This list of possible issues for Walk Leaders to consider is an indication of some walk risks not training for such leaders!
In September 2008 it was posted here so that updates can be quickly added – links to any such updates will be posted here..
ISSUES NOT COVERED HERE include working alone or in areas near decaying trees etc, visits at night or what to do in storms, etc.
| Risks | Issues & Context |
|---|---|
|
Risks to group (death of child hit by bike) and risks caused by group – avoid obstructing shared paths. Leaders to carefully select road crossing points & areas for discussion to avoid obstructing other users. |
|
Risks to group either during walk or subsequently and give example of creatures caught being or causing injury if approached. Risk to group & wildlife if dogs brought on certain walks, e.g. disturbing wildlife or getting lost in enclosures. |
|
Mention leaflet from Holly Lodge – Stress need to cover up and the removal of ticks within 24 hrs. Also note that people who subsequently come into contact with dogs can catch ticks from dogs that have recently visited Richmond Park. |
|
Ask people who have had anaphylactic shock (severe allergic reaction) to wasp or bee stings to identify them selves, particularly if they are carrying adrenaline. Leader must warn if specific walk is one where mobile phones may not work. |
|
Smooth soled sandals are usually unsuitable where the ground is damp, rutted or steep. Open footwear provides no protection in long grass, brambles and to sharps see Risk 6 below. |
|
Explain that the Park is a huge natural area and if people leave these hazards they are difficult to see and collect – even if we had an army of collector. Such material may be concealed by grass and be contaminated – so even minor cuts can cause direct infection or leave open wounds for subsequent infection. See Annex 2 below. |
Annex 2 Background Information on Infections you might contract & precautions to help avoid them
Weil's disease
Technically known as Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects humans and a wide range of animals, including mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles. Though recognised as one of the common zoonoses, i.e. diseases we catch from animals, leptospirosis is a relatively rare bacterial infection in humans. The infection is commonly transmitted to humans by fresh water contaminated by animal urine when it comes in to contact with unhealed breaks in the skin, eyes or with the mucous membranes. In UK most human cases are associated with rats but other mammals affected include dogs, deer, rabbits, hedgehogs and cows. Note rats are more commonly found in domestic gardens than in Richmond Park so you should apply the same precautions at home (particularly if you keep a dog) and when working near rivers and water bodies, particularly static ones.
Precautions (Weil's disease)
People and children are expected to wear sensible shoes and preferably longish socks particularly if going into damp scratchy places. People in sandals may stab or scratch their feet or lower legs and be infected by this waterborne disease at the same time or subsequently. Similarly if you see an interesting object on the ground or in water think very carefully before picking it up. Carry plasters with you to immediately cover scratch.
You can download an HSE leaflet here http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg84.pdf
- Wash cuts & grazes immediately with soap & running water and cover all cuts & broken skin with waterproof plasters before and during work.
- Wear protective clothing.
- Wash your hands after handling any animal or any contaminated clothing or other materials and always before eating, drinking or smoking.
- Report any illness (particularly flu-like symptoms) to your doctor, tell them what and where you have been working and show them the advice at the end of the HSE leaflet mentioned above.
Lyme Disease
A leaflet is available from Holly Lodge on this. Lyme disease is transmitted through tick bites and can lead to serious complications and even death if left undiagnosed. There are about 800 cases a year in Britain but in the USA and some other European Countries there are many thousands of times that number. People should protect themselves by: wearing shoes, socks & tucking their trousers into these, using insect repellent e.g. Deet and finally checking their skin for ticks after visits to the countryside. Ticks can be easily seen on the skin, but as they are mostly found on feet, lower legs and the lower back, it is helpful to ask a companion to check for them. The ticks are commonly found in folds of skin and at the back of joints, e.g. below toes or behind knees. The key point is that ticks must not be squeezed as they are removed – the Lyme disease causing agents only pass when the tick is full and about to drop off usually after 24 hours. You can buy special plastic removal tools, they are demonstrated here at http://www.otom.com and can be brought a vets and on line at the BADA-UK site mentioned below or here http://www.lymediseaseaction.org.uk/shop/index.htm.
There are also risks from the larvae and nymph stages of these ticks, the precautions discussed above apply. These tick stages are very small & much harder to spot and are usually around earlier in the year. Dogs can bring ticks back and these can subsequently bite people in the home.
There have been recent press warnings about a “sharp rise in the number of the blood-sucking parasites and increased cases of Lyme Disease in Hampshire, Dorset, and Berkshire. Among the factors blamed for these increases is a succession of relatively mild winters which has allowed greater numbers of ticks to survive in the vegetation and very recent particularly wet and mild summers. Many of the reports follow a special report from BADA-UK. This organisation was founded in 2004 to raise the level of public awareness regarding the risks that ticks in general pose, and to teach correct tick-removal techniques, which can lessen the chances of infection. See their website http://www.bada-uk.org/. For the Heath Protection Agency view http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&Page&HPAwebAutoListName/Page/1191942149546?p=1191942149546. These topic may change so a version of this annex & any new info will be under a Health Risks heading at http://www.richenvironmentnet.org.uk/Stag--Other-Beetles.aspx
Other Blood Bourn Disease
It is possible that infections, such as hepatitis, Aids etc, may be transmitted via discarded needles. Such needles are much more commonly found in places other than this Park but should syringe needles be found here stop work and report the incident to the parks police (020 7706 7272)
Prepared by John Hatto
