Insurance: an Insomniac s Guide

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Insurance:

an Insomniac’s Guide

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Introduction

We have produced “Insurance an Insomniac’s Guide” to help Scout Leaders, trustees, executives and any other people involved in Scouting understand insurance in relation to Scouting.

It includes what covers are automatically provided as part of your Scout membership and what additional insurances your Group, District or County may need to buy.

We have existed for over 80 years providing a ‘one-stop’ insurance service for the Scout movement. Over this time we have built up an unrivalled knowledge of the risks that Scout Groups, Districts and Counties face, how to manage these risks and the insurance cover they may need.

By sharing our knowledge and expertise, we hope you find the following information useful so that your Group, District or County is suitably protected enabling you to pursue your Scouting adventure.

Whilst this booklet aims to provide a comprehensive overview of Scout insurance, we appreciate each situation is unique. Therefore if you have any questions that are not covered here or would like to discuss your individual Group, District or County requirements, please contact us and we will be pleased to help.

Unity (Scout Insurance Services) - insurance expertise and advice for all your Scouting needs.

September 2014

Suites 10 & 10A The Quadrant 60 Marlborough Road Lancing Business Park Lancing, West Sussex BN15 8UW

Telephone: 0345 040 7703 Email: scouts@unityins.co.uk Website: www.scoutinsurance.co.uk Twitter: @ScoutInsurance

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Our role in Scouting

WHO WE ARE

We are the official insurance broker of The Scout Association.

For over 80 years we have provided bespoke policies and protection to The Scout Association and its Members originally through a dedicated department of The Scout Association. Our heritage means we understand Scouting at a grass root level and we use this knowledge, expertise and capability to benefit your Scout Group and meet its insurance needs.

In 2005, as a result of financial services regulations, Scout Insurance Services became Scout Insurance Services Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary company of The Scout Association.

Unity Insurance Services is the trading name of Scout Insurance Services Limited, and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FRN 312976.

We continue to be wholly owned by The Scout Association, and the official insurance broker of The Association with all our profits returned to Scouting.

WHAT WE DO

• Trusted by The Scout Association to protect you the Members

We arrange insurance on behalf of The Scout Association that covers accidents and injuries to Members and liabilities of leaders and trustees.

As part of this we liaise with The Scout Association’s Program and Development team to ensure there is suitable insurance in place for Members, when new activities are introduced.

See Part B: Insurance automatically provided by The Scout Association on page 10 for more details.

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Our role in Scouting

_{• Accident and incident reporting}

If there is an accident or incident resulting in personal injury, rescues involving the emergency services or deaths on a Scout activity or any Scout property, we are your first port of call for reporting this.

See Part E: If things do go wrong on page 47 for more details.

• Checking indemnity agreements and issuing Public Liability Certificates

If your Scout Group uses land, premises or any other facility belonging to another organisation or individual, you may be required to sign an agreement or indemnity and provide proof of public liability insurance.

We must check any agreement being signed and provide the necessary insurance certificates.

See Indemnity agreements under 4. PUBLIC LIABILITY on page 10 for more details.

• Liability support and witness statements

We not only arrange the liability covers for The Scout Association, but should a claim be made against a Member or Group we provide support and advice.

We can also advise, if a Member is asked to provide a witness statement relating to their Scout Group.

See Liability Support under Part E: If things do go wrong on page 48 for more details.

• Providing advice and guidance on insurance in Scouting

As the Scout insurance experts from our unique understanding of Scouting, we provide advice and guidance to those members or volunteers responsible for arranging your Group’s insurance covers.

This may be by phone or email or attending conferences, seminars, county or district events to give talks, answer questions on insurance related matters.

As well as insurance, we can help with risk management advice for your Scout buildings with site visits to activity centres and campsites to help sort out your insurance requirements.

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• Insurance cover specifically designed and developed for Scout Groups, Districts and Counties

We provide a range of additional specialist covers for Scout Groups, Districts and Counties, which you may need to purchase.

These have been developed specifically for Scouting, for the things a group may own, events and trips it may organise and non-members associated with the group.

See Part C: Insurances Scout Groups, Districts and Counties may need to purchase on page 14 for more details.

• All our profits are returned to Scouting

All our profits are returned to Scouting to help fund the development of Scouting. No other insurance company does this.

• Arranging insurance for other charities

Through our expertise in the youth sector, we now also provide insurance services to other youth groups and charities across the UK. Profits from these activities are also returned to Scouting.

If you or somebody you know is involved in other charities, we would be pleased help with your charities insurance.

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Part A

What is insurance, and why do

Scout Groups need it?

1. WHAT IS INSURANCE?

Insurance is a financial product sold to safeguard individuals, organisations and/or their property against the risk of loss, damage or theft (such as fire, burglary, accidents or liability claims). When you buy an insurance policy you make payments, known as premiums, to the insurer or broker. If you make a valid claim your insurer will pay out for the loss that is covered under the policy.

2. WHY DO SCOUT GROUPS NEED INSURANCE?

Risk Assessment only goes so far

If you carry out thorough and regular risk assessments and take action to minimise risks, why should there be any need for insurance cover at all?

Insurance is no substitute for risk management. However in many cases risk management can only minimise the risk of an accident, loss or damage, not eliminate it completely. There are some things that are outside the control of a Scout Group.

How would your Scout Group cope, if it suffered a major loss through no fault of its own?

For example, a lot of time and effort goes into fundraising to buy the building or equipment your Group owns. If they were lost, damaged or stolen, you would pay for their replacements. For losses such as your Scout building or all your camping equipment being destroyed, you may not have readily available funds to replace them.

Some types of insurance cover are required by law

Motor insurance and employers’ liability are a legal requirement. If your Group owns any motor vehicles, such as a minibus, which is driven on public roads, you must have motor insurance. Similarly if your Group employs anybody, you must have Employers’ Liability for people you employ.

Suitable insurance is a POR requirement

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3. DIFFERENT TYPES OF INSURANCE

There are a wide variety of different types of insurance cover on the market. Here are the main categories of insurance applicable to Scouting.

Personal Accident Insurance

Personal Accident insurance will cover a person for accidental death or a specified injury. It pays a cash benefit to a person who cannot work because they have had an accident, and become injured while undertaking authorise Scouting activities for you.

We arrange a Personal Accident and Medical Expenses Policy for The Scout Association that covers all Members and prospective members of the Association.

