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SAFETY POLICY STATEMENT
The Club Committee places the highest priority on ensuring that the safest practicable environment is created and maintained both within the clubhouse and whilst on the water. The following information has been produced so that all Loch Lomond Rowing Club members are aware of the safe practices they are expected to adhere to and abide by.
The Club Captain is the person who holds the responsibility for providing a safe boating environment both within the boathouse and on the water. In discharging this responsibility the Captain shall be assisted by a Safety Officer (SO) who will take all practicable steps to ensure that the Club remains compliant with the relevant safety codes. All Club members are personally accountable to the Captain for complying with safety instructions.
Water Safety - The Club fully supports and implements the SARA Water Safety Code. Whilst the Club has a responsibility to ensure that its members’ safety is safeguarded wherever possible the Committee reminds members that there is a responsibility for each individual to be familiar with and uphold the Water Safety Code at all times. Every club member must assist in improving safety practice by adhering to these safety instructions. ALL members should directly challenge any member or water user who is seen to be non-compliant with the Code or the Club Safety Instructions.
Young Persons and Vulnerable Adults – In line with the Scottish Amateur Rowing Association’s Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy the Committee requires all adult members who will have regular contact with, training, supervising or being in sole charge of children and young people to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure check. All members are to be aware of the Club’s policy for the protection of young persons. The policy provides guidance that helps ensure that:
§ Adults conduct themselves in a manner consistent with safeguarding the welfare of the young people within the Club. § Adults avoid compromising situations or opportunities for misunderstandings or allegations. § All adult members know what is expected of them if they have any doubts about the welfare of young persons within the Club. § All child (for the purposes of this policy defined as a person under the age of 18 years) members know what to do if they are in anyway concerned about their own welfare.
The Club has a zero tolerance approach to any acts of emotional abuse, neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, negative discrimination (including racism) or bullying.
Fire and General Safety – All activities undertaken within the boathouse are to be the subject of appropriate Risk Assessments with control measures put in place as appropriate to reduce the safety risk to all persons entering and using the building. The boathouse is to be subject to a Fire Safety Risk Assessment and this is to be reviewed on an annual basis.
Members are advised that the Committee will not hesitate to take disciplinary action against any members who act in an irresponsible or unsafe manner on the water (whether in Club boats OR their own) or who fail to comply with the Club’s safety policies or instructions.
Copies of the Safety Instructions will be made available on the Club website and on hard copy in the Clubhouse. All members are required to be familiar with these instructions. Any comments or queries about their content should be referred to the Club Safety Officer.
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
The information below has been produced in order to assist members in maintaining their awareness of the safe practices and policies which they are expected to abide by.
1.
REQUIREMENTS ON ALL MEMBERS
a.
They have
received the club's Safety Induction from a member of the Committee.
b.
They can
swim at least 50 metres unaided.
c.
They are
in good health and do not suffer from any medical conditions likely
to pose a hazard either to themselves or any other rowers or river
users.
d.
They are
wearing suitable clothing for the weather conditions at the time.
2.
CLOTHING
AND EQUIPMENT
a.
CLOTHING.
Members should wear close fitting clothing that will not interfere
with the blade handles or mechanism of the boat. If in any doubt
about the suitability of their kit, members should consult a
Committee member.
b.
COLD
WEATHER.
The risk of hypothermia from wearing insufficient clothing or with
inexperienced crews not moving vigorously enough to generate
sufficient body heat is a REAL DANGER. Members should wear several
thin layers of appropriate clothing, preferably with a waterproof
garment on top. Coxswains, especially, should be well protected,
with particular care being taken to ensure warmth around the head,
neck, lower back and extremities. Clothing should ideally be wind
and waterproof but avoid undue bulk. Wellington boots should not be
worn.
c.
HOT
WEATHER.
All rowers and coxswains should take precautions to avoid sunburn
(hat, sun cream), as the sun's effect is doubled due to reflection
from the water. Dehydration is also a threat and consideration
should be given to ensuring adequate supplies of fluids are
available whilst afloat.
d.
BUOYANCY AIDS.
Coxswains and coaches in launches must wear life jackets or buoyancy
aids at all times whilst afloat.
3. BOATS AND
BLADES
· Bow Ball - securely fitted, no cracks or splits · Heel Restraints - in good condition and not frayed. Heels only come up far enough to allow full foot movement while rowing. · Riggers - check riggers are not loose and are in good condition with gates securely attached and undamaged. · Bungs or corks - Check these are in place and secure · Steering equipment - Check rudder cables are free and have full movement. Check for frayed cable. · Rudders & fins - Check rudder and fin are not bent. Check free and full movement of rudder.
