BATH CANOE CLUB RISK ASSESSMENT: ALL COURSES, TRAINING AND TASTER SESSIONS HELD BY BATH CANOE CLUB ON THE STRETCH OF RIVER AVON ASSOCIATED WITH THE CLUBHOUSE (nominally between Bathampton and Bath town centre).

DATE CARRIED OUT:         March 2018             ASSESSMENT CARRIED OUT BY:       Mark Payne                                                                                                                                                              Training Officer

Approved by BCC Committee May 2018: 20180509BCC minutes Revised and accepted.pdf

Definitions / notes:

  • 1)     ‘novice’ is anyone whose paddling skills are less than BC 2-star standard in the craft they are in.
  • 2)      ‘helper’ in this document means an adult (over 18) who is deemed capable by the coach taking the session of recognising when someone is in trouble and effecting a quick rescue.
  • 3)     ‘relevant supervision’ for novices and under all 18s (regardless of skill level) means within sight and sound of a coach or helper at all times. For those adults of 2-star standard or above it will be down to the coach’s discretion.
  • 4)     Only persons approved by the BCC committee may lead sessions on behalf of BCC. This does not include use of the weir(s) unless specifically stated.
  • 5)     Any coach leading a session must be 18 years or older.

HAZARD AND RISK

WHO MIGHT BE

HARMED?

HOW MAY THE RISK BE ADEQUATELY CONTROLLED?

WHAT FURTHER ACTION

MAY BE REQUIRED?

Review comments

/ review date

DROWNING

Paddlers

Others

Wearing of buoyancy aid

Instruction in capsize procedures

Relevant supervision for participants

Advised to keep away from river bank

Ratio of no more than 6 participants per coach/helper.

For novices, at least 1 coach/helper to be on the water and ready to rescue, before the participants get on (unless bank-based coaching in which case coach must be ready to launch and rescue –see note in next column).

Coaches to carry basic safety kit including a tow-line/ throw-line.

Buoyancy aids tested annually

Induction sessions for beginners and

new members

Supervisors to ensure buoyancy aid

correctly fitted.

Regular checks on equipment during the

season.

If bank-based coaching, the coach must be wearing a buoyancy aid and helmet and have to hand a boat & paddle and any other equipment necessary in order to affect a speedy rescue or have a helper on the water who is ready to do same.

Coaches to carry a mobile phone to summon emergency services and be able to rely where they are on the river and nearest access point.

March 2019

HYPOTHERMIA

Paddlers

Advised on the correct clothing to wear.

Adjustment to clothing as required.

Coaches to refuse to take on the water participants with inadequate clothing for the conditions.

Continuous dynamic risk assessment.

Lead coach should carry a spare cag / poncho or similar item of clothing.

Consider taking a flask of warm drink if conditions are cold and capsize likely.

March 2019

SLIPS TRIPS AND

FALLS

Paddlers, Parents

Coaches & others

Regular maintenance of landing stages, river bank, steps and Club

House floors.

Persons new to the site to be informed of site specific risks, e.g. sloping section on river steps, low door & steps to basement.

Appropriate cleaning/maintenance

equipment available

March 2019

SPRAINS, STRAINS

AND SOFT TISSUE

INJURIES

Paddlers, Parents

Coaches & others

Trained to lift correctly

Ask for help

Encouraged to paddle correctly.

Paddlers advised to carry boats between 2 people or more for heavy canoes.

Ongoing training and regular checks of procedures

Appropriate checks on storage facilities.

Coaches and helpers to set a good example and not carry boats (even small ones) on their own.

Coaches to carry a basic first aid kit.

March 2019

HEAD INJURIES

Paddlers, Coaches

Helmets to be worn at all times whilst on the water and carrying boats between the basement and the river.

Coaches and helpers to set a good example and wear a helmet.

Coaches to carry a mobile phone to summon emergency services and be able to relay where they are on the river and nearest access point.

March 2019

POLLUTION AND

WATER QUALITY

Paddlers

Advised to wash hands with soap before eating or drinking and shower.at end of session, especially after immersion

Made aware of flotsam

Coaches to assess river condition on the day.

Avoid intentional capsizes in poor

conditions

March 2019

OTHER RIVER USERS

Paddlers and

other users

Paddlers instructed to be aware of other river users and how to take

appropriate/avoiding action.

Informed as to possible other river users

and location, what to do when tour boats approach

March 2019

WEIRS AND OTHER MAN

MADE FEATURES (e.g. bridges)

Paddlers

Coaches

Helmets and buoyancy aids (provide padding for the body) to be worn when paddling near structures.

Weirs must be avoided unless coaches are specifically approved to use them. See additional Risk Assessment for weirs below.

Coach to assess conditions on the day and avoid if not safe.

Appropriate skill and awareness training

March 2019

OVER HANGING TREE

OR STRAINERS

Paddlers

Coaches

Novices instructed to avoid overhanging / floating trees and reasons why explained to them.