Liability Insurance

Liability insurance covers organisations against the cost of compensation claims following fault of negligence brought against them by employees, volunteers, clients, customers, or members of the public. Liability insurance usually covers the cost of compensation to a third party for personal injury and loss of or damage to property.

We arrange Public Liability Insurance for The Scout Association, which includes Property Owners’ and Products Liability cover, and Trustee Indemnity Insurance cover that extends to cover Scout Groups, Leaders and Trustees.

Therefore your Scout Group, District or County does not need to take out insurance for Public Liability, Property Owners’ and Products Liability or Trustee Indemnity Insurance. You are already covered.

Property and Equipment Insurance

This type of policy covers the building, the contents of the building, equipment and belongings against a number of risks, such as theft, loss or damage by fire, break-in, storm and vandalism or accidental damage.

Motor Insurance

If you own a vehicle that is used on a public road or public space, you must by law have motor insurance. As a minimum this should be third party cover, but you can take out fully comprehensive cover for all round protection.

Third Party covers against damaging other peoples’ property or injuring somebody with your vehicle.

Third Party, Fire and Theft insurance offers the same level of protection as Third Party Only insurance, plus it covers the vehicle if it is stolen or is damaged as a result of fire.

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Comprehensive policies cover Accidental Damage to the vehicle in addition to Third Party Fire & Theft cover.

Travel Insurance

This type of policy covers certain risks when you travel overseas or within the UK, for example the cost of unavoidable cancellation, personal accident, medical treatment abroad and lost or stolen luggage can be covered.

Event Insurance

If you are organising an event you can protect your costs and risk associated with the event by taking out Event Cancellation and Abandonment cover.

If the event cannot go ahead for reasons outside of your control, you may have already incurred costs such as deposits or still be contracted to pay money out, Event cover will cover this loss.

Other things to consider when choosing an insurance policy

Not all insurance policies are the same, you will need to consider:

• Coverage - What your insurance will and won’t protect if you need to make a claim.

• Exclusion - A risk or item specifically not covered by a policy.

• Warranties and conditions – What you agree to as part of the insurance contract.

• Excess - This is the first amount of any insurance claim that the policyholder agrees to pay as part of the policy conditions – the insurer pays the rest.

• Limits – This is the maximum that a policy will pay out in claims. This could be a monetary cap or number of times claims can be made in the period of cover.

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Part B

Insurance automatically provided by

The Scout Association

We are trusted by The Scout Association to protect what is most important in Scouting, you the Members.

There are three kinds of insurance we arrange for The Scout Association, for which the premiums are provided by the Annual Membership Subscriptions. These are:

1. Public Liability Insurance (including property owners’ liability and products liability)

2. Personal Accident and Medical Expenses and

3. Trustee Indemnity.

There is no need for your Scout Group, District or County to take out insurance for Public Liability, Property Owners’ and Products Liability or Trustee Indemnity Insurance. You are already covered.

4. PUBLIC LIABILITY

Public Liability insurance covers the cost of compensation to third parties for injury, loss or damage to body or property caused by the negligence of your staff, volunteers or members. This may also be referred to as Legal Liability Insurance.

The Scout Association arranges a substantial and comprehensive Public Liability Policy which will, at the request of the Association, provide indemnity for Commissioners, Leaders and other persons authorised to be in charge of, or to assist with, a Scout activity against claims made by Members under their control, or their parents/guardians, or by third parties, alleging legal liability arising out of loss, injury or damage occurring during any authorised Scout activity.

It extends to all those authorised to be in charge of Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts, Scouts, Explorer Scouts or members of Scout Network, while they are engaged in a properly organised and authorised activity abroad, as well as British Scout Leaders who assume temporary responsibility for parties of foreign Scouts visiting the UK to participate in Scout activities organised by a British Scout Group, District or County.

Every Leader or instructor is expected to operate within the rules of The Scout Association for the particular activity. This is a pre-requisite to indemnity being given under the Association’s policy.

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Property Owners’ Liability

The Scout Association’s Public Liability policy also covers the property owner’s liability which rests upon any Scout authority which owns, or is responsible for the upkeep of land or buildings (except for liability accepted under any agreement - see note on indemnity agreements). Therefore if a member of the public trips over at your Scout premises and breaks an arm alleging your Scout Group was negligent you would be covered under The Scout Association’s Public Liability insurance to defend and meet the claim. This cover would apply if the incident occurred at a Scout run event, or while another organisation was using your Scout premises.

Product Liability

If you are holding a BBQ and serving food or drinks to members of the public you could be held liable if the sausages or chicken are not quite cooked through resulting in illness. Do not worry though; this is covered by the Product Liability section of the Public Liability Policy. Product Liability covers your liability for making products you have produced available to the public.

What liabilities are not covered

The Scout Association’s Public Liability Policy does not cover legal liability arising from driving motor vehicles on public roads or in public spaces or from the ownership and/ or driving/piloting of aircraft or gliders. Nor does it fully cover liability for injuries to third parties and/or damage to third party property arising out of ownership or operation of boats. However, additional liability policies are arranged by the Association in respect of marine activities (See Section 18 Boats and Marine Activities on page 32).

If aerial runways, abseiling or climbing activities are to be included as an attraction at a public event, members of the public may take part only if additional Campsite Liability insurance cover is purchased. Please contact us for details or see Section 24 Campsite Liability on page 36.

Indemnity agreements

If your Scout Group is planning to use land, premises or any other facility belonging to another authority, organisation or individual, you may be required to sign an agreement or indemnity. You must contact us with the details before signing any agreement. We must check the agreement or indemnity terms, and the adequacy of the Association’s Legal Liability Policy in relation to them, before proceeding with the arrangements, or signing an agreement or indemnity.

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5. PERSONAL ACCIDENT AND MEDICAL EXPENSES

The Personal Accident and Medical Expenses Policy covers all members and prospective members of The Scout Association whose units are recorded at Headquarters and are situated in the United Kingdom, Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. The policy provides limited benefits in the event of an injury during a Scout activity. (Leaders and parents need to consider their own, or family, circumstances and decide what cover they need to arrange privately). Information on the current benefits can be obtained from us.

The policy covers Scouts flying in any aircraft, but Gilwell should be notified beforehand if the number of insured persons travelling in one aircraft is 200 or more.

When travelling away from mainland Britain, members should ensure that they have adequate cover under a travel policy (see Section 14 Travel on page 24).

