Welcome to this website on visitor and occupational safety issues in the historic built environment and countryside

Do you own or manage historic buildings, parks, gardens or

countryside sites that you open to the public?

Are you confident that you have adequately assessed the risks to your

employees and your visitors and have safety measures in place that are

reasonable and proportionate?

Do you think you have the right balance between safety and other objectives, e.g. conservation, public access or the visitor experience?

Do you think you have the right balance between the responsibility of the land owner/manager and the personal responsibility of the visitor?

Are all your assessments and safety arrangements in place for 2020?

Is your system for managing safety robust and fit for purpose? How do

you know this?

Fanad Head Lighthouse, Co. Donegal, 12th February 2020

Recent visits

23 Aug Rosslyn Chapel, East Lothian
23 Aug Rosslyn Castle, East Lothian (Landmark Trust)
26 Aug Plumpton Rocks, North Yorkshire

04 Sep Prestwold Hall, Leicestershire
11 Sep Cannock Chase, Staffordshire (VSG meeting)

07 Oct Kylemore Abbey, Co Galway
28 Oct Lowther Castle, Cumbria

05 Nov Prestwold Hall, Leicestershire
22 Nov Howthwaite, Cumbria (Landmark Trust)

02 Dec Brinkburn Mill, Northumberland (Landmark)
09 Dec Hartland Heliport, Devon (Landmark Trust)
10 Dec Bristol Temple Church (VSG meeting)
19 Dec Victoria Hotel / Dolbadarn Castle, Llanberis

11 Feb St John's Point Lighthouse, Co. Down
12 Feb Fanad Head Lighthouse, Co Donegal
13 Feb St John's Point Lighthouse, Co. Donegal

I work as an independent safety adviser specialising in visitor safety management in countryside and coastal environments and at parks, gardens, historic buildings and structures. I also cover occupational safety and health in these settings, and in the rural, conservation and charitable sectors. Complying with your legal duties under health and safety legislation whilst at the same time ensuring that the historic or special qualities of your land and buildings are not adversely affected by safety measures is not easy - it requires careful consideration and judgements to find the right balance. I can draw on nearly 30 years' experience as a qualified safety practitioner and manager, most of which was spent leading the health and safety function in the National Trust, one of the country’s largest conservation charities. I hope I can work with you to find practical solutions and help give you the confidence to make the right decisions.

Please explore the links on this page to see different sections of this website, and get in touch if you think my expertise could be of help or interest to you - please e-mail me at:
markdaniels@visitorsafety-touchofgrey.co.uk