HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY STATEMENT

     General Policy:

• To provide adequate control of the health and safety risks arising from Association activities.
• To consult with members on matters affecting their health and safety.
• To ensure that all participants are fit and competent to undertake tasks during Association activities.
• To maintain a safe environment and prevent accidents.
• To review and revise this policy as necessary.

     Responsibilities:

     The Management Committee:

• Creating and maintaining the position of Health and Safety Officer within the Management Committee.
• Overseeing the operation and review of this policy.
• Monitoring of all Association venues to try and ensure members can enjoy legitimate angling procedures without risk. Any areas having perceived hazards to be rectified or rendered inaccessible.
• Maintaining an Accident Report Record.
• Ensure members are kept fully informed of the potential hazards involved in the sport of angling.
• Provide training in First Aid for those members undertaking supervisory duties in Association activities & a suitable First Aid Kit for use at work parties, ensuring said kit is fully stocked and date current.
• Ensuring that appropriate action is taken where and when required.

     All members:

• Co-operate with the introduction of health and safety matters.
• Not interfere with anything provided to safeguard their health and safety.
• All members fish entirely at their own risk. While the Association will try to ensure anglers can enjoy the facilities provided in reasonable safety, no liability will be accepted for any damages, injury or loss to persons or property incurred while on Association waters, other than at a bona fide working party organised by the Association.
• Take reasonable care of their own health and safety & be aware of the risk from water born diseases and infections, for instance, Lyme’s Disease and Weil’s Disease.
• Report details of any accidents or health and safety concerns to the Management Committee.

      Specific Areas:

      Work Parties

• The overriding priority is the safety and welfare of all members and others involved. Work parties can be dangerous events if people are unaware of the potential hazards. Any work undertaken contributes to the improvement & safety of the fishery and the enhancement of the countryside in general. Members of working parties should be aware that their actions might affect the safety of the people around them. All present have a responsibility to ensure the safety and wellbeing of others involved.
• A nominated person shall be appointed to supervise the work party. In most cases this will be the Water Management Officer appointed by the Committee, but could be another responsible person considered up to the task.
• Prior to any work taking place, the supervisor will have undertaken a Risk Assessment of the work involved, paying attention to the nature of the banks, water and weather conditions.
• Prior to any work taking place, the supervisor will provide a briefing on the work to be undertaken, highlight any potential hazards or areas of risk, allocate tasks to groups or individuals, giving instructions and guidance as necessary, ensure individuals are physically capable and competent to carry out their allotted tasks and any equipment to be employed is suitable and fit for purpose.
• In any operation involving a boat, all occupants must wear a flotation lifejacket.
• Appropriate safety equipment e.g. gloves, safety glasses, goggles, boots, etc. must be worn when using mechanised equipment such as Chainsaws, Brush Cutters, Strimmers etc.

Some key points include:

• Health & Safety is everyone’s responsibility. Each volunteer must be encouraged to ensure their own and others safety.
• Virtually all working parties will be operating by or near water. Water can kill, respect it!
• No person should enter the water unless absolutely essential or without authorisation.
• Some activities have been identified as exceptionally hazardous and only trained personnel should be allowed to carry out these operations. The use of Chainsaws is one such activity.
• Volunteers will normally provide their own equipment, if any defects are found; it must not be used. Any defective equipment should be reported to the supervisor.
• Sharp tools can be involved, great care should be taken.
• Tasks must be planned and all involved understand what is required.
• Back injuries are all too common, lifting and carrying needs thought and care. Participants should not lift beyond what they feel comfortable with and ask for assistance if necessary.
• Volunteers should bring to the attention of the supervisor any medical conditions that may affect the type of work they can do. This information will be treated in confidence. Lighter, more appropriate work should be discussed and agreed with the volunteer.
• Participants should work at a pace that suits them and take breaks whenever needed. Tiredness causes accidents.
• Young persons over the age of 12 may attend a work party, but they must be accompanied at all times by a parent or guardian, who should take responsibility for their health and welfare. Juniors will not be allowed to carry out any hazardous task, work with any power tool, be allowed near any deep water, tree felling area, or open fire.
• Work can be wet and dirty; volunteers should be encouraged to wear clothes that suit these conditions. Wear layers, if one gets hot clothes can be removed. Stout footwear is essential. Wellington boots, gloves and suitable protective glasses or goggles may also be needed. Bring some food and drink (non alcoholic).
• In the event of an accident or injury, minor First Aid should be provided by the supervisor. In the event of serious injury, the supervisor will ensure that the injured person is immediately taken to Hospital. All accidents or injuries must be reported to the Supervisor immediately and then as soon as possible to the Management Committee, for remedial action to be taken to avoid or minimise the possibility of a similar occurrence in the future.

Work may be varied and include:

• Trimming and removing bank side growth, usually small-scale removals, but occasionally some larger branches or shrubs.
• Clearing swims by removing weed/reeds from the water.
• Constructing fishing platforms.
• Constructing/clearing paths and car parks.
• Making/repairing stiles, fences and small bridges.
• Erecting notice boards.

      Association Competitions

• A nominated person shall be appointed to supervise the competition. In most cases this will be the Match Secretary appointed by the Committee, but could be another responsible person considered up to the task.
• Prior to the draw, the supervisor will have undertaken a Risk Assessment of the venue, paying attention to the nature of the banks, water and weather conditions. If, in their opinion, conditions impose a potential hazard, the fixture may be transferred to an alternative safe venue, postponed to a later date or cancelled.
• On a pegged down match, no swim will be used where bank or water conditions could be potentially hazardous. Particular attention should be paid to the possibility of undercut banks giving way.
• On roving matches, the competitor is responsible for selecting their swim and this should be chosen with safety in mind. However, prior to the walk off, the supervisor should make entrants aware of any potential hazards or risks, making certain areas “out of bounds” if necessary. This is particularly important when anglers are new to the venue, or recent weather has altered the bank conditions.
• At the conclusion of a roving match, a role call should be held to ensure all participants are safe and well.