take to reduce the risk of a slip or trip. Regardless of the size of your site, always ensure that regularly used walkways are promptly tackled.
Lighting
Is there is enough lighting around your workplace for you and your workers to be able to see and avoid hazards that might be on the ground? The easiest way to find out is to ask your staff. Another way is to shadow your employees for a couple of days, walk the main internal and external routes that they use throughout their working day. It is important to do this both inside and outside of the workplace, as the effect of light changes during the day. If you can’t see hazards on the ground you will need to improve the lighting (eg new lights or changing the type of bulb).
Wet and decaying leaves
Fallen leaves that become wet or have started to decay can create slip risks in two ways, they hide any hazard that may be on the path or they themselves create a slip risk.
Put in place a procedure for removing leaves at regular intervals; you might even consider removing the offending bushes or trees altogether.
Rain water
In dealing with rainwater:
- When fitting external paved areas ensure that the material used will be slip resistant when wet.
- Discourage people from taking shortcuts over grass or dirt which are likely to become slippery when wet. Consider converting existing shortcuts into proper paths.
- On new sites, before laying paths, think about how pedestrians are likely to move around the site. Putting the path in the right place from the start may save you money in the long term.
- Many slip accidents happen at building entrances as people entering the building walk in rainwater. Fitting canopies of a good size over building entrances and in the right position can help to prevent this.
- If a canopy is not a possibility, consider installing large, absorbent mats or even changing the entrance flooring to one which is non-slip.
Ice, frost and snow
- To reduce the risk of slips on ice, frost or snow, you need to assess the risk and put in a system to manage it.
- Identify the outdoor areas used by pedestrians most likely to be affected by ice, for example: – building entrances, car parks, pedestrian walkways, shortcuts, sloped areas and areas constantly in the shade or wet.
- Monitor the temperature, as prevention is key.
- You need to take action whenever freezing temperatures are forecast. Keep up to date by visiting a weather service site such as the Met Office or the Highways England.
- There are also smart signs on the market, available to buy at low cost, which display warning messages at £50 and below.
- Put a procedure in place to prevent an icy surface forming and/or keep pedestrians off the slippery surface;
- Use grit or similar, on areas prone to be slippery in frosty, icy conditions;
- Consider covering walkways eg by an arbour high enough for people to walk through, or use an insulating material on smaller areas overnight;
- Divert pedestrians to less slippery walkways and barrier off existing ones.
- If warning cones are used, remember to remove them once the hazard has passed or they will eventually be ignored.
Gritting
The most common method used to de-ice floors is gritting as it is relatively cheap, quick to apply and easy to spread. Rock salt (plain and treated) is the most commonly used ‘grit’. It is the substance used on public roads by the highways authority.
Salt can stop ice forming and cause existing ice or snow to melt. It is most effective when it is ground down, but this will take far longer on pedestrian areas than on roads.
Gritting should be carried out when frost, ice or snow is forecast or when walkways are likely to be damp or wet and the floor temperatures are at, or below freezing. The best times are early in evening before the frost settles and/or early in the morning before employees arrive. Salt doesn’t work instantly; it needs sufficient time to dissolve into the moisture on the floor.
If you grit when it is raining heavily the salt will be washed away, causing a problem if the rain then turns to snow. Compacted snow, which turns to ice, is difficult to treat effectively with grit. Be aware that ‘dawn frost’ can occur on dry surfaces, when early morning dew forms and freezes on impact with the cold surface. It can be difficult to predict when or where this condition will occur.
Author Credit:- https://bit.ly/AIM_HSEslipsandtrips
AIM On Target Newsletter 2021
We are proud to release the latest On Target Newsletter which features articles from you the Membership and the AIM Team. Thanks go to all the contributors for providing their insight and knowledge as always.
- Staffing crisis in the outdoors
- Diversifying the outdoors – Post Pandemic
- Lessons Learned – Covid Claims
- Financial Review of the Mutual
- Keeping in touch – details of our social media platforms and the AIM Facebook Group
- Supporting Schools and the LOTC
We hope you enjoy reading it and please get in touch if you have any feedback or questions.
