SPRING LAKE Activity Risk Assessment
CANOE POLO
Activity Area: Spring Lake West, Springfield Lakes.
Game Official: As determined for each specific event
Training / Game Coordinators: As determined for each specific event
First Aid Officer: As determined for each specific event
Safety Craft: As determined for each specific event.
The Real Risk
What can happen?
People, Equipment &
Environment
Inexperienced participants in polo
games / skill sessions
Electrical storm
Cold Weather
The Consequence
What will be the
impact?
Capsizing
Lightning strike
causing severe injury or
death
Shivering and
Numbness,
Apathy,
Hypothermia
Risk Assessment
Existing Controls
In Place
C
L
Level
3
C
M
5
D
H
3
C
M
Appropriate warm
clothing
NB cotton garments
offer no warmth when
wet
5
D
H
Appropriate warm
clothing
Actions Required
Responsible Officer/s
Safety Kayaks available
at all times throughout
the event to assist with
rescues / distressed
participants.
PFD’S and helmets
must be worn as
directed.
All participants to be fitted with life
vests; fully briefed on safe use of
kayaks and paddles; and made
aware of safety / rescue kayaks and
equipment and the process to
follow should they encounter
difficulties.
Club Official,
Training and Game
Coordinators
Weather reports
monitored
Activity stopped
All participants removed from the
water
Modify activity ensuring
participants are warmed-up prior to
activity and exposure to the cold is
minimised.
Participants notified of requirement
to have weather protective clothing
at the pre event briefing.
One set of Emergency clothing
available at activity site
Activity stopped
All participants removed from the
Club Official,
Training and Game
Coordinators
Club Official,
Training and Game
Coordinators,
First Aid Officer
As above
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SPRING LAKE Activity Risk Assessment
CANOE POLO
water
Wet Weather
Discomfort,
Loss of group dynamics
Appropriate wet
weather gear
recommended
2
B
M
Sunburn,
Headaches
3
B
H
Weather reports,
UV warnings
Hat & Sunscreen policy
Individual water bottles
recommended
Heat illness
Dizziness and
Deterioration of the
conscious state
5
C
E
As above
Mild Dehydration and
Muscular cramps
4
C
H
As above
Premature fatigue,
Over exertion,
Poor group dynamics,
Loss of communication
Floating goals drag
anchor
2
C
M
Weather reports
monitored
Activity modified to
ensure wind protection
Wet Weather continued
Hot Weather
Strong Winds
Modify activity to keep participants
attentive.
Participants notified of the need to
have weather protective clothing at
the pre event briefing.
One set of Emergency clothing
available at activity site
Avoid periods of high UV activity.
Hat & Sunscreen policy reinforced
in the event briefing.
Regular drink breaks to keep
participants hydrated.
Extra water on shore.
Activity stopped
All participants removed from the
water
Avoid periods of high UV activity.
Hat & Sunscreen policy reinforced.
Regular drink breaks to keep
participants hydrated.
Extra water on shore
Modify activity, move to sheltered
area
Participants notified of conditions
Return goals to shore if winds
persist or show signs of increasing
Club Official,
Training and Game
Coordinators
Club Official,
Training and Game
Coordinators ,
First Aid Officer
As above
As above
Club Official,
Training and Game
Coordinators
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SPRING LAKE Activity Risk Assessment
CANOE POLO
Strong Winds and Warnings
25 Knots and above
See Strong Winds
5
C
E
Weather reports
monitored
Rough Water
Sea like conditions
Capsize resulting in
injury or drowning
Difficult and
Irregular wave patterns
Capsize
Injury & or pain,
inability to continue
program
3
D
L
Weather reports and
tide timings monitored
2
A
M
Participants alerted to
boat activity
3
C
M
Participants alerted to
danger. Area to be
checked prior
N
Boat Wash
Submerged Obstacles
Sharp objects
Cuts, abrasions, needle
stick injury
3
E
Bites & stings
Bites and Stings
3
D
L
Activity stopped/cancelled in
exposed water
All participants and equipment
removed from the water
Alternative site: protected from
strong winds
Alternative site: protected from
rough conditions
Club Official,
Training and Game
Coordinators
Modify or cancel activity if
participants show loss of
confidence
Site monitored
Activity Brief to contain warning &
action to be taken
Club Official,
Training and Game
Coordinators
Club Official,
Training and Game
Coordinators
Club Official,
Training and Game
Coordinators
Closed in footwear
must be worn at all
times. Do Site survey.
Avoid scrambling over
rocks & muddy banks
First aid kit available at all times.
All kits are checked regularly to
ensure all contents are within used
by dates and current.
Club Official,
Training and Game
Coordinators,
First Aid Officer
Site assessed for
potential hazards.
First aid kit available at all times.
Advise participants. The event First
Aid officer remains available to
participants and public for the
duration of the event.
Club Official,
Training and Game
Coordinators,
First Aid Officer
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SPRING LAKE Activity Risk Assessment
CANOE POLO
Slip and fall injuries
Craft holed or damaged
Injury & or pain,
inability to continue
program
3
Paddle loss or breakage
N
Injury to paddler of
craft or to other
participants
2
PFD / Damaged or fitted
incorrectly
E
Capsize leading to
drowning or
smothering, loss of
confidence
Loss of paddle- unable
to continue activity
E
First aid kit available at all times.
Advise participants. The event First
Aid officer remains available to
participants and public for the
duration of the event.
Club Official,
Training and Game
Coordinators,
First Aid Officer
All craft and equipment
must comply with
Maritime Requirements
for fixed buoyancy and
serviceability
Craft and equipment must be
checked prior to event use.
