Event-Risk-Assessment-for-Henley-Sculls-2026.xlsx

Risk Assessment

Event

Henley Sculls Head Race

Date: 27/9/2026

Oct-26

Author

Event Rowing Safety Advisor (Andrew Garnett)

Rev:

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

Barriers

Action to maintain barriers

Controls

Action to maintain controls

Event Committee

Event RSA

Umpires & Marshalls

Control Commissions

other

Water

Fast river conditions (taking account of stream, wind strength and direction) and poor weather forecast likely to result in difficult conditions (eg wind against stream)

Depending on the severity of the river conditions observed decide whether to:
(a) Shorten the course by 200 metres to create wider safety margin from Hambleden Weir
(b) Take out some or all of junior, and low ranking crews.
(c) Cancel racing

Assessment of stream and weather will be carried out in the week before the race and before the start of each Division.

Capsize or sinking due to river conditions

A Decision Matrix is in place

The Chairman, Race Committee Chairman (RCC), and Water Safety Adviser (WSA) will review the conditions. Measures will be agreed to reduce any risk(s) identified to an acceptable level

Cold water immersion leading to mild hypothermia

Moderate

Boats afloat for marshalling

Coaches and crews must have read the Safety Briefing and circulation plan before going afloat.

Prepare and provide safety briefing and inform coaches and crews that they must read it.

Capsize or sinking whilst marshalling

Safety plan and instructions to competitors advise crews not go afloat before there is a rescue boat on the course.

Notify clubs of safety plans and instruct them to inform their crews. Display safety plan.

Cold water immersion leading to mild hypothermia

Low

Safety launches are in 2-way radio contact.

Ensure that there is sufficient safety cover. Check equipment prior to use.

Cox’s life jackets may be checked by Control Commission prior to going afloat to race. Particular attention paid to “front loader” boats.

Ensure that Umpires checking equipment have instructions and a checklist

Collision in the Start Zone

Start marshals “collect” crews for the race in start order and turn them in that order ready to start.

Include in briefing for umpires and marshalls

Colision injuries and/or cold water immersion leading to mild hypothermia

Collision between crews rowing in different directions during racing

No crews allowed to boat for next division until previous division has finished and crews disembarked. Monitored by raft marshals in the finish area. Crews returning downstream to UTRC must follow circulation pattern.

Include in briefing for umpires and marshalls

Colision injuries and/or cold water immersion leading to mild hypothermia

Crews get too cold while waiting to race, particularly if they boat too early or there is a delay to start

Competitors instructions advise on appropriate clothing. Boating officials will not allow competitors to race if not suitably dressed for the conditions. Boating times advised so that marshalling time kept to minimum possible. In adverse conditions, some categories may not be allowed to race.

Include in briefing for bating official, umpires and marshalls

Hypothermia

Boats afloat for racing

Coaches and crews must have read the Safety Briefing and circulation plan before going afloat.

Prepare and provide safety briefing and inform coaches and crews that they must read it.

Capsize or sinking during a race

Three, ideally four, third party safety/resue launches plus additional marshal launches including finish marshall launch. All umpires, start marshals and rescue launches are linked by radio (mobile phone back up). Umpires and marshals are also equipped with megaphone to summon assistance.

Ensure that there is sufficient safety cover. Check equipment prior to use.

- Rower may continue racing if they wish – rescue launch to assist and check with race control if a junior.

Cold water immersion leading to mild hypothermia

Low

Safety launches are in 2-way radio contact.

Ensure that there is sufficient safety cover. Check equipment prior to use.

Cox’s life jackets may be checked by Control Commission prior to going afloat to race. Particular attention paid to “front loader” boats.

Ensure that Umpires checking equipment have instructions and a checklist

Crews turning from the Bucks station to cross the course to Upper Thames RC whilst the race is still on and thus potentially endangering crews still racing

Competitors instructed to take care when crossing the course during the race in order to disembark at UTRC. Race monitors along the course have responsibility for managing any potentially dangerous situation. Safety boat available mid-course on the Bucks bank to attend any incident

Include in briefing for umpires and marshalls

Colision injuries and/or cold water immersion leading to mild hypothermia

Congestion in finish area due to crews not moving on from the finish after racing and waiting for return to the rafts

Finish marshal to be in a launch around the finish area to instruct crews to move away from the finish line after racing.
Raft volunteers will manage returning boats to the rafts minimise any congestion and facilitate quick removal of boats

Crews warming up or cooling down obstructing racing or launches.

