| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | |
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1 | Annual Risk Assessment for general student group activities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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8 | Student group name: University of Bristol Canoe Club | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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10 | Person(s) Completing assessment: Tia Shah | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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12 | Assessment date (today): 26/05/2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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14 | Review Date (12 months from now): 26/05/2026 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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16 | Activities covered by this assessment: Kayaking, Socials, Driving, Courses / Learning, Parking, Use of canoe club stores | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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20 | Accident or Incident Reporting Form | University Security Services Contacts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
21 | General (add hazards & controls related to your activity, don't delete hazards from this section) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
22 | What's the HAZARD? | Who might be harmed and how? | What steps (controls) are currently taken to keep people safe? | RISK SCORE (1 = low, 5 = high) Likelihood x Severity = Risk Rating | Further action you plan to take to lessen risk (is there anything you're not currently doing that you plan to do very soon) | Who will carry out further action? | Date to complete further action by | |||||||||||||||||||
23 | Likelihood | Severity | Risk Rating | |||||||||||||||||||||||
24 | Slips, Trips, Falls | Students, Volunteers, Public may be injured/harmed if they trip over objects or slip on splillages | - All members and attendees encouraged to wear appropriate footwear - Clear up any spillages as soon as they occur - Keep area clear and free of trip hazards - Good standard of housekeeping maintained - Appropriate levels of lighting used Appropriate footwear worn, clearing up spillages, area kept clear, good standard or housekeeping, appropriate levels of lighting -Ensure that people aren't running on the pool side - Encourage safety whilst navigating rocks river sides. | 4 | 4 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||
25 | Fire/Explosion | Students, Volunteers, Public could suffer fatal injuries from burns or smoke inhalation in the event of a fire | - Good standard of housekeeping maintained - Fire safety procedures covered on induction/checked at any new venues and communicated to members - Strict no smoking policy in place when indoors - Appropriate storage of flammable substances and materials (LPG to be stored in devoted LPG store in basement of the Richmond Building) | 1 | 5 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
26 | Electrical Failure/Fault | Students, Volunteers, Public could get electrical shocks or burns from using faulty electrical equipment. Electrical faults can also lead to fires. | - All electrical equipment inspected and PAT tested annually - Unsafe electrical items removed from use - Visual inspection of socket/plug before use - On rivers, sometimes leaders use phones to ensure proper communication however, these are kept in waterproof cases so that electrical equipment doesn't come into contact with water. | 1 | 5 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
27 | Over Crowding | Students, Volunteers, Public - overheating, claustrophobia. Over crowding can also cause delays in evacuating in the event of a fire | - Maximum occupancy of room/venue established and not exceeded - Occupancy levels checked when using external venues - Events ticketed when anticipated attendees is high | 2 | 4 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||
28 | Medical Emergency | Students, Volunteers, Public | - Location of trained first aiders known (Steeps now taken to try and train first aiders through the club) - First aid equipment and accident books known. All accident and incidents reported to Bristol SU (https://tinyurl.com/ynyse26a) | 1 | 4 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
29 | Food Poisoning/Allergic Reactions | Students, Volunteers, Public could become unwell, anaphylaxis can be fatal | - Catered food obtained from reputable providers - Allergies known amongst student group members ( for trips medical condition and allergies form completed by all participants) - Good practices followed (e.g. hand washing and food storage) | 1 | 4 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
30 | Manual handling | Students, Volunteers could be injured or develop musculoskeletal issues from lifting or moving heavy objects or equipment | - Members to undertake manual handling activites within their cabability - Appropriate footwear to be worn when setting up rooms and equipment - Kakaks are big and heavy so ask people to be careful when lifting them and use help if struggling to avoid injury | 2 | 2 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
31 | Alcohol consumption and dehydration | Students may become unwell if dehydrated or under the influence of too much alcohol | - Responsible drinking encouraged - Tap/bottled water available - Forced participation in drinking games not permitted - Initiations strictly prohibited - Make sure club members dont feel pressured to drink by other club members | 3 | 3 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
