Posted By Lawrence Laing
Does anyone have much experience of assessing a gamekeeper, have been asked to look into it, been on the national gamekeepers website which is quite informative just wondered if anyone has hands on experience they can pass on.

Posted By Pete48
Lawrence, this link to HSE info is a good summary of most stuff. Some stuff is no longer commonly used but overall it is still a reasonable document.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg177.pdf
Gamekeepers are, by dint of their work, individually very resilient and self supporting. They will understand how to keep themselves, their ground, its inhabitants and the public safe. You don't say what the size of the organization is or the type of gamekeeping that is under review.Keeping covers a wide spectrum according to the geographical region and the game actually being kept. Some keepers work alone most of the time and others are part of a larger team of keepers.
Tread carefully and thoughtfully if you have no practical knowledge of keeping, I would recommend looking at why you have been asked to do this and if it is a case of getting the paper work in order, then you approach it from that point of view. Listen to the keeper and note the controls in place, then discuss anything that may arise.
Most keepers that I know are very good at what they do and understand far more about the practical application of H&S than the average H&S person.
Open or exploratory questions would be good if you feel that a particular area warrants further review, bold statements may get you into hot water or the nearest Disco (Land Rover style that is)
Good luck.

Posted By Bob Thompson CMIOSH
British Ascociation for shooting and consevation are a mine of knowlege. in real terms game keepers have the same sort of general hazards as farmers, eg use of equipment, chainsaws, strimmers tractors etc. COSHH will play a large part in the assessment eg disinfection of pens, use of psticides etc. as previously stated lone working, not forgetting stress. there is quite a high suicide rate in all branches of agriculture.

Think outside the box not just firearms.

Regards Bob