Alderford Lake Risk Assessment

Route Description & General Hazards

General Hazards

Although the event is not held during ‘peak’ hours, there may be other water users, including paddle craft, boats, and swimmers. Please keep a look behind from time to time to make sure you are not going to be in collision with another water user. If they are coming close, draw their attention to you, shouting and waving. Also move out of their way and if necessary, kneel down.

There are a number of jetties around the edges of the lake. Please give a few meters gap between your craft and the jetty.

There are entry/exit points all around the lake, which can be used in case of emergency.

Launch and Start Point

The Launch and Start Point is at the ‘Swimmers Hut’, past the Takeaway and Roller Disco. Head to the right as you go through Alderford Lake Admissions, and follow signage to this area.

The launch point is a gradual entry, however can become muddy and slippery. Take care entering the water and don’t rush.

Please give other AquaPaddlers space to enter the water and move around. Spread out across the whole entry point.

The Route

Head anti-clockwise around the lake. The lake does become shallow at the edge, so keep at least a few meters space from the bank. If on a SUP, kneel down if in shallow water.

Watch out for other water users, particularly those on paddle craft and swimmers. There may be a boat on the lake, but this will be a trained member of Alderford Lake staff.

The Aqua Park area is not included in the route, and is blocked off with a blue boundary line. Turn left when you reach this, past the Paddlesports area.

Once past the Paddlesports area, turn right into the small bay. Paddle around the buoy, and back out of the bay. From here, paddle straight back to the launch point.

Complete 5 laps to cover 5km.

Risk Assessment – Self Launch

Reviewed Date	06/02/2023
Next Review Date	06/02/2024
Assessed By	Danny Shuker
Consulted	Martin Tricker CMIOSH FRSPH MIIRSM TIFSM

Staff Requirements	First-aid trained staff available at all times. All staff must be familiar with the Normal Operating Procedures (NOP) and Emergency Action Plan (EAP).
Ratios	N/A

Hazards	Who Might be Harmed?	Significant Risks	Existing Controls in Place	Further Controls Needed
Deep Water	Customers   Staff	Drowning	All customers sign a waiver to confirm they have read and will comply with safety procedures.   Deep water signs placed around the lake.   Age rules and adult/child ratios must be followed.   Buoyancy aids are strongly recommended for all craft users.   Adults are strongly advised to accompany all children in the water, especially if it is their first time in open water or if they cannot strongly swim 50m.   Wetsuits are recommended and available to hire during the summer season.   Customers are advised not to participate alone, especially during winter.   Additional Lake Patrols may be added during peak times (e.g. summer holidays) from either a boat or paddle craft, by a rescue trained staff member.   Staff on Lake Patrols must wear a correctly fitting buoyancy aid or lifejacket.   Lifebuoys located around the lake.	Management to monitor that all staff comply with safe working practices.
Weather   Sun   High Winds   Thunder / Electrocution	Customers   Staff	Sunburn   Sun Stroke   De-Hydration   Electrocution   Drowning	Suncream is available for all staff members.   Water is available for all staff members.   Hats and sunglasses are advised for all staff members.   Staff to remain vigilant for signs of sunburn, sun stroke, and de-hydration.   Shaded areas provided in the area.   Sun cream available to purchase on site for customers.   Water points available on site for customers.   Procedure for high winds and thunder/lightning, including evacuation of the lake.	Management to monitor that all staff comply with safe working practices.
Cold Water	Customers   Staff	Cold Water Shock   Hypothermia	Staff to remain vigilant for signs of cold water shock and hypothermia.   Wetsuits are recommended and available for hire during the summer.   Wetsuits available to all staff.   Blankets kept in medical room.   Customers are advised not to participate alone, especially during winter.   Water temperature is regularly recorded and displayed in admissions.	Management to monitor that all staff comply with safe working practices.
Illness	Customers   Staff	Drowning   Illness   Fainting	Customers must not participate if they are not mentally or physically in good health in such a way that could put themselves or others at risk.	Management to monitor that all staff comply with safe working practices.
Slips, Trips, and Falls	Customers   Staff	Sprains   Strains   Fractures	All customers sign a waiver to confirm they have read and will comply with safety procedures.   Entry and exit points to the lake should be kept clear of equipment.   Staff must remain vigilant at all times.   Additional grip at entry and exit points provided using rubber matting.	Management to monitor that all staff comply with safe working practices.
Entrapment	Customers   Staff	Drowning   Fractures   Cuts	Staff must remain vigilant at all times.   Staff to visually check the lake on a regular basis for any object/debris that could result in entrapment.	Management to monitor that all staff comply with safe working practices.
Collisions with Paddles and Other Water Users	Customers   Staff	Unconsciousness   Bruising   Cuts	Staff to remain vigilant at all times and intervene if needed.   Swim-only area available during peak times (e.g. summer holidays) to provide an area without craft.	Management to monitor that all staff comply with safe working practices.
Weil’s Disease	Customers   Staff	Fever Stomach Problems	Participants are encouraged wash their hands as soon as possible after the activity.   Participants are encouraged to cover any cuts and avoid ingesting the lake water.	Management to monitor that all staff comply with safe working practices.
Water Quality	Customers   Staff	Illness	Equipment to be washed after use according to the NOP.   Water sampling to 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 lake closure.   Natural dye and bacteria added to the lake to clean pollutants and prevent the growth of algae.   Participants are encouraged wash their hands as soon as possible after the activity.   Participants are encouraged to cover any cuts and avoid ingesting the lake water.	Management to monitor that all staff comply with safe working practices.
Manual Handling	Customers   Staff	Sprains   Strains	Heavy equipment to be carried as little as possible.   Lift in groups when possible.	Management to monitor that all staff comply with safe working practices.
Sharp Objects In and Around Lake.	Customers   Staff	Cuts	Staff to wear suitable footwear.   Area to be checked by staff for litter including sharp objects.   Customers not permitted to bring glass onto site.   Drinks served in plastic cups by Hospitality.	Management to monitor that all staff comply with safe working practices.