Risk Assessment

The Risk Assessment and associated information are in place to reduce the likelihood of severe injury on games and to mitigate any injuries that do occur.

Action Plan:

• GMs are responsible for reading the site risk assessment and any appropriate safety documentation and ensuring any necessary actions are carried out.
• It is required that all members have received the initial safety briefing before they are allowed to attend a game.
• All members advised “Man Down” or “First Aider” are Out-of-Character (OOC) calls and only to be used when someone is injured.
• Each game has at least one player and monster duty First Aider (FA) appointed and identified to all attendees; if attendees are split into multiple groups, each group must have at least one appointed First Aider. They will be the person to respond to a call of “Man Down” or “First Aider”.
• In an emergency situation, any qualified First Aider (who has shown the committee a copy of their valid qualification certificate) may step in.
• A duty First Aider (or a nominated deputy) will make the decision as to when (or even whether) play can resume and also arrange for Emergency Services to be called if necessary
• The duty First Aider/s should carry or be aware of who is carrying a fully charged mobile phone
• The treating First Aider will complete the necessary accident forms.
• The first aid kit should be checked at least every three months (see bottom of assessment for last date) and the committee should be advise if any replacement items required.
• It is the duty of the monster duty First Aider to know where the main first aid kit at all times.
• It is the duty of both Player and Monster First Aider to complete the Incidents Log for the day at the end of the game; this records all actual incidents, near misses and equipment used.
• All club members are requested to complete the Medical Notes field on BathLARP DB with any relevant conditions, including medication taken, or the note N/A if they have no known/relevant medical issues. This should be updated if any changes occur. The club cannot be held responsible for taking into account any condition of which they have not been made aware.
• Each individual participant is responsible for their own medication.

A&E Departments:

Usual Bath site: nearest A&E is Bath RUH – makes 75% of calls within the appointed 8 minutes.
Horley: nearest A&E is Oxford
Caddihoe: nearest A&E is Exeter
Candleston: nearest A&E is Princess of Wales hospital in Bridgend, however waiting times are better at Port Talbot A&E.
Rough Close: nearest A&E is University Hospital Coventry
Consall: nearest A&E is Royal Stoke University Hospital, Stoke-on-Trent

Site Risk Assessment:

To be updated every three months or following the addition of any hazard to the site. A member of the committee, insurance responsible persons or GM should check the site on a regular basis, including following any storms.

[Known hazards listed followed by what mitigation is carried out and who is responsible for this]

1. Combat
1b. Arrows/bolts
- all members are made aware of combat safety issues when they attend their first game and reminded on a monthly basis. This information is also available on the society website at: http://www.bathlarp.co.uk/pages/202

2. Slips, trips and falls
- the site is outdoors and therefore subject to changes depending on weather conditions. All members are advised, when they first attend and again when the ground conditions are particularly hazardous (due to ice, snow or heavy rain), that the site has large sections of uneven ground and that they should be aware of the footing and also wear appropriate footwear when they first attend. This information is also available on the society website at: http://www.bathlarp.co.uk/pages/8

3. Hanging vegetation
- all members are made aware that we use an outdoor site with the possibility of hanging vegetation and that they should be aware of such when swinging weapons and also to be careful not to cause injury to other club members through negligence.

4. Specific hazards
4a. Rock of doom (Bath Skyline site)
4b. Back steps (Bath Skyline site)
4c. Fallen trees/branches
4d. Barbed wire
4e. Brambles/trailing vegetation
4f. Stiles
4g. Boggy ground
4h. Rabbit holes / mole hills
4i. Drainage ditches
- there are specific hazards on the site which will not be encountered on every game. It is the responsibility of the GM to both ensure no combat happens across such hazards and to ensure all attendees are aware of the hazards and that any the combat adjacent to such hazards remains safe. It is the responsibility of all club members to take care around such hazards and ensure they do not cause any other member to cross onto or into them.

5. Cows/deer
- sections of the site are also used by livestock and it is the responsibility of the GM to ensure combat does not encroach into areas where it will disturb them. Where livestock approach during an ongoing encounter, the GM and other responsible individuals will determine whether the encounter is safe to continue or if it should stop temporarily to allow the livestock to pass or even relocate.

6. Horses
- sections of the site are sometimes used by horses. It is the responsibility of the GM to ensure both players and monsters do not enter such areas at this time.

7. Other site users
- the site is used by walkers, dog walkers, runners and cyclists. All members are briefed on the appropriate safety calls to advise of this hazard when they approach and the response required. Combat will stop while they pass and attendees should take care in their interactions with such.

8. Bee and/or wasp nests and insect bite/stings
- GMs should be aware of the possibility of wasp and bee nests on site and be prepared to relocate encounters if any identified. Any members with a relevant allergy should mention this in their Medical Notes and First Aiders should be aware of who has such an allergy. All members are also made aware of the presence of ticks and of the risks of Lyme Disease

9. Allergic reactions
- with reference to the section on medical in the EASP, all allergies should be recorded. GMs should be aware that members may be allergic to latex and/or make up and take this into account in providing costume and props. It is all members’ personal responsibility to avoid any substances likely to cause a reaction.

10. Buildings
- GM/s and a designated First Aider will assess buildings for combat and non-combat areas. Non-combat areas will include kitchens, bathrooms and designated sleeping areas

11. Weather
11a. Hot weather
- attendees are advised to bring and drink enough water
11b. Cold weather
- attendees are advised to wear appropriate warm clothing and/or layers. See also slips/trips/falls for risk of icy ground. Attendees are also warned snow may hide hazards. Games may be cancelled if conditions underfoot are unsafe for walking.
11c. Inclement weather
- attendees are informed of predicted inclement weather and advised to take appropriate precautions. Games may be cancelled under extreme storm conditions due to risk of falling branches.

12. Broken glass
- as the site is used by the general public, litter (including broken glass) is often found around the site. All members should look out for this and make others aware if any is spotted. It is the responsibility of the GM to ensure no combat takes place in an area where broken glass has been noted until it is cleared away. All members should be careful not to injure themselves if they choose to move broken glass.

13. Fire
- any player, monster or GM carrying a source of fire (such as matches or lighter) should also ensure they have the means to put out any fire they should start. Any cigarettes should be extinguished before taking part in combat. Anyone lighting small flames (such as incense or candles) should be aware of the risk to their hair and clothing and those around them (particularly if accelerants such as hairspray or alcohol are involved). If a candle or similar is placed on the ground it should not be left unattended and if it is in an open area all others present should be made aware of its presence. The person lighting the fire should also pay attention to ground conditions, particularly in very dry weather. Any substantial fire should only be made in an appointed location such as a fire pit or within a fixed fireplace and it is the responsibility of the GM to ensure no combat takes place around it. Additionally, at camping events, any naked flame in or near a tent should be attended at all times. It is not recommended to use naked flames within a tent.

14. Obstacle courses (Glenny Woods & Horley sites)
- on sites with obstacle courses, any use as part of an encounter or competition should be subject to a specific risk assessment. Any relevant guidance such a weight levels should be carefully check before use. No-one should attempt to use such equipment unaccompanied due to risk of injury.

Risk assessment last updated by Ruth Steinhausen 15/08/2019.
Site last checked by James Green 11/08/2019.
First Aid Kit last checked by Andy Gregg 04/08/2019.