Generic Risk Assessment - Starting

1. Whenever handling a firearm, do not touch the trigger.
2. Keep the muzzle pointing downwards and avoid dropping the gun.
3. Never point a firearm, loaded or otherwise, at anyone.
4. Never hold a firearm close to your face.
5. Never indulge in horseplay or joke around with a firearm.
6. Do not allow other people to borrow or examine your firearms.
7. Do not cock the gun until you are ready to commence the starting procedure.
8. Always break open a revolver with care to avoid both used and unused cartridges being ejected in an uncontrolled fashion onto the ground where they can easily be lost.
9. Be aware of obstructions in the barrel, e.g. a cartridge wad, which can result in a blowback or even a bulged barrel if not cleared.
10. Do not tamper with cartridges.
11. If a firearm jams, hold it carefully by the grip on your stronger hand, barrel pointing downward. Place the thumb of the other hand on the hammer spur, pressing the hammer back to its full extent and then keep holding it back while pressing the trigger gently with the forefinger of the stronger hand, slowly lowering the hammer into its forward ( i.e. ‘uncocked’ ) position. DO NOT ALLOW THE HAMMER TO GO FORWARD QUICKLEY : TO DO SO MAY RESULT IN ANY CARTRIDGE IN THE CYLINDER OPPOSITE THE HAMMER BEING FIRED. Once a jammed firearm has been released in this way, it will be possible to open it safely in the normal fashion.

Control measure responsibilities:

1,2    Starter

IF ADEQUATE CONTROL MEASURES ARE IMPLEMENTED, THEN RISK LOW.

 1.  Always clean firearms after use. This is necessary to maintain reliability and also  because black powder residues are highly corrosive and will weaken the metal over a period of neglect.Clean the barrel and chambers with hot water, and then scrub them internally with a phosphor bronze brush using gun cleaning oil. After drying with a lint-free cloth on a pull through, the firearm should be lightly oiled, then wrapped in a cloth, and stored in a manner approved by the Constabulary which has issued the Firearm certificate.

Control measure responsibilities:

1.  Starter 

IF ADEQUATE CONTROL MEASURES ARE IMPLEMENTED, THEN RISK LOW.

1. Ensure the meeting promoter provides reserved car parking as near to theentrance as possible so that the starter walks the minimum amount from the car through areas frequented by the public. ( This reserved parking should not be marked ‘starter’.)

2. Do not wear a red jacket outside the track, nor use a bag marked starter.

Control measure responsibilities:
1,2 Starter

IF ADEQUATE CONTROL MEASURES ARE IMPLEMENTED, THEN RISK LOW.

1. When not in use, keep firearms out of sight in a bag with other personal kitwhich shall be kept in the owner’s possession at all times.

Control measure responsibilities:
1. Starter

IF ADEQUATE CONTROL MEASURES ARE IMPLEMENTED, THEN RISK LOW.

1. Check the locations prior to the start of the meeting and ensure that they are in a safe position and do not conflict with the safety requirements of other events.

2. Liase with officials in other events before the meeting starts wherever necessary.

3. If safety ropes are adjusted for any purpose, they must be immediately replaced .

Control measure responsibilities:
1,2, 3 Starter

IF ADEQUATE CONTROL MEASURES ARE IMPLEMENTED, THEN RISK LOW.

1. Ensure that a loud blast is blown on a whistle before the start of each race or heatto indicate to the competitors that the race is about to start and also as a warning to everyone else.

2. Ensure that the starting gun is always fired straight up in to the air and the recall gundown in to the ground.

3. Check that the ground in the vicinity is clear and that nobody has approachedunnoticed.

Control measure responsibilities:
1,2,3 Starter

IF ADEQUATE CONTROL MEASURES ARE IMPLEMENTED, THEN RISK LOW.

1. Ensure that firearms are never left on the rostrum or on other exposed andunprotected places.

2. Ensure that firearms are kept out of sight in a bag.

Control measure responsibilities:
1,2, Starter

IF ADEQUATE CONTROL MEASURES ARE IMPLEMENTED, THEN RISK LOW.

1.  Ensure that firearms are loaded carefully and that cartridges are not spilled on tothe ground.

2.  Ensure that empty cases are not discarded at a meeting and that they are collectedup and disposed of as scrap metal or by some other reliable method.

3.  Ensure that spent cases are never given away as souvenirs.

Control measure responsibilities:
1,2,3 Starter

IF ADEQUATE CONTROL MEASURES ARE IMPLEMENTED, THEN RISK LOW.

1.  Ensure that firearms are kept in the starter’s possession at all times and that they are not left in a locker or car.

Control measure responsibilities:
1. Starter

IF ADEQUATE CONTROL MEASURES ARE IMPLEMENTED, THEN RISK LOW.

1.  Ensure that with privately loaded ammunition 140Db is not exceeded.

2.  Ensure that .45” cartridges are not used indoors and that the volume of acommercially produced 9mm cartridge is the limit.

Control measure responsibilities:
1,2, Starter

IF ADEQUATE CONTROL MEASURES ARE IMPLEMENTED, THEN RISK LOW.