STUDENT ACTIVITY RISK ASSESSMENT RECORD

of 7 STUDENT ACTIVITY RISK ASSESSMENT RECORD Activity: Assessed by: Surfing XX XX (Trip Organiser) / Kate Hackett (Student Activities Co-ordinator) Date of event: From: 31/01/2009 To: 01/02/2009 Locations: Various Beaches being either, great western, town end or fistral beach. Organisers Responsibilities: As organisers of surfing trips, Staffordshire University Surfing Society have a number of obligations regarding Health & Safety to all participants. These responsibilities include: Developing a shared understanding of risks, risk control, safe practice and a concern for well being during the trip. Systematically identifying hazards and controlling risks in all areas. Responding to events or change, reviewing each new situation. Developing a system that firstly records incidents that result in injury or 'near misses', reviews and learns from those experiences. Staffordshire University Surfing Society pledges to assess and minimize all hazards that are reasonably foreseeable, yet the nature of this sport and the very environment in which it takes place entails a huge range of potential dangers that can put participants at risk. Therefore the safety of each participant is ultimately his or her own responsibility. Details of 1 st Aid Cover: 1 st Aiders XX XX, XX XX and XX XX Fully stocked 1st Aid Kit to be located on beach in agreed area in a dry bag. Sufficient replacement supplies to be carried in vehicle or purchased as needed Emergency Procedure: Open water rescue procedure: In a situation where a surfer is unable to make their own way out of the water (e.g. has extreme cramp or is unconscious) the beach lifeguard should be alerted immediately by a member of the group. Any further action should only be carried out where it is safe to do so. Nearest group members should assess the situation and provide immediate help until such time as the lifeguard arrives. The casualty should be taken onto the beach immediately if required (this can be either on their board or another surfers board). When inland the procedures below should be followed. All surfers to exit the water and change into warm clothing

of 7 The lifeguard or designated 1 st Aider to provide appropriate treatment, keep casualty warm & comfortable and monitor vital signs If emergency services are required follow the instructions of the lifeguard OR one group member (car key holder) to be sent to the nearest landline/emergency phone or if nearer/faster to use a mobile phone. Provide details of injury, location & numbers involved and follow any instructions given. In the case of a serious accident /emergency requiring staff assistance the incident is to be reported immediately to the University on 0800 317429 giving as much information as possible so that the relevant support procedures can be activated Less serious accidents/incidents must be reported to the Student Activities Department within 24 hours of return to University by completing an Accident Report Form The following constitutes the generic risk assessment for the activity of surfing. A site specific beach inspection is also undertaken at each site in order to identify the hazards that are applicable to that site. This may include known underwater obstructions, predominant currents, rock formations or man made hazards such as piers or jetties. This risk assessment does not cover any activities other than surfing (i.e. camping, traveling or socializing, etc) Hazards or Hazardous Activities Risk of injury from a surfboard when moving it on land (In particular larger boards during windy conditions) Who s at risk Public RL Precautions ALWAYS handle boards carefully & show extra care around members of the public Ensure that unused boards are left so that they can not cause injury Risk of injury from surfboards/surfers when in the water Public All boards must be equipped with a surfing leash approx 1.8m long must always point the front or back of the board towards a wave while in water must ensure that when taking a wave they are clear of other surfers or swimmers and no other surfers are currently riding the wave Risk of injury from collision with other objects (Rocks, potholes, reef, etc) A full beach inspection will be carried out by the trip organiser prior to each session and where applicable advice taken from the lifeguard regarding localized hazards If a surfing area is marked (black and white checked flags) it must be adhered to otherwise

of 7 an area will be defined by the trip organizers during the safety briefing Risk of Hypothermia/wind chill All participants must wear a full length wet suit Participants are also advised to wear thermal rash vests/shorts/body suits, boots/socks, gloves & hood Participants are advised to wear warm clothing & bring extra clothing to wear after the session Participants must select changing area carefully and minimize the amount of time spent on the beach to reduce wind chill Participants should leave the water on first sign of feeling cold The 1 st Aid kit must contain a thermal blanket equipment failure or malfunction All equipment is hired from a reputable company Boards are checked for; dings (to ensure watertight), sharp edges, general damage, fins are checked to ensure the are firmly attached and not sharp, jagged, bent or otherwise defected, leashes are checked to ensure secure and undamaged, velcro stitching checked also. All participants to check their equipment for defects prior to entering the water, in particular; Wetsuits for zip function, stitching & tears, Surfboards for dings, rips or tears, fins & plugs, leashes properly attached or any sign of nicks or lacerations drowning All participants must sign a declaration to confirm their ability to swim four lengths of a 25 metre pool consecutively, 50m in open water and perform 5 minutes treading water before each trip. Surfing is not permitted unless there is a qualified life guard present Each member will be paired (or in odd numbers one group of three) with another member. It is their responsibility to ensure they always can see their buddy and raise the alarm if any problems occur. Participants are advised to remain in water of a