32 | Drugs | Students may become unwell if under the influence of drugs | - Harm reduction approach to use of drugs within student groups - Medical help summoned in an emergency | 1 | 4 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
33 | Traffic and Pedestrians | Students, Volunteers, Public could suffer serious injury whilst travelling on foot/crossing roads in large groups | - Travel in smaller groups where required - Make use of designated pedestrian routes and crossing points - Marshals leaders identified for larger events/movement of people | 2 | 3 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
34 | Getting to/from Social Events Safely | Students, Public could be injured if leaving social events alone | - Members advised not to travel home alone - Buddy system in place - Reputable public transport/taxi companies used | 1 | 3 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
35 | Severe/Adverse Weather | Students, Public could be injured or become unwell if out in severe/adverse weather e.g. hypothermia, hyperthermia, sunnburn | - Outside events/travelling cancelled in the case of severe adverse weather (e.g. wind, rain, snow/ice) - Appropriate clothing worn - Contingency plans in place - UOB security services accessible 24/7 in an emergency (0117 331 1223) - If too much rainfall has occured be prepared to cancel/change river trip accordingly since a river that has too much water in it is too dangerous to take new members on. | 2 | 4 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||
36 | Driving/ Road Traffic Collision | Students, Volunteers, Public may suffer serious physical injury if involved in an RTA | - All drivers hold appropriate licences and insurance - Long distance driving planned/shared - Training provided for all Bristol SU minibus drivers and annual license checks in place - Ensure that people have not drunk any alcoholic drinks before driving. | 2 | 4 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||
37 | Sleeping Arrangements Falling Through or Students Being Stranded | Students | - Trips and overnight activites planned in advance - Insurance checked to ensure appropriate for trip/activity (including any overseas activities) - Contingencies in place where required including emergency funds. - UOB Security Services available 24/7 in an emergency (0117 331 1223) - All trips registered with Bristol SU - Help freshers put up tents as sometimes it is their first time putting tents up. | 1 | 3 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
38 | Invited Guests/External speakers | Students, Volunteers, Public | Speakers attend by invitation only, Bristol SU external speakers form to be completed 21 days in advance | 2 | 2 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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41 | Sports (delete/add hazards & controls related to your activity) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
42 | Sport-related Injury | Students could suffer injuries such as sprains, cuts, breaks and concussion | - Required protective/safety equipment is worn by all players - Participants are fit to take part in activity - Warm up before activity commences - First aid equipment and appropriately trained first aiders available - All jewellery to be removed prior to training/matches - Ensure leaders on river trips are well trained. Ensure adequate safety is provided for river features. Participants are aware of the dangers involved and how best to avoid them | 2 | 4 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||
43 | Competitive Aggression | Students, Volunteers, Public may suffer physical and/or psychological injury | Code of Conduct enforced and regularly reviewed - Members/students removed or disciplined for aggressive behaviour - Play conducted in accordance with published rules - Emphasis on teamwork and mutual respect in club culture and training and continuous open communication | 1 | 3 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
44 | Failure of or contact with Equipment | Students, Volunteers, Public could suffer injuries such as sprains, cuts, breaks and concussion | - All equipment appropriately designed, fit for purpose and subject to appropriate inspection before every use - Equipment will only be taken on the water if it is safe for use - Pads/physical barriers in place where required to prevent contact and in accordance with any published rules - Kit Secretary regularly checks safety equipment so that it is safe to use. - Spare equipment available in the case of failure on the river | 1 | 4 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
45 | Panicking in water/ risk of drowning. | Students | 50m enforced swim test required to join the club to show you are an adequate swimmer, plus capsize drill test to show that you can safely exit a boat. Proper river swimming technique is discussed before each paddle in the case that a member exits boat. Ensure that there are people around to help if things do go wrong. I.e. first aid trained people / river leader trained and any unsafe practice is called out and improved. Ensure no-one enters the water while intoxicated. Ensure all leaders are aware of the waterway and its specific risks to ensure specific safety practice is used for the specific river. | 2 | 4 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||
46 | Mild, Hypothermia due to cold | Students, Volunteers | Members required to bring clothing appropriate to conditions & hot drinks/high energy food. Club kit used to supplement personal gear where necessary. Prohibition of participation if not suitable clothed. Suffient emergency equipment to be carried on trips including group shelters and foil blankets. time stationary in cold conditions is minimised | 2 | 2 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
