MSR Risk Management Strategy

Version 1.5, 16th August 2010

 

MSR Mission Statement

 

“To promote motorcycle activities, including social outings, and to foster friendship in the motorcycle community.”

 

 

Definitions:

 

MSR: Melbourne Sportsbike Riders hereafter known as the “Club”.

Hazard: a source of potential harm.

Risk: the chance of something happening that will have an adverse impact on the Club and/or its Members.

Member: a person who has current financial status with, or is an honorary member of, the Club.

Committee: the annually elected representatives of the MSR members.

Practicable: having regard to

  1. the severity of the hazard or risk in question;
  2. the state of knowledge about that hazard or risk and any ways of removing or mitigating that hazard or risk;
  3. the availability and suitability of ways to remove that hazard or risk; and
  4. the cost of removing or mitigating that hazard or risk.

 

Guest : a rider or pillion that is not a member;

Lead Rider: a member who has Club authorisation to lead an official ride activity;

RearRider: a member who has been authorised to perform rear rider duties during an official ride activity.

 

 

Club Responsibilities

 

In organising official activities the Club has a responsibility to identify and minimise risks to Members and Guests as far as practicable.  Accordingly, the Club has developed policies and procedures for its Members and Guests as part of a risk management strategy.

 

The Club does not condone illegal or dangerous conduct on the part of Members or Guests.

 

 

 

Committee Responsibilities

 

The Club Committee is responsible for developing, implementing and annually reviewing the Risk Management Strategy. The strategy is reviewed each March.

 

 

 

 

Risk Management Policy

 

The Club manages risk by providing electronic, hard copy and verbal information to Members allowing them to make informed decisions and to improve outcomes. This structured risk management approach encourages continuous improvement through support and creates a “risk aware” environment within the Club. This policy endeavours to balance the Club’s aim of promoting motorcycle activities with its duty of care responsibilities to Members and the general public. The Club acknowledges that there is a level of risk in motorcycle activities and seeks to minimise risk through the strategies below.

 

 

Hazard Identification

 

Motorcycle riding can be a hazardous activity.  The following are examples of potential hazards riders may encounter during rides. These hazards may lead to loss of control of the motorcycle with subsequent serious consequences. This list is not exhaustive.

 

a.       road surface irregularities (e.g. gravel, water, oil, roadworks);

b.      unexpected animal crossings (native, domestic) or bird impact;

c.       other vehicle drivers operating contrary to the road laws;

d.      an unroadworthy motorcycle creating unsafe handling;

e.       weather conditions;

f.       rider intoxication or impairment induced by medication, alcohol or illicit drugs;

g.      fatigue

h.      personal medical conditions (heart attack, epileptic seizure, dehydration, other)

i.        mechanical breakdown or failure (e.g. flat tyre, engine seizure);

j.        hypothermia;

k.      sunburn;

l.        insect stings;

m.    dangerous behavior by other  riders; and

n.      getting lost and/or becoming stranded.

 

 

Risk Minimisation Procedures

 

The Club has a number of rules and recommendations that it requires Members and Guests to follow during official activities.  These are listed in the Constitution as Road Rules of the Club.

 

In the Club’s history, serious injury has been rare, particularly when the number of kilometers travelled is taken into consideration.  However, the consequences are serious. The responsibilities outlined below attempt to minimising the risk of incidents to Club Members and Guests.

 

Responsibilities of Club Members and Guests:

  1. Operate within the road laws.
  2. Not consume any substances in the course of the ride that may impair their riding skills. This includes, but is not limited to, alcohol, prescription medication and illicit substances.
  3. Ensure their vehicle is roadworthy.
  4. Accept responsibility for actions.
  5. Exercise due care at all times and not exceed personal abilities or limits.
  6. Observe the Corner Marking System and directions issued by the Lead Rider, Rear Rider and Club officials. 
  7. Wear protective clothing and footwear suitable for the anticipated riding conditions.
  8. Be familiar with the Club Rules and practices by consulting the Club website.
  9. Guests should not participate in rides marked as “Ride will not suit inexperienced riders; not recommended for first time Club riders.” on the schedule of rides listed on the Club website.
  10. Behave respectfully while attending Club rides, participating in Club organised social events, and in all correspondence including multimedia.

 

Responsibilities of the Lead Rider:

  1. The Lead Rider should reconnoitre the proposed route to identify potential hazards.
  2. The Lead Rider shall warn the group of known hazards in the pre-ride briefing.
  3. The Lead Rider shall include in the briefing whether the ride is suitable for Guests, directing them not to join the activity if necessary.
  4. The Lead Rider shall include an explanation of the Corner Marking System for Guests if required.
  5. The Lead Rider shall emphasize the importance for all riders not to exceed their personal capabilities. It is a ride, not a race.
  6. The Lead Rider has the right to change the route or to end the ride where conditions are adverse or where there has been an incident.
  7. The Lead Rider is responsible for obtaining "In case of Emergency" (ICE) contact details from all ride participants including pillion passengers and those traveling by car, etc. The Lead Rider may delegate the action of collecting ICE numbers but retains responsibility. The Lead Rider shall ensure the Rear Rider is in possession of a copy of the ICE numbers at the beginning of the ride.

 

Responsibilities of Rear Rider:

  1. Where there are Guests, the rear rider will monitor their riding competencies and provide feedback to the Guest and/or Club officials where necessary.
  2. Assist at an incident and if necessary send a corner marker to inform the Lead Rider details of the incident.
  3. Carry a list of Members and Guests ICE contact numbers provided by the Lead Rider.

 

Responsibilities of Club Officials:

  1. Where a Club member and/or Guest is observed behaving dangerously, consuming alcohol or using an unroadworthy vehicle during an official ride activity, participating Club official(s) shall caution the rider at the first possible occasion.  In the case of intoxication or unroadworthy motorcycle, the Club official(s) will direct the rider to stop participating in the ride.  The Club official(s) shall report the details of the incident to the Club Captain and/or Committee.
  2. The Committee reserves the right to terminate the Membership of any Member reported more than three times in any calendar year.

 

 

Communication

 

The Policy and Procedures are available to Club Members in electronic format via the Club web site or in hard copy. It is the responsibility of individual Club Members to familiarize themselves with the Club Policy and Procedures. A summarised version of the Club Policy and Procedures will be verbally delivered to Guests at the start of each official ride. The Club Committee will inform the Club Members of any changes to the Policy and/or Procedures in a timely manner.