health & safety responsibilities

The Club or its representatives will:

1. Carry out an on-site risk assessment at all away trips before members are permitted to take to the water. Members will only be permitted to embark at the discretion of the trip leader whose decision will be final.
2. Carry out an on-site risk assessment at Tonbridge when abnormal river conditions are in force. The decision on whether to allow members to paddle from the club will rest with any committee members present or with the most experienced paddler present whose decision will be final.
3. Ensure that parental consent is obtained before any junior member is allowed to take part in any away trip or event.
4. Carry out regular safety checks on all club equipment. Any equipment failing such a check will be repaired or taken out of use and clearly marked.
5. Ensure that, in the event of an accident or incident e.g. a capsize on the river, the safety of members is the first priority. Equipment should only be recovered if there is no appreciable risk to individuals.
6. Ensure that all junior members wear a suitable buoyancy aid when paddling.
7. Ensure that indoor training equipment is only used by junior members under the supervision of an adult member.
8. Maintain records for all club coaches to ensure their continued capability to lead beginners training sessions.

The Club expects all members to:

1. Accept the decision of committee members or other suitably experienced members on all safety related issues.
2. Wear a buoyancy aid when conditions or inexperience make it desirable to do so or, if a junior member, at all times when on the water.
3. Consider the safety of themselves and others at all times.
4. If an adult member carry out basic checks of the equipment that you propose to use before taking to the water e.g. suitability of boat, buoyancy in place, rudder correctly adjusted and working, no obvious signs of damage to boat, paddles or buoyancy aid. Ensure that equivalent checks are carried out on the equipment to be used by any junior members. Report all problems that cannot be immediately resolved to a coach or committee member who will decide whether the damaged item should be taken out of use. His/her decision will be final.
5. Keep Club premises clean, tidy and clear of obvious hazards at all times. Keep all gangways, passageways, doorways and exits clear.
6. Familiarise themselves with the location of all safety equipment, information and emergency exits.
7. Ensure that the Club premises are empty before locking all exit doors.
8. Take responsibility for any accompanying children.
9. Use Club equipment only for its intended purpose.
10. Seek assistance if experiencing difficulty removing boats from or replacing boats on racks.
11. In the event of discovering a fire ensure that everybody on the premises is aware of the incident by shouting FIRE. If it is possible to do so without putting themselves in danger check the clubhouse for people who may not be aware of the problem and assist anybody who may have difficulty in getting to a place of safety. Tackle the problem only if there is no risk to themselves or any other individual and they feel competent to do so. When safe to do so advise the Emergency Services of the incident.

In addition all adult members have an enhanced responsibility for the safety of junior members.