47 | Severe Hypothermia | Students, Volunteers | Members required to bring clothing appropriate to conditions & hot drinks/high energy food. Club kit used to supplement where necessary. Prohibition of participation if not suitable clothed. Suffient equipment to be carried on trips including group shelters and foil blankets. Prohibition of participation if not suitably clothed. time stationary in cold conditions is minimised | 1 | 4 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
48 | Hyperthermia | Students, Volunteers | On hot days ensure people have access to water/cold drinks. Encourage sun protection and schedule rest breaks in shade. | 1 | 4 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
49 | Drowning | Students, Volunteers | all paddlers must wear buoyancy aids on the water. Bas regulary checked to be in good condition. Leaders and water rescue training and carry sufficient rescue equipment. Group kept within sight at all times and no paddlers are ever left alone.Participants must disclose any medical conditions that may increase drowning risk. | 1 | 4 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
50 | Injury from impact with boat in Canoe Polo | Students, Volunteers | Foam Bumpers are attached to the ends of boats, helmets (with face guards) are worn & buoyancy aids designed for canoe polo that protect torso. | 1 | 3 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
51 | Injury from lifting/carrying/ handling of equipment in storage/during transport | Students, Volunteers | All members advised to follow proper manual handling techniques (e.g. lift with legs, not back; team lifts for heavy/awkward items) Clear instruction given during training sessions and loading/unloading activities | 2 | 2 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
52 | Injury from paddle | Students, Volunteers | PPE and helmets to be worn. Proper paddling technique is taught so those handlig paddles can do so safely without hurting themselves or others.Awareness raised of paddle positioning and spacing, particularly in close-quarters environments (e.g. canoe polo, rescues) Players reminded to control paddle movement, especially during dynamic games or manoeuvres | 2 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
53 | Injury from tripping / falling in river environment | Students, Volunteers | Rivers and access points scouted in pairs before launching to assess footing and identify hazards All participants must wear suitable PPE, including well-fitting footwear with good grip and helmets where required Safety-first principles emphasised at all times — move slowly and deliberately, avoid unnecessary risks Encourage use of three points of contact (e.g. hands and feet) when scrambling or climbing Leaders brief groups on known slip/trip hazards before arrival or during safety talk | 1 | 3 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
54 | Injury from submerged objects | Students, Volunteers | Venue choice to be taken into account. Helmets to be worn, Appropriate footwear to be worn. Leaders to scout water features where visibility is poor. Avoid diving or jumping into unknown depths | 1 | 3 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
55 | Water borne disease or contamination | Students, Volunteers | Consider cleanliness of venue. Make sure cuts are covered Always tell participants to wash hands before eating. | 1 | 3 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
56 | Overdue paddler(s) as part of a group | Students, Volunteers | Paddling in groups with appropriate leaders and seconds following plans according with trip.Leaders to carry group lists and contact numbers | 1 | 2 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
57 | Moving water (overhanging trees, weirs, Etc.) | Students, Volunteers | Clear briefings & supervision, inc hazards and communication/signals. Water level monitored throughout, ongoing hazard management and route selection by leaders/seconds. Weirs/features to be inspected where required. Access / Egress knowledge of area being used. Throwlines and rescue equipment to be carried where applicable | 2 | 2 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
58 | Anglers | Students, Volunteers | Participants warned to steer away from anglers’ lines wherever possible. Participants warned of the dangers of old line and hooks left in overhanging trees, | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
59 | Other water craft | Students, Volunteers | Participants asked to avoid other water craft (i.e. canal barges at Saltford), kayak on right hand side of river when 2-way traffic is in place. Group to be kept close together when padding through busy areas. | 1 | 2 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
60 | Loss of equipment | Students, Volunteers | Advice on a venue basis of correct procedure to follow. Stressed important of personal safety over equipment.Participants briefed not to chase gear into hazards. Lost equipment to be reported post-trip if safe retrieval is not possible. | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
61 | Entrapment in closed cockpit kayak due to capsize | Students, Volunteers | Whitewater kayaks use spray decks to seal the paddler into the cockpit. Participants should not paddle with a spray deck unless they have performed a spray deck test. This test requires them to exit a boat with a spray deck using safe techniques. The spay deck used should be the correct size for the cockpit and the participant All Paddlers equipment is regularly checked. This includes the grab loops on the spray decks. Suitable footwear to also be worn. River knives to be held for trained individuals. | 1 | 4 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
