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:
WHO MIGHT BE HARMED? |
HOW MAY THE RISK BE ADEQUATELY CONTROLLED? |
WHAT FURTHER ACTION MAY BE REQUIRED? |
Review comments / review date |
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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 |
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 |
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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 |
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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. |
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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 |
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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 |
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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.'