Exeter Health & Safety

Notes

Exeter AquaPaddle will start from the public slipway near the canal basin ///beside.keen.mutual . The course will require to loop backs to ensure a 5km course. Paddlers will start facing the canal basin and paddle towards the end. A crew member will direct paddler to then turn and continue up to double locks pub. Paddlers must obey the "river right" rule. Once exiting the basin the first obstacle in the form of the foot bridge will be present. Paddlers are advised to kneel whilst navigating bridge.

Approximately 1.6Km into the course the second bridge will be present. This is a very low swing bridge and will require all paddlers to lay down on their board. Any participant in kayaks or canoes will be informed if the course is suitable for them prior to the event. From here paddlers will paddle to the Turf Locks where a crew member will be there to instruct the turn around.

Paddlers will then be required to paddle all the way back to the other end of the first turn around point navigating both bridges again and then once the turn has been made the finish line will be at the start line next to the public slipway. Crew members, will be stationed at every obstacle and turn point.

Exeter Shipping Canal can be a very busy waterway and as such crew, spectators and paddlers must be aware of hire centres and boat clubs operating at the same time and again must adhere to the "river right" rule.

Risk Assessment

Exeter risk assessment was reviewed by Marc Wade (Captain) on 04 November 2025.

Off Water hazards

Hazard	Who is at risk?	Duration	Inherent risk	Residual risk	Control measures	Further action required
Anglers	Paddlers, Crew	Minority	Improbable chance of a Minor incident	Improbable chance of a Minor incident	Paddlers and crew are to be aware of anglers. Exeter Canal does generally not host many anglers but are reminded that they must be aware of lines. Course previewer to inform any anglers of event and communicate with the rest of the crew.	AquaPaddle Crew to monitor and advise the paddlers and other crew when anglers are present.
Boat and Manual Handling	Paddlers, Crew	Briefly	Possible 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 and experience. Paddler must observe and practice safe handling of equipment, Paddler are to be remind of small operating space and to be patient. Paddlers are to help each other and share any load with larger craft.	All paddlers are advised that two people should lift boats at least. Failure to do so could lead to injury.
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 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
Collision with other waterway users	Paddlers, Crew	Majority	Possible chance of a Lost Time incident	Possible 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. The canal meanders and can be very busy with multiple providers and clubs. Paddlers must be wary and polite.	All members of the group are to be informed as to possible other river users and locations, what to do when boats approach .
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	Minority	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Remote 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.	Before Padders enter the water a visual check of all craft needs to be carried out
Low bridge	Paddlers, Crew	Constant	Possible chance of a Minor incident	Improbable chance of a Minor incident	Participants must comply with AquaPaddle/Club Policies and therefore with certain British Canoeing Policies. AquaPaddlers are to be informed of such risk. On AND off crew to supervise area. Paddlers who feel uncomfortable are to be advised to kneel or sit.	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.
SUP Leashes and entanglement	Paddlers, Crew	Constant	Improbable chance of a Minor incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	SUP leashes are to be worn at all events unless it is deemed to be an entanglement risk. Exeter Shipping Canals water supply is fed from the River Exe. Although there is flow on the canal it is EXTREMELY LOW. The use of ankle leashes on this waterway is permitted.	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.
Very low swing bridge.	Paddlers, Crew	Constant	Possible chance of a Minor incident	Improbable chance of a Minor incident	Participants must comply with AquaPaddle/Club Policies and therefore with certain British Canoeing Policies, The swing bridge is extremely low and will require all paddlers to lay down on craft. In extreme case with larger craft i.e. canoes, paddlers might have to portage to avoid getting stuck. A crew member will be at this location during the whole event to ensure all participants can navigate safely. On and off water crew to supervise area	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.
Weather, Temperature ranges.	Paddlers, Spectators, Crew	Constant	Possible chance of a Minor incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Weather will be monitored throughout the week leading up to event. On the day risk assessment to be carried out. All crew and paddlers will be adequately informed of the weather including temperature ranges and will be notified if addition protection. (waterproof gear, warm layers, spare clothing, sun cream ect ect) Event will not run in extreme conditions.	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.
Wildlife	Paddlers	Constant	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Improbable 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.

Medical hazards

Hazard	Who is at risk?	Duration	Inherent risk	Residual risk	Control measures	Further action required	Notes
Exhaustion/Fatigue	Paddlers, Crew	Minority	Possible chance of a Minor incident	Possible chance of a Minor incident	Advise paddlers to bring a drink and have eaten appropriately prior to paddling. Crew and first aiders to monitor paddlers whilst on the water.	Water safety team will assist and help them ashore.
Water borne diseases.	Paddlers, Spectators, Crew	Constant	Possible chance of a Lost Time incident	Possible chance of a Lost Time incident	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.