Responsibility with the owner
Club Official,
Training and Game
Coordinators
and equipment owners
All craft and equipment
must comply with ICF
scrutineering
requirements including
fixed buoyancy, smooth
edges, minimum and
maximum dimensions,
head, face and body
protection.
A variety of type 2 and
Type 3 PFD’S must be
worn as directed.
Craft and equipment must be
checked prior to event use.
Responsibility with coordinators
and equipment owners.
Club Official,
Training and Game
Coordinators
and equipment owners
PFD’S must be checked and worn
by all participants, regardless of age
or ability.
Paddles must be sound
in construction and
serviceable at all times
Paddles must be checked
Equipment owner to ensure
compliance
Club Official,
Training and Game
Coordinators
and equipment owners
Club Official,
Training and Game
Coordinators
and equipment owners
L
Loss of craft – unable
to proceed may result in
injury
2
Craft or equipment unsafe for
participation
D
Site assessed for
potential hazards.
N
4
E
L
2
D
N
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SPRING LAKE Activity Risk Assessment
CANOE POLO
Children entering waterway from
assembly area
Fall into lake
4
E
L
Children must be
supervised by parent or
guardian
Assembly area to be set up no less
than 4m away from waterway.
Club Official,
Training and Game
Coordinators
Parents will be reminded to keep
their children in site and not to let
them approach the water without an
adult. This will also be raised at the
event briefing.
Drug & Alcohol use
Loss of faculty and
judgement
5
D
H
Testing of officials and
participants is not done
Parent or guardian will not be
allowed to participate if children
are being left unsupervised.
Officials noticing anything
untoward are to report observation
to the event coordinator.
Appropriate action will be taken to
ensure the safety of all participants.
Anyone thought to be under the
influence will be banned from the
event.
Club Official,
Training and Game
Coordinators
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SPRING LAKE Activity Risk Assessment
CANOE POLO
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
An emergency response may be necessary following (but not limited to) these situations:



Adverse weather conditions (strong wind, lightening, extreme heat / cold)
Dangerous animal sighting / attack (e.g. dog)
Serious injury to competitor / volunteer
In the event of a game emergency evacuation being necessary the following protocol shall be implemented:








The identified hazard (emergency) shall be reported to the Chief Official
The Chief Official and designated safety officer are responsible to call a game emergency evacuation
The designated safety officer shall take charge of game emergency evacuation
The designated safety officer shall advise by mobile phone all officials of the decision and contact the appropriate authorities of an enforced
game emergency evacuation, including Ambulance, Police and rescue services.
Located game craft shall either (depending on emergency condition) be directed to the nearest safe exit for pick up (see map); instructed to
port immediately or be assisted to a safe area by the official or a nominated experienced member.
Both the on and off water officials shall notify the designated safety officer of the participant names as they are secured
The designated safety officer shall arrange pick up assistance for competitors and craft who have disembarked at designated or nondesignated exit points
Once all participants, on and off water officials have been accounted for the emergency shall be cancelled
Contingency Plan
Weather conditions (particularly wind and lightning activity) will be monitored throughout the event via BOM and/or observation. Should the wind
exceed 15 knots or a lightning / significant storm system appear, the competition committee will consider cancellation / postponement of the
event.
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SPRING LAKE Activity Risk Assessment
CANOE POLO
Cyclone warnings – Event to be cancelled or postponed to a later date.
Flood Warning - Should there be flood warnings for the lake, event is to be cancelled or postponed to a later date.
Should the event be cancelled, due to cyclone warnings or flooding, all event participants, volunteers and officials must be notified at least 24
hours prior to the start of the event.
COACH - RISK ASSESSMENT MATRIX
Note: The language and assessment is necessarily subjective. It is not intended to be rigidly applied.
Table 1 – Measures of Consequence or Impact
Level
1
2
3
4
5
Descriptor
Insignificant
Minor
Moderate
Major
Catastrophic
Detailed Description
No negative impact
Possible risk of minor injury or loss of confidence by participant/s.
Risk of minor injury to Staff or centre users.
Risk of serious injury to Staff or centre users.
High risk of serious injury, possible loss of life to Staff or centre users.
Table 2 – Measures of Likelihood
Level
A
B
C
D
Descriptor
Almost certain
Likely
Possible
Unlikely
E
Rare
Description
The event is expected to occur in most circumstances. Is likely to occur on a regular basis.
The event will probably occur more than once every year.
The event might occur at some time and has happened before under certain conditions.
Although the event could occur at some time under certain conditions, no record of previous
occurrence.
The event could only occur under exceptional circumstances. No record of previous occurrence.
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SPRING LAKE Activity Risk Assessment
CANOE POLO
Table 3 – Risk Ranking Matrix
RISK LEVELS
Likelihood
A
B
C
D
E
Almost
certain
Likely
Possible
Unlikely
Rare
Level 1
Insignificant
L
Level 2
Minor
M
L
L
N
N
M
M
N
N
Consequences
Level 3
Level 4
Moderate
Major
H
E
H
M
L
N
E
H
M
L
Level 5
Catastrophic
E
E
E
H
M
Table 4 – Level Risk and Action required
Level
E
Description
Extreme
H
High
M
Medium
L
N
Low
Negligible
Action required
Activity not to be used under any circumstances. Inform central management unit. Review
to be undertaken with the aim of either reducing the risk or permanently removing the
activity.
Activity not to be used under any circumstances. Inform central management unit. Review
to be undertaken with the aim of either reducing the risk or permanently removing the
activity.
Responsibility for monitoring and managing the risk must be specified and the activity
reviewed on a regular basis with the aim of reducing the risk.
Manage by routine procedures
No action required except for periodic review
Note: The actions detailed in Table 4 are indicators only and are not intended to be exhaustive
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