Non-members associated with your Scout Group such as occasional helpers and trustees do not have automatic personal accident cover. However a facility exists whereby Groups can arrange cover upon payment of a small premium. Please see Section 19 Personal Accident Cover and Medical Expenses Cover for non-members on page 33 or call us for more information.

We have developed a “top-up” cover, the Personal Injury Plan (PIP), which provides an optional facility to our Members and their families, including the parents and siblings of Members to top-up their basic Personal Accident and Medical Expenses cover. Please see Section 20 Personal Injury Plan (PIP) on page 33 or call us for more information.

When somebody is injured

Unfortunately even with the best laid plans, accidents can happen at Scouting events or on Scout property.

If any person, whether a member of the Movement or not, suffers an injury needing treatment by a doctor, dentist or at a hospital or requires rescuing by an emergency service, i.e. Police, Fire, Ambulance, Mountain Rescue or Coastguard or dies in the course of, or arising out of, a Scout activity or while on, or in conjunction with, any Scout property, we must be informed.

Further information can be found in “If things do go wrong – 30 ACCIDENT/INCIDENT REPORTING” on page 47.

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6. TRUSTEE LIABILITY

It is important to separate Trustee liability from general liability as described in Section 4 Public Liability on page 10.

Scout Trustees are ultimately responsible for their Scout Group’s management and decisions which include any financial losses incurred arising from any wrongful act. This could be where the trustees failed in their duties and may result in them being personally liable to make good the Group’s losses.

An allegation could come from either the Scout Group itself for losses incurred by the Group due to a trustee’s actions, such as inappropriate use of charity funds or entering into contracts not in the interest of the organisation.

Or it may be an allegation from a third party where that party has suffered a financial loss due to any actual or alleged actions by the Scout Group and/or its trustees.

The Scout Association took the decision to include cover for all Scout trustees, from board to Group level, in its overall Trustee Indemnity policy. That includes members of executive committees of Scout Districts, Counties and Groups, as well as those who manage other Scout assets such as building or campsite committees.

So there is no need for you to buy any additional cover for your trustees.

The cover is designed to protect Scout trustees who, having acted responsibly and honestly, find themselves being held to account for their Groups losses.

If the trustees acted fraudulently or against the law, they can be held personally liable and in this situation The Scout Association’s Trustee Indemnity Insurance policy would not respond. It is also worth noting the policy does not cover losses made by a Scout Group due to poor budgeting.

Other liability cover your Scout Group may need

Details of liability insurance that Scout Groups, Districts, Counties or campsites may need to purchase can be found in the next section:

• Employers’ Liability (if you employ staff) - page 34

• Professional Indemnity (if you provide and charge for training outside Scouting) page 34

• Non-member Children Public Liability Cover - page 36

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Part C

Insurances Scout Groups, Districts and

Counties may need to purchase

In addition to the central insurance policies arranged for Members by The Scout Association, to cover liability, personal accident and medical expenses outlined in Part B, We provide a range of additional specialist covers, which your Scout Group, District and County may need to purchase.

These can cover:

1. The things your Group, District or County owns;

2. Events that you run; and

3. Non-members associated with your Group, District or County.

The Scout Association’s rules state that every Scout Group must maintain adequate insurance cover, to be reviewed annually, in respect of:

• Property and Equipment, including the risk of loss or damage to equipment whilst in transit or at camp or on expeditions.

• Motor vehicles, including passenger risk, in the British Isles or abroad.

• Marine and boating risks.

• Aviation and air activity risks.

• Authorised Scout visits abroad.

Some types of insurance cover are required by law. If your Group owns any motor vehicles such as a minibus, you must have motor insurance. If your Group employs anybody, you must have Employers’ Liability for people you employ.

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7. SCOUT PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Protecting your assets

Your Group Executive Committee has a responsibility to ensure that the physical assets of your Group are suitably insured. Failure to do so could lead to members being personally liable in law.

A lot of money, time and effort goes into building and maintaining Scout buildings and providing Scouts with equipment (especially camping equipment), but rarely is enough time spent arranging a suitable insurance policy to cover those hard-earned assets.

Alternatively, you could avoid all that stress and use us. With over 80 years’ experience of insuring Scouting, We offer unrivalled experience and a property and equipment policy tailored to the Movement’s needs.

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8. BUILDINGS

If your Scout Group owns a building, it is important to insure it, as this may be your most valuable asset and if it was damaged through flood, fire or other causes it could be a major financial loss to you. If you have a mortgage on the property holding suitable insurance will be mandatory under the terms of the mortgage. If you rent or borrow your premises you should check with the landlord on the insurance arrangements as in some cases you may be responsible for insuring it.

Importance of Valuing your Building Correctly

“Under insurance” is a major issue for Scout Groups. If your building is under insured, you may not get the full amount needed to repair or replace it, when you make a claim. This may leave you to meet the shortfall. It is therefore essential that the sum insured for the building represents the present day rebuilding cost and this should be confirmed by a surveyor, or builder. You should make appropriate allowances for such things as asbestos, fees, VAT and rent.

With property insurance there is a term known as ‘average’ that is applied by insurers. This means that in the event of a claim if you are under-insured, any settlement on the claim will be reduced proportionally.

Example: In general terms, if the rebuild value of your Scout building is £100,000 and you only insure it for £50,000, then an insurance company may only pay 50% of any claim you make.

It is recommended that you get your building valued every 3 years.

Help is at hand; we are partnered with IAS Chartered Loss Adjusters to provide an indication of rebuilding cost free of charge for anyone taking out Our Scout Property & Equipment policy.

If IAS is not used, architects, Chartered Surveyors or quantity surveyors should be used to value your Scout building, or reference made to manufacturers of factory-made modules.

Building your own headquarters

The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM) 2007 generally apply to construction work which is notifiable, i.e. lasts for more than 30 days or which will involve more than 500 person days. They also apply to non-notifiable work which involves five people (or more) on site at the same time.

Any Scout Authority contemplating a building project which falls into the above categories should acquaint themselves with the CDM regulations. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) publishes information which can be found on their website: www.hse.gov.uk/ construction/cdm.htm.

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Depending on how the Scout Authority decides to execute the project, they may be involved in the application of the Regulations in a number of ways. Clearly, they will be the client. If the project is largely self-build, they may be the principle contractor as well. Furthermore, the role of the planning supervisor may well be entrusted to an individual member of the Group or a supporter.

So before considering any full or partial self-build project, contact the Legal Department at Gilwell Park for advice.

What are the insurance implications of building your own headquarters?

