Cotehele Health & Safety

Risk Assessment

Cotehele risk assessment was reviewed by Paul Birchell (Captain) on 16 September 2025.

Off Water hazards

Hazard	Who is at risk?	Duration	Inherent risk	Residual risk	Control measures	Further action required	Notes
Boat and Manual Handling	Paddlers, Spectators, Crew	Briefly	Possible chance of a Lost Time incident	Remote chance of a Lost Time incident	If carrying a boat alone, paddlers are to ensure it is within the limits of their limitations and experience. Anyone carrying a boat or boars should be aware of other pedestrians and moving vehicles in the car park and on the road.	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	Remote chance of a Serious incident	Improbable chance of a Serious incident	People are to be made aware of traffic within parking areas. Vehicles are to park safely so as not to obstruct access routes. 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.
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 Lost Time incident	Advised to wear suitable wet footwear with a non-slip sole, or training shoes, when using the access steps to the pontoons and whilst stepping on and off the pontoon bridges. Pontoon walking surface wood is specific non-slip construction. But care needs to be exercised to avoid algae or, bird deposits etc. particularly when wet.	Ongoing Housekeeping Maintenance to ensure the minimum build-up of growth 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.

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	Possible chance of a Major incident	Improbable chance of a Major incident	Instructor and assistants to give clear guidance and path the avoid obstacles.	Mention in briefing.
Collision with other waterway users	Paddlers, Crew	Minority	Remote chance of a Major incident	Improbable chance of a Major 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
Effect of heat, cold and wind from weather.	Paddlers, Crew	Minority	Possible chance of a Minor incident	Improbable 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
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, Crew	Briefly	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Improbable chance of a Minor 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. Paddlers advised to wear buoyancy equipment.	Before Padders enter the water a visual check of all craft needs to be carried out
Falling from inability to stand	Paddlers	Majority	Possible chance of a Minor incident	Improbable chance of a Minor incident	During the AquaPaddle Briefing, Check that all Paddlers can self-rescue, if not, talk through the correct way to fall and climb back on a board or kayak. Advise paddlers to be aware of other vessels and go to their knees if they are concerned about wash.	Bring Paddlers to a safe spot on the riverbank and assist back on the vessel.
Fog and poor visibility	Paddlers, Crew	Constant	Remote chance of a Serious incident	Improbable chance of a Minor incident	Captain to check the forecast and if in doubt go to the location to check the conditions. Conditions can change suddenly and potential portages should be located before getting on the water	Assess by Captain and Crew, check weather forecast.
Hazard from prevailing wind and weather conditions	Paddlers, Crew	Constant	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) unless a safe location is found and agreed upon by two Event Safety Team (Captain, Time Lord and experienced on-water Crew Member).	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.  Event should not start until 15 minutes after a thunder roll has been heard. Check wind direction and direction of thunder to see if it is approaching or receding.	It is possible that the weather changes suddenly, and crew should be aware of portages and shelter spots if needed.
Over hanging branches	Paddlers, Crew	Constant	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Improbable chance of a Minor incident	Make group aware that there are over hanging branches along the riverbank or lake shoreline.
SUP leashes and entanglement	Paddlers, Crew	Constant	Possible chance of a Major incident	Improbable chance of a Minor incident	SUP leashes are to be worn at all events unless it is deemed to be an entanglement risk. Entanglement from submerged plant life or other obstacles.	Quick-release belts are advised and assessment of the conditions/abilities of the group to determine the route. Specific pocket knife to be carried by Crew on duty.
Viaduct pillars/pontoon – water flow	Paddlers, Crew	Minority	Improbable chance of a Major incident	Improbable chance of a Major incident	The water flow beneath the viaduct can be stronger due to decreased space for the volume of water to flow. Paddlers are to be advised to keep away from the pillars themselves. The flow runs under the pontoon and can cause a capsize and conceivably pull a swimmer under the pontoon. Paddlers are advised to avoid the pontoon.	A regular assessment of the flow around the structures needs to be carried out, particularly after heavy rain.
Water Quality	Paddlers, Crew	Constant	Possible chance of a Serious incident	Improbable chance of a Minor incident	Water quality is regularly monitored and the results are held with the Responsible Authority	Paddlers are to report any concerns to AquaPaddle Crew Members to contact the Responsible Authority to raise the concerns.
Wildlife	Paddlers, Crew	Constant	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Brief Paddlers about approaching wildlife, and maintaining a safe distance whenever possible. ‘If it's free, let it be’	Ensure Crew relay information to the AquaPaddlers.

General hazards

Hazard	Who is at risk?	Duration	Inherent risk	Residual risk	Control measures	Further action required	Notes
Cuts to feet from debris in river bed and river banks.	Paddlers, Crew	Constant	Possible chance of a Serious incident	Remote chance of a Lost Time incident	Paddlers and crew are advised to wear footwear that will give some protection from debris: i.e. not flipflops, crocs or sliders.	This should be mentioned in the event briefing.
First Aid / Injuries	Paddlers, Spectators, Crew	Constant	Possible chance of a Serious incident	Improbable chance of a Serious incident	Paddlesport is an “assumed risk sport”. There will be a designated First Aid AquaPaddle/club official on site.	All Crew are 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.
Safeguarding	Paddlers, Spectators	Briefly	Remote 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.
Safety Cover	Paddlers	Constant	Remote chance of a Major incident	Remote chance of a Major 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.