Risk assessment 2025.xlsx

	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H	I	J	K	L	M	N	O	P
1			Regatta 2025 Risk Assessment
2	Event			Maidenhead Regatta 9th August 2025			Date:		25/5/2025
3	Author			Diane Steel & Chris Sneller, Club Rowing Safety Advisors			Rev:		FINAL
4
5	No:	Hazard	Reduce probability a Hazard causing a Hazardous Event		Hazardous Event	Reduce the Severity of Harm		Harm	Severity (1-5)	Probability (A-E)	Level of Risk (L/M/S/I)	Action Owners
6	No:	Hazard	Barriers	Action to maintain barriers	Hazardous Event	Controls	Action to maintain controls	Harm	Severity (1-5)	Probability (A-E)	Level of Risk (L/M/S/I)	Event Committee	Event RSA	Marshalls	Umpires	other
7	Water
8	1	Boats afloat for practice and/or racing	Coaches and crews must have read the Safety Briefing and circulation plan before going afloat for practise or racing.	Prepare and provide safety briefing and inform coaches and crews that they must read it. Marshalls to enforce 'Do Not enter' zone (around Bray corner)	Capsize or sinking during practice	Safety plan and instructions to competitors advise crews that they must not go afloat unless there is a rescue boat on the course.	Send Safety plans to clubs and instruct them to inform their crews. Display safety plan.	Cold water immersion leading to mild hypothermia	2	C	Low	X	X
9						A fully equipped rescue launch manned by lifesavers is in attendance at all times as well as the Rowing Club launches. All launches are in 2-way radio contact at all times.	Ensure that there is sufficient safety cover. Check equipment prior to use.		2	C	Low	X	X
10						Coxes’ life jackets /PFD's may be checked by Umpires prior to going afloat to race. Particular attention paid to “front loader” boats (unlikely to be many of these at this regatta).	Ensure that Umpires checking equipment have instructions and a checklist		2	C	Low				X
11	2	Adaptive boats afloat for practice and/or racing	All Safety Teams at events should be aware that some adaptive rowers will have compromised sitting balance in the AS and RUS boat classes and therefore the risk of capsize is heightened	Carry out checks to ensure correct fixing of pontoon floats.	Boats capsize	Ensure Rescue teams conversant with up-righting an inverted boat with rowers who are strapped into seats, and understand the method of release for rowing straps and carry a safety knife (and spare knife on a lanyard), so if necessary they can cut straps at the attachment point to seat frame.	Ensure that there is sufficient safety cover - both the course safety boat plus the secondary one physically available whilst the adaptive boats are on the water. Check equipment prior to use. Consult BR Adaptive rowing guide https://www.britishrowing.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/British_Rowing_Adaptive_Rowing_Guide_61pp_v4_72ppi.pdf	Cold water immersion (hypothermia)	3	C	Moderate	X		X
12						Schedule adaptive races at times to avoid prolonged waiting times at start/finish of racing: these will be at the end of a division.	Decision made prior to event, based on number and nature of entries		3	C	Moderate	X
13						If a rower suffers from Autonomic Dysreflexia, the emergency response is to raise the head above their knees (preferably in a sitting position).This position naturally reduces blood pressure. Look for the causes and seek medical help.	Ensure that Rescue boat crew are aware of risk and procedure.	Autonomic Dysreflexia This is a sudden increase in blood pressure and corresponding decrease in heart rate. The condition occurs in rowers with complete spinal injuries at T6 and above. It can occur anywhere within the rowing environment, but is of heightened concern on water.	3	C	Moderate	X		X
14						Enough capable crew to rescue a potentially uncooperative casualty.  In addition to the driver, each rescue boat should have at least one crew member and together they should be able to rescue a rower who cannot release the straps.  Event organisers should ensure that there are an adequate number of safety boats with recommended launch rescue kit: add a second safety launch for adaptive events.  Each safety team should keep good communication using VHF radios on dedicated channel and/or mobile phones.	Ensure that there is sufficient safety cover. Check equipment prior to use.		3	C	Moderate	X		X
15						LTA-VI rowers may become disorientated in the event of a capsize. Safety teams should be aware of boats that contain visually impaired rowers and their seat position.			3	C	Moderate	X		X
16						RSS-LD rowers may have an unpredictable response in the event of a capsize. Safety teams should be aware of boats that contain rowers with a learning disability and their seat position.			3	C	Moderate	X		X
17	Weather
