Stockton Health & Safety

Notes

Initial risk assessment - for review by safety officer/safeguarding officer within the club.

Risk Assessment

Stockton risk assessment was reviewed by Colin Smith (Captain) on 07 March 2024.

General hazards

Hazard	Who is at risk?	Duration	Inherent risk	Residual risk	Control measures	Further action required	Notes
All Activities	Paddlers, 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 Policies, via the website.
Safeguarding	Paddlers	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. A minimum of one official at each event to have a valid DBS check.	Crew and other Volunteers who have regular contact with U18s are to be DBS checked and attend a safeguarding course.

Off Water hazards

Hazard	Who is at risk?	Duration	Inherent risk	Residual risk	Control measures	Further action required	Notes
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, strength 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 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.	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.
Changing rooms	Paddlers, Spectators, Crew	Minority	Possible chance of a Minor incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Changing rooms are to be kept as dry as possible and tidy to prevent slips, trips and falls.	External wc/shower to be checked before and after each event. No food waste is to be left within changing rooms.	Scheduled cleaning should be taking place at least weekly.
Tripping or Slipping on access steps or pontoons. (see also Drowning - Medical section)	Paddlers, 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 and whilst stepping on and off the pontoons. Pontoon walking surface is plastic construction, care needs to be exercised particularly when wet, icy and avoid bird deposits, sticks etc.	Ongoing housekeeping maintenance to ensure the minimum build-up of ice, sticks or droppings by AquaPaddle Crew when the risk is increasing. Ongoing continual review that all conditions are being observed and adhered to by AquaPaddle Crew.	Water level can be adjusted by the barrage staff, it should be level with the top of the rowing steps.

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	Minority	Remote chance of a Lost Time incident	Improbable chance of a Minor incident	Instructor and assistants to give clear guidance and path the avoid obstacles. Keep to from 5 and 10m of the banks to avoid the mooring buoys in the centre of the river. Turn buoys used to mark the course to be given a 1m gap to allow safe turning.	Review path/crossing annually and ensure Crew are fully trained. Marshals to indicate safe turn points to paddlers.
Collision with other waterway users	Paddlers, Crew	Majority	Possible chance of a Serious incident	Improbable 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. Marshals to indicate to paddlers of safe crossing of the river when other users are in the area.	All members of the group are to be informed as to possible other river users and locations, what to do when boats approach	Tees Rowing Club often approaches the Millennium Bridge at speed, this is just after the upstream turning point, so extra care to be taken at this point. It is also close to the launching point of Infinity Boat Club that may also be on the water on Sundays
Effect of Hot, Cold and wind from Weather and Environmental	Paddlers, Crew	Constant	Possible chance of a Lost Time 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	Wind conditions to be assessed first thing on the morning. The direction and strength of the wind will play a major factor in the ability of the paddlers to negotiate the turn at the Infinity bridge.
Environment - Debris	Paddlers, 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 debris, which is to be cleared from route before use where possible.	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.	Within 5m of the banks the water becomes shallow and sticks/trees can get lodged in the mud. Paddlers to keep 5m clear of the banks wherever possible.
Equipment Failure - board deflates while on the water - fall in and hit head or get injured, Leash Snaps causing them to come detached from their board if they fall in. Paddle snaps and unable to paddle back to launch point	Paddlers	Minority	Possible chance of a Major incident	Remote chance of a Serious incident	All equipment will need to be checked before launching into the water. Crew are trained in how to tow Paddlers if issues arise with boards. Dynamic risk assessment to be carried out on the water to monitor any issues that may arise with equipment.	Before Paddlers enter the water a visual check of all craft needs to be carried out	Both launch points to have cover by crew and checks to be made before launching, BAs and tether straps to be worn.
Flow rate / Levels on River - Paddlers, boats and, craft could get washed downstream into hazards	Paddlers, Crew	Constant	Possible chance of a Major incident	Improbable chance of a Minor incident	River level to be assessed before getting on the river by sight and through use of EA River gauges.	No paddling when the River flow rate over the barrage is higher than 100 cumecs. The AquaPaddle event is to be cancelled.
Other water users including power boats, sails, kayakers etc	Paddlers, Crew	Minority	Remote chance of a Serious incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Although engine should move for paddle ensure the group maintain a safe distance from other vessels where possible. Always move and keep clear of boats and other river users. Paddlers to keep a respectful distance from people fishing along the river. They are to be reminded to keep a minimum distance from the banks to avoid entanglement in lines or puncture of craft from hooks.	Conduct training with Crew. Check the times that the Teesside Princess will be on the water and moving through the route of the AquaPaddle.
Personnel Limitations	Paddlers, Crew	Minority	Probable chance of a Lost Time incident	Improbable chance of a Minor incident	People on the water taking part are to be kept within manageable numbers for safety cover. Paddlers are made aware of the options for stopping and leaving the event at safety briefing. Only officials and registered paddlers are permitted access from the launch point during event. Unless there is an exceptional event there are no land restrictions on personnel.	For the event the officials are to ensure that the water activities under their control are safe, paddlers are to follow the instructions of the officials in all safety matters without question.
Safety Cover	Paddlers, Crew	Majority	Probable chance of a Major incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Crew are to either have a Captain present or be in a minimum number of four Crew 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. Compliant with the AquaPaddle/Club Safety Policy. The Captain and or an 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. Event Captains are to be trained to British Dragon Boat Racing Association coaching Level1 or higher.	Consider coverage by Tees River Rescue if events become popular and booked by many people.

Event Specific hazards

Hazard	Who is at risk?	Duration	Inherent risk	Residual risk	Control measures	Further action required	Notes
Event Contact Point		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 “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.	Event contact point to be marked by AquaPaddle and TVD flags.
Safety Boat	Crew	Briefly	Remote chance of a Lost Time incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Safety Boat to be used for various activities or to transport Paddlers to river locations that are safely out of the wind/tidal pull if deemed necessary. Also, to be used in the event of an emergency. Only exceed the maximum manufacturer's limit in an emergency. Collisions are to be reported to AquaPaddle HQ and the local waterway Governing Body.	All EC Partners to have completed the RYA Powerboat level 2 qual. In-house Crew training to all other employees.	Safety cover provided by volunteers from Tees River Rescue, using TVD safety launch.
Toilets	Paddlers, 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. All Participants to ensure they clean after themselves to ensure hygienic standards do not fall.	Through the event and post-event club officials are to ensure the facilities are kept hygienic and stocked with essentials.	The outside WC at RWC can be used within the duration of each event, key access from the Captain or Timers

Medical hazards

Hazard	Who is at risk?	Duration	Inherent risk	Residual risk	Control measures	Further action required	Notes
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.	Crew has 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 with the Time Lord.
Weil’s Disease	Paddlers, Crew	Briefly	Remote chance of a Serious incident	Improbable chance of a Lost Time incident	Equipment is to be washed after use according to the NOP. If on static water, such as lakes and reservoirs, sampling should be carried out at regular intervals, including both micro and algae testing. Procedure in place for actions to be taken in the case of a poor water quality test, including Event Cancelation. Participants are encouraged to wash their hands as soon as possible after the activity. Participants are encouraged to cover any cuts and avoid ingesting the water.	Waterway owners are to monitor the water and publish the results so that all Crew can comply with safe working practices. All participants and crew to ensure hand washing takes place after paddling before ingesting any food or drink.	Hand sanitiser provided at the timer station.