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Information
Event safety
The K2B Committee aims to raise as much money as possible for charities and good causes, whilst keeping all of the participants and volunteers safe and secure. The committee relies heavily on the local community and other organisations within Cumbria to allow use of the public highway, private facilities, infrastructure, and to provide first aid and marshalling. Without this goodwill, the event would not be possible.
Committee Health & Safety Lead Roles
The person responsible for K2B Health & Safety Compliance is Keith Johnson. The Risk Register and Incident Control are managed by Michael Barker. The Chief Marshal is Dave Thompson, who is responsible for co-ordinating all of the walk marshals. For a full list of K2B Committee members and roles, see THE WALK COMMITTEE.
The Home Office Good Practice Safety Guide
During the event, safe working practices will be adhered to in accordance with the Home Office publication “The Good Practice Safety Guide for small and sporting events taking place on the highway, roads and public places”. The guide gives general advice on the responsibilities of an event organiser, the risk assessment procedure, the safety measures that are available, and a planning timescale. We recommend that volunteer marshals read this publication before the event, paying particular attention to chapters 5, 6 and 12.
Three simple rules for marshals
1) Ensure your own safety at all times.
2) Call ICE on 07523 838843 to report any major incident or accident.
3) In the event of an incident, ensure that walkers make their way to safety.
General instructions for marshals
1) If you need more information to carry out your task, contact your Zone Marshal.
2) Your own safety, and the safety of participants and the general public is your primary concern.
3) You cannot stop traffic. You can only warn vehicles of danger.
4) Ensure that you have a method of communication with your Checkpoint Marshal and Zone Marshal.
5) Discuss progress and options with participants who are visibly in distress, and provide help with:
- Location of next checkpoint.
- Next available drink/refreshment point.
- Next support vehicle location.
- Communications or organising transport if they want to retire.
6) Take care if you need to lift any heavy objects, and seek assistance if needed.
7) Proceed slowly if driving a vehicle near walkers.
8) Remind participants to walk at the side of the road facing oncoming traffic.
9) Be aware of participants using MP3 players, as they probably cannot hear your instructions.
10) Ensure that any parked vehicles do not cause a hazard.
If there is an incident on the walk route
In case of emergency, if a threat to life is posed, a crime is in progress, or a serious accident has occurred, call 999, and then call ICE on 07523 838843. Please also call ICE if a walker is dropping out of the walk, so that walker records can be updated and assistance can be co-ordinated if required. Specific responsibilities in case of an incident are as follows:
Chief Marshal
1) Attend scene of incident.
2) Make go / no go decision for continuation of walk.
3) If walk is stopped at that location, send all walkers not yet past the incident back to the previous check point. All walkers past the point of the incident should continue as normal.
4) Inform Zone Marshals and checkpoint operators of the situation and relevant action.
5) Inform the Finish Marshal that the route is blocked and walkers have been sent back to the previous checkpoint.
Volunteer Marshals
1) If you identify an incident, contact your Zone Marshal immediately. Then call ICE.
2) Remain in post until otherwise informed by your Zone Marshal.
3) If you are given new instructions, then co-operate and provide support where required.
Walkers
1) Unless otherwise directed, continue on the course route to the finish.
2) The walker muster point is Hawcoat Park Sports and Social Club.
3) If the walk route is blocked, return to the previous checkpoint and make yourself known.
4) Once at the checkpoint, transport will be arranged to return you to the finish.
Support Vehicle drivers
1) If an emergency occurs and walkers need to be evacuated from the course, please proceed to the nearest checkpoint and volunteer your services to assist.
2) You may be required to shuttle people either to the finish or around any route blockage.
3) Your support will be vital in ensuring the safety of walkers.
If there is an incident at the finish
In case of fire, volunteer marshals are to assist in moving the public from the area in a calm and polite manner. Marshals must communicate the exact location of the fire clearly to the Finish Marshal. The Finish Marshal will assess the incident and call the Fire Brigade. Marshals are advised not to tackle the fire unless they have received fire safety training. If a bomb threat or suspicious package incident arises, marshals must communicate directly with the Finish Marshal, stating the exact location and nature of the threat. The Finish Marshal will liaise with the police and assess the risk. Any incidents of serious crowd disorder should be reported to the Finish Marshal, who will assess the risk and if necessary call the police giving the nature of the disorder and the location. Marshals will guide the police to the site of the incident if required. In the event of a major incident, control of the event will be passed to the emergency services.