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Occupiers Liability – Successful defence
Clyde & Co have shared the following success story with us. In a recent claim involving a survival race, the obstacle to a successful outcome for the Claimant was the finding that accidents do happen, and that there was an inherent risk that could not be prevented by the organiser. https://bit.ly/3zu7PTq
Harrison v Intuitive Business Consultants Ltd & Ors [2021] EWHC 2396 (QB)
The Claimant had submitted that the organiser (as First Defendant) had failed to take reasonable care for her safety after she sustained serious injuries falling on part of an obstacle course at a Bear Grylls Survival race.
It was alleged that the Defendants (the Second Defendant being a subcontractor) had failed to implement intended control measures set out in their risk assessment, including instructing participants to begin the obstacle from a seated position and ensuring an appropriate spread of hay was on the ground to cushion any falls.
The Judge found that instructions were given appropriately, despite the Claimant either not hearing them or failing to follow them. In any event, causation was not established. The Defendants also had a reasonable system in relation to the spread of hay on the ground.
Background
The Claimant voluntarily participated in a Bear Grylls Survival Race. Whilst attempting an elevated monkey ring obstacle (known as ‘the Jungle’) she fell to the ground and sustained serious injuries to her right shoulder and leg. She brought a claim for injury and losses against the event organisers and the subcontractors responsible for the planning and management (‘the Defendants’).
The Claimant brought a claim against the Defendants under s.2 of the Occupiers Liability Act 1957.
Outcome
The Court accepted that there was no duty of care on the Defendants to provide guidance or supervision to participants, but that there was a duty to risk assess. The risk assessment process was followed and the Defendants had put in place a control measure requiring “clear and concise instructions” to be given to participants including a direction to “swing out from a seated position”. Once the need for instruction had been determined, the duty to provide such an instruction had been assumed.
The Claimant had started from a standing position, having stated she did not hear any instructions. She alleged that that this was the cause of her fall.
Taking into account the witness evidence and contemporaneous photographs the Court held that marshals had been trained to provide such instruction and that instructions had been given appropriately. It was not practicable to speak individually to each and every participant, but the marshals gave regular instructions to those about to embark. The Judge found that the Claimant had either not heard the instruction or failed to follow it.
In any event, the Court found that whether the Claimant had started from a seated or standing position made no difference to her fall. By the time she fell, she had been reaching for the second ring.
The use of hay was deemed a reasonable option for providing a suitable landing surface, although the Defendant remained obliged to ensure even-spreading and periodical re-distribution of the hay to avoid bare patches.
No witnesses for the Claimant observed such distribution, however the Judge relied upon the veracity of the Defendants’ witness, a marshal on the Jungle, who submitted that the staff were vigilant in their re-distribution of the hay.
The Claimant’s accident and resultant injuries were not occasioned by any fault of the Defendants and were inherent types of injury associated with obstacle races and risky activities. The Claimant was aware of the risks upon signing up to compete, with such risks being impossible to fully prevent regardless of the amount of care and vigilance demonstrated by the Defendants.
What we can learn
- We are reminded that there is no duty on an activity provider to provide instruction unless the provider assumes that responsibility. If a suitable and sufficient risk assessment deems that instruction is required, then such responsibility is assumed and the instruction must be given.
- The Defendants intended that participants would be instructed to start from a seated rather than standing position. The Defendant had no obligation to ensure that, having been given the instruction, that is how the participants proceeded.
- The Court was satisfied that regular instructions, not involving direct discussions with each participant, met the threshold of reasonableness in all the circumstances of this case.
- Attention to detail surrounding causation is crucial. Whether the Court found a breach of duty or not, it would have held that such breach had not led to the Claimant’s fall.
