Safety Code
COMPLIANCE WITH THE ARA WATER SAFETY CODE
The ARA has issued a Water Safety Code which requires all clubs to comply with basic safety standards. The deadline of the audit is MARCH 2004. The code prescribes the duties of care for athletes, coaches and coxswains. The Safety advisor at Thames Rowing Club is Birgitta Kramer. Other people active in this area are Chris George (boats, rowing safety), Aimee de Marco (First Aid), James Renwick (Coxswains and lifejackets) as well as Chris Swan (House)
In a nutshell:
- All members of the club have a duty of care to avoid any safety issues
- All members of the club need to be aware what to do in case of a medical emergency.
- All members need to acknowledge in writing that they are aware of their duties and responsibilities on theirs and the club's safety.
- All members should log their outings in the in/out log
- All members are responsible to report and incidents or damages
- Coaches need to train the athletes on responsible conduct on the water and while training to safeguard the athletes' health
- Coxswains and steer(wo)men need to be fully aware of navigation rules, hazards and what to do in case of an emergency or accident
- The safety advisor needs to report risk assessments on a regular basis to the committee
ACTIONS FOR DECEMBER 2003 UNTIL MARCH 2004
1) Communication:
It is a requirement for all the members to in fact acknowledge that they are aware of our procedures, not only with the Safety Audit in mind. Documents on TRC boat use need to be circulated and read.
2) Responsibility: Safety and the documents on TRCboatuse issues need to be addressed in a meeting with the coaches. We need to ensure that they are fully aware of their duties and rights as they are in fact the first port of call for all our athletes.
3) First Aid and checking life vests:
We will put up more guidance on what to do in case of emergencies. We will screen the life vests and have a meeting with the coxswains to ensure that they are aware of risks and safety measures.
WHAT YOU MUST DO TO ENSURE YOUR OWN SAFETY
Safety for TRC Athletes
* You MUST be able to swim AT LEAST 100 metres in light clothing.
* Know the rules of navigation (please read TRC Boat use documentation)
* Log your outing in the in- and outlogbook
* Report any incident or damage to boats (please see Accident Log and Damage log at entry of club)
* Assist any fellow water user in distress (please read first aid guidance on TRC Boat use)
* Read the ARA Water Safety code (copies available in club and on TRC boat use
* Using a boat is only allowed when you have the specific permission to do so (please see TRC Boat use)
* When going out in the evening or at dawn, attach 2 white lights to both ends of your boat with tape
* Know how to make an emergency stop and take a steering test when you are the designated steersperson (see Chris George and read TRC boat use)
* Avoid injury whilst training by warming up, stretching and focusing on technique
* SIGN UP AND READ TRC BOAT USE on www.yahoogroups.com
Safety for TRC Coxswains
* You MUST be able to swim AT LEAST 50 metres in light clothing.
* Always dress suitably, wearing several layers to keep warm, particularly around the lower back and head. Have some waterproof clothing available.
* Know the rules of navigation (please read TRC Boat use documentation)
* Log your outing in the in- and outlogbook
* Report any incident or damage to boats (please see Accident Log and Damage log at entry of club)
* Read the ARA Water Safety code (copies available in club and on TRC boat use
* Using a boat is only allowed when you have the specific permission to do so (please see TRC Boat use)
* When going out in the evening or at dawn, attach 2 white lights to both ends of your boat with tape
* Make sure such wellies are loose enough to be slipped off easily underwater.
* NEVER fasten any weight to yourself, or yourself to the boat.
* Make sure before you go on the river that:
- You and your crew know how to get in and out of the boat safely.
- Your crew know how to stop a boat quickly and safely.
- Your crew know how to move a boat forwards, backwards and around.
- You know how to steer a boat.
- You know the river is in a safe condition.
- The boat is in a safe condition.
- If you are in a novice crew, you have a coach present BEFORE you go on the water.
Safety for TRC coaches and launchdrivers
* You MUST be able to swim AT LEAST 50 metres in light clothing.
* Know the rules of navigation (please read TRC Boat use documentation)
* Log your outing in the in- and outlogbook
* Report any incident or damage to boats (please see Accident Log and Damage log at entry of club)
* Assist any fellow water user in distress (please read first aid guidance on TRC Boat use)
* Read the ARA Water Safety code (copies available in club and on TRC boat use
* Using a launch is only allowed when you have the specific permission to do so (please see TRC Boat use)
* When going out in the evening or at dawn, attach 2 white lights to both ends of your boat with tape
* Check fuel and First aid kit are present in the boat
* Wear a life jacket
* Attach the safety pin of the motor appropriately
WHAT TO DO IN CASE…
1) You have an accident or damage the boat…
All cases of accident involving injury and/or damage to person or equipment, shall be notified in writing in the TRC accident log as well as the TRC DAMAGE log. Keeping such records will assist both the Club and the ARA to identify trends on a local and national level. The observation of trends and unforeseen incidents form a valuable part of any future risk assessment.
Reports must contain
* A detailed summary of the incident, including date, time, names of boats and crew members, and light, wind and stream conditions.
* A sketch, showing boats, obstructions, direction of travel and stream.
* Statements by those involved and by witnesses in other boats or on the bank.
* If the accident requires first aid treatment then the name of the first aider should also be recorded, and the treatment given.
* Details of Hospitals, doctors or any other agency, involved.
* The report should be signed and dated by the Safety Adviser and an Officer of the Club.
* Reports are to be filled in as soon as practical after the event, certainly within 7 days and whilst memories are fresh. Copies should be kept for at least four years.
2) You see something at the club that you consider unsafe
The majority of the work done at the club is voluntarily so if you can do something about it, please do so immediately. Do report is to Chris George and Chris Swan if it concerns the house, building, boats and boat use. And leave a note on the Safety notice board in the Crew room
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