Guiding Principles - Responsibility
It is important to strike a balance between user self-reliance and management intervention
The risk control matrix illustrates this principle in greater detail. Note that the matrix is only a framework to guide analysis. Adverse weather conditions can make activities in easy terrain more hazardous. It is also reasonable to expect higher levels of user self-reliance on land where no recreational facilities have been specifically provided but public access is a fact. For example, paths in such areas that have been created by informal use will not be to the standard that visitors might reasonably expect of paths built and managed on a formal recreation site.
It is reasonable to expect visitors to exercise responsibility for themselves
For example, it is reasonable to expect walkers in mountains to be equipped with waterproofs and suitable footwear. It is reasonable to expect horse riders to wear proper safety helmets.
It is reasonable to expect visitors not to put others at risk
For example, people hang gliding should not alarm horses. Horse riders should not gallop past people with toddlers and pushchairs.
It is reasonable to expect parents, guardians and leaders to supervise people in their care
For example, in stopping children rolling stones over cliff drops, in watching children near water. The result is that there may not be a need to erect signs forbidding rolling stones, or fences to prevent access to water (Note that the parent, guardian or leader may need to be informed of risks that lie out of sight).
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