- It is interesting to note that had there been a breach of duty on the part of the Defendants, the Court did state that there would have been no finding of contributory negligence on the part of the Claimant. It was “both legitimate and reasonably safe for the Claimant to set off from a standing position, following the technique of others who went before her.” Similarly, the vast majority of participants had failed to complete the rings section, so the Claimant could bear no fault for failing to complete that section.
Author: Clyde & Co LLP
Outdoor Learning – The Pivot
This article in the Spring issue of Institute for Outdoor Learning Horizons magazine looks at the positives to come out of change. As an outdoor professional the pandemic has brought challenges to many and here this has presented opportunities for some but also much change for others.
[pdf-embedder url=”https://www.activitiesindustrymutual.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Pivot-Article_Horizons-Spring-2021.pdf”]
Offering Coasteering? – Getting the cover you need
Many providers of this popular activity struggle to find the right liability cover, either because their insurance provider doesn’t understand the activity or they consider it too risky and will not offer terms or a quotation.
We have had recent experience of providers looking for cover at the last minute because their insurance company changed its attitude to risk and pulled out of the market. This can be particularly frustrating if you are about to deliver your first coasteering session in months due to the global pandemic!
As the temperature warms up and restrictions are hopefully lifted, we know for many activity providers offering coasteering is a key part of your activity business, and you will be looking forward to delivering sessions again.
We can provide cover for your sessions with schools and families as well as adult groups from stag and hen weekends and corporate team building exercises.
Please be assured that Activities Industry Mutual (AIM ) underwriters are familiar with this particular activity when providing a quotation. We are an Associate Member of the National Coasteering Charter (NCC), and we keep up to date with their meetings and events. They promote best practice, provider and guide support in the sector, so if you are not a current Member of the NCC we encourage you to have a look at what they offer.
There is also a new guide award that the NCC have introduced and will be rolling out to trainers and guides in 2021/2022. https://www.nationalcoasteeringcharter.org.uk/coasteering-qualification/.
We welcome enquiries from providers offering coasteering, please speak to one of our team.
NCC Guide award outline:
The guide award has been developed by a working group of NCC members, coasteering providers and guides from around the UK.
The award has been structured to allow new guides coming into the industry the opportunity to work through a structured scheme that allows them to gain a base line in standard coasteering guide practice by undertaking a 2-day training course, partaking in a consolidation period and then undergoing a formal assessment. Existing coasteering guides who already have experience and some formal training will be able to apply for the opportunity to APL the training elements of the award.
Top 10 Best Caves – Going Underground
A classic wild camp, a Roman shrine and the ‘real’ Batman’s lair – here’s our pick of Britain’s most enticing underground attractions.
This feature was first published in the March 2019 issue of The Great Outdoors.
Forget ticketed and well-groomed show caves – Britain’s most intriguing underground places are quiet, semi- secret and only accessible by foot. Some have fascinating archaeological or historical backstories. Others have starred as movie locations or featured in famous legends. A few are remarkable simply for their size and splendour. But all repay closer exploring…
1. Priest’s Hole, Lake District
Header image above; © Getty Images
Since it featured on the BBC in 2016, this popular wild camping spot on the side of Dove Crag has lost any last vestige of secrecy. Think of Priest’s Hole as you might a bothy, accept that you may have to share, and you’re less likely to be disappointed. The views of the Far Eastern Fells are great and bad weather is kept at bay by a low stone wall. If you do find remnants of previous visits, do a good turn and take them with you.
2. Thirst House Cave, Peak District
© Andrew Hill
Archaeologists excavating this Deep Dale cave in the 19th Century found pottery, jewellery and burials suggesting it had been used as a Roman shrine. Local people once called it ‘Hob Hurst House’, after a goblin who reputedly lived there. Thirst House Cave makes for fascinating exploring on a walk around Deep Dale or a diversion from the western end of the Monsal Trail – just don’t stray too far inside the system.
