Llandegfedd Health & Safety

Risk Assessment

Llandegfedd risk assessment was reviewed by E king (Paddle Cymru) on 08 May 2025.

General hazards

Hazard	Who is at risk?	Duration	Inherent risk	Residual risk	Control measures	Further action required	Notes
All Activities	Paddlers, Spectators, Crew	Minority	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Improbable chance of a Minor incident	Participants to comply with AquaPaddle/Club Policies LLandegfordd Opsand therefore with certain British Canoeing Policies	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. briefings and dynamic RAS done
Children	Paddlers	Minority	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Children are only allowed to take part in AquaPaddle is accompanied by are parent/guardian or coach if part of an organised club training session. Prior notice should be given to the Captain that they will be attending	Crews need to be aware of the presence of minors on the event and future events. Correct PPE and supervision by guardian at all times
Exhaustion/Fatigue		Minority	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Advise paddlers to bring a drink and have eaten appropriately prior to paddling, stop and return to the start if fatigued.	Water safety team will assist and help them ashore.
First Aid / Injuries	Paddlers, Spectators, Crew	Constant	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Improbable chance of a Minor incident	Paddlesport is an “assumed risk sport”. There will be a designated First Aid AquaPaddle/club official on site. Briefing of OP at the begging to crew and paddlers	Crew and activity centre 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.

Off Water hazards

Hazard	Who is at risk?	Duration	Inherent risk	Residual risk	Control measures	Further action required	Notes
Car Park	Paddlers, Spectators	Minority	Remote chance of a Major incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	People are to be made aware of traffic within parking areas. Vehicles are to park safely so as not to obstruct access routes. Club officials are to control cars in the venue at the start and the end of the event when the traffic flow requires it. 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.	please note this is a private car park and parking fees are incurred.
Changing rooms	Paddlers, Crew	Minority	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Changing rooms are to be kept as dry as possible and tidy to prevent trips and falls. juniors are to be accompained whilst using them.	No food waste is to be left within changing rooms. Safeguarding procedures to be followed if minors are utilising the changing facilitiies.
Collision with mooring buoys and other static objects	Paddlers, Crew	Minority	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Possible chance of a Minor incident	Instructor and assistants to give clear guidance and path the avoid obstacles. Marshalls placed close by to assist with any rescues	Review path/crossing annually and ensure Crew are fully trained.
Spectating	Spectators	Majority	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Improbable chance of a Minor incident	Spectators to adhered to the aquapaddle briefing and follow LLandedgford signage on site.	AquaPaddle Crew to monitor and advise the spectators when they are not acting in the best manner.
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.
Viewing Area	Spectators	Minority	Possible chance of a Minor incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	The viewing area is to be kept tidy to prevent trips and falls, access doors are to be open to allow access and escape routes fireprcedures are clear to all. Doors are to be tied back in windy conditions.

Event Specific hazards

Hazard	Who is at risk?	Duration	Inherent risk	Residual risk	Control measures	Further action required	Notes
Catering – Food / Drink	Paddlers, Spectators, Crew	Minority	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Llandegfodd have an on site cafe which is food hygiene registered
Changing	Paddlers, Crew	Minority	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Improbable chance of a Minor incident	Adequate changing facilities for Male and Female is to be available – if alternative changing facilities are required paddlers to inform Crew Members. AquaPaddle/Club Safeguarding rules apply to all visitors – specifically regarding the Changing Room Guidance/Rules.	s.
Event Contact Point	Paddlers, Spectators, Crew	Constant	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	There is to be an event contact point for all matters for the event at the GBSUP registration tent.	There is to be a first aid box available at this location, also this is to be the point of contact point for the First Aider, Event Safety officer and the Event Safeguarding Officer – these roles may all be one person.
Hazard from slipping or tripping	Paddlers, Spectators, Crew	Minority	Remote chance of a Minor 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.	Briefing/checklist of Crew used at start of the session.
Propeller Danger	Paddlers, Crew	Minority	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	The safety boat will be fitted with a kill code to ensure the engine cuts out if needed (as RYA advise).	Kill cord to be fitted to the engines and used at all times, only the safety team have access to the boat (qualification required).
Safety Cover	Paddlers, Spectators, Crew	Majority	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Remote chance of a Minor 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. GB SUP and activity center will also be supporting this event.
Toilets	Paddlers, Spectators, Crew	Briefly	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Toilets are to be provided for the event and are to be cleaned to a suitable hygienic standard before the event and stocked with the essentials. All Participants to ensure they clean after themselves to ensure hygienic standards do not fall.	Through the event and post-event club officials are to ensure the facilities are kept hygienic and stocked with essentials.

