THE MEET Actions taken to reduce risk.
Risk of congestion causing hazards to other road users.
Risk of injury to competitors by other traffic.
Risk of hounds biting, fighting, knocking someone over. Meet held off road in suitable place. The parking should be large enough to ensure safe parking for vehicles and enough room for hounds to move around safely. The meet should be well signposted to ensure competitors do not slowdown and block roads . Where roads must be used for the meet the stake manager should ensure the road is wide enough with good visibility. Hounds should be in effective control at all times.
Risk of hounds on road. Hounds to be in effective control at all times.
Risk to the public/other competitors if vehicles are left unattended with windows and doors open. The catalogue advises competitors that hounds should be behind grills/bars to avoid biting and should be in effective control at all times.
The Competition. Actions taken to reduce risk.
Risk of blocking roads and causing hazards to locals and competitors. The stake manager and Road marshal will assess road conditions and advise of suitable places to park.
Risk of injury to hound and handler Safe handling of hounds will be encouraged by all officials.
Risk of injury to judge/assistants/line walkers. Judges/assistants should always ask competitors before man handling hounds. It is the handlers job to get the hound over obstacles not the judges. Linewalkers will be encouraged to keep their hands at their sides during the identification.
Risk of hound on road causing an accident . Hounds should be in effective control at all times and are hunted unleashed entirely at the handlers/ owners risk.
Risk from or to livestock. Although The stake manager will try to avoid land where they are informed by the land owner of any dangers from or to livestock, a handler who is concerned about the safety of their hound /the livestock or themselves should consult the judge and /or withdraw from the field. Damage to wildlife/ livestock must be avoided .
Risk to health due to adverse weather. During adverse weather the Judge/Stake manager may intervene.
Risk of electric shock. Although we try to ensure electric fences are off, competitors should satisfy themselves of this.
The summing up. Actions taken to reduce risk.
Risks to other roads users/hounds getting loose A safe place should be used for the summing up and hounds in effective control at all times.
Health risks due to bad weather. Whenever possible the summing up should be held in a warm ,dry place. The stake manager will have a first aid kit and there will be an appointed first aider. Local hospital and veterinary surgeon will be in the catalogue.
Risk of hounds overheating. Competitors are reminded in the catalogue to be aware of hounds overheating in cars.