18	3	Sudden bad weather causing un-rowable and/or dangerous conditions	Any umpire or other key race official will stop racing. Any crews on the water will be moved into the most sheltered area and shepherded back to the landing stages by umpire launches and rescue boats.		Boats capsize or are swamped	A fully equipped rescue launch manned by lifesavers is also in attendance at all times as well as the Rowing Club safety launch. Both safety launches are in 2-way radio contact at all times.	Ensure that there is sufficient safety cover. Check equipment prior to use.	Cold water immersion leading to mild hypothermia	3	C	Moderate	X	X	X	X
19						Coxes’ life jackets/PFD's may be checked by Umpires prior to going afloat to race. Particular attention paid to “front loader” boats (unlikely to be many of these at this regatta).	Ensure that Umpires checking equipment have instructions and a checklist		3	C	Moderate				X
20	4	Possibility of electrical storm	Provisions laid down in the document “Developing an action plan for risk from lightning” available from British Rowing to be followed:-	Ensure that Marshals, Umpires, Coaches and crews are adequately briefed.	Rower or official struck by lightning	Provisions for first aid, medical treatment, and casualty evacuation to hospital.	Ensure that first aiders, etc., are competent and properly equipped.	Electrical burns, shock	3	B	Low	X	X	X	X
21			“Suspension and resumption of racing should follow the 30/30 rule: racing should stop when the flash-to-bang count is 30 seconds, and should not resume until 30 minutes after the last lightning.”	Any variation from 30/30 rule to be agreed unanimously by Chair of Race Committee, Regatta Chair and Event Safety Advisor					3	B	Low	X	X		X
22			All crews to leave the water immediately, instructions from Safety Adviser or Race Committee Chairman using radios in rescue boats and in umpires’ launches. Transport to be available to move rowers from the bank to areas of safety.	Ensure that Marshals, Umpires, Coaches and crews are adequately briefed.					3	B	Low	X	X		X
23	5	Hot sunny weather	Encourage competitors to rest in shade, wear appropriate (thin, breathable) clothing, and use water for cooling	Ensure that Marshals, Umpires, Coaches and crews are adequately briefed.	Hyperthermia (sun stroke)	Seek medical treatment if severe	Ensure that first aiders, etc., are competent and properly equipped.	Hyperthermia (sun stroke)	1	C	Low	X	X	X
24			Encourage competitors to use sunscreen and wear appropriate clothing (hat and arms covered, etc)	Ensure that Marshals, Umpires, Coaches and crews are adequately briefed.	Sunburn	Seek medical treatment if severe	Ensure that first aiders, etc., are competent and properly equipped.	Sunburn	2	C	Low	X	X	X
25			Encourage competitors to carry water and drink regularly	Ensure that Marshals, Umpires, Coaches and crews are adequately briefed.	Dehydration	Seek medical treatment if severe	Ensure that first aiders, etc., are competent and properly equipped.	Dehydration	2	C	Low		X	X
26	Other water users
27	6	Many Boats on the water for practice or racing	Marshals with megaphones and 2-way radios located at key points of the course to be vigilant for potential collisions and to take actions to minimise any collisions.	Ensure that Marshals are properly equipped and briefed In accordance with British Rowing’s rules of racing.	Collision	Bow balls, heel restraints and buoyancy compartment aids may be inspected by Umpires prior to going afloat to race.	Include in briefing for Race Control Centre. Ensure that Umpires & Race Control are properly equipped and briefed. If a clash becomes serious and is likely to damage equipment or athletes, the Umpire should stop the race.	injury to rowers and/or damage to equipment Capsize	2	C	Low	X		X
28			No warming up or practice starts are allowed in the navigation channel.	Ensure that this is included in the information and briefing to coaches and crews.		Competitors and coaches are responsible for ensuring that their boats are safe and are prepared to the required standards at all times including practice.	Include in information to Clubs Umpire activates Safety Boat response.		2	C	Low	X		X
29			No crews are allowed on to the race lanes unless for a race itself.	Ensure that this is included in the information and briefing to coaches and crews.		Competitors and coaches are responsible for ensuring that their boats are safe and are prepared to the required standards at all times	Include in information to Clubs Umpire activates Safety Boat response.		2	C	Low	X
30			Warning notices displayed for pleasure craft at each end of the regatta course, requesting craft to travel at very slow speed.	Ensure that notices are clearly displayed at both ends of racing lane. Post EA notices at Bray and Boulter's Locks and request lock-keepers to advise craft		Marshalls to know and exact Plan and procedure for non-regatta craft entering course (especially if heading downstream)			2	C	Low	X		X		X
31	7	Swimmers in the river	Marshals with megaphones and 2-way radios located at key points of the course to be vigilant for potential collisions and to take actions to minimise any collisions.	Ensure that Marshals are properly equipped and briefed	Collision with swimmer			Injury to swimmers	2	C	Low	X		X		X
