Northwest Trail Alliance (hereinafter NWTA) is doing everything we can to facilitate a safe return to trail activities and to protect the safety and health of the public as well as our volunteers. To this end we will be following guidance from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) as well as other local volunteer organizations and local land management agencies with regards to enhanced safety protocols and social distancing guidelines. Details on those protocols are included below. BY SIGNING THIS FORM YOU ARE RELEASING NWTA AND LAND MANAGERS FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY IN THE EVENT YOU ARE INJURED OR KILLED WHILE PARTICIPATING IN ANY PROJECT SPONSORED BY NWTA, AS WELL AS FOR ANY POTENTIAL EXPOSURE TO AN ILLNESS OR DISEASE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, NOVEL CORONAVIRUS OR COVID-19. I wish to participate in projects sponsored by NWTA and I hereby acknowledge that said organization is doing everything they can to protect the public as well as myself as a volunteer. To this extent I agree to follow NWTA’s procedures for social distancing and enhanced safety protocols to reduce the spread of COVID-19. By signing below, I agree to comply with the written instructions included below. Failure to comply with these written instructions or verbal instructions from crew leaders may result in my volunteer privileges being removed and I may be asked to leave the premises. In consideration of my being allowed to participate in activities sponsored and organized by NWTA, I HEREBY WAIVE ANY AND ALL CLAIMS AGAINST NWTA; including its officers and directors, event leaders, members, and agents; arising out of my participation in such events. I intend that this waiver also be binding on, and prohibit claims by, my heirs, executors and administrators. I recognize and understand that volunteering or participating in these events are inherently dangerous and involve some risk, that accidents occasionally occur during such events, and that as a participant in such events I might sustain property damage, personal injury, and/or death. I FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY AGREE TO ASSUME SUCH RISKS AND HOLD NWTA HARMLESS, which through its participation, negligence or carelessness might otherwise be liable to me for damages. I understand that many rides and trail work are outside of cell phone coverage, and that event leaders may be neither professional guides, nor bicycle mechanics, nor possess any medical training, but are acting only in the capacity of coordinating trail work and rides for the voluntary participation of participants. I further understand that the decision of how and when and whether to proceed is solely up to me and I am under no obligation to follow instructions from anyone if I believe it is unsafe to do so, including suggestions as to which routes to take. Routes taken during NWTA rides or trail work may be dangerous and no representation is made that any ride is in any way certified as safe. MINORS The undersigned parent/natural guardian does hereby represent that he/she is in fact acting in such capacity, that they are freely and voluntarily allowing their minor child to participate in this event organized by Northwest Trail Alliance (hereinafter NWTA). In consideration of the minor being allowed to participate in activities sponsored and organized by NWTA the undersigned waives any and all claims against the organizers; including its officers and directors, event leaders, members, and agents; arising out participation in such events. The undersigned intends that this waiver also be binding on, and prohibit claims by, heirs, executors and administrators. The undersigned recognizes and understands that these activities involve some risk, that accidents occasionally occur during such events, and that as a participant in such events the participant might sustain property damage, personal injury, and/or death. The undersigned agrees to freely and voluntarily assume such risks and hold the organizers NWTA harmless, which through its participation, negligence or carelessness might otherwise be liable for damages. Undersigned also agrees and authorizes NWTA, in its sole discretion, to use any photographs, audio, and/or video recordings of participant taken during the activity for promotional purposes in any manner deemed appropriate by NWTA, and hereby waives any and all claims thereto, including, but limited to, any claim for compensation. NWTA COVID Trail Work Protocols Pre-Screening of Participants - Any participant that answers “Yes” to any of the following will not be allowed to participate: 1. Are you experiencing any of the following symptoms: Cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing? Have you experienced these symptoms in the last two weeks? 2. Are you experiencing at least two of the following symptoms: Fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, or new loss of smell or taste? 3. Is anyone in your household suspected or diagnosed with COVID-19? 4. Have you had a positive COVID test in the last month? All volunteers/participants considered at higher risk2 should make their own decisions regarding whether or not to participate. Vulnerable populations include: individuals 65 years and older, and/or have any of the following conditions including chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma, serious heart conditions, immunocompromised, severe obesity, diabetes, chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis, and/or liver disease. Face Coverings - Fully vaccinated volunteers/participants are no longer required to wear a face mask. We strongly recommend unvaccinated volunteers/participants wear a face mask per Statewide Reopening Guidance1. Social Distancing - Fully vaccinated volunteers/participants are no longer required to socially distance. We strongly recommend unvaccinated volunteers/participants maintain the recommended minimum physical distancing of 6’ per Statewide Reopening Guidance1. “Sign-In and Safety Orientation”3 - All participants must sign a waiver form prior to the event that outline: the risks of coronavirus, the steps being taken by NWTA to protect our volunteers/participants, and the safe behavior expected of them while on trail. All volunteers will be required to participate in a safety protocol orientation the morning of the event. LSTs should be prepared and understand that they might have “drop outs” due to volunteers/participants finding they have an abrupt onset of symptoms. Any participant who repeatedly does not follow the required safety guidance will be asked to leave. 1 Per Statewide Reopening Guidance — Masks, Face Coverings, Face Shields (Effective Date: May 18, 2021): https://sharedsystems.dhsoha.state.or.us/DHSForms/Served/le2288K.pdf 2 https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-at-higher-risk.html 3 Specifically for event types that normally require sign in, such as trail work. Not required for social events. Document Revision D (July 6th, 2021) |