3. The Massacre Cave, Eigg
© Shutterstock
As you might guess, this cave has a pretty gruesome history. The population of Eigg sheltered here during a 16th Century feud with the Macleods of Skye, only to be killed en masse when the Macleods lit a huge bonfire to smoke them out. Tourists visiting the cave recently found a large collection of human bones that have since been linked to the slaughter. Massacre Cave and nearby Cathedral Cave can both be explored with the help of a torch – if you’re brave enough…
4. Alum Pot & Gaping Gill, North Yorkshire
© Shutterstock
Looking to dip a toe into the murky and mysterious world of caving? Book a guide to take you down Alum Pot, dubbed by those in the know as the finest abseil in Yorkshire. The way out through a labyrinth of tunnels leads through the famously claustrophobic ‘Cheese Press’ – not a route for the faint-hearted. If you don’t fancy venturing below ground, you can still see the open shaft of Alum Pot and the waterfall that cascades into its depths on a walk around Ingleborough that also takes in the entrance to the more famous Gaping Gill (pictured).
5. Henrhyd Falls, Brecon Beacons
© Shutterstock
To film buffs, the sheltered spot behind thundering Henrhyd Falls might look thrillingly familiar. It was used as one of the filming locations for Batman’s lair in The Dark Knight Rises – the key shot shows Christian Bale disappearing behind a curtain of water to enter his secret hideout. There’s nothing (other than the prospect of a good wetting) to stop visitors following his footsteps through the waterfall to discover the shallow cave beyond. The surrounding walks in National Trust woodland provide an added enticement.
6. Victoria Cave, North Yorkshire
© Shutterstock
The walk to this isolated cave, set east of Langcliffe in Ribblesdale, takes you through some of the most dramatic limestone scenery in the Yorkshire Dales. The cave itself is an archaeological treasure: since it was first excavated, in the year of Queen Victoria’s coronation, everything from mammoth bones to Roman brooches has been discovered here. Surrounding signs warn that the roof is unstable, so Victoria Cave is best admired from the outside.
7. Millican Dalton’s Cave, Lake District
For nearly 50 years, this sizeable cave on the side of Castle Crag was the summer residence of Lakeland eccentric, lightweight gear pioneer and self-styled ‘Professor of Adventure’ Millican Dalton. Nowadays it’s a site of pilgrimage for outdoorsy folk who admire Dalton’s philosophy and his legendary quest for self-sufficiency. Reach the cave on a short walk from Rosthwaite, taking in the war memorial on the summit of Castle Crag en route. Keep your eyes peeled for the faint inscription: ‘Don’t waste words, jump to conclusions’.
8. King’s Cave, Arran
© Shutterstock
Legend says this is where Robert the Bruce had his life-changing encounter with a spider. It’s one of a series of sandstone caves that rise above the Arran Coastal Way (nearby Black Cave below Bennan Head is also well worth visiting on a circuit of the island). Aside from the legend, the most fascinating thing about this cavern is the Christian and pre-Christian art adorning the walls, some carvings possibly dating to the Bronze Age.
9. Cathedral Cave, Lake District
© Shutterstock
Hidden above Little Langdale valley is a disused Lakeland green slate quarry riddled with tunnels and mines. The most spectacular is a 12m-high chamber known as Cathedral Cave. The National Trust sign at the entrance notes that you enter at your own risk, but if you’re intrepid enough to venture in then this man-made cavern with its high roof and clear pond is nothing short of spectacular. Elsewhere in the quarry there are some intriguing tunnels to explore, including one that’s around 400ft in length.
10. Prince Charles’s Cave, Skye
© Shutterstock
Another Scottish cave with romantic historical association, this narrow tidal cavern played host to Bonnie Prince Charlie during his last night on Skye. Access is restricted to a few hours around low tide, so check tide times before setting forth on the superbly scenic tramp south from Elgol. There are other underground attractions to explore along the way, too – continue around the peninsula to reach the cathedral-like Spar Cave, but plan your walk with care to avoid being stranded by the rising tide.