On Water hazards

Hazard	Who is at risk?	Duration	Inherent risk	Residual risk	Control measures	Further action required	Notes
Collision with other waterway users	Paddlers	Minority	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Paddlers instructed to be aware of other water 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 water users and locations, what to do when safety boats approach
Entrapment	Paddlers	Briefly	Remote chance of a Serious incident	Improbable chance of a Lost Time 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. correct PPE and leashes for SUP, Marshals?crew to carry Knives	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.
Falling from inability to stand	Paddlers	Briefly	Possible chance of a Minor incident	Possible 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 to paddle on knees if as risk.	Bring Paddlers to a safe spot on the riverbank and assist back on the vessel. Make Paddlers aware of risk .
Launching / Landing Areas and Sides	Paddlers	Minority	Probable chance of a Minor incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Paddlers are to use the primary Launching area , paddlers are not to exit on pontoons unless required to fulfil official duties for the event. When embarking and disembarking from the water from a Kayak, Canoe, or SUP ensure that care is used with help if necessary, using the correct technique Crew are to be inducted to location of safe evacuation locations.	Standing in SUPs is prohibited when within falling distance to an object – including walls. Kneeling when embarking and disembarking the SUP.
Meeting Room		Minority	Possible chance of a Minor incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Meeting area is to be kept tidy to prevent trips and falls. Junior members are not allowed near hot water urns. Bins are to be emptied and rubbish disposed of within the club waste skip. Wet areas mopped up or cordoned off	Junior members are to be supervised in the meeting room.
Moorings and ropes	Paddlers, Crew	Minority	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Probable chance of a Minor incident	Advise Paddlers where ropes/boats/moorings are and define risk and no go areas Access to Local Area Users Risk Assessment in briefing.	Local direction given.
Other water users including power boats, sails, kayakers etc	Paddlers	Minority	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Although engine should move for paddle ensure the group maintain a safe distance from other vessels where possible. Only safety boats should be on the water.	Conduct training with Crew.
Polution and risk of infection	Paddlers, Crew	Minority	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Advised to wash hands with hot water and soap before eating or drinking and shower at the end of the event, especially after immersion and made aware of flotsam. Welsh water test and compliance with their standard at events.	Crew to assess waterway condition on the day. Avoid intentional capsizes in poor conditions
Safeguarding	Paddlers, Spectators, Crew	Minority	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. GB SUP AND AQUAPADDLE	Crew and other Volunteers who have regular contact with U18 are to be DBS checked and attend a safeguarding course.
Water Quality	Paddlers, Crew	Minority	Remote chance of a Minor 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.

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	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. Site induction, visitors are to be advised of any danger areas.	Life Buoys & throw lines are available on shore or the dock wall for people to throw to the causality when a person needs assistance. 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 Crew (Land or Water) is in the vicinity with a throw line if on land. 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.
Manual handling leads to Sprains, Strains and Soft Tissue Injuries	Paddlers, Crew	Minority	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Trained to lift correctly Ask for help. Encourage paddlers to paddle correctly. Paddlers advised to carry boats between 2 people or more for heavy canoes	Ongoing training . Crew and helpers to set a good example and not carry boats (even small ones) on their own. Crew to carry a first aid kit
Pre-existing medical conditions	Paddlers, Crew	Constant	Possible chance of a Minor incident	Possible chance of a Lost Time 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.