Kingsbridge Health & Safety

Notes

Continue to assess Location and amend

Risk Assessment

Kingsbridge risk assessment was reviewed by Crispin Jones (Captain) on 05 February 2026.

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, Crew	Constant	Improbable chance of a Minor incident	Improbable chance of a Minor incident	Instructor and assistants to give clear guidance and path the avoid obstacles.	Review path/crossing annually and ensure Crew are fully trained.
Collision with other waterway users	Paddlers, Spectators, Crew	Majority	Improbable 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 Hot, Cold and wind from Weather and Environmental	Paddlers, Spectators, Crew	Briefly	Remote chance of a Lost Time incident	Improbable chance of a Minor incident	Captain and Location Safety Team to assess the weather before getting on the waterway. Participants informed to dress according the weather and water temperatures.	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
Entrapment	Paddlers, Crew	Briefly	Improbable chance of a Major incident	Improbable chance of a Minor incident	Paddlers are to either have a Crew member present or be in a minimum number of three 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. Spray decks are to be appropriate for kayaks. Paddlers are to be competent to wear a spray deck if one is used. Quick Release belts mandatory for SUP's. Sessions factored around Slack High Water	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.
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, Spectators, Crew	Briefly	Remote chance of a Lost Time 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.	Before Padders enter the water a visual check of all craft needs to be carried out
Fog and poor visibility	Paddlers, Crew	Briefly	Improbable chance of a Minor incident	Improbable chance of a Minor incident	Captain to check the forecast and if in doubt go to the location to check the conditions.	Assess by Captain and Crew, check weather forecast.
Hazard from prevailing wind and weather conditions	Paddlers, Spectators, Crew	Briefly	Improbable chance of a Minor incident	Improbable 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.