HEALTH AND SAFETY

Risk Areas and Threats while Hashing

In view of ever more ludicrous legal actions taken by half witted opportunists against the providers of leisure activities we feel obliged to warn you of the dangers that you, your friends, your children, your pets and your property may be exposed to while hashing and ask that you come to the hash suitably equipped with whatever protective clothing and survival equipment you consider necessary to protect yourself while pursuing this dangerous sport. The Elgin Hash accepts no responsibility for anything, anytime. For those of you new to the countryside you should be especially aware of ticks which despite their size are a serious hazard to your health. Here are some possible threats to your potential enjoyment.
Risk Area	Threats	Information
Car Park	Cars, Dogs,	Watch out for late hashers and unpredictable pooches.
Trails	Motor Bikes, Mountain Bikes, more Dogs, Timber Lorries, Horses	Many other users of trails and forests can appear suddenly so be prepared.
Forests	Forest Machinery, Timber Stacks, even more dogs	Don't play with forest machinery or climb timber stacks
Mountainsides in Winter	Cold	Hashing will keep you warm if you run; if you stop for a chat you may get hypothermia, die of exposure or be avalanched.
Vegetation	Ticks, Funghi (Mushrooms), small dogs	Ticks are microscopic specks lurking in the undergrowth ready to attach to any passing hasher. Once on your clothes they will seek out your warmest places where they will bite into your flesh and suck out your blood. There there is a real danger that, if you let them gorge themselves silly they will grow to the size of a ladybird and may spread infection to you - especially if you give them a friendly squeeze! Lyme's disease is a particularly nasty possibility and it's on the increase - read this:! http://www.hpa.org.uk/hpa/news/articles/press_releases/2007/070321_lyme.htm All countryside users should carry out tick checks as soon as practicable after repatriation to suburbia. Funghi: There is no easy way of finding out which Funghi are edible so don't eat them on the hash or you may die before you get to the On Inn. http://www.nifg.org.uk/edible_fungi.htm
Anywhere	Midges, Capercaillie, Barbed wire fences	Midges can drive you mad so keep moving. Capercaillies will give you a nasty peck if you come near them in the breeding season Barbed wire fences rip your clothes and skin and rusty ones might give you tetanus.
Down Downs	Communicable diseases	Drinking from un-sterilised utensils may be bad for your health. Dog faeces carry many germs. If a child plays where a dog has fouled, they could become very ill and, in extreme cases, become blind.

ON INN