Risk Assessment

Risk Assessment

In my previous working life of running a hardwood importing business and sawmill I am possibly more aware than most of the need for continual “Risk Assessments”. As well as describing our Shoot and shoot day, the following is a “Risk Assessment” for anyone attending the Shoot as a gun or non-shooting guest.

We must all be very aware of the potential danger a loaded shotgun can pose if used in an unsafe manner and observe all the basic safety rules of shooting in order to avoid any accidents. This is essential and will not in any way compromise the success and enjoyment of your shoot day. I have tried to describe and assess the potential risks on a shoot day on Mountgarret, Nidd or Cayton, run as Ripley Sporting and everyone’s responsibility to try and avoid them.  
Everyone shooting on any area under the Management of Ripley Sporting must have a minimum cover of £10M third party, public
  and personal liability insurance cover.

• Walking to the pegs is kept to a minimum. Although we try to keep the ground free from debris, as we are in the countryside it is
  difficult to clear all obstacles. Slips and falls can occur, particularly on wet ground. So it is advised to use a stick for extra balance. 

• Guns and non shooting guests attend the Shoot at their own risk. Ripley Sporting takes no responsibility for damage or injury
  caused by falling birds to their person or property, i.e. vehicles.  

• Each day starts at 8.30 a.m. with breakfast, together with the brief for the day, the draw and cards distributed with the names of
  each gun. If you are running late don’t rush, just phone one of the contact numbers on our last minute check list and someone  
  will wait for you to bring you to the drive.

• Gun safety is one rule where there is no compromise, if there is clear sky behind a bird it is normally safe to shoot, however if in
  doubt do not shoot. Shoot only at birds you are comfortable with and give you pleasure and please respect your neighbour’s birds.

• Guns should be unloaded and carried in a secure gun sleeve when not at the pegs. When you take your gun out of its sleeve, check
   the barrels have no obstruction particularly in snowy and muddy conditions. 

• When you close your gun, always keep the barrels pointing down and bring the stock up to meet them. Never raise the barrels to
  the stock. If your gun is closed the barrel must be pointed at the ground or up in the air. If you wish to rest your gun over your arm
  it must be broken.   

• Safety glasses will be available each day for guns, loaders and visitors together with ear plugs if you have forgotten them! I do
  strongly recommend you use these items.  

• When you are at your peg have a good look around and acknowledge the flankers and pickers up and take great care never to shoot
  in their direction. 

• Our game species are pheasant, French and English partridge, duck and geese. We do not shoot woodcock or snipe.

• To keep everyone on their toes we are releasing a few white and Reeves pheasants.  As usual, if shot, a small fine will be levied           which will be donated to our Charity Fund.

• Please leave any legal vermin such as pigeons, crows, jays and magpies until the game have started to come over, otherwise you
  may push the partridge back over the beater’s heads and not over the guns. 

• It is worth remembering there are an increasing number of protected species evident and must not be shot or shot at under any
  circumstances. Maybe it would be worthwhile for all of us to brush up on our species identification before joining a shoot day.  

• We do not shoot ground game on a shoot day. 

• You are encouraged to bring your own dog provided it is pegged during the drive to avoid the possibility of running in. This does
   not of course apply to well trained dogs!

• Please do not pick up during the drive as there is ample time at the end of each drive. 

• Our pickers up will leave birds for you but please liaise with them on the number you have picked, as they count the number which
   should be picked up whilst we are shooting.

• There are a number of public footpaths, bridal and cycle paths running through some of our drive and although we ask people
   stop and wait until the drive has finished an increasing number are not prepared to do this. When this happens we may stop the
   beaters and cease shooting, until they have passed. You will be advised on the day as to how to recognise this problem.

• Any alcohol should be taken in moderation. If you drink too much to drive, it is also too much to shoot safely. It should also be
  noted that some medicines, especially for colds and flu can cause drowsiness which could affect your capacity to shoot safely.

• In the unlikely event of disruption from anti country sports activists ensure the Shoot Captain and Keepers are made aware of their
   presence. Cease shooting, unload and put your gun in its sleeve, restrain your dogs and return quietly to your vehicles. Wait in your
   vehicle, do not lose your temper, threaten or antagonise them. 

• Used cartridges cases will be collected by a member of our shoot staff after each drive, leaving them in a pile at your peg would be
   appreciated.

• Bird shot average is normally around 3.75. 

• We normally field 9 guns

• Guns are numbered from right to left, moving up 2 after each drive. 

• There is a whistle to start each drive, the reason is to ensure the beaters are lined out behind the partridge, which you will see on
   every drive throughout the season; otherwise an early shot may put them over the beater’s heads and not ours!

• There is a whistle to end a drive, when shooting should cease and empty guns put in their sleeves. 

• No lead shot cartridges may be used, must be lead free.

• No plastic wads in your cartridges please, felt, fibre or degradable wads only.

• No shot larger than 34 gm, No.4 should be used.
 
• We will always have available for purchase each day non-lead cartridges in 12 and 20 gauge, suitable for all types of shotgun with
   2½ chambers.  

• At the end of the day the Shoot Host will provide each gun with a card detailing the names of the guns and the bag for the day. 

• At the end of the day we raffle two bottles of Sloe, Damson or Rhubarb Gin with proceeds to our Charity Fund. 

• There are facilities in the shoot yard to wash dogs and vehicles should this be required. 

• At the end of every shoot day each gun will receive a pack of pheasant or partridge crowns ready chilled for the oven or freezer.
  You may take a reasonable amount of game in feather at the end of a shoot day. 
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