SAFETY POLICY

WWKC undertakes to endeavour to do right voluntarily and to observe codes of safe practice that are applicable to a kayak club. It is our policy to create and maintain a safe and healthy place for recreation, and a safe environment for members training, instruction and guidance. The safety statement is in writing. The club has no memory and this will serve as a reminder to the committee and all club members as to what club policy is on safety. Club members shall be made aware of the hazards and risks, be able to identify them and to take necessary precautions. Kayaking is an adventure sport and members have a duty to act in a safe manner and to co-operate by:

  1. Taking reasonable care for their own safety, the safety of other club members and visitors
  2. Adhering in all circumstances to club rules and guidelines
  3. Wearing a helmet and buoyancy aid
  4. Reporting any dangerous incident including an accident, which causes or may cause an injury or damage.

CHAIR PERSON IS RESPONSIBLE FOR

  • Monitoring safety
  • Reviewing the plan as required
  • Ensuring committee members are aware of the policy

CLUB MEMBERS ARE REQUIRED TO

  • Be proactive on safety through their own behaviour
  • Avoid acts or omissions which may cause unsafe situations
  • Report defects in equipment or facilities to the site officer
  • Report any incidents of bullying or of inappropriate behaviour to the Children’s Officer
  • Co-operate with all arrangements
  • Members are required by law to wear buoyancy aids at all times
  • It is recommended that members wear a helmet at all times when paddling
  • Adhere to club rules
  • Breaches in these safety guidelines will be escalated to the committee and sanction may follow

RISK OF SERIOUS BODILY INJURY FROM

  • Fire
  • Scalding from Burco hot water boiler in kitchen

LOW RISK IN NORMAL USE

  • Risk of injury from trips or collisions
  • Risk of injury from slips in changing room

ARRANGEMENTS MADE

  • A place for everything in the office
  • No running
  • No smoking in the clubhouse
  • Dry changing room floors after use

RESOURCES PROVIDED

  • Fire extinguisher in kitchen
  • First aid kit in kitchen
  • Shelves in office
  • Rubbish bins
  • Mops in changing rooms
  • Non slip mats in changing rooms

RISK OF MINOR BODILY INJURY FROM

  • Manual Lifting Injury
  • Falling boats

ARRANGEMENTS MADE

  • Numbered boat spaces
  • Restricted access to owners of boat spaces
  • Restricted availability of boat spaces
  • No climbing on racking
  • Manual handling
  • Stand close to the boat
  • Bend your knees and keep your back straight
  • Grasp the boat firmly
  • Lift with your legs and not your back
  • Never lift a boat that is too heavy – get help

RESOURCES PROVIDED

  • Safe racking systems
  • Lights in boatsheds
  • Floor ladders for vertical racking systems

RISK OF MINOR INJURY

  • Slipping on pool bank
  • Low risk of fatal injury
  • Drowning

ARRANGEMENTS MADE

  • Access of boats to pool limited to 12
  • Pool officer at pool at all times
  • All participants in pool session must be able to swim
  • No running on pool bank
  • No horseplay

RESOURCES PROVIDED

  • Pool officer

RISK

  • Risk of minor injury
  • Risk of serious injury
  • Drowning
  • Risk of contracting Weils disease from contaminated water& river banks
  • Risk of exposure from cold / immersion in water
  • Night paddling

ARRANGEMENTS MADE

  • Members should paddle in groups of three or more
  • Buoyancy should be present in boat
  • Members are required by law to wear buoyancy aids at all times
  • WWKC recommends that all paddlers should wear helmets
  • ICU guidelines on instructor / pupil ratios adhered to
  • Soap is provided for members to wash hands inside club building in order to minimise risk of infection from Weils disease
  • Awareness campaign launched to raise members awareness of risk from Weils and measures that can be taken to minimise said risks
  • Members shouldMembers are required to wear clothing appropriate to the conditions in which they are paddling to manage the risk of exposure
      1. Maintain hygiene standards as high as possible when paddling
      2. Consuming or handling food while paddling is not recommended without disinfection first
      3. Avoid touching mouth / nose
      4. Ensure all cuts or abrasions are cleaned and dressed with water proof dressings
  • Night paddling is not recommended by WWKC, anyone paddling at night does so at their own risk

RESOURCES PROVIDED

  • 2 x First aid kits in kitchen of clubhouse (1 x fixed & 1 portable)
  • 1 x First Aid kit on ground floor next to ladies changing room with incident log sheets
  • 1 x CPR face mask
  • Lifebuoys at riverbank
  • Access to training in first aid
  • Access to training in rescue techniques

RISK

  • Risk of minor injury
  • Risk of serious injury
  • Drowning
  • Risk of contracting Weils disease from contaminated water& river banks
  • Risk of exposure from cold / immersion in water
  • Night paddling

ARRANGEMENTS MADE

  • Buoyancy should be present in boat
  • Members should paddle in groups of three or more
  • Members are required by law to wear buoyancy aids at all times
  • WWKC recommends that all paddlers should wear helmets
  • Soap is provided for members to wash hands inside club building in order to minimise risk of infection from Weils disease
  • Awareness campaign launched to raise members awareness of risk from Weils and measures that can be taken to minimise said risks
  • Members should
      1. Maintain hygiene standards as high as possible when paddling
      2. Consuming or handling food while paddling is not recommended without disinfection first
      3. Avoid touching mouth / nose
      4. Ensure all cuts or abrasions are cleaned and dressed with water proof dressings
  • Members are required to wear clothing appropriate to the conditions in which they are paddling to manage the risk of exposure
  • Night paddling is not recommended by WWKC, anyone paddling at night does so at their own risk

