Photo by Chris Durham

“Insurance Guide 2018/ 2019” referred to in the information below - click HERE

 The Path maintenance team toolkit - click HERE

Ramblers liability and personal accident insurance can cover our path maintenance volunteers if needed (some Councils may cover you). It does not insure your vehicles or equipment and has a maximum age of 90 years ( from 2020) for the personal accident insurance element.

To be covered the team leader(or someone else) needs to send an up to date list of volunteers who carry out path maintenance work to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. If they are not registered they are not covered by the insurance. If someone new unexpectedly turns up at a work party you can leave a message on the voicemail at central office.

Any work the team do must be with the knowledge and agreement of the relevant local authority or similar agency.

Path maintenance volunteers who are not members, can be covered whilst volunteering with the Ramblers if their contact details have been sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Activities covered are listed in section 4.2 of the Insurance Guide 2018/ 2019. If Local Authorities provide the cover and the appropriate training/support Groups could choose to do more. In these situations the local authority determines the conditions under which the Ramblers team can operate.

Small power tools may be used as listed in section 4.3 of the Insurance Guide 2018/ 2019.  Volunteers holding a current relevant qualification may use chainsaws, and the appropriate protective clothing must be worn. No other power tools are covered. If Local Authorities provide the cover and the appropriate training/support Groups could choose to use other equipment. In these situations the local authority determines the conditions under which the Ramblers team can operate.

Ramblers liability insurance cover requires Ramblers volunteer path team to demonstrate that they have taken care to ensure safety- see section 4.4 of the Insurance Guide 2018/ 2019. Completed Work Party Sign Off forms, or equivalent form used by the local authority and  Health and Safety checklists are a requirement of our insurance cover. - see section 4.4 of the Insurance Guide 2018/ 2019.

Personal Accident Cover-To be covered Ramblers staff must be in possession of a list of all those who are on the volunteer path maintenance team. - see section 4.4 as above

Path warden volunteers, who patrol a particular section of path(often alone)and may conduct light clearance or install way marker discs, are covered by the insurance but team leaders will need to send their contact details to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. See section 4.1 of the Insurance Guide 2018/ 2019 for what they are covered to do.

Injuries/ Incidents

If an injury occurs during practical work, an incident report form must be completed and returned to Ramblers via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. within 10 days of the incident. If a claim is to be made against the personal accident insurance, please advise this on the incident report form and Ramblers staff will advise what needs to happen next.

Other incidents should also be recorded- see section 2 of the Insurance Guide 2018/ 2019

Equipment

Equipment for practical footpath work can be bought by Groups( Ask you group treasurer-small items could come from group funds, larger ones may need a budget request) or by Local Authorities.  Various grants are available.

Path maintenance teams can apply to us for a grant from the Tools for Teams Fund to cover the purchase of tools (covered by Ramblers insurance), health & safety equipment and for training. Details in the Path maintenance team toolkit (link at the top).

North Wales Area may be able to organise joint training if you have only small numbers interested.