Scouting Safety & Insurance
Planning for Safety - Every Leader's Responsibility
Scouting is exciting. We love Scouting because it is fun and adventurous, yet activities can be risky business if proper preparations and precautions are missed. Scouting safety is the responsibility of each and every adult leader in Scouting. By applying simple risk management principles you can reduce injuries:
1. Values and Culture: As a leader, you must value safety. All adult and youth leaders must discuss safety at EVERY unit meeting and every activity. A culture of safety is established when all risks are “owned” by the leaders and leaders and boys are held responsible for their own safety and the safety of others. The unit should identify and discuss all the risks associated with each activity.
2. Environment: You must respect your environment. Whether you are out at a mountain top, lakeside, or inside a building, you must look for hazards and be prepared for the unknown and unexpected.
3. Risk Assessment: With every adventure, list all the uncertainties that can ruin the outcome. The Guide to Safe Scouting can help.
4. Risk Treatment: With each risk identified in step 3, ask the troop the following questions:
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How can this uncertainty be avoided?
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What can we do to prepare for the uncertainty?
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What can we do to reduce the negative impact of uncertainty?
5. Continuous Monitoring: Set safety expectations of leaders and boys. Communicate those expectations. Monitor leaders and boys to make sure expectations are followed.
Leaders foster a safety culture by encouraging each member of the unit to be responsible for the safety of themselves and others, provide the resources and training necessary, and monitor the management of risk in every activity.
Sweet Sixteen of BSA Safety
As an aid in the continuing effort to protect participants in a Scout activity, the BSA National Health and Safety Committee and the Council Services Division of the BSA National Council has developed the "Sweet Sixteen" of BSA safety procedures for physical activity. These 16 points, which embody good judgment and common sense, are applicable to all activities.
Insurance
Scouting provides liability insurance for leaders and chartering organizations.
| File Name | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| CCC BSA 550 Accident & Sickness Insurance Plan | 2024 CCC BSA 550 Accident & Sickness Insurance Plan | Download |
| Incident Reporting Form | Use this form to report ANY incident or event of injury, illness, or property damage. This information is used by risk management volunteers and staff to identify and better understand specifi areas of risk and develop methods to minimize risk in the future. Return your completed form to robin.pittman@scouting.org | Download |
| Near Miss Reporting Tool | Use this form to report a 'near-miss' incident. A near miss does not result in injury, illness, or damage, by definition, but it had the potential to do so. This form is a tool to gather information. If an injury has occurred, use the incident reporting form. Return your completed form to robin.pittman@scouting.org | Download |