Liverpool Health & Safety

Notes

This Risk Assessment may be required to be read in conjunction with other Aquapaddle/FOACCL documents.

Task Description: Safe Paddlesport and associated activities for all involved.

Location of Task: On water and off water activities at the Collingwood Dock venue and dock complex.

Personnel Involved: Paddlers, Spectators, Crew

Duration of Task: For the duration of the event.

Overall Control Measures: Aquapaddle and Club Documents and Policy’s currently in force; British Canoeing associated mandated Policy’s.

Risk Assessment

Liverpool risk assessment was reviewed by Jack (Captain) on 12 March 2024.

General hazards

Hazard	Who is at risk?	Duration	Inherent risk	Residual risk	Control measures	Further action required
All Activities	Paddlers, Spectators, Crew	Constant	Remote chance of a Major incident	Improbable chance of a Minor incident	Participants must comply with AquaPaddle/Club Policies and therefore with certain British Canoeing Policies	Ongoing continual review that all conditions are being observed and adhered to by Crew. Ensure each member/visitor has access to a current copy of the AquaPaddle/Club Policies, via the website.
First Aid / Injuries	Paddlers, Spectators, Crew	Constant	Probable chance of a Minor incident	Improbable chance of a Minor incident	Paddlesport is an “assumed risk sport”. There will be a designated First Aid AquaPaddle/club official on site.	All Crew are qualified first-aiders. All injuries should be reported on the incident report. Means of contact for emergency services to be available at the venue. Defib is available on site.
Personnel Limitations	Paddlers, Spectators, Crew	Constant	Probable chance of a Lost Time incident	Improbable chance of a Minor incident	Limitations for water activities are as per AquaPaddle and Club Safety (Cover) Policy. People on the pontoons are to be kept to a minimum – only officials are permitted access. Unless there is an exceptional event there are no land restrictions on personnel.	For the event if there are officials for that event the referees/captain/crew/timelord are to ensure that the water activities under their control are safe, paddlers are to follow the instructions of the referee/officials in all safety matters without question.
Safeguarding	Paddlers, Spectators, Crew	Minority	Possible chance of a Lost Time incident	Improbable chance of a Minor incident	All members and people on our site agree to follow our AquaPaddle/Club Policies and procedures, of which safeguarding and code of conduct is one of them. An Event Safeguarding Officer is to have oversight over the Safeguarding of the event.	Crew and other Volunteers who have regular contact with U18 are to be DBS checked and attend a safeguarding course.
Safety Cover	Paddlers	Majority	Probable chance of a Major incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Paddlers are to either have a coach present or be in a minimum number of three that are at the standard to selfrescue and rescue others; one person is aged over 18 or a coach (Land or Water) is in the vicinity. Compliant with the AquaPaddle/Club Safety Policy. The Event Safety Officer is to have oversight over the Health And Safety of the event.	British Canoeing Awards set an appropriate level for standards, such as 2 Star, Explore awards and higher. However other factors can be taken into account such as experience, competition level and paddlers being at the standard that to self-rescue and rescue others, during paddling on the water.

Off Water hazards

Hazard	Who is at risk?	Duration	Inherent risk	Residual risk	Control measures	Further action required
Boat Stores	Paddlers, Spectators, Crew	Minority	Possible chance of a Minor incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Boats are to be in a safe manner. Boats are to be lifted safely following manual handling techniques.	Were it possible for two people to lift boats onto racking. Juniors are not to enter boat stores unsupervised.
Boat and Manual Handling	Paddlers, Spectators, Crew	Briefly	Probable chance of a Lost Time incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	If carrying a boat alone, paddlers are to ensure it is within the limits of their limitations and experience.	All paddlers are advised that two people should lift boats at least. Failure to do so could lead to injury.
Car Park	Paddlers, Spectators, Crew	Minority	Probable chance of a Major incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	People are to be made aware of traffic within parking areas. Vehicles are to park in a safe manner as not to obstruct access routes. Officials are to control cars in the venue at the start and the end of the event when the traffic flow requires it. Cars are to adhere to the speed limit of 5mph during the event.	The car park is also accessed by other users. Officials are to wear high-visibility clothing to ensure the cars can see the marshals.
Changing rooms	Paddlers, Crew	Minority	Possible chance of a Minor incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Changing rooms are to be kept tidy to prevent trips and falls.	No food waste is to be left within changing rooms.
Maintenance activities	Crew	Minority	Probable chance of a Serious incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Maintenance activities are to be completed by competent people. 110Volt Power tools to be used	Dynamic risk assessments are to be completed by the person completing the work.
Meeting Room	Paddlers, Spectators, Crew	Minority	Possible chance of a Minor incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Meeting room is to be kept tidy to prevent trips and falls. Juniors are not allowed near hot water urns. Bins are to be emptied and rubbish disposed of within the club waste skip.	Juniors are to be supervised in the meeting room.
Spectating	Spectators	Majority	Probable chance of a Minor incident	Improbable chance of a Minor incident	Spectators are not to encroach over the perimeter fencing or water's edge. Instructions will be issued. On-site induction.	Officials to monitor and advise the spectators when they are not acting in the best manner.
Tripping or Slipping on access steps or pontoons. (see also Drowning - Medical section)	Paddlers, Spectators, Crew	Minority	Possible chance of a Lost Time incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Advised to wear suitable wet footwear with a non-slip sole, or training shoes, when using the access steps to the pontoons and whilst stepping on and off the pontoon bridges. Pontoon walking surface wood is specific non-slip construction. But care needs to be exercised to avoid algae or, bird deposits etc. particularly when wet.	Ongoing Housekeeping Maintenance to ensure the minimum build-up of growth or droppings by Officials when the risk is increasing. Ongoing continual review that all conditions are being observed and adhered to by Officials.
Viewing Area	Paddlers, Spectators, Crew	Minority	Possible chance of a Minor incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	The viewing area is to be kept tidy to prevent trips and falls. Both access doors are to be open to allow access and escape routes. Doors are to be tied back in windy conditions.	At least one shutter is to be open to allow viewing of any incidents on the water.

