Risk Assessment and Disclaimers

Risk Assessment and Disclaimers

There are many things to consider when contemplating spending the night in a dark, sometimes damp and dangerous location.  Which is why it’s imperative that you do a health and safety check beforehand! 

Among the list of things to look out for are:

• Electrical equipment / trailing cabling / badly maintained sockets

• Uneven / broken / unstable flooring

• Poor storage / rubbish piles / debris

• Potentially dangerous protruding / hanging overhead objects

• Low ledges / high drops

• Unsafe stairways / loose railings

• Unfinished renovation work being carried out

• Potential ‘out of bounds’ areas

• Hazardous materials

• Damp/dusty atmospheres

It’s a good idea to nominate a couple of your team to do this and it can be carried out during the set up time.  We have provided you with a form you can download to help you get started, but the more you do this the more you may find other things to add to your list or other ways which work better for you.  It’s also a good idea to find out from everyone who is going to be attending the investigation if anyone has any problems like asthma for example so you know what areas not to put them into.

Disclaimers

Along with completing your risk assessment it’s also a good idea to provide your team with a disclaimer to sign.  You can include anything on this form from accidents to personal belongings.  This would ensure that every member takes responsibility for themselves, their equipment and personal belongings and does not hold yourself or the venue responsible.  As a point of interest having a disclaimer on occasions has allowed us to gain entrance into locations that normally ask for insurance. 

Examples of disclaimer statements:

I ____________________ understand that (your paranormal group) wish to place film or photograph of me in their investigation report which may be put on their website, and/or recording of my voice as an EVP on their website and I am happy for this to go ahead. 

I ___________________ understand that this action may result in the general public recognizing me, and that the footage, photographs, investigation report and/or voice recording may be used again in the future. 

I ___________________ understand that I will take responsibility for my own personal belongings, health and safety at all times during (your paranormal group) investigations and at no time will hold (your paranormal group) or the venue responsible for any losses of personal belongings or injuries caused to myself.

Good luck!

© County Society for Paranormal Investigation and Research - 2008


Last Updated 27/07/2008