62 | Foot entrapment on rivers | Students, Volunteers | Educate participants that they shouldn't stand up in a river due to the possibility of foot entrapment, and instead should adopt the safe swimming manouvers (Defensive and Active swimming) whilst on a river. If standing in a river is needed, then facing up stream is the safest method as to not allow the force of the river to hold you submerged. | 1 | 5 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
63 | Falling into river | Students, Volunteers | Wear helmet and buoyancy aid at all times. Wear appropriate footwear. Take care. Participants briefed on safe entry techniques (e.g. low centre of gravity when launching) | 1 | 3 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
64 | Exhaustion | Students, Volunteers | Adjust trip length to suit participants. Carry food. Group regularly checked by leaders for signs of fatigue or cold. Warm layers encouraged. | 2 | 3 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
65 | Getting run over by a raft at Cardiff International White Water Centre | Students, Volunteers | Avoid rafts where possible. | 3 | 2 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
66 | Getting hit by a car whilst transporting kayaks | Students, Volunteers | Practice proper road safety when transporting kayaks to and from pool | 1 | 4 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
67 | Degloving | Students, Volunteers | When climbing instruct members to not wear any sort of ring. Also ensure no loose bracelets or watches. | 1 | 4 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
68 | Equipment breaking | Students, Volunteers | Inspect equipment and use appropriate equipment for conditions. Carry paddle splits. Replace worm safety critical kit e.g. helmets. | 2 | 3 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
69 | Harbour Operations | Students, Volunteers | Harbourmaster’s public notices checked before organising docks sessions. Monitor weather and river tide. | 1 | 3 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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72 | Performance (delete/add as appropriate) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
73 | Voice Over-stretched | Students, Volunteers | - Proper warm-ups undertaken - Regular breaks scheduled - Use of hand signals on rivers by leaders to minimise voice strain | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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77 | Safeguarding | Students, Volunteers, Public | - SU safeguarding training undertaken - Volunteers issued guidance regarding best practice - Volunteers to undergo DBS checks where required - Any safeguarding concerns escalated to SU Safeguarding Officer | 1 | 5 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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80 | Canoe Club Stores (delete/add as appropriate) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
81 | Slips, Trips, Falls | Students, Volunteers, Public | Appropriate footwear worn, clearing up spillages, area kept clear, good standard or housekeeping, appropriate levels of lighting | 2 | 2 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
82 | Fire/Explosion | Students, Volunteers, Public | Good standard of housekeeping, fire safety procedures covered on induction/checked at any new venues and communicated to members, no smoking policy in place, appropriate storage of flammable substances and materials | 1 | 5 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
83 | Electrical Failure/Fault | Students, Volunteers, Public | Visual inspection of socket/plug before use, unsafe electrical items removed form use | 1 | 5 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
84 | Over Crowding | Students, Volunteers, Public | Maximum occupancy of room at TRB displayed and not exceeded, occupancy levels checked when using external venues | 1 | 5 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
85 | Medical Emergency | Students, Volunteers, Public | Location of trained first aiders, first aid equipment and accident books known. All accident and incidents reported to Bristol SU (https://tinyurl.com/jqz9xrk) | 1 | 4 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
86 | Manual handling | Students, Volunteers | Members to undertake manual handling activites within their cabability, appropriate footwear to be worn when setting up rooms and equipment | 2 | 2 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
87 | Drugs | Students | Zero tolerence approach to use of drugs within clubs and societies, medical help summoned in an emergency | 1 | 4 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
88 | Injury from boats | Students | Time is taken to store boats appropriately at the of each training session, either in secure shelving or standing positions and tied in place to prevent boats falling. | 2 | 3 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
89 | Injury from paddles | Students . | Paddles are stored appropriately and held securely by ropes or on a shelf | 2 | 2 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
90 | Injury from moving boats before/ after training session | Students | Students are aware of when others are moving boats in stores and there is plenty of room to move out of the way. Students collect boats one at a time. | 2 | 3 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
91 | Moving vehicles outside stores | Students, Public | Students are aware of the car park next to stores and boats and equipment are placed immidately outside the stores, out of the way of any moving vehicles and then either put directly on/ in member's cars or carried to the pool in Richmond Building. Care is taken. | 2 | 4 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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