Broadly speaking, the Scout Authority’s liability as a client is likely to be met under the general Scout Association’s Public Liability Policy. The extent of such cover may be affected by the extent to which the client is also the contractor, and this would need to be checked as part of the overall insurance arrangements for the project. Our liability policy would not meet the specific needs of a principal contractor and a Contractor’s All Risks Policy might well be required.

The planning supervisor will be a key appointment and they would not be covered by our general liability insurance policy. Their need will be for the protection of a Professional Indemnity Insurance which we may be able to source for you. One of the differences in Professional Indemnity Insurance from many other covers is that it is arranged on a ‘claims made’ basis, which means it responds to a claim when it is made rather than when the incident which gave rise to the claim occurred. In order to protect against the possibility of a claim arising some years after the project is completed, Continuous Professional Indemnity cover would have to be maintained.

On balance, it is highly likely that key roles (such as that of the Planning Supervisor) should be undertaken by paid professionals - who already have Professional Indemnity Insurance - rather than volunteers, however skilled.

It should be remembered that the cheaper the building materials, the lower the quality of building. This could mean that it is more easily damaged or destroyed and may well result in higher insurance costs. This should be taken into account when seeking new premises or considering a building project.

Hiring out your buildings

Many Groups will be tempted to hire out their buildings, as a source of fundraising. In principle and practice, this may be a good idea as it can generate significant financial returns as well as improving security. An occupied building is less prone to vandalism.

You will need to check with your property insurer that such use is not excluded under your buildings policy (If you insure your building under Our Scout Property and Equipment policy, your cover will not be affected.)

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Your potential liability as property owner is covered under the existing Association’s Liability Policy. However, you should make potential users aware that they too have responsibilities.

Any equipment brought onto your premises by, say, a playgroup, would remain their property and responsibility. If such equipment were faulty and subsequently caused injury to a Scout, the Scout’s parent could sue the playgroup.

For regular users of your premises, particularly other organisations, it is advisable to have a formal written agreement. This need not be complicated and the Legal Department at Gilwell Park can provide model forms.

Remember your property damage policy will almost certainly carry an excess. Anyone who obtains permission to use your Group’s ‘home’ should be prepared to (and be capable of) paying for minor damage caused by their use.

Vandalism and Malicious Damage

From our experience Scout buildings left unoccupied can be a target for vandalism especially over the holidays or those buildings in remote locations.

There are some simple steps you can take to reduce the risks, such as making sure the building is locked, alarms set and your Group’s equipment is locked away out of sight. During the holidays, regular inspections and visits should be made to check on security as well as keeping the building and grounds maintained. This may be a condition of your insurance policy.

You should check that your buildings insurance includes vandalism and malicious damage cover, if your Scout building is often left unoccupied or is in a remote location.

If you insure your building under our Scout Property and Equipment policy, you will be covered for loss or damage to your building caused by vandalism, riot, civil commotion or malicious intent as standard.

Loss of revenue

Loss of revenue means a shortfall in your expected income because your buildings or contents are damaged.

You may rent out your building to playgroups or other local groups, which could be a significant contribution to your funds. If there is damage to your buildings or contents you may lose income whilst you wait for repair or replacement. So instead of a healthy income, you could be facing a sizeable hole in your funds.

If you insure your building under our Scout Property and Equipment policy, you can protect your income by taking out loss of revenue insurance. This cover repays you for the loss of income for up to 12 months. Tell us how much income you expect in the next year and we’ll do the rest.

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9. CONTENTS AND EQUIPMENT

Things your Scout Group owns

Whether your Scout Group has its own buildings or not, most Groups will own some contents and equipment. These could be anything from camping equipment, furniture, to portable audio equipment and laptops. Loss or damage to these could be costly to replace.

Your Scout Group’s equipment and the contents of your Scout hut can be insured for use by the Scout Group or Unit who owns it, for use by other Scouts or Guides, or even (for instance with marquees) when items are on loan to other persons or organisations.

Start by making a list of all the items you own, from large items such as tents to small items such as cooking utensils. Some things that your Group may own such as minibuses, canoes, and sailing equipment may need specialist insurance.

If you rent your Scout meeting place and store your equipment in your landlord’s premises, don’t assume that their insurance will cover the things that you own. It is your responsibility.

You should identify those items that you hire out and to whom, such as Network and Explorer Units, other Scout Groups, Girlguiding Units or other organisations.

Consider when and where your items will need to be insured. For items such as camping equipment you may need to consider covering them when they are in storage, being taken to and from camp, at camp and when being used at camp. If not, a claim may not be paid for loss or damage to equipment at camp.

Estimate the replacement value of the items. Contents and equipment should be insured at a full ‘present day’ replacement value, not the amount you paid for them or if they were donated as a gift. Otherwise you may find that you are under-insured, and the claim will not pay out enough to replace your items.

Check the list and values against your current insurance schedule, and notify your insurance broker of any additional items you Group may have purchased or been given. Otherwise they may not be covered.

Our Scout Property and Equipment policy provides for such cover, with few exceptions. Contents can include tables, chairs, cupboards, kitchen utensils, cleaning materials and so on. Equipment can include tents, camping accessories, special activity items, band instruments and the like.

Your attention is drawn to the following important aspects of cover.

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Where Explorer Scout Units are not partnered with a particular Group, the District can arrange annual insurance to cover equipment borrowed for use by the Explorer Scout Unit.

For information on insuring trailers, see Section 12 For information on insuring motor vehicles, see Sections 15-17. For information about insuring boats and marine equipment, refer to Section 18.

Short period use for something borrowed, something hired

Do you ever borrow equipment? If you do, how would you reimburse the owner if the equipment was damaged, lost or destroyed? It does happen. You would have to use your Group’s funds if you had not insured, to say nothing of the embarrassment if funds were low at that time. If you let the Scouts use your own equipment and it gets stolen or damaged, what happens then? There is no form of ‘automatic cover’.

You really should not take the risk. The penalties by way of loss of funds, loss of goodwill (and possibly the loss of use of such equipment in the future) are not worth it.

Unless a particular item is on permanent loan (when you can include it on your annual Group insurance arrangements) you should contact us, and we can arrange low cost, all-risk cover for the period of the hire/loan.

What about equipment you lend out? Most policies will not cover hiring out/loaning unless you have specified that you need it. It is dangerous to assume that the borrower will insure it (even if they intend to, they may find it difficult to arrange). Insure hire/loan items (such as marquees) yourself. You can always recover the cost as part of the hire fee. We can arrange suitable cover for you.

