Hidden dangers

When presented with a field nominated as a car park, ask the landowner about hidden dangers. Apart from fresh cow-pats, such items as tree stumps, rusted fence posts and wire, or even ditches may be hiding in what appears to be a level grassy field.

If at all possible arrange for the grass to be cut before the event to expose any hidden dangers and contours, and where necessary have the dead dry grass removed as a safety precaution. If any dangers are pointed out or discovered, make sure that posts and tapes are used to clearly mark and fence off the areas of danger.

Don’t forget that dangers can come from different directions too. An ‘interesting’ but unfenced river or pool is a high risk to inquisitive children. Stinging nettles and giant hogweed plants provide botanical dangers. Ants’ nests are annoying and wasps swarming around decaying fruit under an apple tree are quite risky. Low branches or cables can catch some drivers unawares, as can debris hidden in long grass. You must consider everything when reviewing the proposed car park.

Get as much detail from the landowner as you can. Their local knowledge will tell you if an area is subject to flooding ‘at high tide’, or in heavy rain. They can tell you areas become soft and muddy with even a little rain. Use their knowledge, to make your plans and arrangements.

Ask the landowner and look around the field in the planning stage. Check the field later when it is nearer the time for the event and when the wasps and giant hogweed may have moved in. Take a final inspection tour before the car parks open, making sure that existing and new known dangers are clearly sign posted and fenced off.

The traffic manager should show and brief the roving car park supervisor about existing dangers and warn them to keep watching out for and handling any others during the event.