Article Source: The Great Outdoors Magazine (https://www.tgomagazine.co.uk/inspiration-and-ideas/top-10-best-caves/)
Top 5 UK Cycling Destinations
Activity Providers Cycling Destinations
We have a number of Members who operate cycling and mountain bike trails and tours. Many will be disappointed that the Tour De Yorkshire has been postponed from 2021 until 2022. Here’s a look at the Top 5 UK cycling destinations to inspire you. We can offer providers cover for Public Liability, Employer’s Liability and equipment cover. If your business is registered in the UK then we can assist. Please speak to us about a quotation.
Yorkshire Dales
Road cycling in Yorkshire is renowned for its wild scenery, tough riding but welcoming hospitality and the real sense of a cycling community. It has grown in reputation over the last 10 years to be known as one of the best areas of not only the UK but Europe to visit and ride a bike.
Climb the likes of the Cote de Buttertubs, Grinton Moor and Lofthouse fueled on the local delicacy of Wensleydale cheese and Fat Rascals.
Lake District
The Lake District in Cumbria is one of the most beautiful places to ride a bike in the UK, but it is also one of the toughest. Mention the names Hardknott Pass, Kirkstone Pass or the aptly named Struggle and you are sure to get a large intake of breath but also a look of excitement from any roadie mates.
Cornwall
Cycling in Cornwall offers a rider an overwhelming sensory sensation – sandy beaches, sunny weather, a soft sea breeze in your face whilst you roll through the quiet country lanes flourishing with wild flowers. The breath-taking landscape allows you to part forgive the area for the punishing inclines that you get on the coastal roads, as you ride into the pretty little coves and harbours, and inevitably have to clamber back out.
Peak District
The Peak District is England’s oldest national park, designated as such in 1951, and ever since then it has been a haven for cyclists.
Being named the Peak District, you won’t be surprised that there are quite a lot of hills to climb. You can still find some more ‘gentle’ cycling routes to do if you don’t quite fancy slogging up the hills all day, but if you are a bit of a mountain goat, then you definitely won’t be disappointed. Not only are the hills plentiful, some of them are also incredibly steep. Find yourself at the foot of Winnats Pass and you will have really earned your Bakewell pudding from one of the numerous tea & cake shops enroute.
Brecon Beacons
The Brecon Beacons national park, located in South Wales offers everything from charming and lively market towns, to high peaks with incredible views of the Welsh countryside and Black Mountains.
It is a microcosm of everything that makes Wales wonderful. Cloud-piercing peaks and high road passes look down upon the meandering rivers and waterways that pierce through the lush valleys.
Whether you are there for a full week or just a quick weekend break you will enjoy every minute of the famous Welsh hospitality and amazing countryside.
With thanks to https://www.bikecation.co.uk/.
Climbing, Belaying, COVID and Beyond
What do we know?
In our current COVID world, there has been a concerning sharp spike of ground falls in UK climbing centres post lockdown one.
In one seven-day period, in the latter part of 2020, we had reports of the equivalent number of these incidences that we would usually expect in a ‘normal’ year.
After extensive discussions, the authors of this piece decided that scrutiny of these Incidents and Accidents was prudent to learn lessons for the future. The authors looked at the wearing of masks in climbing centres, and the accident data respectively.
About the Authors: Joby Maw Davis is a Full AMI member and holds the Winter Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor qualification. He is a Technical advisor for a lot of the major climbing walls in the UK. He is also a Technical expert for NICAS and the Association of British Climbing Walls as well as a provider for many of the Mountain Training National Governing Body awards.
Libby Peter is a Full Mountain Guide and a Member of the British Mountain Guides. Between them their technical knowledge of rock climbing both indoors and outdoors is unsurpassed 😊. Neither of them “work” (i.e. are paid) by AMI. This article and research was done independent of AMI but AMI both support it and back it.
Possible explanations could be:
- Climbers who have taken a break from climbing may have rusty skills (Skills fade posh term)
- The past year has been rough; we can all agree on that. More people may be mentally and emotionally exhausted than an average year.
- People are excited to return to their hobbies, but are they prepared?
