Operation BigMow

The club will be clearing overgrown areas of the flying field to extend the usable grassed runway and overshoot areas.

This work is being carried out as a flying safety improvement.

The additional mown area will:

Provide a wider landing and take-off area
Improve safety margins during cross-wind conditions
Reduce ground loops and nose-overs
Improve go-around safety
Reduce risk of model damage and loss in long vegetation
Improve pilot visibility of low approaches

This is a controlled working party and not an informal gardening session. All participants must follow this safety brief.

Daily Schedule

07:30 – 11:00 Normal club flying (standard club rules apply)
11:00 Flying stops / field closed
11:00 Volunteers sign-on
11:05 Mandatory safety briefing
11:15 Work teams deployed
17:00 Planned finish and clear site

Flying may take place as normal before 11:00.

No cutting, strimming or vegetation work will begin until:

The airfield has been declared closed, and
Participants have signed on and attended the safety briefing.

Airfield Closure Procedure

At 11:00 sharp:

All aircraft must land
Transmitters switched off
Batteries disconnected in the pits
Pilot box and runway checked clear
Coordinator announces “FIELD CLOSED”

After closure, no model flying, testing, taxiing or engine running is permitted while work is in progress.

The field will only reopen once:

All machinery is shut down
Debris cleared
Coordinator declares “FIELD OPEN”

Supervision & Responsibilities

Each day the club will appoint:

Working Party Coordinator – overall control
Safety Lead / First Aider
Tool Team Leaders

All volunteers must sign in and out.

Do not start work until allocated a task area.

Key Hazards (Model Flying Site)

Please be aware of:

Rotating propellers (electric and IC models)
Lithium battery fire risk in the pits
Moving vehicles accessing the site
Strimmers and mower blades
Flying debris from cutting
Hidden metal, wire or stakes in vegetation
Uneven ground, rabbit holes and soft sand
Brambles and thorns
Manual handling injuries
Members of the public and dogs

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Mandatory for all workers

Sturdy boots (no trainers)
Long trousers
Work gloves
Eye protection

Mandatory for powered tool operators

Hearing protection
Eye/face protection as appropriate
Heavy-duty gloves

Anyone not properly equipped will be assigned non-tool tasks.

Tools & Equipment Rules

Powered equipment includes:

Strimmers / brush cutters
Lawnmowers
Hedge cutters

Hand tools

Rakes
Wheelbarrow

Rules:

Only competent persons may operate powered tools
Maintain a minimum 10 metre exclusion zone
Never approach an operator without eye contact and acknowledgement
Stop engines before adjustments or clearing jams
Refuel only in the designated area with engines cold
No smoking near fuel
Equipment must be in safe working order

Alcohol or drugs: participation not permitted.

Personal Equipment & Volunteer Participation

Members are welcome to bring their own strimmers, brush cutters and hand tools to assist with the work.

Please note:

All work is undertaken on a voluntary basis
Members choose to participate at their own discretion
Personal equipment is brought and used at the owner’s risk

The club cannot accept responsibility for loss, damage, mechanical failure or wear to privately owned tools or equipment.

Conditions of Use

Equipment must be in safe working condition
Suitable guards and safety features must be fitted
Correct fuel mix must be used where applicable
Only competent operators may use powered equipment
The Working Party Coordinator may stop any equipment being used if considered unsafe

The club reserves the right to refuse the use of any equipment that is defective, inappropriate, or operated unsafely.

By taking part in the working weekend, participants agree to follow the safety briefing and instructions given on the day.

Working Areas

Work will be limited to assigned zones to expand the safe flying and overshoot areas.

No cutting is permitted in:

Pits area while batteries are charging
Under pilot shelter
Storage container areas
Any area not allocated by the coordinator

Public Safety

The site may be used by walkers.

Stop machinery if a member of the public approaches
Politely warn them of active work
Keep debris clear of access routes
Do not leave tools unattended

Manual Handling

To avoid injury:

Use team lifting
Cut vegetation into manageable sections
Use wheelbarrows where possible
Take regular breaks

Stop immediately if you feel strain or pain.

Wildlife

If nests, burrows or animals are found:

Stop work immediately and inform the coordinator.

Work will be redirected to avoid disturbance.

First Aid & Emergencies

A first aid kit and first aider will be on site.

In an emergency:

Stop machinery
Make area safe
Inform coordinator
Call 999 if required

Location for emergency services:

For emergencies near Leisure Lakes (Mere Brow/Tarleton), dial 999 immediately for Ambulance, Police, or Fire. The closest major hospitals are Ormskirk District General Hospital (under 16s) and Southport and Formby District General Hospital (16+), both providing A&E services. For non-emergency medical advice, call 111.

Be prepared to give the exact location or entrance name to emergency services to ensure rapid response.

Key Emergency Services Near Leisure Lakes:

Emergency (Life-threatening): Dial 999
Police (Non-Emergency): 101
A&E (Children 15 & under): Ormskirk District General Hospital, Wigan Road, Ormskirk, L39 2AZ
A&E (Adults 16+): Southport and Formby District General Hospital, Town Lane, Kew, Southport, PR8 6PN
NHS 111: For urgent, non-life-threatening medical advice.
Fire & Rescue: Lancashire Fire and Rescue (Non-emergency: 01772 862545)

All injuries must be reported.

Weather Conditions

This work weekend is planned to proceed even in wet weather, as hired equipment is only available for these dates.

However, safety takes priority.

Work will continue in light or moderate rain, but activities may be modified (for example manual clearing instead of powered cutting).

The coordinator will stop or restrict activities if conditions become unsafe, including:

Very high winds affecting control of equipment
Thunderstorms or lightning
Excessively slippery ground
Poor visibility
Unsafe footing

Powered cutting equipment may be suspended while manual tasks continue.

The Working Party Coordinator’s decision is final and must be followed.

Refreshments

The club will provide basic refreshments during the day (tea, coffee and biscuits).

However, volunteers should bring their own food, drinks and any specific dietary items they may require, particularly for lunch.

Please also bring sufficient drinking water, especially if operating cutting equipment.

Regular breaks are encouraged — fatigue is a common cause of accidents.

What to Bring

Recommended:

PPE
Hi-vis vest (helpful)
Waterproofs
Drinking water
Packed lunch
Personal medication

Behaviour Expectations

Participants must:

Follow instructions
Not work alone in remote areas
Not use unfamiliar equipment
Look out for each other

Unsafe behaviour will result in work being stopped.

Completion of Work

The intention is to complete as much of the planned clearance as reasonably possible during the weekend.

Progress and benefit will be continually reviewed during the day. The Working Party Coordinator may decide to finish early if sufficient work has been completed, conditions deteriorate, or continuing would no longer provide meaningful improvement.

The decision to stop work at any time rests with the coordinator.

Thank You

Expanding the grassed area will directly improve landing safety in cross-wind conditions and help protect both pilots and models.

Your help supports the safe operation and future of Southport Model Aero Club.

No task is so important that it cannot be done safely.