10. PERSONAL EFFECTS

Your own things

It is perhaps worth remembering that no automatic insurance is provided by The Scout Association for Members’, helpers’ or supporters’ personal belongings. Our advice to Leaders and to parents is that these should be adequately covered under household insurance because, of course, damage or loss can occur at any time and not only during Scout activities.

We can help by providing separate cover, under a section of our Scout Property and Equipment policy, for members’ personal effects during Scout activities.

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11. THE GROUP’S MONEY

Protecting your hard-earned cash

It is important that Scout Groups and Units insure money in their care and custody.

Money insurance provides cover specifically for money held by your Scout Group which you are responsible for and it becomes lost or stolen perhaps due to a break in or assault.

Even if your Scout Group doesn’t generally keep money on the premises or handle large amounts of cash, you may hold a fundraising or other event; money taken from sale of tickets and goods at the event as well as other proceeds such as subscriptions or membership fees collected may need to be kept overnight before banking it.

Your Scout Leaders or helpers may have to take the monies home at the end of the event until they can get to a bank the following day. Should they have a break in at their home and the funds are stolen, they may not be able to, or indeed wish to claim under their personal household insurance.

In such a situation, your Scout Group’s money would be covered under your Group’s money cover.

This can be provided under an additional section within our Scout Property and Equipment policy. This includes loss of money, as defined, from any cause whatsoever, and loss of, or damage to, the clothing of any official of the insured Unit as a result of any theft or attempted theft of the insured money during the period of the insurance.

Do not forget that you may need particular or additional money insurance for a camp, expedition, fundraising events, or a major Scouting activity.

We also offer the option for Scout Counties can take out annual cover for their money and all Districts and Groups within their County.

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12. TRAILERS

On and off the road

Many Scout Groups have their own equipment trailers, or make regular use of trailers belonging to Leaders, parents or supporters.

Under our Scout Trailer Insurance, cover is provided against all risks of loss or damage (including road risks) anywhere in the British Isles (including up to 30 days continental use in any 12 month period). Cover can include trailers that Scouts hire or borrow.

There are legal restrictions on new and inexperienced drivers and not all driving licences permit the bearer to tow all types of trailer without obtaining additional qualifications. For current advice on driving licences and towing, see the “Towing with a car” page, www.gov.uk/towing-with-car, and “Towing: licence and age requirements”, www.gov. uk/towing-rules, on the UK government website.

Remember that the driver of the towing vehicle is legally responsible for any trailer attached to their vehicle. They may be prosecuted if the trailer is un-roadworthy and if the trailer causes injury or damage to third parties and/or their property by (for example) becoming detached whilst under tow, it is the towing vehicle’s Motor Insurance that must respond. Similarly, if the trailer sheds its load it is the driver’s responsibility under the law.

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13. EVENT CANCELLATION AND ABANDONMENT

Suppose the jamboree or gang show cannot go ahead

Cancellation and Abandonment Insurance provides compensation to your Scout Group for the loss of expenses resulting from the cancellation or abandonment of an event, which is beyond your control.

We are well aware of the amount of effort required to organise and stage events such as jamborees, gang shows, fetes and family days. In addition to the hard work, many events involve considerable financial outlay.

How would your Scout Group fare if the event or activity had to be cancelled or, once started, abandoned?

Some of your outgoings might be recoverable but much of it would not. Instead of a healthy return on the event, you could be facing a financial disaster.

Our Cancellation and Abandonment insurance offers the perfect safety net. At a stroke, you can protect your Scout Group from incurred financial loss due to such things as the event site being unavailable; inclement weather; strikes and fires.

Other insurance considerations for your Scout events

You may hire or borrow equipment for your Scout event, which may need to be insured while in your possession. Don’t assume that the owner’s insurance will cover you. More details of insuring items you borrow or hire can be found in 9. CONTENTS AND EQUIPMENT, Short period use for something borrowed, something hired on page 19.

If your Scout event is for fundraising, you may be handling large sums of money at the event or until you can deposit in the bank. Therefore you may need to consider money insurance. More information on insuring your Scout Group’s money can be found in 11. THE GROUP’S MONEY on page 21.

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14. TRAVEL

(A) When Scouts go abroad

It is extremely important for Scout parties to have suitable travel insurance cover as ‘off the shelf’ travel insurance policies cater for the holiday market or standard corporate business travel.

As well as medical expenses and repatriation which are the main aspects associated with travel insurance, it also includes cover for the trip being cancelled and compensation for delays, trip curtailment, damaged, lost or delayed baggage and theft or loss of money.

Whilst many countries now operate reciprocal health benefits, these are very often limited to a percentage of the overall cost of treatment. In addition, they will not provide for the costs of repatriating an incapacitated person.

Therefore Scout parties travelling abroad need to take out adequate travel insurance.

Our Overseas Travel Insurance provides the wide range of benefits you would expect from a leading travel policy. The 24-hour emergency rescue service provided means that help is only a phone call away. Unlike most commercial schemes, our policy covers all recognised Scouting activities.

Do not forget that if you are taking your Scout Group’s camping equipment with you, you may need short period cover for that as well.

Our Scout Travel Insurance policies covers personal belongings. However it is not designed to cover the equipment belonging to the Scout Group itself. This is to avoid duplication of cover with our Scout Property and Equipment policy.

If your Scout Group insures its equipment under the All Risks section of our Scout Property and Equipment policy, your equipment will already be covered in transit and in use in Europe. Therefore you do not need to take out additional cover for these items, unless you are travelling further afield.

If your Group insures its equipment under the Contents section of our Scout Property and Equipment policy, your equipment will not covered outside the UK. If this is the case, you should consider insuring your Group’s equipment under the All Risks section of our Scout Short Period Property and Equipment policy, while it is outside the UK.

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Further information

See The Scout Association’s “Thinking of going abroad” page, which gives advice about travelling abroad and is the first step in the Visits Abroad Process.

The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s “Know Before You Go” campaign and “Travel checklist” on their website www.gov.uk/fco.

(B) UK travel and camp insurance

For trips within the UK, often people do not take out travel insurance as the medical treatment is available through the NHS. Also The Scout Association’s personal accident and medical policy will provide some of the expenses if someone is injured.

However if you are booking accommodation for people in advance and the trip was cancelled you may lose your deposits and other expenses paid up-front such as flights, trains fares.

