Norwich Health & Safety

Risk Assessment

Norwich risk assessment was reviewed by Lee Tayler (Captain, CEO ) on 19 June 2026.

Off Water hazards

Hazard	Who is at risk?	Duration	Inherent risk	Residual risk	Control measures	Further action required	Notes
Boat and Manual Handling	Paddlers, Crew	Briefly	Probable 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.	All paddlers are advised that two people should lift boats at least. Failure to do so could lead to injury.
Car Park		Minority	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	People are to be made aware of traffic within parking areas. 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. There is no parking at The Lions' Den River ( Red Lion)	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 Minor incident	Advised to wear suitable wet footwear with a non-slip sole, or training shoes, when using the access slipway and whilst stepping on and off the slipway. Slipway 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.

General hazards

Hazard	Who is at risk?	Duration	Inherent risk	Residual risk	Control measures	Further action required	Notes
Children	Paddlers, Crew	Minority	Remote chance of a Lost Time incident	Remote chance of a Lost Time incident	Children are only allowed to take part in AquaPaddle if accompanied by a 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.
First Aid / Injuries	Paddlers, Spectators, Crew	Constant	Probable 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 with defibrillator on site	Captain and Vice Captai are qualified first-aiders and staff on site at Lions' Den River 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	Crew	Minority	Possible 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 - Participants getting into water craft needing assistance	Paddlers	Minority	Possible chance of a Lost Time 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.

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	Briefly	Remote chance of a Lost Time incident	Remote chance of a Lost Time incident	Safety briefing to give clear guidance and path the avoid obstacles.	Ensure Crew are given safety briefing before event starts
Collision with other waterway users	Paddlers, Crew	Minority	Remote chance of a Lost Time incident	Remote chance of a Lost Time 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   Crew to communicate when other water vessels are passing
Effect of Hot, Cold and wind from Weather and Environmental	Paddlers, Crew	Constant	Remote chance of a Lost Time incident	Remote chance of a Lost Time 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
Entrapment	Paddlers	Briefly	Possible chance of a Major 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.	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.
Environment	Paddlers	Constant	Possible chance of a Lost Time incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Paddlers are to be aware of other water users and keep away from powered craft Paddlers are to be aware of wildlife on and surrounding the water system and steer clear of any floating rubbish.	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.
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	Constant	Remote chance of a Lost Time incident	Remote chance of a Lost Time 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
Flow rate / Levels on Rivers and Canals - Paddlers, boats and, craft could get washed downstream into hazards	Paddlers, Crew	Minority	Remote chance of a Lost Time incident	Remote chance of a Lost Time incident	River level to be assessed before getting on the river by sight and through the use of EA river guages. River Wensum is tidal so height of river changes due to tides	No paddling when the River is graded RED or YELLOW. The AquaPaddle event is to be cancelled.
Hazard from prevailing wind and weather conditions	Paddlers, Crew	Constant	Remote chance of a Lost Time incident	Remote chance of a Lost Time 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.
Launching / Landing Areas and Sides	Paddlers	Minority	Possible chance of a Serious incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Paddlers are to use the primary launching area on our ramp, 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 on SUPs is prohibited when within falling distance to an object – including walls. Kneeling when embarking and disembarking the SUP.
Other water users including power boats, kayakers etc	Paddlers	Briefly	Remote chance of a Lost Time incident	Improbable chance of a Lost Time incident	Although engine should move for paddle ensure the group maintain a safe distance from other vessels where possible. Always move and keep clear of other river users.
Over hanging branches	Paddlers, Crew	Minority	Improbable chance of a Minor incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Make group aware that there are over hanging branches along the riverbank or lake shoreline.	Make Paddlers aware of potential overhanging branch hazards.
SUP Leashes and entanglement	Paddlers, Crew	Briefly	Remote chance of a Lost Time incident	Possible chance of a Minor incident	SUP leashes are to be worn at all events.

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. Site induction, visitors are to be advised of any danger areas.	Life Buoys &/or throw lines are available on shore or on slip way 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.
Emergency situation	Paddlers, Crew	Minority	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Remote chance of a Lost Time incident	Ensure that the casualty and group are all called to a designated assemble/exit point. Call appropriate Fire and Rescue emergency services if required.	Follow emergency action plan and brief AquaPaddlers at the start of the session.
Hypothermia / Hyperthermia	Paddlers, Crew	Briefly	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	AquaPaddlers to be given info about appropriate dress	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.