Event Specific hazards

Hazard	Who is at risk?	Duration	Inherent risk	Residual risk	Control measures	Further action required
Catering – Food / Drink	Crew	Constant	Probable chance of a Serious incident	Improbable chance of a Lost Time incident	Officials involved in food handling/preparation are to ensure they are hygienic. There is to be a Official present with a suitable food safety qualification to ensure high standards are adhered to. Officials are to ensure all food is well cooked/prepared.	A Fire Extinguisher is to be in the vicinity for the Official in the event of a fire. Officials are to be briefed regarding the environmental risks at the event.
Changing	Paddlers, Crew	Majority	Probable chance of a Minor incident	Improbable chance of a Minor incident	Adequate changing facilities for Male and Female is to be available – if alternative changing facilities are required paddlers to inform Officials. AquaPaddle/Club Safeguarding rules apply to all visitors – specifically regarding the Changing Room Guidance/Rules.	If required gazeboes can be erected to provide changing room space for event paddlers with separate genders.
Event Contact Point	Paddlers, Spectators, Crew	Constant	Probable chance of a Lost Time incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	There is to be an event contact point for all matters for the event. This is usually going to be the “Control Portacabin” which is the portacabin closest to the main water access ramp. Or it will be the “Time Lord” who is at the Start/Finish Line.	There is to be a first aid box available at this location, also this is to be the point of contact point for the First Aider, Event Safety officer and the Event Safeguarding Officer – these roles may all be one person.
Toilets	Paddlers, Spectators, Crew	Briefly	Probable chance of a Major incident	Improbable chance of a Minor incident	Toilets are to be provided for the event and are to be cleaned to a suitable hygienic standard before the event and stocked with the essentials.	Through the event and post event Officials are to ensure the facilities are kept hygienic and stocked with necessary essentials. All Participants to ensure they clean after themselves to ensure hygienic standards do not fall.

Medical hazards

Hazard	Who is at risk?	Duration	Inherent risk	Residual risk	Control measures	Further action required	Notes
Drowning. (see also Safety Cover - Off Water Section )	Paddlers, Spectators, Crew	Majority	Remote chance of a Major incident	Improbable chance of a Lost Time incident	Paddlers are required to be able to swim and wear a buoyancy aid on the water. Sole people on shore or pontoons must wear buoyancy aids if there are no other people in the vicinity. Site induction, visitors are to be advised of any danger areas.	Life Buoys & throw lines are available on shore or the dock wall for people to throw to the causality when a person needs assistance. Paddlers are to either have a Coach present or be in a minimum number of three that are at the standard to self-rescue and rescue others; one person is aged over 18 or a Crew (Land or Water) is in the vicinity with a throw line if on land. For the event, the Officials are to ensure that water activities under their control are safe, and paddlers are to follow the instructions of the Officials in all safety matters without question.
Hypothermia / Hyperthermia	Paddlers	Minority	Probable chance of a Serious incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Paddlers will wear appropriate clothing. If any paddler complains of being cold, or appears to show any signs of hypothermia, the Officials will remove them from the paddling area to get dry and put on appropriate clothing.	Hot food and drinks available in the vicinity to assist in boosting the body temperature of the causality when still showing hypothermic signs. Proximity of facilities taken into account for the causality when required to move to a warmer location. Mobile phones available to summon help for the causality when signs are not improving.

On Water hazards

Hazard	Who is at risk?	Duration	Inherent risk	Residual risk	Control measures	Further action required
Entrapment	Paddlers, Crew	Briefly	Possible chance of a Major incident	Improbable chance of a Lost Time incident	Paddlers are to either have a Coach present or be in a minimum number of three that are at the standard to self-rescue and rescue others; one person is aged over 18 or a coach (Land or Water) is in the vicinity. Spray decks are to be appropriate for kayaks. Paddlers are to be competent to wear a spray deck if one is used.	British Canoeing Awards set an appropriate level for standards, such as 2 Star, Explore awards and higher. However other factors can be taken into account such as experience, competition level and paddlers being at the standard that to self-rescue and rescue others, during paddling on the water.
Environment	Paddlers	Constant	Possible chance of a Serious incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Paddlers are to be aware of other water users and keep away from powered craft Paddlers are to be aware of wildlife on and surrounding the water system. Steer clear of any floating rubbish, which is to be cleared from pitches before use.	Captains, Crew, Coaches, Leaders, Experienced Paddlers, are to stay vigilant and ensure they have a plan to get to safe water at all times to mitigate the risks when they occur.
Launching / Landing Areas and Sides	Paddlers, Crew	Minority	Probable chance of a Serious incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Paddlers are to use the primary Launching area at our ramp, paddlers are not to exit on pontoons unless required to fulfil official duties for the event. When embarking and disembarking from the water from a Kayak, Canoe, or SUP ensure that care is used with help if necessary, using the correct technique. Crew are to be inducted to location of safe evacuation locations.	Standing in SUPs is prohibited when within falling distance to an object – including walls. Kneeling when embarking and disembarking the SUP. Helmets to be used for SUPs. Emergency escape ladders are located at the end of pitch 2, near to ramp access and along the dock wall.
Water Quality	Paddlers	Constant	Possible chance of a Serious incident	Improbable chance of a Minor incident	Water quality is regularly monitored and the results are held with the Responsible Authority	Paddlers are to report any concerns to Officials for the Officials to contact the Responsible Authority to raise the concerns.