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. |
| Structural failure of homemade craft | Equipment integrity | Participants | Test coracle stability in shallow water before use; visual inspection of pipe connections and sheeting; avoid use if leaks or instability are present. | Each session |
| Entrapment due to collapse or tipping | Personal safety | Participants | Participants must wear buoyancy aids; use in shallow, calm water; no standing or leaning over edges; briefing on capsize procedure. | Before each use |
| Sharp edges or exposed fittings | Physical injury | Participants | Tape or cover all sharp plastic edges and exposed connectors; inspect for sharp points before launch. | Each build and use |
| Water ingress and sinking | Equipment failure | Participants | Use double-layer plastic sheeting if needed; test for leaks before full launch; monitor during use and return to shore if water enters. | Per use |
| Inexperience handling unstable craft | User error | Participants | Brief on paddling and balance techniques; use on still water only; leaders supervise closely and limit to one participant per craft. | Session start |
| Cold water shock or immersion | Environmental | Participants | Limit session time; wear appropriate clothing for immersion; towel and dry clothing ready on shore; monitor for cold symptoms. | Weather-based |
| Other water users (collision risk) | Operational safety | Participants | Use only in controlled areas away from powered craft and rowers; clearly mark session area; maintain group control. | Before each session |
| Craft drifting or being lost | Group management | Participants | Attach short painter line to each craft; restrict use to designated zone; spotters on shore with throwlines. | Every session |
| Injury during construction | Build safety | Builders (Leaders/Participants) | Use tools under supervision; provide gloves and scissors/safety knives; safe area designated for construction. | At build stage |
| Plastic sheeting tearing mid-use | Equipment failure | Participants | Inspect thoroughly before launch; avoid sharp rocks or dragging; carry repair tape or spare sheet for quick fixes. | Before use |
