Assessment carried out 3rd June 2024. To be reviewed annually by the committee.
Nevis Canoe Club Risk assessment | ||
---|---|---|
Hazards. Who might be harmed and how? | Level of Risk – likelihood and consequence | Control actions, by who and when? |
Loading and unloading kayaks from vehicles. | ||
Passing traffic may injure participants. | High: risk of serious injury. | Choose unloading area away from traffic. Unload on side away from traffic. Post a guard to warn of passing vehicles. |
Heavy lifting can cause back strains. | Medium | Work in pairs. Use boxes or steps which are stable. Use correct lifting techniques. |
Poor roof rack equipment and/or tying on. | High: risk of serious road traffic incident or injury. | Driver is responsible for using good equipment and technique. |
Launching and landing | ||
Slips on jetties and seaweed covered rocks | High: risk of broken limb, hip, wrist, etc. | Choose a sandy or fine shingle beach. Avoid steep loose rock banks or rip rap. Use paddle for support! Slide boats if possible or use trolleys. |
Launching or landing in surf | High: risk of capsize, possible head or limb injury. | Use correct technique. Launch or Land one at a time. |
On the water | ||
Capsize | High risk, getting cold and wet or hypothermia. Boat gets waterlogged. Dislocated shoulder. | Practice heel hook rescue. Carry spare clothes including hat gloves and overcag. Check bouancy. Carry a pump and a towline. |
Getting blown offshore | Medium. | Check weather forecast. Stck together as a group. Carry PLB, Radio and phone. |
Getting swept away by tide or river current | Low. | Check tide times and range. Stay together as a group. |
Collisions | Low. | Aim to pass astern of other boats. Take care especially in rescues. |
Being hit by a paddle | Low. Can cause cuts and bruises. | Beware, especially in rescues, paddles have sharp edges. Take a first aid kit. |
Breaking or loosing a paddle | Medium: | Take a spare paddle and towline |
Loosing a hatch cover | Low: | Take a repair kit. |
Medical emergency | Low: | Take a first aid kit and a means of summoning help. |
Water hazards | ||
Rocks | Low to high: a capsize can result in injury | Wear a helmet. Paddling among rocks requires its own risk assessment |
Overhanging branches | High: capsize and entrappment especially in current | Avoid places where this is likely. Paddle midstream. |
Remote location | Medium: Communication likely to be poor, response likely to be delayed. | Take PLB, Radio and phone. Take bivvy bag, emergency food and clothing. |
Worsening weather | High: sudden strong winds can tire, demoralise, separate groups, cause capsizes. | Study forecast, have a plan B including safe landing zones, abandon or cancel. Use rafting and towing. |
Large waves, swell | Low: loosing visibility within group | Keep to group. |
Breaking waves, surf | High: Capsize near rocks or shelving beach. Split up of groups and capsizes in wind against tide conditions, or just strong wind. | Preplan trips with route, wind and tide conditions in mind. Avoid unintended adventures into breaking waves. Have practiced rescue drills in place. |
River or tidal currents | Medium: Capsize | practice manouvers in currents, ferry glide, entering and exit from eddies. |
Sunshine | Medium: sunburn, dehydration | Take a hat, sunscreen, and water. |
Night paddling | ||