Hazard Identified? /
Risks from it? | Category | Who is at risk? | How are the risks already controlled?
What extra controls are needed? | What has changed that needs to be thought about and controlled? |
Hazard – something that may cause harm or damage.
Risk – the chance of it happening. | Category to help organise risks | Young people,
Leaders,
Visitors? | Controls – Ways of making the activity safer by removing or reducing the risk from it.
For example - you might use a different piece of equipment or you might change the way the activity is carried out. | Keep checking throughout the activity in case you need to change it…or even stop it! This is a great place to add comments which will be used as part of the review. |
| Slips, trips & falls on slipways or banks | Site safety | Participants & Leaders | Inspect access points; ensure clear, non-slip surfaces; use appropriate footwear; brief hazard zones. | Before each session |
| Manual handling (boats/equipment) | Physical injury | Leaders & Volunteers | Team lifting; manual-handling training; use trolleys; avoid solo lifting heavy kit. | Annually or when procedures change |
| Capsize & drowning | Life safety | Participants & Leaders | Wear correctly-fitted buoyancy aids; capsize drill before launch; use group-to-leader ratio 4:1; ensure swimming ability. | Every trip and upon changes |
| Improper use of spray decks | Equipment usage | Participants | Only those trained or assessed by a qualified leader as competent may use spray decks; conduct wet exits before use. | Each session with new users |
| Collision with other water users (e.g. rowers) | Operational safety | Participants & Leaders | Brief on navigation rules; maintain control and awareness; avoid busy routes; wear visible clothing. | Per trip and seasonal updates |
| Cold water shock, hypothermia | Environmental | Participants & Leaders | Use wetsuits/drysuits in cold water; monitor for signs of cold stress; have warm clothing and hot drinks available. | Weather-dependant / monthly |
| Heat stress & sunburn | Environmental | Participants & Leaders | Wear sun protection; carry drinking water; schedule breaks and monitor for signs of heat exhaustion. | Monthly or hot weather |
| Equipment failure (boats/paddles/spray decks) | Equipment integrity | Participants & Leaders | Check all equipment before use; perform regular maintenance; retire damaged or worn items. | Before use / monthly |
| Entrapment from obstacles (rocks/weirs) | Environmental hazard | Participants & Leaders | Scout route beforehand; brief paddlers on avoidance and self-rescue; conduct dynamic risk assessment on water. | Pre-trip & ongoing |
| Head injuries (impacts) | Physical injury | Participants & Leaders | Use helmets on moving water or rocky areas; leaders assess conditions and determine helmet need. | Site-dependent |
| Waterborne illness | Health | Participants | Encourage post-session hygiene; brief on avoiding ingestion of water; cover open wounds. | Annually |
| Behavioural risks (disruption) | Behavioural safety | Participants & Spectators | Set clear behavioural expectations; buddy system; leader authority to stop unsafe behaviour. | Before each session |
| Dynamic changes (weather, group ability) | Risk management | Leaders | Continual dynamic risk assessment; adapt plan or abort if needed; maintain communications (e.g., phone/radio). | Ongoing during session |
| Strains or overexertion | Physical injury | Participants | Warm-ups; teach correct paddling form; allow rest periods; monitor fatigue. | Every session |
| Storms/lightning | Environmental | Participants & Leaders | Check forecast before launch; seek shelter if lightning; abort sessions when necessary. | Pre-trip and updated mid-session |
| Rescue incidents | Emergency response | Leaders | Leaders must be rescue-trained; carry throwlines, knives, and first aid kits; review and practise rescue scenarios. | 6 mmonthly |
| Group separation | Operational safety | Participants & Leaders | Assign lead/sweep paddlers; regroup regularly; maintain visual and vocal contact. | Pre-trip and during |
| Hazardous river features (e.g. stoppers) | Operational hazard | Participants & Leaders | Plan route to avoid; brief on recognition and self-rescue; only experienced paddlers to attempt features. | Ongoing |