Advised as to correct action in event of entanglement

Appropriate tree management on site.

Regular checks as part of on-site maintenance

Appropriate training for off-site visits

Coaches to carry a mobile phone to summon emergency services and be able to relay where they are on the river and nearest access point.

March 2019

WEATHER AND

ENVIRONMENTAL

Paddlers

Coaches

Coach to assess weather before getting on the river.

Session to be cancelled if not considered safe.

Coach should consider instructing participants to bring: drinking water, hats, sunscreen, windproof clothing, or extra layers as appropriate.

March 2019

RIVER FLOW RATE / LEVELS (Paddlers could get washed downstream / into hazards such as submerged trees)

Paddlers

Coaches

River level to be assessed before getting on the river.

Session to be cancelled if not considered safe.

At least 1 /coach helper to be on the water and ready to rescue, before the participants get on.

Before going further, Participants to paddle upstream to first bridge to gauge how well they cope.

March 2019







RISK ASSESSMENT SPECIFICALLY FOR THE USE OF PULTENEY WEIR AND WHERE APPROPRIATE BATHAMPTON WEIR

Note: this is to be used in conjunction with the general Risk Assessment for the Avon above (not in isolation).

HAZARD

WHO MIGHT BE

HARMED?

HOW MAY THE RISK BE ADEQUATELY CONTROLLED?

WHAT FURTHER ACTION

MAY BE REQUIRED?

Review comments

/ review date

GENERAL: WEIRS PRESENT MORE HAZARD THAN MOST OTHER STRETCHES OF THE RIVER

Paddlers

Coaches

Only coaches who are specifically approved to do so may lead sessions using the weirs. Other coaches must avoid the weirs and prevent participants going near them.

A minimum of 2 coaches / helpers is required per group.

Coaches to carry a mobile phone to summon emergency services and be able to relay where they are on the river and nearest access point.

March 2019

RIVER LEVEL AND FLOW

Paddlers

Coaches

Coach to assess levels and flow before going near the weir.

Coach to assess if there are any ‘stoppers’ or other hazards from visible flow patterns.

Coach to avoid the weir if unsafe or instruct participants as to which parts of the weir may be used/ not used.

Continuous dynamic risk assessment

March 2019

DROWNING

Paddlers

Coaches

At least one coach / helper should have a throwline ready to use.


March 2019

ENTRAPMENT

Paddlers

Coaches

Coaches to identify and point out any items likely to cause entrapment. These are likely to be debris and vary at each visit.

At least one coach / helper should have a throwline ready to use.

Coach to avoid the weir if unsafe or instruct participants as to which parts of the weir may be used/ not used.

Continuous dynamic risk assessment

March 2019

SLIPPING WHEN WALKING ON THE WEIR

Paddlers

Coaches

Advise everyone to be careful and not to run


March 2019

CAPSIZING GOING DOWN THE ROLLERS

Paddlers

Coaches

Controlling the launch and safety cover at the bottom

Helmets and buoyancy aids to be worn at all times.

Continuous dynamic risk assessment

March 2019

TRAPPING FINGERS IN THE ROLLERS

Paddlers

Coaches

Make people aware

Coaches to carry basic first aid kit

March 2019

SLIPPING WHEN WALKING UP OR DOWN THE ROLLERS

Paddlers

Coaches

Advise everyone to be careful and not to run.

Advise participants to walk to the side of, not on, the rollers.

Coaches to carry basic first aid kit

March 2019

CAPSIZING GOING DOWN THE WEIR

Paddlers

Coaches

Coach on the weir with throw-line ready and safety cover on the water.

Continuous dynamic risk assessment

March 2019

SEAL LAUNCH DOWN THE SIDE OF THE WEIR AND POSSIBLE CAPSIZE

Paddlers

Coaches

Coach on the weir with throw-line ready and safety cover on the water.

Continuous dynamic risk assessment

March 2019

JUMPING INTO THE RIVER FROM THE WEIR

Paddlers

Coaches

Check water levels are deep enough

Continuous dynamic risk assessment

March 2019






TOUR BOATS

Paddlers

Coaches to lead the group in and out of the area

Continuous dynamic risk assessment

March 2019

Additional guidance for Pulteney Weir

'A minimum of 3 coaches / helpers are needed for Pulteney weir: 1 in boat on water at the top, 1 in boat on water at the bottom, 1 standing on weir with throw line. All must be capable of conducting rescues efficiently in the craft they are in, or from the weir, as appropriate and have the appropriate safety equipment on them (throw lines slings etc). The lead-coach is responsible for ensuring these people are in place, are capable, are properly equipped and know their role for that session. The same applies to Bathampton weir except the third person is not needed as standing on the weir is not appropriate here.

On no account are coaches to allow pupils on 1* courses, or people on Taster sessions, to go down the middle of Pulteney weir.

The lead-coach must tell all people taken over the weir during courses/Tasters of the dangers of weirs and strongly advise them against going over without proper supervision.'


 

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