32	Local Environment
33	8	Overhanging trees downstream of the route to the start	Warn crews and scullers to avoid trees and not to rest upsream of the trees	Include in briefing to competitors and marshals	Crews or scullers blown into the overhanging trees	Assist with safety launch	Ensure that there is sufficient safety cover. Check equipment prior to use.	Rowers entangled in tree (minor inconvenience, no damage)	1	C	Low	X	X	X
34	9	Collision with road bridge whilst launching off Bridge Gardens raft	Decision on strength of stream and any increased risk level this causes to be made before the Regatta starts. If stream is too strong then Regatta will be cancelled prior to the event. Raft marshals briefed on how to ensure safe launching.	Include in briefing to competitors and marshals	Collision with A4 road bridge butress	Ensure raft marshals briefed	Ensure that there is sufficient safety cover. Check equipment prior to use.	Injury	2	C	Low	X	X	X
35	Going afloat and landing
36	10	Congestion in the boating area	Segregate embarkation / disembarkation points (Two upstream stages to be used for embarkation, two downstream stages are to be used for disembarkation. Hot boating under marshal direction from middle or bottom stage with racking)	Ensure that Marshalls, coaches and crews are adequately briefed. Balcony spotter role is key. Separate adaptive boating pontoon.	Collision in boating area	If rescue is required, this will be co-ordinated by Regatta Control (located in the boathouse) in the area between the road and rail bridges	Ensure that Marshalls are properly equipped (throw lines, etc.) and adequately briefed.	Minor injury or Cold water immersion leading to mild hypothermia. Boat damage	2	D	Moderate	X		X		X
37			Coaches and crews must have read the Safety Briefing and circulation plan before going afloat for practise or racing.			Crews conform to published circulation pattern and follow instructions of raft marshals and of safety marshal stationed on balcony of MRC boathouse overlooking river. Crews boating from Bridge Gardens boat from downstream side of raft. Returning crews enter holding area above road bridge and return to upstream side of raft when instructed by crew marshals. Crews boating from MRC boat from upstream raft. These crews give way to crews and other river traffic proceeding downstream from the road bridge. Crews returning to MRC return to downstream raft.			2	D	Moderate	X		X		X
38	11	Embarkation and return of adaptive boats	Embark/return from top pontoon (in front of boathouse)	* Ensure that embarkation pontoons and rafts are stable for wheelchair users with access ramps at appropriate gradient for manual wheelchairs. A slope no greater than 1:12 is recommended. * Avoid sharp projections that may cut or mark during transfer.	Falling onto ground or into the water	There should be a heightened awareness of helpers around the boating area.	Marshals should remove wheelchairs and prosthesis from the boating area after rowers have embarked and store them in a safe and dry area.  Untrained helpers and marshals should follow the rower’s instructions and only provide the assistance that is requested.	Further injury, cold water shock, possible risk of infection from contaminated water.	3	C	Moderate	X	X	X
39				Depending on the number of entries it may be appropriate to define a dedicated boat launch and landing area for Adaptive rowers, as they may need more time and space for embarkation and return, particularly if they have to rely on support from their coaches or helpers, etc.		Event Committee make decision prior to event	Decision made prior to event, based on number and nature of entries		3	C	Moderate	X		X
40			Ensure that the approach route to embarkation pontoons is well lit and free of potential trip hazards, with steps clearly identified to VI rowers.						3	C	Moderate	X		X
41	Handling boats on land
42	12	Boats being moved in the presence of pedestrians and cyclists	Event guests are not permitted in the competitors or boating areas, a spotter is checking for members of the public either cycling or walking along the public towpath	Include in briefing to competitors and marshals	Collision of boat or cyclist with pedestrian.	Marshall contacts Race Control, who summons alerts Medical Officer and First Aid by radio.	Ensure that first aiders, etc., are competent and properly equipped. Check that radios work properly and that users are competent to use them.	Slight physical injury, possible damage to boats	2	C	Low	X		X		X
43	Faulty, incorrectly set and poorly maintained equipment
44	13	Poor boat maintenance	Correctly equipped boats	Competitors to ensure boats equipped correctly	Faulty equipment, missing bow ball, no heel restriants	Marshalls to confirm compliance and perform equipment check	Marshall checks prior to boating	Capsize / Injury	2	C	Low	X		X
45	14	Adaptive equipment considerations	Modifications to the foot stretcher to facilitate a prosthesis (artificial limb) should comply with British Rowing 2015 Rules of Racing: 2-3-8 Equipment Check			Marshalls to confirm compliance and perform equipment check	Marshall checks prior to boating	Capsize / Injury	2	C	Low	X		X