RESOURCES PROVIDED

  • 2 x First aid kits in kitchen of clubhouse (1 x fixed & 1 portable)
  • 1 x First Aid kit on ground floor next to ladies changing room with incident log sheets
  • 1 x CPR face mask
  • Lifebuoys at riverbank
  • Access to training in first aid
  • Access to training in rescue techniques

RISK

  • Risk of minor injury
    1. Falling from ladder
    2. Falling on concrete
  • Risk of serious injury
    1. Fire from petrol lawnmower
    2. Falling from ladder
    3. Cuts from lawnmower
    4. Cuts from electric hedge cutters
    5. Risk of traffic injury
  • Risk of contracting Weils disease from contaminated water& river banks
  • Slip hazard at quay

ARRANGEMENTS MADE

  • Cars not permitted at clubhouse
  • Motorcycles and bicycles to travel at minimal speeds when on clubhouse property
  • Petrol for lawnmower should not be stored on site.
  • Equipment brought on site by members should be safe to use
  • Ladders should be well supported before being used
  • Circuit breaker to be used with all power tools (main circuit breaker panel equipped with residual current detector (RCD circuit breaker))
  • Members advised to exercise caution, wear appropriate footwear and helmet around quay area
  • Soap is provided for members to wash hands inside club building in order to minimise risk of infection from Weils disease
  • Awareness campaign launched to raise members awareness of risk from Weils and measures that can be taken to minimise said risks
  • Members should
      1. Maintain hygiene standards as high as possible when paddling
      2. Consuming or handling food while paddling is not recommended without disinfection first
      3. Avoid touching mouth / nose
      4. Ensure all cuts or abrasions are cleaned and dressed with water proof dressings

RESOURCES PROVIDED

  • Site gate kept closed
  • 2 x First aid kits in kitchen of clubhouse (1 x fixed & 1 portable)
  • 1 x First Aid kit on ground floor next to ladies changing room with incident log sheets
  • 1 x CPR face mask
  • Access to training in first aid
  • Access to training in rescue techniques

RISK

  • Risk of minor injury sustained on land or water
  • Risk of serious injury on land or water
  • Drowning
  • Risk of contracting Weils disease from contaminated water& river banks

ARRANGEMENTS MADE

  • Members should paddle in groups of three or more
  • Buoyancy should be present in boat
  • Members are required by law to wear buoyancy aids at all times
  • Helmet should be worn
  • Experienced leaders with each group on the river
  • Soap is provided for members to wash hands inside club building in order to minimise risk of infection from Weils disease
  • Awareness campaign launched to raise members awareness of risk from Weils and measures that can be taken to minimise said risks
  • Members should
      1. Maintain hygiene standards as high as possible when paddling
      2. Consuming or handling food while paddling is not recommended without disinfection first
      3. Avoid touching mouth / nose
      4. Ensure all cuts or abrasions are cleaned and dressed with water proof dressings

RESOURCES PROVIDED

  • Leaders with experience of rescue
  • Leaders with First Aid qualifications
  • Leaders with personal qualifications to L4 proficiency
  • Leaders with instructors qualifications
  • Split paddlers and first aid kit

RISK

  • Risk of minor injury sustained on land or water
  • Risk of serious injury on land or water
  • Drowning
  • Risk of contracting Weils disease from contaminated water& river banks
  • Exposure to inappropriate behaviour

ARRANGEMENTS MADE

  • Members should paddle in groups of three or more
  • Buoyancy should be present in boat
  • Members are required by law to wear buoyancy aids at all times
  • Helmet should be worn
  • All incidents to be reported to Children’s Officer
  • Contact details for Children’s Officer to be posted on notice board
  • Experienced leaders with each group on the river
  • Appropriate youth Leaders appointed
  • Children / Parent guidelines issued
  • Leaders guidelines issued
  • Disciplinary team to be convened
  • There should always be at least 2 adults of the appropriate sex available at any club activity where juniors are present
  • An adult should never be alone with a junior on the river, in and around the club house or travelling to/from activities
  • Soap is provided for members to wash hands inside club building in order to minimise risk of infection from Weils disease
  • Awareness campaign launched to raise members awareness of risk from Weils and measures that can be taken to minimise said risks
  • Members should
      1. Maintain hygiene standards as high as possible when paddling
      2. Consuming or handling food while paddling is not recommended without disinfection first
      3. Avoid touching mouth / nose
      4. Ensure all cuts or abrasions are cleaned and dressed with water proof dressings

RESOURCES PROVIDED

  • Leaders with experience of rescue
  • Leaders with REC qualifications
  • Leaders with personal qualifications to L4 proficiency
  • Leaders with instructors qualifications
  • Children’s Officer
  • Forms to be completed by parents / children
  • All leaders working with children to complete Leaders form
  • Club commitment to providing a safe environment to be displayed on notice board and on club website