·
Buoyancy
bags - Check all buoyancy bags are present, not split and adequately
inflated.
If any defects
cannot be rectified at the time of discovery then the boat is not to
be used and the details written on the white board by the boat house
entrance, and notified to a committee member as soon as possible.
Any such defects in a private boat should be rectified before the
boat is used. The committee members will inspect all boats on a
weekly basis by rota and a record of such checks will be maintained.
4.
ASSESSMENT
OF CREW COMPETENCE
a.
NOVICES.
Novice members (defined as members new to rowing and/or new to Loch
Lomond and does not refer to ARA status) may not take out club boats
unless they are accompanied by an experienced member in the boat or
by a safety launch.
b.
SCULLERS.
Scullers are strongly advised not to go afloat alone, but should be
accompanied by at least one other sculler. Members will be rated
according to their perceived skill levels and the details are
displayed on club noticeboards. The categories are: § Experienced scullers - GREEN § Intermediate scullers - AMBER § Inexperienced scullers – RED
Category RED may
go afloat only if accompanied by a safety launch. Category AMBER may
go afloat only when accompanied by other AMBER or GREEN scullers,
but not RED scullers.
The rating
system is maintained by the Committee. All new members are
automatically allocated RED category until assessed otherwise by the
Committee.
c.
COXLESS
BOATS. Coxless boats should only be used by experienced members
with a steersperson who has been approved as competent by a
Committee member. In all other cases they should be accompanied by
a safety launch at all times.
d.
CAPSIZE DRILL/RIVER SAFETY.
All members should complete capsize drill training and river safety
awareness training at the first possible opportunity. Knowledge of
the capsize drill is compulsory for all scullers wanting to progress
from RED status.
e.
COXSWAINS.
Prior to undertaking duties as a coxswain members are to demonstrate
their ability to wear a life jacket/buoyancy aid correctly and
understand how to get out of a boat in the event of capsize.
Members acting as coxswains are to be supervised by an experienced
crew member until such time as they are assessed as being competent
to undertake the role unsupervised. An assessment of a coxswain’s
competency is to be based upon their knowledge of basic boat
handling, river navigation and hazard awareness.
5.
ASSESSMENT OF WATER CONDITIONS
a.
UNSAFE
CONDITIONS.
The committee or senior supervising adult shall have the authority
to deem boating unsafe due to dangerous wind or stream
conditions, low visibility or extreme cold. In this situation,
no member shall go afloat.
b.
OTHER
CONDITIONS.
Loch Lomond and the River Leven can be subject to rapidly changing
weather conditions even in the summer. From late summer to late
spring the flow of water in the river can make boat manoeuvres
hazardous, particularly when the weir is lowered. Wind conditions
on the Loch can change without warning and can cause extreme
difficulty for rowers attempting to return to the river. Rowers
should take guidance from experienced members as to whether the
conditions are suitable for them to go out and which side of the
Loch presents the best lee shore. All rowers are to familiarise
themselves with the river navigation hazards, in particular the
unusual currents and streams that are evident when water levels are
high.
c.
WASHES.
Loch Lomond has many users, not all of whom are aware of the effect
that their wakes may have. Remember that rowing boats, particularly
single sculls, are difficult to see and there is an ever-present
danger of a wash causing capsize or at worst a collision occurring.
Jet skiers in particular can move at significant speed and change
direction rapidly. Rowers must maintain a constant awareness of
other water users and be prepared to come off the Loch if at all in
doubt about their own safety. When on the water, members should stop
rowing for any large washes. Boats should be positioned side on to
an incoming wash and the crew should slightly raise the side of the
boat nearest to the wash to prevent the boat being swamped.
d.
RIVER
USERS.
The River Leven has a significant number of moorings and boatyards
and the presence and frequent movement of other boats requires
particular care to be taken when on the river. Members must adhere
to the ‘rule of the road’ when transiting the river and maintain a
constant look out for other users. All members are make themselves
aware of the navigational aids and hazards on the river. Particular
attention should be paid to vessels that may have dragged their
moorings and to the movement of the larger cruise boats.
e.
NIGHT
TIME ROWING.
Rowing at night is discouraged. Any members rowing at night must
display a white light visible through 360 degrees at both the stern
and the bows. Remember, IF IN DOUBT, DON'T GO OUT!
6.
GENERAL
PROCEDURE TO BE FOLLOWED FOR ALL OUTINGS
a.
Check the
prevailing conditions and determine if it is safe to boat.
b.
Check the
condition of the boat.
c.