Safety Instructions (especially to crews) advise that cooling down on the race course is not allowed and any crew crossing the finish line a second time will be disqualified. Marshall will be in a launch at the finish area to instruct crews to move on.

Wash created by safety launch when attending a rescue may affect racers

When required for assistance the appropriate rescue boat will attend to minimise travel distance (start, middle, or finish). Boat captain will determine if high speed needed to return casualty to the finish. Marshals will be aware of rescue by radio and will alert other crews as necessary.

Racing (head race)

In accordance with British Rowing’s rules of racing.

Include this fact in information for competitors

Clashes between 2 racing crews during a race

If a clash becomes serious and is likely to damage equipment or athletes, the slower crew should giveway or stop. Umpire may instruct crews to stop.

Ensure that Umpires are properly equipped and briefed

Colision injuries and/or cold water immersion leading to mild hypothermia

Low

Injury of athlete during a race (e.g., hit by blade as a result of a crab, hit by another boat in a collision, etc.)

Umpire contacts Race Control, who summons safety boat to assist and alerts First Aid by radio.

Ensure that Umpires and Race Control are properly equipped and briefed

Weather

Sudden bad weather causing un-rowable and/or dangerous conditions

Any race official will notify RCC and / or WSA who will make the decision to stop racing. Any crews on the water will be moved into the most sheltered area and shepherded back to the landing stages by launches and rescue boats.

Boats capsize or are swamped

Safety launches are in 2-way radio contact.

Ensure that there is sufficient safety cover. Check equipment prior to use.

Cold water immersion leading to mild hypothermia

Moderate

Coxes’ life jackets checked by Umpires prior to going afloat to race. Particular attention paid to “front loader” boats.

Ensure that Umpires checking equipment have instructions and a checklist

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

Low

“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 on lightning to be agreed unanimously by Event Chairman, Safety Adviser, Starter. Race Committee Chairman and all members of Race Committee.

All crews to leave the water immediately, instructions from Safety Adviser or Race Committee Chairman using radios .

Ensure that Marshals, Umpires, Coaches and crews are adequately briefed.

Other water users

Many Boats on the water

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 Marshala are properly equipped and briefed

Collision

Bow balls, heel restraints and buoyancy compartment aids may be inspected by Umpires prior to going afloat to race.

Include in briefing for Control Commission

Colision injuries and/or cold water immersion leading to mild hypothermia

Low

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

Warning notices displayed for pleasure craft at each end of the course.

Ensure that notice is displayed.

Local Environment

Overhanging trees downwind of the route to the start

Warn crews and scullers to avoid trees and not to rest upwind of the trees

Include in briefing to competitios 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)

Low

Going afloat and landing

Congestion in the boating area

Two upstream stages in the boating area to be used for embarkation only. Two downstream stages are to be used only for disembarkation.

Ensure that Marshalls, coaches and crews are adequately briefed

Collision in boating area

If rescue is required, this will be co-ordinated by radio between marshalls.

Ensure that Marshalls are properly equipped (throw lines, etc.) and adequately briefed.

Minor injury or Cold water immersion leading to mild hypothermia

Low

Landing stages

Minimise slip hazard particularly wooden edges by brushing down as for rafts.

Brushing down wooden edges and rafts before boating starts. Henley contracting are requested to clean tow path edges if very slippery due rain/moss.

Slip on tow path near landing stages, particularly wooden edging

Control Commission or Umpire or Rescue Boat to summon Medical Aid by radio (First Aiders available at the Finish). In the event of serious injury emergency services will be contacted immediately (See Emergency plan). Hot showers available at Leander Club in emergency. Other showers at UTRC or HRC
Paramedics on site with defibrillators. Defibrilators available at Leander Club and UTRC – see course map

Include in briefing for Control Commission

Minor injury or Cold water immersion leading to mild hypothermia

Low

Rafts will be gritted and salted if temperatures are close to freezing.