46			LTA-PD/RSS-PD rowers are only likely to use hand strapping (See British Rowing 2015 Rules of Racing: 2-3-8 Equipment Check Appendix C - General Strapping Requirements for Rowability and Para-Rowing events) * All hand strapping must be able to be released immediately in a quick and safe manner, preferably by mouth action.			Marshalls to confirm compliance and perform equipment check			2	C	Low	X		X
47	Pre-existing health conditions and low levels of fitness
48	15	Pre-existing health conditions	Ensure the club officials are aware of any rowers with pre-existing health conditions - and rower has any medications needed		Collapse of athlete on landing stages (e.g., asthma attack or serious fall)	Umpire contacts Race Control, who summons lifeguards and safety boat to assist and alerts Medical Officer and First Aid by radio.	Ensure that Umpires are properly briefed and equipped and that there are competent, well equipped first aiders, etc.	Serious health implications for competitor	3	B	Low	X		X	X
49	Other
50	16	Use of balcony	Ensure safe use of balcony	Catering team aware of risks	Drinking glass dropped from balcony onto spectators	All refreshments served in the bar to be in plastic glasses on Regatta day.	Ensure that caterers are adequately briefed	Minor injury and wetting	2	C	Low	X	X			X
51	17	Under age consumption of alcohol	Under 25s age check at Bar.	Catering team aware of risks	Intoxication due to alcohol	Refuse to serve anyone suspected of buying alcoholic drinks for someone underage. Return un-accompanied drinks to the bar	Ensure that caterers are adequately briefed	Intoxication due to alcohol	2	C	Low	X				X
52	18	Flamable/explosive gas cannisters for barbeque in/next catering marquee	Store spare cannisters away from ignition source	Good housekeeping by volunteers running BBQ/bar/cake stall	fire/explosion	Place fire extinguisher/s near BBQ and generator. Provisions for first aid, medical treatment, and casualty evacuation to hospital.	Ensure that first aiders, etc., are competent and properly equipped. Check that radios work properly and that users are competent to use them.	Burns	1	B	Low	X	X			X
53	19	Trips/slips/falls over e.g. guy-lines, cables, spares in/near catering marquee	Good housekeeping	Good housekeeping by volunteers running BBQ/bar/cake stall	Trips/slips/falls	Elimination of trip hazards as far as practicable in catering / bar area	Vigilance of trip hazards throughout day by catering / bar staff /volunteers	Injury	2	C	Low	X	X			X
54	20	Use of towpath by cyclists and pedestrians	Cycling is not permitted in the spectators’ area.	Ensure that Marshalls, coaches and crews are adequately briefed	Collision involving cyclists and pedestrians on the towpath	Provisions for first aid, medical treatment, and casualty evacuation to hospital.	Ensure that first aiders, etc., are competent and properly equipped. Check that radios work properly and that users are competent to use them.	Minor injury to spectators and cyclists	2	B	Low	X	X	X
55	21	Missing persons	Refer to safeguarding juniors guidance	Vigilence from all club members	Missing persons	Young people / juniors to be vigilant and remain within designated Regatta area	Vigilance of all Club Members / competitors /volunteers	Injury	3	C	Moderate	X		X		X
56	22	Vehicle movements in car parks	Marshalls with hi visibility vests in car park areas during times of high traffic movement.	Marshalls will control parking in rows with sufficient space for manoeuvre and for pedestrians	Collision between pedestrian and vehicle in car park areas (Club and Taplow FC)	Club car park will only be used for trailers and pre-arranged disabled access; these will park under close direction from marshals (closed during main event)	All vehicles have to stop before entering the car park and speak to a marshal this controls speed at entry. Signs to remind to drive slowly.	Minor injury to spectators and cyclists	2	B	Low	X	X	X
57			Boat park marshals to ensure that trailers are parked to allow adequate space to manoeuvre boats and people. No cars are allowed on Bridge Gardens. All cars need to be parked elsewhere.		Collision hazard due to trailers, boats and cars	Car park and boat park marshal diligence	Ensure marshals are briefed	Equipment and/or vehicle damage	2	C	Low	X		X
58	23	Fall whilst unloading and handling boats	Reliance on competency of crews. British Rowing provides guidelines on boat handling and this is practiced by crews at each outing during training.		Dropped object (boats, blades)	Car park and boat park marshal diligence	Ensure marshals are briefed	injury to rowers and/or damage to equipment	2	C	Low	X		X
59	24	Wind Blowing over tents	Ensure that the tents are properly constructed and properly secured.		Tent blown into spectators or umpires			Physical injury to spectators or umpires	2	C	Low	X	X
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