Observations:
- All the noted accidents and incidents involved lead climbing (belaying).
- They all resulted in ground falls of varying seriousness.
- Climbers and belayers involved were not novices and had climbed at the centre they were in at the time of the occurrence numerous times since the end of lockdown one.
- Accidents and incidents occurred generally in the first half of the route attempted.
What are the variables that have the potential to cause climbers / belayers issues?
Skills fade – quick confidence gains… then complacency. These incidents have not involved novices.
Amplification of previously ‘just off’ good practice. For example, poor belayer positioning and slack management; this is especially important while the climber is around 2nd-4th clips as lead falls from here require very quick reactions by the belayer to prevent a ground fall. There is a likelihood, if climbers and belayers were operating in a slightly sloppy fashion pre COVID (unconscious incompetence or conscious incompetence), that their skills will have slid somewhat.
Face mask issues
Even the neatest fitting facemask restricts lower peripheral vision. In other words, it is harder to see the ground just in-front of your feet. This leads to more frequent trips and falls (mostly in the elderly), but it also makes it harder to glance down and see what’s going on at your belay device, creating a number of potential problems:
1. Blocks the view of how much slack is out immediately in-front of the belay device. It’s possible to have a loop of slack out (i.e. too much slack) and not realise.
2. Less confidence in making quick adjustments to the amount of slack out (slack management). Some belayers need to look down at the belay device when paying out or taking in.
3. Can’t see trip hazards around feet (such as rope) so might result in the belayer moving around less to adjust slack, or an actual trip.
Poor fitting masks
4. Habitual readjustment of mask as it slips down over nose – means two hands not on the rope.
Belay glasses and masks
5. This combination definitely further limits lower peripheral vision leaving only a slim letter box view.
6. Moving belay glasses into place as leader reaches second or third clip could be even slower with mask on – and may knock the mask out of place leading to point 4 above.
Prescription glasses and masks
Glasses steaming up is a big issue for belayers and leads to a few scenarios, all of which have their own potential impact on effective belaying:
7. Leave steamed up glasses in place and have trouble seeing clearly enough to detect climber movements that might suggest an imminent fall, or to preempt clipping.
8. Take glasses off and, depending on quality of vision without glasses, have trouble seeing as above.
9. Alternate between glasses on and off resulting in two hands not on the rope.
10. Leave glasses on and pull mask down to prevent fogging – and reduce Covid safety.
Some real-life suggestions to help makes your first steps ‘back’, as safe as possible for your and your partner.
Climbers
Why not treat the first session back as a refresher of all belaying elements?
Take things more slowly than you would do ‘normally’. How about a top-rope before leading if haven’t climbed in a mask on for example?
Make no assumptions about belaying/climbing skills for you and you partners / s
Never forget the lifesaving PARTNER CHECK
Belay device/rope compatibility check, have you purchased new equipment?
Be extra vigilant; remember other’s actions could also impact on you and your partner’s safety.
Communication – revisit with your partner your communication routine, it may well have been some time since you climbed together!
Instructors and coaches
Expect to give more support than normal to your climbers and belayers, remember the operational changes in your sessions will be well drilled for you, but they will be new to your climbers.
Mask education – help clients to develop a mask system that is Covid safe and climb safe.
Have extra vigilance when backing up belaying, it is probably the case that in your centre / organisation you are dealing with this in a more socially distanced fashion.
Be prepared and equipped to intervene quickly if deemed necessary. Have these drills been well practiced amongst staff?
Frame of Reference
Minor Interactions :- Behaviours and or actions that can contribute to the increased chances of any of the above
Near Miss:- An event not causing harm, but has the potential to cause injury or ill health
Incident:- a set of conditions or circumstances that have the potential to cause injury or ill health and could result in damage to equipment and facilities.
Accident:- An event that results in injury or ill health
Many thanks to the authors Joby Maw Davis (AMI) Climbing and Mountain Training http://www.jobymawdavis.co.uk/and Libby Peter (IFMGA Guide)
