Rhos-on-Sea Health & Safety

Risk Assessment

Rhos-on-Sea risk assessment was reviewed by John Burke (Captain) on 26 May 2025.

Off Water hazards

Hazard	Who is at risk?	Duration	Inherent risk	Residual risk	Control measures	Further action required	Notes
Boat and Manual Handling	Paddlers, Spectators, 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	Paddlers, Spectators, Crew	Majority	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.

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	Minority	Remote 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	Constant	Remote chance of a Major incident	Remote chance of a Major incident	Paddlers instructed to be aware of other water users and how to take appropriate/avoiding action. Jet Ski Club to be notified or event	All members of the group are to be informed as to possible other water users and locations, what to do when boats approach
Effect of Hot, Cold and wind from Weather and Environmental	Paddlers, Crew	Constant	Possible chance of a Lost Time incident	Remote chance of a Minor 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
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
Falling from inability to stand	Paddlers	Minority	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.	Bring Paddlers to a safe spot on the shore and assist back on the vessel. Make Paddlers aware.
Hazard from prevailing wind and weather conditions	Paddlers, Crew	Constant	Possible 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 shore, if there are less than 7 seconds between the lightning flash and the thunder. This follows the BC guidance.
Other water users including power boats, sails, kayakers etc	Paddlers	Constant	Remote chance of a Major incident	Remote chance of a Major 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 shipping and other water users.	Conduct training with Crew. Contact Jet Ski Club and advise of event and to stay clear, unless emergency assistance is being provided
Strong tidal/current conditions	Paddlers, Crew	Minority	Possible chance of a Major incident	Remote chance of a Lost Time incident	Paddlers/Crew to be advised on tide/current and drying out dangers. Captain to always check conditions before the event commences.	Captain to check conditions and ensure Paddlers have read and understood terms and conditions.	Final check on the day to be carried out prior to event to assess weather conditions
Wildlife	Paddlers, Crew	Briefly	Remote chance of a Lost Time incident	Remote chance of a Lost Time 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.	If large amounts of jelly fish are present, advise paddlers to wear gloves/full body covering if they are likely to fall in.

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, 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.	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.
Emergency situation	Paddlers, Crew	Majority	Remote chance of a Major incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Ensure that the casualty and group are all called to a designated assemble/exit point. Call appropriate FHC/Coastguard/Partners/emergency services if require.	Annual emergency drills to be conducted. Signed terms and conditions by AquaPaddlers. Follow EC emergency action plan and brief AquaPaddlers at the start of the session.	Local RNLI and Coastguard to be notified of event date/location
Exhaustion/Fatigue	Paddlers	Constant	Possible chance of a Minor incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Advise paddlers to bring a drink and have eaten appropriately prior to paddling	Water safety team will assist and help them ashore.	All members are advised to look out for each other
Hazard from slipping or tripping	Paddlers, Crew	Minority	Possible 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.
Hypothermia / Hyperthermia	Paddlers, Crew	Majority	Possible chance of a Lost Time incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	AquaPaddlers to be given info about appropriate dress and Crew to give the AquaPaddlers a wetsuit if deemed necessary.	Carry foil blanket (if the instructor sees fit). 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.
Injury from damaged equipment	Paddlers, Crew	Constant	Possible chance of a Minor incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Check PSI regularly. Ensure regular equipment checks are carried out.	Daily/monthly Crew checks. All equipment checked regularly.
Manual handling leads to Sprains, Strains and Soft Tissue Injuries	Paddlers, Crew	Constant	Possible chance of a Lost Time incident	Remote chance of a Lost Time 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 and regular checks of procedures Appropriate checks on storage facilities. Crew and helpers to set a good example and not carry boats (even small ones) on their own. Crew to carry a basic first aid kit
Pre-existing medical conditions	Paddlers, Crew	Constant	Possible chance of a Major incident	Possible chance of a Serious 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.
Spinal injury	Paddlers, Crew	Constant	Remote chance of a Major incident	Remote chance of a Serious incident	Ensure all AquaPaddlers fill in medical information form.	Teaching techniques and awareness of fall techniques and potential hazards.

General hazards

Hazard	Who is at risk?	Duration	Inherent risk	Residual risk	Control measures	Further action required	Notes
First Aid / Injuries	Paddlers, 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.	All Crew 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.
Safety Cover	Paddlers	Majority	Probable chance of a Major 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.