Solihull Health & Safety

Notes

The course will commence outside the Canoe Club (///twig.hero.grapes) and follow the canal in a southerly direction (turning left from the get-in) travelling 2.5km to the turn (///landed.shakes.orbit). Make an anti-clockwise turn round the buoy then paddle back to the start, finishing by the club.
The route is a widened canal all the way, with some trees and reeds mostly on the eastern bank. Keep to the right in the event of meeting oncoming boats or on the approach to bends. Take extra care when passing through the straight at Copt Heath (1km from the start) where there are permanent moorings.
Be aware of other river users : Paddlers to pass on river right when going upstream or downstream. However, on bends a dynamic assessment of position is necessary. Give way to all motorised craft and courtesy to all other river users.
Please be aware of possible additional hazards on the way:
Anglers may be fishing from the towpath, keep to the centre of the channel as far as possible.
Hampton Lane (the road outside the club) is quite busy sometimes with traffic, so care is needed crossing the road if approaching from The Boat pub car park.
Do not drive down the towpath to the club. Spaces here are reserved for Aquapaddlers with Blue Badges and there is very little room to turn a vehicle round.
Canal water quality is never considered good as it is not freshwater so washing hands, and showering after paddling is highly recommended, especially before eating food. Alcohol gel is a useful addition to your paddle kit.
Anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated.
Emergency services should be directed to W3W ///nail.bolts.boots in the event of an emergency situation

Risk Assessment

Solihull risk assessment was reviewed by Julia Lawley (Captain) on 05 August 2024.

Off Water hazards

Hazard	Who is at risk?	Duration	Inherent risk	Residual risk	Control measures	Further action required
Boat and Manual Handling	Paddlers, 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 Parking	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 safely so as not to obstruct access routes. Club 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. Road crossing at zebra where available or when/where indicated by any marshals. Take care to keep equipment clear of other car park users when moving around.	The car park is also accessed by other users. AquaPaddle Crew are to wear high-visibility clothing to ensure the cars can see the marshals.
Road crossing	Paddlers, Spectators	Minority	Remote chance of a Serious incident	Remote chance of a Serious incident	Ensure Paddlers check both sides of the road before crossing to the get in point	Make Paddlers aware of road crossing hazards.

On Water hazards

Hazard	Who is at risk?	Duration	Inherent risk	Residual risk	Control measures	Further action required	Notes
Collision with mooring buoys and other static objects	Paddlers	Constant	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Instructor and assistants to give clear guidance and path the avoid obstacles. At bridges give clearance to oncoming paddlers, make space for paddlers alongside, give way to narrowboats. Shout to make your intentions clear.	Review route regularly ensure Crew are fully trained.
Collision with other waterway users	Paddlers	Minority	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Paddlers instructed to be aware of other river users and how to take appropriate/avoiding action. Paddlers to pass on River right when going upstream or downstream. However, on bends a dynamic assessment of position is necessary.	All members of the group are to be informed as to possible other river users and locations, what to do when boats approach
Debris in water	Paddlers	Minority	Possible chance of a Lost Time incident	Remote chance of a Lost Time incident	Sweep of course before event to check for floating debris, remove if possible, mention in briefing if not removable but passable with care. Cancel event if debris causing obstruction which cannot be passed safely by paddlers (consider informing CRT if present hazard to other canal users).	Check debris clear before next event planned
Effect of Hot, Cold and wind from Weather and Environmental	Paddlers, Spectators, Crew	Constant	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Captain and Location Safety Team to assess the weather before getting on the waterway.	The event is to be cancelled if not considered safe. Captain should consider instructing participants to bring: drinking water, hats, sunscreen, windproof clothing, or extra layers as appropriate
Environment	Paddlers, Spectators, Crew	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 and steer clear of any floating rubbish, which is to be cleared from pitches before use.	Captains, Crew and 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.	Slow moving narrowboats are commonly passing along this waterway, some are hired and the crew may be inexperienced. Ensure that the narrowboat crew have seen and acknowledged you before attempting to overtake.
Flow rate / Levels on Rivers and Canals - Paddlers, boats and, craft could get washed downstream into hazards	Paddlers	Minority	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Improbable chance of a Minor incident	Canal level to be assessed before getting on the canal by sight	No paddling if there is any doubt about a safe water level. The AquaPaddle event is to be cancelled.
Hazard from prevailing wind and weather conditions	Paddlers, Crew	Minority	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Events will not operate over 18 mph standing wind (depending on the wind direction) on the southerly course. The safe northerly route can be used if agreed upon by the Event Safety Team (Captain, Time Lord and experienced on-water Crew Member). If any part of the canal is reported to have ice present, event to be cancelled.	Assess by Captain, check weather forecast. If thunderstorms occur after an event has begun, ask the Paddlers to return to a safe area on the bank, if there are less than 7 seconds between the lightning flash and the thunder. This follows the BC guidance.
Polution and risk of infection	Paddlers, Crew	Constant	Improbable chance of a Serious incident	Improbable chance of a Serious incident	Advised to wash hands with hot water and soap before eating or drinking and shower at the end of the event, especially after immersion and made aware of flotsam.	Crew to assess waterway condition on the day. Avoid intentional capsizes in poor conditions
Wildlife	Paddlers	Minority	Possible chance of a Minor incident	Possible chance of a Minor incident	Brief Paddlers about approaching wildlife especially nesting birds, and maintaining a safe distance whenever possible. ‘If it's free, let it be’	Ensure Crew relay information to the AquaPaddlers.

Medical hazards

Hazard	Who is at risk?	Duration	Inherent risk	Residual risk	Control measures	Further action required	Notes
Hazard from slipping or tripping	Paddlers, Spectators, Crew	Constant	Possible chance of a Minor incident	Possible chance of a Minor incident	Brief Crew and AquaPaddlers on the danger of slipping and tripping at all entry and exit points if necessary. Paddlesport is an 'assumed risk' sport. First Aiders are part of the AquaPaddle crew.	Briefing/checklist of Crew used at start of the session.
Hypothermia / Hyperthermia	Paddlers	Constant	Possible chance of a Minor incident	Possible chance of a Minor incident	AquaPaddlers to be given info about appropriate dress, event to be cancelled if below 4 degrees ambient temperature	Carry foil blanket (if the instructor sees fit). Follow standard First Aid guidelines. Make sure the AquaPaddlers are out of the water and taken to an appropriate assembly/exit point and call for emergency assistance if need be.

General hazards

Hazard	Who is at risk?	Duration	Inherent risk	Residual risk	Control measures	Further action required	Notes
Safeguarding		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 Captain/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.