With summer camps becoming ever more expensive, how would your Group fare if two or three people could not go at the last minute due to illness? Could you afford to reimburse the camp fee or deposits or would you have to scramble for replacements?

Our Scout UK Travel Insurance is available to cover Scouts, helpers and Leaders for cancellation, curtailment, personal effects and personal accident.

Scout Groups planning camps or expeditions in the UK should consider budgeting for such cover.

Other Travel Insurance Considerations

Travel to and from the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man

Medical expenses in the Channel Islands are no longer covered under the NHS reciprocal health agreements. Travel insurance would be needed to provide protection against unexpected medical costs.

Journeys to the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands by Scout Groups based in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland could be covered under either our UK Travel or Overseas Travel insurance policies. However our UK Travel policy would not cover repatriation back home.

The same would apply to Scout Groups based in the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands traveling to England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

If repatriation cover is needed, your Scout Group would need to take out an overseas travel policy.

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(C) Visiting Scouts from overseas

Whilst Overseas Scouts visiting the United Kingdom might be assumed to have made suitable travel insurance arrangements, this may not be the case. It can sometimes be difficult to arrange in some developing countries. This can result in significant expense to a hosting United Kingdom Group if, for example, medical treatment and/or repatriation is required. Contact us for advice, we have a low cost policy available.

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15. MINIBUSES

Staying Legal - Whether you own them or use them

Insurance for minibuses is not optional and is a legal requirement. Driving your vehicle on a road or in a public place without motor insurance is an offence, so it is important to ensure your vehicle is insured. UK law stipulates that Third Party Only insurance is the legal minimum type of minibus insurance.

Continuous Insurance Enforcement

To try and cut the number of uninsured drivers on UK roads the government introduced a package of measures aimed at cracking down on those driving without insurance which means it is more important than ever that you make sure you have a valid insurance policy. This is called Continuous Insurance Enforcement (CIE) and it means that it is now a legal requirement for you to insure your minibus at all times.

It is now a legal offence to keep a minibus without insurance unless you have notified the DVLA that your vehicle is being kept off the road and have a valid Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN). You don’t have to be driving to be caught, simply owning the minibus and not having insurance can lead to you being prosecuted.

When you buy a minibus insurance policy your insurer will automatically send details of insurance to the proper database so if your vehicle is already taxed you will not need to do anything else.

However if your vehicle is not already insured you must: • Buy a minibus insurance policy immediately;

• Make a SORN, if the vehicle is not used on the road; or • Notify DVLA if you are no longer the registered keeper.

If you own a minibus it’s easy to ensure that these new rules don’t catch you out. If you still need to buy your minibus insurance don’t put it off call us and we will be pleased to help you.

Levels of Cover

Minibus insurance, like just about any other kind of vehicle insurance comes in one of three levels.

Third Party Only (T.P.O.) cover is the minimum level of minibus insurance you can buy. It only covers you against damaging other peoples’ property or injuring somebody with your minibus. (It will not cover your minibus for accidental damage, if it is stolen or damaged by fire. This means that any damage to your minibus would have to be paid for by your Scout Group.)

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Third Party, Fire and Theft (TPF&T) insurance is the next level. This offers the same level of protection as T.P.O. insurance, plus it covers your minibus if it is stolen or is damaged as a result of fire.

Comprehensive minibus insurance, sometimes called ‘Fully Comprehensive’ insurance is the top of the range, as it were. Comprehensive policies generally guard against most risks; many include a consideration against legal fees.

With optional breakdown cover you can have the peace of mind that comes from knowing your vehicle and passengers will receive assistance should your minibus break down.

It’s usually possible to enhance your minibus insurance with additional elements tailored to your needs. We will be able to provide you with information about all the relevant options.

Short Period Cover for minibuses you hire or borrow

Short period minibus insurance is ideal for Groups hiring or borrowing a minibus either to weekend camps or on longer expeditions. No more ringing around parents to find enough spare seats to transport your Scouts and Cubs to and from camp, when you couldn’t get a minibus because of insurance issues.

Driving licence requirements for a minibus

For current advice on driving licences and driving a minibus, see the “Driving a minibus” page on the UK government website, www.gov.uk/driving-a-minibus.

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Our Scout Minibus Insurance Cover

We have facilities available for both annual cover on Group, District and County owned or operated minibuses and short period cover for minibuses you may hire or borrow.

Our annual minibus insurance can be provided on a fully comprehensive or third party fire and theft basis. It also automatically covers short term loans of your minibus to other Scout Groups and Girlguiding units.

Our Scout Short Period Minibus cover is provided on a fully comprehensive basis for up to 3, 7, 14 and 21 days.

Our Breakdown Assistance

The breakdown cover offered by our Scout Minibus insurance includes two main types of cover, Roadside and at Home.

Under roadside cover, if your minibus breaks down whilst away from home the breakdown service will send a patrol or contractor to help you. If your vehicle cannot be repaired immediately it will be taken to a nearby authorised repairer where you can arrange for further repairs to be made. Should the breakdown service not be able to repair your vehicle within a reasonable amount of time they will arrange to take your vehicle and any passengers in your vehicle to the destination of the driver’s choice, in one non-stop journey. This facility may also be provided if the driver of your minibus falls ill and there are no passengers who can drive the vehicle, so that the journey can be completed.

Whilst we hope you never need to use our breakdown cover your vehicle can just as easily break down whilst at home. In the event that this should happen the breakdown service will arrange for someone to come out and help. If your vehicle cannot be repaired immediately then it will be taken to a nearby garage, where you can arrange for repairs to be carried out.

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So if you’re thinking about buying breakdown cover for your minibus as part of your minibus insurance package don’t put it off; call us and our helpful staff will be pleased to assist you.

Minibus Permits from The Scout Information Centre

All Scout Groups, Districts and Counties who operate a minibus, either owned or hired, require a Small Bus Permit.

Small Bus Permits are part of the VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency) scheme. The permits are necessary so that voluntary organisations, such as Scout Groups, can charge or accept a form of remuneration for providing transport for their own members, without having to comply with the full PSV (Passenger Service Vehicle) operator licensing or PCV (Passenger Carrying Vehicle) driver licensing requirements.

You can purchase the Section 19 Minibus Permits from the Scout Information Centre on 0845 300 1818 for a small fee or you can download the application form from the Minibus Permit page of the Member Resources part of the Scouts website.

All permits issued on or after 6th April 2009 must be valid for a specified period of no more than five years from the “valid from date”. Usually the “valid from date” will be same as the date on which it was granted.