Trip hazards will be minimised (e.g. raft marshals to instruct no shoes to be left on the rafts)

Slip due to frost / ice on the landing stages

Collapse of athlete or member of the public on/near landing stages (e.g. asthma attack) or falling into the water

handling boats on land

Parking trailers and moving boats

Car park attendants direct trailers and cars to parking area and guide parking to allow room to manoeuvre boats.

Include in briefing to competitios and marshals

Collision of boats and/or trailers

Reliance on competency of drivers towing trailers in accordance with British Rowing Guidance. No specific marshall in trailer/car park area.

Include in information to Clubs

Slight physical injury and/or damage

Low

Unloading/loading boats

Reliance on coaches/crews to unload and load boats in a competent manner and according to their training and guidelines.

Include in briefings

Fall while unloading boats causing injury

Reliance on coaches/crews to unload and load boats in a competent manner and according to their training and guidelines.

Include in information to Clubs

Slight physical injury and/or damage

Low

Boats being moved in the presence of pedestrians and cyclists

Coaches are not allowed to cycle with their crew along the regatta enclosures and boating area.

Signs put up on site and no cycling in enclosure specified in instructions.

Collision of boat or cyclist with pedestrian.

Marshall contacts Race Control, who summons alerts 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

Low

Faulty, incorrectly set and poorly maintained equipment

Failure of launch

All launches are checked and fuelled before the event.

Launch breaks down during racing

Any available launch in the vicinity will take over

Ensure that launch drivers and Umpires are appropriately briefed.

Low

Umpire will radio to Race Control to advise of problem; Race Control to summon rescue launch to retrieve the broken-down launch and recover for repair.

Ensure that communications are effective.

Pre-existing health conditions and low levels of fitness

Pre-existing health conditions - on land

Collapse of athlete on landing stages (e.g., asthma attack or serious fall)

Umpire contacts Race Control, who summons safety boat to assist and alerts 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

Low

Pre-existing health conditions - on water

Collapse of athlete during a race (e.g., asthma attack)

Umpire contacts Race Control, who summons safety boat to assist and alerts First Aid by radio.

Ensure that Umpires are properly briefed and equipped and that there are competent, well equipped first aiders, etc. - Crews encouraged to carry an audible warning device, such as a whistle, to attract attention in case of emergency. Race control/safety to direct safety boat to assist and bring casualty to raft at Leander Club. Alert paramedics (with defibrillator) by radio to meet. Defibrilators available at Leander Club and UTRC – see safety map.

Serious health implications for competitor

Moderate

Collapse of athlete in boat after going through bridge (ie crew returning to HRC)

HRC crews to be reminded that no safety cover is available above bridge. HRC crews encouraged to carry a mobile phone (contact coach) in case of emergency. Defibrilator at HRC

Ensure that coaches are properly briefed and HRC equipped and that there are competent, well equipped first aiders, etc.

Other

Catering

Clean utensils will be provided. Gloves for handling and serving. Handwash will be provided. Cash will be separated from food handling. There is someone on site with a valid food hygiene certificate.

Illness due to poor food hygiene serving cakes/hot drinks

Minor injury and welbeing

Low

Food will be kept chilled and in separate containers. Steps taken to avoid any cross contamination. Food to be thoroughly cooked before serving. Suitable protection for those cooking on barbeque.

Illness due to poor food hygiene at barbeque

Electric urns to be plugged into electric points supplied and no other extension cables to be used unless supplied by Henley Contracting. Minimise trip hazard from cables. Ensure urns/cooking equipment placed on a stable surface before operation commences and hot surfaces are kept away the public. Gazebo dismantled only once equipment is safely out of the way.

Accidents in catering area (food preparation) involving urns or other cooking equipment e.g. barbacue

Cold water bucket to be available in case of burns prior to seeking first aid assistance

Welfare

It is a condition of entry that each junior competitor or crew shall have a named manager/coach. The coach, who must be over 18, must have been named on the entry form with his/her mobile phone number to contact in case of emergency.

Unaccompanied junior competitors attend the event

Minor injury and welbeing

Low

The coach is responsible for the welfare, safety and appropriate supervision of his/her crew and is expected to know the whereabouts of his/her crew at all times on the race day.

Action for missing participants is set out in the Welfare Plan.

Junior competitor or child becomes missing for more than 30 minutes

Water tap available on site near catering area

Dehydration

100