Personal Safety
The Group has Public Liability insurance through its affiliation with the British Mycological Society, but please bear in mind that YOU are responsible for your own safety and also that of any children, dogs or equipment you bring with you.
The following points should be noted:
Always follow the country code and be careful to cause minimal damage to vegetation, leaf litter, soil and other features. We may be visiting private property, and the owner (who will have granted us permission) and their land should be respected.
The survey walk will follow footpaths as much as possible but take care when moving through under growth; brambles, overhanging branches, potholes, slippery and hilly terrain, barbed-wire fences, streams and ditches etc can cause accidents.
Do not wander off on your own and always keep the group in view; also bear in mind that you cannot count on getting a mobile phone signal in woodland areas so a whistle could be a safeguard.
If you need to leave a walk early ensure you advise the group leader so that they are aware that you left and not been left behind.
Although a few common fungi are extremely poisonous the toxins are not absorbed in sufficient quantities through the skin to warrant danger from handling. Gloves are not recommended for protection. However, those with any particular sensitivity to allergens or infection should seek independent advice before touching fungi. It is obviously good practice to wash your hands after handling fungi.
FSO Risk Assessment click here