Permits issued under the previous scheme (i.e. no expiry date) will cease to be valid no later than April 2014. The VOSA has not yet decided on the exact timing, but there will be a gradual transition to allow plenty of time for existing permits to be replaced with new-style permits.

Even when a minibus permit is held, direct or indirect charges to cover the cost of a journey may still constitute use for ‘Hire or Reward’ in the eyes of some insurers. You must therefore discuss your intentions with the vehicle insurers beforehand.

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16. GO-KARTS AND QUAD BIKES

Mini motoring

Go-karting and quad biking are recognised Scout activities and Scouts taking part in properly organised and controlled karting and quad biking are covered by the Personal Accident and Medical Expenses Policy, in respect of potential injuries to themselves.

Whilst the Scout Association’s Public Liability Policy will protect the potential liability of the Leader, or other authorised adults who are in charge of or who organise the Scout Party, it does not cover the potential liability of the individual participant when he or she is actually driving a kart or quad bike on a public road.

Further details and costs are available from us.

Groups who own go-karts or quad bikes can obtain accidental damage, fire and theft cover through us.

Similar arrangements may be needed for users of All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs). Remember also that there are legal restrictions which govern the use of ATVs by those under 16 years of age. Speak to The Scout Information Centre for more details.

17. OTHER MOTOR VEHICLES

Hired vehicles such as lorries and vans and carnival floats

Hired vehicles are usually insured by the hire firm, and this should include legal liability to passengers. The latter will, however, be limited to the maximum seating capacity of the vehicle. The extent of the cover, and any limitations regarding persons entitled to drive, should be checked carefully with the hire firm. In connection with borrowed vehicles, enquiries should be made of the vehicle’s normal insurers regarding the extent of cover and whether the insurance is in order for the purpose for which it is to be used. This is particularly important in the case of lorries or trailers used for carnival floats. The Scout Association’s Public Liability Policy will cover the potential liability attaching to an adult supervising children riding on the float, in respect of the children themselves and their actions. However the liability of the driver (in respect of his actions) both to his ‘passengers’ and to the other third parties must be covered under the appropriate motor vehicle insurance covering the lorry or the vehicle towing the trailer.

Site vehicles

Many campsites (and indeed some Groups) operate mechanically propelled vehicles on their land. These vary from simple ‘sit and ride’ lawnmowers through to tractors and dumper trucks! Whilst the law does not require Motor Liability Insurance to be in force for vehicles not licensed for use on public highways, it is obviously sensible for suitable

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18. BOATS AND MARINE ACTIVITIES

Ownership and operation of boats

Any boat, canoe, sailboard, etc. owned or operated by Scouts has the potential for causing injury, loss or damage to other people or their property. The potential legal liability of the Leader or other person responsible in such circumstances may be insured in a number of ways.

For non-motorised vessels less than 5 meters long, such as canoes, kayaks and sailing dinghies, third party claims cover is automatically provided under The Scout Association’s Public Liability policy.

You are reminded that all Scout owned vessels should be adequately insured against risks of loss and damage whilst in use and whilst stored. We can provide this cover under our Scout Marine insurance policy.

You can insure your motorised vessels under our Scout Marine insurance policy for loss, damage and third party claims cover up to £2,000,000.

Where the vessels are not insured for hull loss/damage risks with us, you should check with your own insurer.

Privately owned craft, loaned to Scout Groups, should be insured by the operating Group. Private use extensions (for vessel owners) are available, subject to special terms, from us.

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19. PERSONAL ACCIDENT COVER AND MEDICAL EXPENSES COVER

FOR NON-MEMBERS

Group Committee Members, trustees and other adult helpers have no automatic personal accident cover. Although a facility exists whereby Groups can arrange cover upon payment of a small premium.

Whilst there is no requirement for helpers, etc. to be named, the agreement with insurers is on the basis that Groups using this facility will insure the maximum number of different non-members assisting the Group during the year, not a maximum at any one time.

Whilst the minimum premium effectively equates to 25 people, large Groups with more than 25 helpers must bear in mind that to adequately insure all helpers they should declare the total number and pay on that basis.

Districts that elect to administer the helpers extension on behalf of Groups should be aware that they must declare a figure for each Group covered which is adequate to cover the total numbers of non-members working with the various Groups.

20. PERSONAL INJURY PLAN (PIP)

As a charity, with limited financial resources, The Scout Association recognises that the Personal Accident and Medical Expenses Policy is limited in the scope of cover provided and is unlikely to meet the full financial needs of any particular injured person. However, in conjunction with the insurers, we have developed a “top-up” cover, the Personal Injury Plan (PIP), which provides an optional facility to our Members and their families, including the parents and siblings of Members to top-up their basic Personal Accident and Medical Expenses cover.

The PIP offers four highly cost effective levels of benefit and, where taken out, these benefits would be payable in addition to any benefits available under the central Personal Accident and Medical Expenses policy. Cover is available under two plans.

Option 1: Cover applies during Scout activities only.

Option 2: Twenty-four hour cover - applying at any time of the day or night anywhere in the world whether at home, work, in the car or pursuing leisure activities.

Details of the cover are available from us. Bulk premium discounts may be available for Counties or Districts who arrange cover on all adult Leaders.

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21. EMPLOYERS’ LIABILITY

When you pay someone to do a job or give a benefit in kind

Where a Scout Group, District or County employs a person, such as a camp warden or manager, caretaker, or a part-time cleaner, legislation requires adequate employers’ liability insurance to be arranged even if payment is only a few pounds a week. In addition if a benefit is given to anyone in exchange for their services e.g. free Scout subscription for the children of the people doing maintenance on the Scout hut an Employers’ Liability policy will be needed by law.

We can arrange this. It is possible for an implied contract of employment to exist even where no money changes hands, for example, if an honorary warden receives free food and/or accommodation this too would require you to arrange Employers’ Liability cover.

Remember too that if you are, legally, an ‘employer’, you have a responsibility to ensure that the ‘work place’ is safe. The Health and Safety at Work Act is likely to apply to you and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) would have the authority to both ensure compliance and prosecute you for any failures.

Further information

Information from the Health and Safety Executive can be found on their website, www. hse.gov.uk, and their publication “Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 - A brief guide for employers”.

22. PROFESSIONAL INDEMNITY

Professional Indemnity insurance, sometimes also referred to as Professional Liability insurance provides protection for the policyholder against a claim by another individual or organisation for a breech or alleged breach, error or omission of your professional duty.

