South Sands Salcombe Health & Safety

Notes

Summer Boat Traffic

Risk Assessment

South Sands Salcombe risk assessment was reviewed by Crispin Jones (Captain) on 27 April 2026.

Off Water hazards

Hazard	Who is at risk?	Duration	Inherent risk	Residual risk	Control measures	Further action required	Notes
Car Park	Paddlers, Spectators, Crew	Minority	Remote chance of a Minor 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.
Tripping or Slipping on access steps or pontoons. (see also Drowning - Medical section)	Paddlers, Spectators, Crew	Minority	Possible chance of a Minor 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.

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	Majority	Remote chance of a Lost Time incident	Remote chance of a Lost Time 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, Crew	Minority	Improbable chance of a Serious 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.	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	Constant	Possible chance of a Minor 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
Entrapment	Paddlers, Crew	Briefly	Remote 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. Paddlers are to be competent to wear a spray deck if one is used	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.
Fog and poor visibility	Paddlers, Crew	Briefly	Improbable chance of a Lost Time 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.

General hazards

Hazard	Who is at risk?	Duration	Inherent risk	Residual risk	Control measures	Further action required	Notes
Safeguarding	Paddlers, Spectators	Constant	Improbable chance of a Minor 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.