Risk Assesment

Ross-on-Wye Angling Club Risk Assessment 2024
Hazard	Person(s) at risk	Potential Consequences	Existing Control Measures	Likelihood (L,M or H)	Severity (L,M or H)	Overall Risk Rating	Recommendations to further control risk
Steep / slippery and undercut banks	Angler	Fall injuries	Wear appropriate footwear for conditions. Take particular care on steep, wet, muddy banks,especially following a flood. Personal assessment of conditions.	Medium	High	Medium	Consider use of rope and 'dog' spike if bank particularly slippery. Consider use of personal floatation device. Always carry mobile phone if fishing alone. If conditions are too hazardous err on side of caution.
Falling in the river	Angler	Danger of drowning	Wear appropriate footwear for conditions. Take extra care on steep, wet muddy banks,especially following a flood. Personal assessment of conditions.	Medium	High	Medium	Avoid the water edge. Consider use of personal floatation device. Consider use of rope and 'dog' spike if bank particularly slippery.
Power lines - Risk of electricity 'arcing' to carbon fibre rods / poles	Angler	Electrocution - Severe burns. Potentially fatal.	Warning signs are posted on approaches to power lines. Power lines are generally high off the ground however electricity can jump to carbon rods.	Low	High	Medium	Avoid using carbon fibre rods / poles directly beneath power lines. Advise 30 metre distance be maintained.
Salmon anglers wading in river - Risk of falling over due to trip or strong flow.	Angler	Salmon fishers falling over	Use of a wading staff and slow movements. Conduct personal assessment of conditions.	Medium	High	Medium	Wear an inflation device. If in doubt, stay out.
Weil's disease (leptospirosis) - spread in urine of rats, mice, cows, and dogs	Angler	Serious illness - potentially life threatening in extreme cases.	Wash hands after contact with river water and cover all cuts.	Low	Medium	Low	Good hygiene. Recommend carrying medicated wipes or antiseptic spray.
Stiles	Angler	Slipping or falling and risk of strains lifting equipment over	Regular inspection / maintenance. Be extra careful when wet and/or icy. Pass equipment through fence before crossing stile.	Low	Low	Low	Members to report any deterioration to club committee.
Trees - Falling branches or trees during high winds.	Angler	Danger of falling branches or trees	Avoid fishing directly beneath trees in high winds. Regular maintenance of trees by work parties	Low	Medium	Low	Report perceived dangerous trees to club committee and attend maintenance bank clearance sessions.
Casting heavy weights	Passers-by, rowers & canoeists	Heavy weights can be a danger to others	Reliance on awareness when casting	Low	Medium	Low	Ensure tackle maintained and line strength adequate for weights in use.
Piercing by hooks when casting, tying hooks and unhooking fish.	Angler	Piercing by hooks	Take care	Low	Low	Low	Barbless or micro-barb hooks. Use forceps or disgorger when unhooking fish.
Canoes & boats - Risk of entanglement in lines	Canoeists and rowers	Entanglement	Awareness of other river users	Low	Low	Low	Retrieve lines if entanglement likely. Report instances of aggressive or careless behaviour by boat users
Fences (barbed wire, electric)	Angler	Barbed wire tearing clothing or flesh and electric fences causing shocks	Use of stiles. Stick to approved pathways.	Low	Low	Low	Report hazards to club committee and attend maintenance sessions
Parking / exiting vehicle on busy roadways	Angler	Being struck by vehicles moving at high speed.	Use the dedicated car parks provided for ROWAC members.	Low	High	Medium	Reliance on road and traffic awareness
Anglers car joining dual carriageway - Other vehicles may be approaching at high speed	Angler	Car being struck by vehicles moving at high speed.	Exercise extreme care when emerging onto dual carriageway.	Low	High	Medium
Animals (horses, cattle, dogs)	Angler	Being trampled or bitten	Use recognised pathways. Avoid contact / confrontation whenever possible.	Low	Medium	Low	Make personal assessment of risk and if in doubt, stay out
Swans - Can be aggressive if protecting nest or young	Angler	Attack	Avoid contact with swans when nesting or with young.	Low	Low	Low
Insects - e.g. stinging insects such as horse flies, wasps & bees	Angler	Stings / bites	Avoid them and cover up as much bare skin as possible	Low	Low	Low	Carry an antihistamine cream or insect repellent
Plants - e.g Giant Hogweed has toxic sap. Stinging Nettles. Brambles	Angler	Severe blistering / stings	Avoid contact. Report to sightings of Giant Hogweed to ROWAC committee. Safety bulletin issued to raise awareness of Giant Hogweed.	Low	Medium	Low	Regular bank maintenance, attend work parties
Use of power tools (e.g. chain saws and brushcutters) and sharp tools during Work Parties	Members of work parties / contractors	Hazard using sharp tools and from falling branches	Use of chainsaws to be confined to competent contractors. First aid kits provided for work parties. Separate risk assesssment and safe working procedure prepared for use of brushcutters.	Low	Medium	Medium	Operators of brushcutters to be signed off against Safe Working Procedure.PPE (e.g gloves, eye protection, hearing protection) to be provided and worn.