Even if unfounded and you wish to challenge it, the Professional Indemnity insurance will pay for the legal cost of defending the allegations and if a court subsequently finds against you then damages and awards are also covered.

Many voluntary organisations, such as Scout Groups, may think that Professional Indemnity cover is only needed if involved with providing professional services such as legal, technical, financial etc.

However, if your Scout Group gives advice or provides training to people outside Scouting, particularly if you charge a fee for the services, you should consider Professional Indemnity cover, as this would protect you if someone alleges that you have advised them incorrectly causing them a financial loss.

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If your activities involve any sort of physical treatment you can include a treatment extension in the policy to cover physical harm caused from your professional negligence.

Please note, The Scout Association’s Public Liability Policy covers Scout Leaders who provide training to other people in Scouting. So you do not need Professional Indemnity insurance for training or advising others within Scouting.

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23. NON-MEMBER CHILDREN PUBLIC LIABILITY AND PERSONAL

ACCIDENT COVER

When mum or dad cannot leave junior behind

A scheme exists for insuring children (under 18 years of age) who are not members of The Scout Association but who attend, or take part in, weekly meetings or other organised Scout activities because they are accompanying their parents who are Leaders, helpers, instructors or supporters. The need for this insurance has greatly increased in recent years, particularly where Leaders of the Beaver Scout or Cub Scout Sections have young children who cannot be left with anyone else at the time of the meeting.

Two types of cover are available:

1. Public liability insurance for the non-member children and their parents or guardians; 2. Personal accident insurance for the non-member children attending Scout activities.

Cover can also be provided for crèches, operated by Groups or Districts, to look after Leaders’ children.

This policy is available for Scout Counties and Areas. The Scout Counties that take advantage of this cover pay the annual premium on behalf of all Districts and Groups within their County.

Contact your County Secretary or us for more information.

24. CAMPSITE LIABILITY

When members of the public use climbing or abseiling equipment

This insurance is available to those Scout Campsites, Activity Centres and Scout Groups who wish to permit non-Scouts to use climbing and abseiling facilities at their site.

The policy will indemnify the operating Scout authority, its members, servants or agents for all sums which it/they become legally liable to pay for compensation and claimant costs and expenses in respect of and arising out of bodily injury to any non-Scout participating in climbing or abseiling activities using Scout owned or operated facilities, equipment, and/ or instructors.

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25. AIR ACTIVITIES

When Scouts leave the ground

Liability for hovercraft, fixed line towed round canopy parascending flights is covered by the Scout Association’s Public Liability Policy.

For parascending and paragliding flights and hang-gliding participants must be members of the sport’s governing body, The British Parachuting Association or the British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (BHPA).

Scout involvement in other air activities as passengers gaining flight experience is covered. The provision of cover is conditional upon Gilwell being supplied with information about Scouts flying in light aircraft, hovercraft, gliders, microlites, hang-gliders or hot-air balloons. This includes use of aircraft for parachute descents.

If any Scout Group or Unit owns a glider or other form of aircraft then, of course this should be adequately insured against third party aviation risks as well as for physical loss or damage. This insurance can be very costly and it is often cheaper to arrange cover through one of the National Governing Bodies, such as the British Gliding Association and the Hoverclub of Great Britain.

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Part D

Other useful information

26. SAFETY AND RISK ASSESSMENT FOR ACTIVITIES

One dictionary definition of the word ‘accident’ is an ‘event happening by chance’. Inevitably, despite the greatest care and preparation, accidents can and do happen. All too often, however, what some call an accident can be attributed to a failure to properly assess the risk and to act accordingly.

It is significant that comparatively few accidents happen during adventurous activities, whilst one third of all notified accidents occur in or around the Scout Group Headquarters and another third happen on campsites.

The simple truth is that we all recognise the dangers in dangling a Scout twenty-five metres up a rock face. We insist that those leading such activities be properly qualified and publish guidance on techniques and safety. Troop night, however is accorded little attention.

Why do we fail to see the obvious? To an extent it is a case of familiarity breeding contempt. How many Group Headquarters can identify the following:

• Tables, chairs and other ‘hard’ equipment stored in the main hall where games are played.

• Fixtures/fittings which protrude from the walls (fire extinguishers, window sills etc.).

• Slippery vinyl flooring (a particular hazard when it is wet.)

Or at camp:

• Open fire cooking with containers balanced on unstable platforms.

• Boiling water placed outside the dining shelter to cool down.

• Use of a rope ‘swing’ set up by previous campers.

Some of the most serious ‘accidents’ reported to the Association are attributable to a total failure, by a Leader, to think through to the potential consequence of their action.

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Consider the following recipe for disaster:

Take a one gallon aluminium dixie, a single burner gas cooker and a trestle table. Set them up in the dining shelter on a campsite and bring the water to the boil. Now add several boisterous Cub Scouts around the table...

It wasn’t an ‘accident’. The results were obvious to anyone who thought about it!

Some hazards are, of course, harder to predict. The Scout Movement is well known for its ability to scrounge potentially expensive items and many well-meaning companies or individuals will donate equipment. Our ‘accident’ files contain many examples of injuries caused by such an item as the humble fire extinguisher (more often noted for being empty when needed), and there is a recorded case of a Cub Scout being impaled on the springs of an armchair donated for the comfort of the Scouters’ room! It really should not need saying but any equipment bought second-hand or donated should be carefully checked for safety. This is especially true if it contains liquids or gasses under pressure or whose combustion can cause toxic fumes or if it is electrically powered. A ‘freebie’ is not worth it if it ends up costing someone their life.

Nearly all Scout Counties/Areas have a ‘Safety Co-ordinator’ who can offer advice and, increasingly, Headquarters is providing risk assessment models and tools for your use. We do not need to become ‘slaves’ to paperwork. However, a simple assessment may stop a painful incident from happening.

Think safety! Most ‘accidents’ can be prevented if someone had stopped long enough to consider the potential. When planning activities and camps, look critically at the programme. Ensure there is a leader in charge taking an overview on the safety of the event or activity.

Activities Risk Checklist

1) Who is the leader in charge specifically responsible for safety? 2) What known hazards are there to the a activity?

3) What possible hazards might there be, e.g. Cut, break, burn, scald? 4) What action is needed to minimise identified risks?

5) What safety equipment do we need (fire extinguishers), etc? 6) What plans are there for rescue, evacuation, first aid, etc?