References: Row Safe: A Guide to Good Practice in Rowing
Risk Level Estimator
| Severity of Outcome | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Probability of Occurrence | Slightly harmful | Harmful | Extremely harmful |
| Highly Unlikely | Trivial Risk | Tolerable Risk | Moderate Risk |
| Unlikely | Tolerable Risk | Moderate Risk | Substantial Risk |
| Likely | Moderate Risk | Substantial Risk | Intolerable Risk |
Risk Based Control Plan
| Risk Level | Action and Timescale |
|---|---|
| 1. Trivial | No action required. |
| 2. Tolerable | No additional controls are required. Consideration may be given to a more effective solution or improvement. |
| 3. Moderate | Efforts should be made to reduce the risk. Risk reduction measures should be implemented within a defined time period. Where the moderate risk is associated with harmful/serious consequences further assessment may be necessary to establish more precisely the likelihood of harm as a basis for determining the need for improved control measures. |
| 4. Substantial | The activity should not be started until the risk has been reduced. Considerable resources may have to be allocated to reduce the risk. Where the risk involves activity already in progress, urgent action should be taken. |
| 5. Intolerable | Activity should not be started or continued until the risk has been reduced. If it is not possible to reduce risk even with unlimited resources, activity has to remain prohibited. |
Risk Assessment
| Risk | Probability of Accidents HU/U/L |
Severity SH/H/EH |
Risk Level | Planned Action to Control Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fast river conditions | Likely | Harmful | Substantial | The safety Adviser will take advice on the river conditions from the Environment Agency 3 days before the race. If Yellow or Red warning boards are predicted, the race will be cancelled |
| Damage and injury resulting from collision between competitors. | Likely | Slightly Harmful | Moderate | During the race, competitors are spaced apart at the Start. Returning Competitors are prohibited from crossing to the Surrey bank while racing is in progress: race officials will monitor this. Racing competitors are at all times within sight of a race monitor, with radio contact to a rescue launch. Waterborne marshals are positioned in the Start marshalling area and at the Finish to keep the competitors apart. There are also rescue launches at the Start, mid-course and Finish |
| Damage and injury resulting from collision with other river traffic. | Unlikely | Harmful | Moderate | There are warning boards at all access points onto the course. Closures to other river traffic apply to the Surrey side of D’Oyly Carte Island, the Desborough Channel and the Surrey half of the Thames between Desborough Island and just below Walton RC.The lock-keepers at either end of the course are given information leaflets to hand to non race boat users. Local river club users will be notified of the race. Race monitors and marshals are equipped with loudhailers to warn other river users as necessary. |
| Crews crossing road at Cowey Sale to boat | Unlikely | Harmful | Moderate | 20mph Speed limit imposed on road traffic reinforced with warning signs |
| Capsize during race | Likely | Slightly Harmful | Moderate | Racing competitors are at all times within sight of a race monitor or marshall, with radio contact to a rescue launch. It is the responsibility of all competitors to ensure that their boats have adequate buoyancy and that they can release their feet in an emergency. Umpires will make spot checks as the competitors are boating. |
| Sudden bad weather causing unrowable and/or dangerous conditions | Unlikely | Harmful | Moderate | The Race Committee and the Safety Adviser will suspend or cancel racing if they judge that conditions are dangerous. |
| Injury or illness to a competitor or official on the land | Unlikely | Harmful | Moderate | St John Ambulance attending at Cowey sale. First Aid facilities are available at Walton Rowing Club, and Elmbridge Canoe Club |
| Man overboard from boats used for course preparation and marshalling | Unlikely | Slightly Harmful | Tolerable | All personnel afloat will be provided with personal buoyancy aids. |
| Capsize whilst proceeding to race Start via the ‘Old River’ | Unlikely | Harmful | Moderate | A rescue launch assisted by 2 ‘on the water’ Marshalls will provide cover |
It is recommended that the Race Committee and Safety Adviser hold a Risk Assessment meeting 3 days preceding the Race at Weybridge Rowing Club. Any further risks should be identified and measures agreed to reduce these to an acceptable level.