Use of Fishing Platforms	Angler	Fall while accessing fishing platforms via steep steps.	Regular (monthly) documented inspections of platforms and steps by H&S officer.	Low	Medium	Medium	Bailiffs to monitor regularly and report any issues to H&S Officer.
Fishing Alone	Angler	Sickness or injury	Always carry mobile phone if fishing alone.	Low	Medium	Medium	Carry a mobile phone.
Young Members either fishing or attending work parties	Members under age of 18 years	General safeguarding	Under ROWAC club rules under 18s must accompanied by an adult when fishing or attending work parties	Low	Medium	Medium
Assessed by Adrian Williams on behalf of the committee. January 2024							Revision: 3

Ross-on-Wye Angling Club - Brush Cutter Risk Assessment
Hazard	Person(s) at risk	Potential Consequences	Existing Control Measures	Likelihood (L,M or H)	Severity (L,M or H)	Overall Risk Rating	Recommendations to further control risk
Stones and other debris may be ejected at high speed during operation.	Operator & others in immediate vicinity.	Cuts, bruises. Potential for eye injuries	Brush cutter fitted with guard / deflector. First aid kit available to work parties.	Low	High	Medium	Before use ensure correct guard / deflector for cutting appliance is in position and securely fitted. Wear close-fitting safety glasses or over-glasses. Do not allow other members of work party, bystanders, children or animals within 15 metres of the work area.
Contact with the rotating cutting attachment during operation.	Operator & others in immediate vicinity.	Serious cuts	Operator awareness. First aid kit available to work parties.	Low	High	Medium	Do not leave the brush cutter unattended when running. Do not allow other members of work party, bystanders, children or animals within 15 metres of the work area.
Ignition of fuel during refuelling or due to spillage	Operator	Fire / explosion	Operator awareness.	Low	High	Medium	Always carry out refuelling outdoors or other well ventilated area. Do not smoke during re-fuelling. Shut off engine and allow to cool before re-fuelling. Clean up any leaks / spills and ensure brush cutter is dry before attempting to start engine. Fuel can must be clearly labelled and appropriately stored when not in use.
Noise / Vibration during operation	Operator	Noise induced hearing loss	Occasional activity. Brief duration	Low	Low	Low	Wear hearing protection during operation
Contact with the sharp edges of the cutting attachment or the crosscut blade while mounting / dismounting. Also during cleaning or maintenance.	Operator	Cuts to hand	First aid kit available to work parties.	Low	Medium	Medium	Shut off engine before attempting any cleaning, maintenance or repair. Wear sturdy work gloves made from resistant material when carrying out maintenance activities or changing blades. Only use Stihl accessories / blades.
Wearing of inappropriate clothing or footwear– e.g. loose clothing or scarves - which could catch on the brush cutter.	Operator	Entanglement	Operator awareness.	Low	Low	Low	Wear robust footwear e.g. leather boots with high-grip soles. Also long trousers made from resistant material. Avoid shorts, sandals or similar. Avoid wearing loose clothing which could catch on the brush cutter.
Slips / trips during operation due to wet, slippery, uneven banks, potholes, obstructions etc.	Operator	Slips / Falls	Operator awareness.	Medium	Medium	Medium	Wear robust footwear e.g. leather boots with high-grip soles. If banks are particularly slippery / treacherous suspend operations. Do not use brush cutter if light or visibility is poor.
Contact with hot gear housing	Operator	Burn	Operator awareness.	Low	Low	Low	Shut off engine before attempting any cleaning, maintenance or repair. Wait for the gear housing to cool down. Wear sturdy work gloves made from resistant material when carrying out maintenance activities
Exhaust fumes	Operator	Inhalation of fumes	Brush cutter used in open air.	Low	Low	Low	Take regular breaks when operating. Ensure brush cutter serviced regularly.
Young Members attending work parties	Members under age of 18 years	General safeguarding	Under 18s will not be permitted to operate the brush cutter or other power tools	Low	Medium	Medium	N.B. Under ROWAC club rules under 18s must accompanied by an adult when attending work parties
Assessed by Adrian Williams on behalf of the committee. January 2024							Revision: 2