Code of Conduct - LSU Hiking club

This Code of Conduct has been produced by the committee of LSU Hiking Club to let members know what the aims and objectives of the club/society are and to make everyone aware of the various operating policies we must all adhere to.

LSUHC helps you meet new people, visit new places, see amazing sights and have fun! Offering day and weekend trips throughout the year covering the UK. Also providing weekly social events so members can get to know each other; recently including bowling, paintballing and nights at the Union.

LSU Hiking Club operates in accordance with all governing LSU documents; this includes Schedule 16 of the Union Constitution and the Club and Society Operating Policy. Also LSUHC specific documents; Cancellation Policy and the Refunds Policy.

The following committee positions will be responsible for the day to day running of the club and have been elected in line with Standing Order D of the Union Constitution. Click on each to download a job profile.

TitleDownloads
Webmaster 167K
Trip Sec 165K
Treasurer 157K
Social Sec 165K
Secretary 160K
Publicity 156K
Kit Sec 167K
Chair 159K

As a member of an LSU club every individual is responsible for general health and safety issues and must not act in a way that involves risk of injury or harm to themselves or others. Anyone who does so will be subject to the LSU discipline policy and risk losing their membership.

Insurance

LSU has insurance for all affiliated clubs, which is why all members have to buy Clubs & Socs insurance cover before they can join a club. Anyone who is not a member won't be covered by this insurance if they take part in a club activity/event.

The insurance is a one-off payment regardless of how many clubs you subsequently join, excluding Athletic Union clubs.

Important note: Children under 16 are not covered by LSU insurance and LSU must be informed if children are attending an official club event.

LSUHC appreciate that hiking involves an element of risk, which the participant should be aware of. Whilst not pretending to be an instructional body, the club is able to offer advice and guidance to members on any aspect of safety and basic techniques.

Health and Safety

  1. Serious accidents or incidents must be reported immediately. All minor accidents or near misses must be reported to LSU, via the Student Resource Administrator, within 48 hours of occurrence.  Full details of reporting procedures can be found in the Clubs & Socs Manual
  2. If a member feels an activity is unsafe they should first talk to a committee member, and if they feel it necessary should then report it to LSU via the Student Resource Administrator.
  3. Members must advise a committee member of any medical condition that may affect their own or others' safety/wellbeing.  This information will be kept in confidence, as all committee members have signed the LSU Data Protection Policy.

Facilities/Equipment

  1. Members must always abide by the rules, including health & safety, operated by facility owners.
  2. The committee are responsible for ensuring facilities used are suitable for the purpose, safe and fully insured.  They must ensure members know all fire exits and who to contact in the event of a medical or other emergency.
  3. Any equipment used for a club activity must be safe and fit for purpose and a minimum of two committee members must check this.  Electrical equipment must have a current (less than a year old) Portable Appliance Test sticker from either an LSU electrician or an LSU approved electrician e.g. University electrician.
  4. Members must not cause damage to facilities or equipment belonging to third parties.  If they do, they will be personally liable to pay for repairs.

Transport

  1. Members must follow the instructions of the driver when travelling to/from a club event/activity.  This applies equally to coaches, minibuses and private vehicles.
  2. No alcohol can be drunk by anyone whilst in a minibus or private vehicle.
  3. Members are also responsible for their own personal safety when travelling to and from events organised by the club or society.

Walk Leaders

  1. The walk leader should be competent in navigation techniques and preferably in basic first aid
  2. The walk leader should ensure that between them the group has the following:
    • first aid kit
    • survival bag(s)
    • torch
    • emergency rations
    • compasses (at least two per group)
    • maps of area to be walked in (at least two per group)
  3. Where reasonably practicable the weather forecast for the day should be obtained. Most hostels display this information.
  4. All people intending to participate on the walk should be advised on the appropriate equipment required for the anticipated weather conditions and style of walk.
  5. All walk leaders should be aware of the route to be taken by all of other groups on the trip, including an estimated time of return. In the event that there is only one group, a committee member in Loughborough should be aware of these details.
  6. Areas of ice should be avoided unless all group members are equipped with appropriate equipment and they are experienced in usage. Where 'steps' can be kicked into the ice this rule can be disregarded at the walk leaders' discretion where it is safe to do so and using ropes as appropriate.
  7. Areas where a risk of avalanche exists are to be avoided at all times.
  8. Every group should have at least two people competent with map and compass, and aware of the route to be followed. The pace should be determined by the slowest walker in the group to minimise the risk of separation. The group leader should be aware of the competency of each of the group members.
  9. If a group consists of more than ten people, an experienced walker with a map and compass should be positioned at the front and rear of the group to ensure that should the group become separated, the two groups are able to safely navigate to safety.
  10. In the event of an accident at least one group member should stay with the casualty and at least two group members should go for help. Information required by the emergency services will be number of casualty, nature of injuries, grid reference, locally identifiable points and time of accident.
  11. Minimum group size is four persons.
  12. When walking in winter conditions, the walk leader should be experienced in walking in these conditions.

Home Contact

  1. A home contact should be appointed for each trip.
  2. The home contact should have the telephone numbers of all members on the trip (where this information has been provided to the club), and where appropriate, the contact details of the accommodation used.
  3. All route leaders should have the telephone number of the home contact at all times.

Members

  1. The group leaders' instructions concerning safety and Conduct should be followed at all times.
  2. Wear/bring suitable clothing for the weather conditions:
    • Waterproof jacket (waterproof trousers highly recommended)
    • Warm jumper and/or jacket
    • Walking trousers (not jeans/denim)
    • Walking boots and Socks
    • Hat and gloves
    • Rucksack containing spare clothes, food and drink and any assigned group equipment
  3. Every member is to carry an emergency whistle. The international distress signal is a set of six long blasts repeated every minute. Whistles are to be loaned by the society.
  4. No climb over 2m whilst scrambling should be attempted without rope support.
  5. All group members are responsible for bringing adequate water for personal use for the duration of the walk. Dehydration is a serious problem, especially during the summer.
  6. All group members are urged to attend Hill Walking skills courses and First Aid courses as and when arranged.
  7. When preparing food for group consumption, basic hygiene rules should be observed. e.g. wash hands and handle raw meat separately.
  8. All Youth Hostel rules must be obeyed. These are displayed in all hostels.
  9. Familiarise yourself with the nearest fire exit from your dormitory.
  10. Read the procedures for using the gas stoves in the members' kitchen. Ensure the gas supply is fully off after use.
  11. Any hazardous pursuits are undertaken entirely at the group members' own risk. A group members' actions must not endanger themselves or any other group member.
  12. 12. By joining the club members acknowledge that in the event of an accident or incident members trained in first aid will administer first aid within their qualifications.

Scrambling

The Group

  1. The group leader must be a suitably experienced scrambler, who is proficient in scrambling rope work techniques. In addition to the normal group leader kit they must also carry rope for support.
  2. The total group size should be a maximum of 8 people including the leader. This number may need to be reduced further depending on:
    • Route grade and complexity
    • Conditions on the day
    • Level of experience of group members

The Participating Member

  1. Students may not participate in a scramble if:
    • A member of the committee or the walk leader is not sufficiently satisfied with the level of the member’s competence
    • They do not have adequate clothing and footwear
    • They have not been away with LSUHC before
  2. Before scrambling, the student must understand:
    • That scrambling is a dangerous activity that always has a level of risk involved
    • They are undertaking the activity completely at their own risk
    • They must alert the group leader of they feel uncomfortable at any point during the scramble.

It should be understood that the above are guidelines. If it can be justified in the interests of safety, these guidelines can be disregarded at the discretion of the group leader.