High-risk Societies

The society must complete all of the following, as a minimum:

• All society paperwork, including the annual risk assessment. There are some societies in the high-risk category that are not responsible for the actual activities and simply act as agents for a provider organisation. In these cases, only those risks not controlled by the providing organisation are applicable i.e., transport to and from the host venue. All society members should be made aware of the external organisation’s policy and procedures.
• Attend all mandatory training sessions, including the risk assessment training.
• Submit all relevant paperwork including a risk assessment for one-off higher risk activities throughout the year, trip registration forms, etc.
• Elect a full committee, including appointment of a Health and Safety Officer.
• Ensure the training and competency of persons supervising the activity. If there are no suitably competent persons appointed, then the society may not be able to take non-experienced members for certain activities.
• Ensure adequate supervision arrangements for less experienced and inexperienced society members.
• Ensure adequate first aid arrangements within the society and/or at the host venue.
• Equipment examination, inspection, testing, storage, and issue arrangements. You will need to be able to demonstrate that the equipment owned by or used by the society is safe to use, is inspected regularly, is properly maintained, and is kept in a safe manner. For example: climbing ropes must be regularly inspected by a competent person and each rope and harness must be uniquely identified and records kept of the examination, conditions, repairs/alterations, and usage (especially involvement in fall incidents).
• Show availability of any specific means of communication that are required due to the nature of the activity, such as flares, loud hailers, radios, whistle codes, etc.
• Advise on any personal equipment/clothing that members will be required to have before taking part in the activity e.g., boots, warm clothing, waterproofs, etc.
• Health provisions that are required prior to engaging in the activity (e.g., any medical condition which may prevent some people from taking part). If there are requirements, they will need to specify how they are to be tested and monitored.
• Have emergency procedures put in place for the eventuality of an incident occurring.

All societies must be affiliated with their appropriate National Governing Body (NGB) where this exists. The society must fully adopt the NGB codes of best practice and safety procedures. Regular contact must be kept with any NGB to monitor any changes to the above. Affiliation with an NGB or other professional association may also include some form of additional insurance cover for your members and instructors etc.

Societies that participate in high-risk activities must be able to provide first aid for their members in the event of an accident. This should come in three parts:

• The provision of qualified first aiders at all activities, including training sessions.
• The provision of first aid equipment that is suitable and adequate. This should be available at all activities as above.
• After care i.e., arrangement to ensure any injured members are accompanied to hospital or home etc., and that their personal belongings are looked after. Accident forms are completed and handed in.

Some societies will carry out their activities at host venues where this first aid provision is already in place. However, it is the responsibility of the societies to ensure that this is the case and that all members are informed of the host venue’s procedures.