Lee Valley Health & Safety

Risk Assessment

Lee Valley risk assessment was reviewed by Reuben Sweetman (Captain) on 27 September 2025.

On Water hazards

Hazard	Who is at risk?	Duration	Inherent risk	Residual risk	Control measures	Further action required	Notes
Collision with other waterway users_Motorised Boats	Paddlers	Briefly	Improbable chance of a Lost Time incident	Improbable 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. Turn Marshalls to report boats entering/exiting locks onto the course: reporting it to other marshalls via radio and to paddlers by shouting.	All members of the group are to be informed as to possible other river users and locations, what to do when boats approach
Collision with other waterway users_Non-Motorised Craft	Paddlers, Crew	Constant	Probable chance of a Minor 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. Paddlers advised that other craft might be harder to steer and if being overtaken to stay on current trajectory: the faster craft will steer around the slower craft.	All members of the group are to be informed as to possible other river users and locations, what to do when boats approach. Where overtaking the overtaking paddler is to shout to the slower paddler about their intention.
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	Constant	Remote chance of a Lost Time 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
Falling from inability to stand	Paddlers	Briefly	Remote chance of a Serious incident	Improbable chance of a Lost Time 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. Advising all SUP paddlers to only stand on their boards once 2m from the bank. Advising all Kayak and Canoe paddlers about benefit of falling into water and not onto bank.	Bring Paddlers to a safe spot on the riverbank and assist back on the vessel. Make Paddlers aware.
Injury from debris on the river bed	Paddlers, Crew	Constant	Possible chance of a Major incident	Improbable chance of a Minor incident	Paddlers to wear appropriate footwear on the water.
Water Quality	Paddlers, Crew	Constant	Possible chance of a Serious incident	Improbable chance of a Minor incident	Paddlers are advised to cover cuts and grazes and to avoid swallowing water. Paddlers advised to wash hands (or better, shower) after using the course using the facilities in the Whitewater Centre. Paddlers are advised of Weill's Disease (Leptospirosis) and advised to contact their GP if they develop flu-(or COVID-)like symptoms. If the water has a scum or algal bloom on the surface, activity is to be suspended.	Paddlers are to report any concerns to AquaPaddle Crew Members to contact the Responsible Authority to raise the concerns.
Wildlife	Paddlers, Spectators, Crew	Briefly	Remote chance of a Serious 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’. Paddlers are not to engage with, touch or attempt to feed in any way Swans or other waterfowl on the course.	Ensure Crew relay information to the AquaPaddlers.	Swans observed 27/09/2025

Medical hazards

Hazard	Who is at risk?	Duration	Inherent risk	Residual risk	Control measures	Further action required	Notes
Drowning. (see also Safety Cover - Off Water Section )	Paddlers, Spectators, Crew	Majority	Remote chance of a Major incident	Improbable chance of a Lost Time incident	Paddlers are required to be able to swim and wear a buoyancy aid on the water. Sole people on shore or pontoons must wear buoyancy aids if there are no other people nearby. Site induction, visitors are to be advised of any danger areas.	For the event, the Crew are to ensure that water activities under their control are safe, and paddlers are to follow the instructions of the Crew in all safety matters without question.	For all LVPC paddlers standard rules apply: all paddlers except Div 6 or lower (faster) are required to wear a buoyancy aid except where authorised not to do so by Martin or Reuben. The river is generally shallow enough to stand up, and is Very Sheltered Water under PaddleUK environmental definitions.
Exhaustion/Fatigue	Paddlers, Crew	Minority	Remote chance of a Lost Time incident	Improbable chance of a Minor incident	Advise paddlers to bring a drink and have eaten appropriately prior to paddling. Advise paddlers whom are displaying signs of emotional distress or other visible, physical signs of stress, distress or tiredness before and during event of the importance of rest and not overdoing things.	Water safety team will assist and help them ashore. Crew and other helpers will recover boats as needed.
Handling of boats and paddles and accidental falls whilst in/on the craft leading to Head Injuries	Paddlers, Crew	Constant	Remote chance of a Major incident	Improbable chance of a Serious incident	SUP paddlers in particular are advised to only stand on boards when 2m away from the bank.	Captain and Crew could set a good example and wear a helmet when the activity or conditions dictate. Crew to carry Walkie Talkie Radios and/or a mobile phone to summon emergency services and be able to relay where they are on the waterway and the nearest access point
Hazard from slipping or tripping	Paddlers, Spectators, Crew	Constant	Possible chance of a Lost Time incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Brief Crew and AquaPaddlers on the danger of slipping and tripping at all entry and exit points if necessary especially if preceding/current weather conditions are wet and ground is muddy.	Briefing/checklist of Crew used at start of the session.
Hypothermia / Hyperthermia	Paddlers, Spectators, Crew	Constant	Possible chance of a Serious incident	Improbable chance of a Minor incident	AquaPaddlers to be given info about appropriate dress and inappropriately dressed paddlers might be prevented from undertaking the event.	Make sure the AquaPaddlers are out of the water and taken to an appropriate assemble/exit point and call for emergency assistance if need be. Crew and spectators to be directed to the whitewater centre if required.
Injury from damaged equipment	Paddlers, Crew	Constant	Possible chance of a Serious incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Paddlers are to check equipment before race, crew to advise if anything obvious observed.	Daily/monthly Crew checks. All LVPC equipment checked regularly.
Manual handling leads to Sprains, Strains and Soft Tissue Injuries	Paddlers	Briefly	Remote chance of a Lost Time incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	All paddlers advised to ask for help. Paddlers advised to carry boats between 2 people or more for heavy craft.
Pre-existing medical conditions	Paddlers	Minority	Possible chance of a Major incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Terms and conditions require the person making the booking to notify any relevant medical conditions for their group before arrival. If the AquaPaddler has NOT informed the Captain or Time Lord or Crew, those parties are NOT responsible for any incident involving said condition.	Captain/Crew only to authorise event admission where safety precautions can be put in place. DO NOT TAKE AQUAPADDLER OUT IF UNSURE OR WITHOUT A DOCTOR'S NOTE. Captain/Crew to ask about medical conditions during land base intro.

Off Water hazards

Hazard	Who is at risk?	Duration	Inherent risk	Residual risk	Control measures	Further action required	Notes
Other towpath users including cyclists or joggers	Spectators, Crew	Constant	Probable chance of a Lost Time incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Towpath is in constant use by other users and is a public right-of-way. Crew are to wear AquaPaddle t-shirts for visibility. Spectators are advised NOT to stand on towpath, rather to walk constantly or if stationary to be so on the bridge.	Crew to shout 'Bike' where fast moving cyclists are spotted approached off-water boats and paddlers. Paddlers are to minimise towpath presence or to stay in-place when cyclists are travelling towards them.
Spectating	Spectators	Majority	Probable chance of a Minor incident	Improbable chance of a Minor incident	Spectators are not to encroach to the water's edge. Advised to observe from the footpath or ideally from on the bridge.	AquaPaddle Crew to monitor and advise the spectators when they are not acting in the best manner.	Spectators are advised to bring seating if required and suitable non-bridge locations will be advised if spectators make themselves known to Crew at the briefing.