Last updated: 23 September 2021
All members and guests of Folkestone Running Club, taking part in club organised training or events, should be aware of this risk assessment
Potential hazard: Uneven Ground
Action required:
- Remind runners to wear appropriate footwear, where uneven ground is expected, for example trails.
- Stick to well known routes and public footpaths.
- Runners at front of group to warn following runners of very rutted, uneven ground by shouting.
Potential hazard: Stiles
Action required:
- Care to be taken when climbing stiles particularly in wet weather where they may be slippery.
- Badly maintained/broken stiles to be avoided if possible or climbed with care.
Potential hazards: Risk of Falling/Slipping on steep or slippery surface.
Action required:
- Remind runners to run carefully and responsibly keeping a sensible distance between themselves and the runner ahead of them.
- Walk if the conditions are particularly difficult.
Potential hazard: Getting lost
Acrion required:
- Run Leader to be familiar with area and have run route at least once before.
Potential hazard: Losing a runner
Action required:
- Running groups to stick together, appointed leaders to encourage mustering where front runners run back to collect stragglers.
- Remind runners to select a group consistent with their ability.
- Approximate pace of group to be made clear by leader before run commences.
- Ensure that all runners are back at the finish point and that everyone has a safe means of getting home.
Potential hazards: Animals
Action required:
- Observe animals before entering field – if any aggressive behaviour observed choose alternative route without hesitation.
Potential hazards: Dogs
Action required:
- Take care when running near dogs particularly when they are off leads and owners are not present.
- Slow to a walk if necessary.
- Avoid turning your back on the dog.
- Seek assistance from the dog owner if appropriate.
Potential hazard: Overgrown Vegetation/Brambles/Nettles
Action required:
- Warn runners if route is expected to be particularly over-grown, give them an opportunity to opt out.
- If route is impassable take an alternative.
Potential hazard: Very Hot Weather
Action required:
- Advise runners to wear kit appropriate to conditions.
- Take water particularly on longer runs.
- Avoid running at midday, run early morning or evenings.
- If conditions are extreme run to be postponed/cancelled at discretion of Coach/Group Leader.
- Remind runners to use high factor sun cream.
Potential hazard; Cold Weather
Action required:
- Members encouraged to warm up thoroughly in cold weather and wear clothing appropriate to the conditions.
- Care should be taken to avoid patches of ice.
- Runs will be cancelled by Coach if conditions are considered dangerous.
Potential hazard: Asthma
Action required:
- Advise runners to let Leaders know if they suffer with asthma.
- Asthmatics must always carry inhalers.
- Asthmatics should not run if they are suffering badly or if they fear an asthma attack is imminent.
- The decision whether to run or not is left to the discretion of the individual but they must accept that they run at their own risk.
Potential hazards; Other Medical Conditions
Action required:
- To be advised to Coach/Leader.
- Any appropriate medication to be carried on the run.
- The decision whether or not to run is left to the discretion of the individual but they run at their own risk.
Potential hazard: Trail running in the dark
Action required:
- Off road runs to be undertaken in the dark only under strict supervision of experienced run leaders, in small groups.
- All runners required to wear a torch.
Potential hazard: Running in the dark
Action required:
- Runners encouraged to wear light or reflective clothing and/or torch.
- Wherever possible stay on routes with street lighting, and encourage care when crossing roads.
- At the discretion of the Coach/Leader, an inappropriately dressed runner may be asked not to participate in the run.
Potential hazard: Traffic
Action required:
- Wear reflective clothing – be seen.
- Stay on pavement as far as possible.
- If forced to run on the road stay to the right (facing traffic).
- When crossing road use pedestrian crossing if possible.
- Everybody to check for traffic, don’t just follow the crowd.
- Coach/Leader/Lead runners to shout warning to following group if traffic approaches unexpectedly.
Potential hazard: Accidents caused by bumping or jostling
Action required:
- Runners to run carefully and responsibly keeping a sensible distance between themselves and the runner ahead of them.
Potential hazard: Unexpected Obstacles on pavement
Action required:
- Coach/Leader to advise following group of any unexpected hazards which he/she may come across for example: roadworks, cyclists, bollards, street furniture, broken slabs, wheelchairs, overhang foliage, dog mess, road signs, holes and kerbs by shouting a clear warning.
Potential hazard: Ear or headphones
Action required:
- Runners not to wear ear or headphones during a coached session
- Ear or headphones restrict the hearing of any instruction from the Coach/Leader.
- They also restrict the hearing during trail runs which can have an impact during potential hazards for traffic, or someone trying to communicate a potential danger.
- Anyone wearing ear or headphones will be asked to remove them or not join in with the session.