JCRATO 64-02 Safety

DEFINITIONS

1. In order to ensure understanding of this policy, the following definitions apply:

Safety - A condition of being protected from the reality or risk of injury, illness, harassment or abuse.

Due diligence - The exercise of reasonable care in the conduct of one’s business or duties. To demonstrate due diligence, a person must show that they did all that any reasonable person would have done in the same circumstances to avoid a foreseeable risk of harm. In exercising due diligence persons have a duty to behave in a responsible manner, prepare for risks that a thoughtful and reasonable person would foresee, and respond to risks and incidents as soon as possible.

Supervision - The act of maintaining control (and assessing/managing risk) over a group.

RISK MANAGEMENT

2. As part of responsible planning and conduct, risk management is a process by which the risks to safety are assessed and a strategy is developed to manage or alleviate them. It also includes constant monitoring of safe conduct of training and immediate response to changing conditions and situations. Risk management is expected of all stakeholders at their level of control.

3. While risks to safety are often far greater in the outdoors environment, risk management and due diligence are essential at all training sessions.

SAFETY CONTROLS

4. There are five general safety controls common to Junior Canadian Rangers (JCR) training regardless of the skill or activity. JCR leaders are expected to exercise these safety controls:

  1. Planning - set realistic and appropriate goals, assess risks and create a risk management plan to accomplish training goals safely (including back-up plans);
  2. Training - prepare individuals and groups to meet the physical and mental challenges of the planned activity. This also includes practicing the required technical skills until a reasonable proficiency is reached;
  3. Consulting - seek out advice, guidance and lessons of experience from community members who have undertaken similar activities and employ this wisdom in planning and decision making;
  4. Adapting - be vigilant to changes as they occur, and use what you know to adapt to new challenges; and
  5. Communicating - proactive safety communications (e.g. safety briefings or lectures, posters, training aids, aide-memoirs, etc.) are to be used whenever possible to enhance overall safety.

SUPERVISION

5. Supervision is key to the safe conduct of training. The level of supervision can change according to the situation, from supervising one-on-one at an arm’s reach, to supervising general activity where participants are independently active and not necessarily in direct contact. Supervision is the responsibility of all leaders of that specific skill, and it must be communicated to all supervisors before activity starts.

6. Overnight supervision - Exceptional care must be taken in planning and supervising overnight stays while on Field Training Exercise (FTX) to ensure that participants feel secure within their sleeping arrangements. It may be necessary to separate participants by gender and maybe even by age groups. Direct supervision of JCR may be necessary to ensure safety and create the feeling of a secure environment. All adults participating in the activity share the responsibility of a safe environment.

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FIRST AID

7. The JCR Patrol must have at its disposal the skills and equipment necessary to perform first aid when required. This also means having these resources in sufficient quantity to manage first aid for all participants.

8. When planning an activity, the limits of first aid ability and equipment must be examined and compared to the proposed schedule and training area. Patrol Leaders should only authorize JCR training when they are capable of ensuring timely, reasonable and appropriate first aid care for participants.

FTX PLANNING

9. A Risk Management Plan will be completed as part of the FTX planning process. It will include an evaluation of:

  1. inherent risks of planned training and/or activities;
  2. outdoor risks of proposed training location(s) including variability of temperature, weather forecast, weather history, risks posed by terrain/water features, and risks posed by and to wildlife;
  3. proximity and availability of medical aid, and accessibility for evacuation of training location;
  4. medical support requirements and first aid/medical qualifications of leaders and participants;
  5. significant medical history of leaders and participants; and
  6. group and individual capabilities (leaders and participants), including previous experience/training.

10. Additionally, an Emergency Action Plan will be created for each FTX. It is communicated with responsible authorities in the community (and in the training area as required) and will include:

  1. an emergency contact list and communication plan;
  2. a description of evacuation actions and key persons tasked with medical duties;
  3. a schedule of activities and their locations;
  4. a description of evacuation points; and
  5. a description of the bivouac, rest points, emergency shelters and optional routes.

11. Planning checklists must be developed in accordance with Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs) within each CRPG.

FIREARM HANDLING AND MARKSMANSHIP SAFETY

12. JCR marksmanship training must instruct safe firearms handling and correct marksmanship practices.

13. Safe use of firearms, and the complimentary gaining of new marksmanship skills, will benefit the individual JCR by developing a sense of personal responsibility in the area of safe firearms usage through participation in training that is inclusive, fun and challenging. Safe firearm handling and marksmanship training will compliment traditional hunting skills taught to JCRs at the community level.

14. The use of firearms is restricted both by DND/CF regulations and federal legislation.

RANGE SAFETY

15. Daisy 853C Air Rifle - Range Safety Officers (RSO) must strive to conduct air rifle range activities with due diligence, respecting the safety policies of a CF ranges practice. Eye protection must be worn by JCRs firing the air rifle. The Daisy 853C Air Rifle is not deemed to be a firearm because its muzzle velocity falls below 500 feet/second.

16. Lee Enfield - RSO must be qualified on the rifle being used. Range practices using the Lee Enfield rifle of either calibre may only be conducted under the supervision of a qualified RSO.

SUPERVISION

17. Firearms handling and marksmanship training must be conducted under the supervision of a qualified instructor on the rifle being used.

HUNTING

18. It is expected that JCRs will participate in hunting activities as part the Traditional Community Skills training conducted by the community. JCRs should be paired up with an experienced hunter.

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RESPONSIBILITIES

19. The responsibilities of the Patrol Leader (Canadian Ranger, JCR Instructor or AC, as applicable) are:

  1. inform parents or guardians of planned activities and receive written consent for JCRs to participate;
  2. establish the level of supervision required for each activity and communicate that to respective supervisors;
  3. communicate clearly the safety rules and regulations of each activity before it starts and ensure all participants understand;
  4. employ safety controls as required;
  5. supervise and respond to emergencies or changes as they occur, and carry out first aid when required; and
  6. report safety concerns, incidents or new risks as they are presented, to the appropriate authority.

OPI: D Cdts 4
Date: January 2006
Amendment: Original