of 7 depth that they are competent to deal with (i.e chest to neck depth) Individuals are encouraged to take responsibility for judging their ability to cope with sea conditions on the day If an individual believes that the conditions are unsuitable for them they must not enter the water Time in the sea must be limited to 3 hours to avoid tiredness (reduced to 1.5 hours or less in very cold conditions). Time measured from start of changing into suits to being back in warm dry clothing. All boards must be equipped with a surfing leash approx 1.8m long rip currents (including drowning) As above plus; Pre trip information must be obtained regarding the hazards associated with specific beaches A full beach inspection will be carried out by the trip organiser prior to each session to identify any features which indicate the presence of a rip (See this guide - http://www.miseagrant.umich.edu/rip/ripcurren t.html) Advice will be taken from the lifeguard who will have local knowledge of problem areas If a surfing area is marked (black and white checked flags) it must be adhered to otherwise an area will be defined by the trip organizers during the safety briefing. Participants provided with written information about what to do if caught in a rip from this guide Rip Currents! Break the Grip of the Rip (See this guide - http://www.miseagrant.umich.edu/rip/ripcurren t.html) In the SUSSSG - Staffordshire University Surfing Society Safety Guidelines getting cramp whilst in the water are required to warm up prior to entering the water and not to surf within 2 hours of eating a meal As part of the safety briefing a warm up and

of 7 stretches will be included. This includes all major muscle groups, neck, back, wrists and ankles. over exposure to the sun (sun burn/sun stroke) Participants are advised to wear suitable clothing (this includes footwear as the souls of feet are directly exposed while on the board) and to apply (& regularly re-apply) sun screen of a suitable SPF are recommended to drink a little amount of fresh water on a regular basis to avoid dehydration Surfing sessions must be limited depending on sun index, breaks in the shade should be taken frequently and surfing during the middle of the day should be avoided inclement weather or sudden changes in weather conditions Weather & surf forecasts will be checked daily, on arrival at the beach and at regular periods throughout the session by the trip organiser (in consultation with the lifeguard) Where unsuitable conditions are observed or forecast then the surfing session will be cancelled by the trip organiser tidal changes Pre trip information will be obtained regarding tide heights & times and conditions will be accounted for in the planning process Also see information re inclement weather above water borne infection/pollutants Advice will be sourced by the trip organiser concerning the pollution status of specific beaches as part of the planning process Where a beach inspection highlights visible sewage or a spillage then the surfing session must be cancelled until such time official advice can be obtained Participants are advised to avoid swallowing water and not to consume food until showered or hands are washed in clean water

of 7 Additional Safety Rules New members must sign a declaration to confirm their ability to swim four lengths of a 25 metre pool consecutively, 50m in open water and perform 5 minutes treading water before they are permitted to join the club as an active participant It is the trip organisers responsibility to assess a member s ability and therefore suitability to participate in a trip Participants must sign a medical disclaimer not more than 24 hours prior to the trip detailing any medical conditions which may cause danger to themselves or others and confirming that they are fit to surf on the dates in question Surfing whilst under the influence of alcohol (even from the night before) is strictly forbidden. If you would not consider driving then do not enter the water! Training & Instruction to be given to all participants Members who wish to participate in unsupervised surf trips (i.e trips that do not involve formal instruction) must have attended at least one weekend surfing trip involving lessons from a qualified instructor. They must be able to show an understanding of safe surfing and have good board skills Prior to each trip all participants are provided with the following written documents as part of a Safety Pack which they are required to read and sign, including: A copy of this document Code of Conduct by the British Surfing Association (http://www.britsurf.co.uk/html/code_of_conduct.asp) Basic Points for Beginners by the British Surfing Association (http://www.britsurf.co.uk/html/beginners.asp) Top Ten Beach Safety Tips (http://newquay.com/travelshop/destinations/england/cornwall/newquay/surfing/beachsafety.html) RNLI s Surf in Safety Guide (http://www.beachsafety.org.uk/upload/bs/fact%20sheets/surf%20in%20safety.pdf) Members are also given a safety briefing prior to each surf session (either by an instructor or by the trip organiser) This will include: Information about weather & tidal conditions Define location of nearest emergency Telephone Define location of lifeguard and patrol movements Advice on the appropriate checks to make to kit Definition of the safe surfing area Allocating participants into pairs Warm up and stretches are to be performed as a group Discussion of highest risks on the beach and conditions Reminder of hand signals in use

of 7 Information to be submitted to the Students Union Prior to each trip: A copy of this document fully revised Trip Registration Form Passenger List A declaration form completed & signed by each participant After each trip: A trip report (if written) Completed accident report forms relevant to any accidents, incidents or near misses which occurred Signature of Assessor: Signature of trip organiser: FOR OFFICE USE ONLY Name of staff member reviewing assessment: Have all risks been minimised to a satisfactory level: Further action to be taken: Date next assessment due: YES (Please delete as necessary) None prior to the next trip