Ensure all
crew members including the coxswain are correctly dressed.
d.
If rowing
alone take a mobile telephone in a waterproof enclosure.
e.
Ensure
your name, boat name and time of departure are logged on the
whiteboard. Erase these details on return.
f.
On return
wash down the boat and ensure any defects are rectified or reported.
7.
COACHING
AND USE OF THE LAUNCH
a.
No member
may use the launch unless they have been fully instructed in its use
and have the permission of a Committee member.
b.
Every
person using a launch shall wear a life jacket or buoyancy aid at
all times whilst afloat.
c.
Users are
to ensure that the following equipment is within the launch before
leaving the boathouse: § A bailer, inflation pump and a spare inflation valve. § A sound signalling warning device, capable of attracting attention over at least 200 metres. § A throwing line. § Thermal/exposure blankets. § A basic first aid kit. § A sharp knife in carrying sheath. § Two paddles. § An engine cut-out lanyard devices which must be fixed to the driver on entering the launch. § A fully charged mobile phone with emergency numbers pre-programmed.
8. REPORTING
OF INCIDENTS
Any incidents or
accidents must be recorded in the Incident Book kept in the
boathouse. Any injuries requiring medical treatment must be reported
to a Committee member immediately. All damage must be reported to a
Committee member.
9.
USE OF GYM
EQUIPMENT AND ERGOMETERS
10. EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN
a.
WATER
EMERGENCIES.
Crews having swamped or capsized should remain with their craft
whenever possible. Do not attempt to swim to shore, unless not to do
so would give rise to extreme danger. Coaches accompanying crews in
a launch should inform the Police/Coastguard if assistance is
required. Carry out the capsize drill making every effort to reduce
avoid the onset of hypothermia. b. BOATHOUSE EMERGENCY. In the event of fire raise a vocal alarm and all persons must leave the building by the nearest exit. Contact the emergency services by dialling 999. If safe to do so use the telephone situated in the entrance lobby. In the event of personal injury a first aid kit is available in the boathouse office.
PROTECTION OF YOUNG PERSONS
All adult Club members have a responsibility to ensure that young people are protected from harm. Equally an adult should avoid situations where their actions could be misinterpreted. It is the responsibility of each adult to ensure that:
· their behaviour is appropriate at all times · they observe the rules established for the safety and security of young people · they follow the procedures following suspicion, disclosure or allegation of child abuse · in every respect, the relationships they form with young people within the club are appropriate
Any member who has concerns about an incident involving a child or vulnerable adult that seems untoward or unusual must report their concerns as soon as possible to the Safety Officer and Club Captain. Parents should also be informed of the incident as soon as possible unless it is not in the child's or vulnerable adult’s interests to tell them.
Should a child approach any member and disclose information of concern then that member is to react calmly and: • Listen. • Do not show disbelief. • Tell the child that he/she is not to blame and that he/she was right to tell. • Take what the child says seriously,
• Do not
pre-suppose that the experience was bad or painful - it may have
been neutral or even pleasurable. • If you need to clarify, keep questions to the absolute minimum to ensure a clear and accurate understanding of what has been said. • If you need to clarify or the statement is ambiguous, use open-ended, non-leading questions (who, what, when, why, where, how)
• Do not introduce personal information from either your own experiences or those of other children. • Reassure the child.
Make a record of the child’s disclosure in their own words as soon as possible and inform the Safety Officer and Club Captain.
Code of Behaviour
Do treat everyone with respect Do provide an example you wish others to follow Do ensure that coaching or training activities involve more than one other person being present, or at least are within sight or hearing of others Do ensure that when delivering educational instruction it is conducted first verbally; secondly role-modelled; and thirdly, and only if necessary, with hands on - which must be accompanied by telling the child or vulnerable adult where you are putting your hands and why it is necessary and obtaining their consent Do respect a young person's right to personal privacy Do avoid situations that compromise your relationship with young people and are unacceptable within a relationship of trust Do remember that someone else might misinterpret your actions, no matter how well-intentioned
Do NOT permit abusive peer activities (e.g. initiation ceremonies, ridiculing, bullying) Do NOT have any inappropriate physical or verbal contact with others Do NOT jump to conclusions about others without checking facts Do NOT allow yourself to be drawn into inappropriate attention seeking behaviour such as tantrums or crushes Do NOT show favouritism to any individual Do NOT make suggestive remarks or gestures, even in fun Do NOT let suspicion, disclosure or allegation of abuse, go unrecorded or unreported Do NOT rely on just your good name to protect you Do NOT believe "it could never happen to me"
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