Severity of Outcome

Probability of Accidents

Slightly harmful

(Low)

Harmful

(Medium)

Extremely harmful

(High)

Highly unlikely

(Low)

Trivial Risk

Tolerable Risk

Moderate Risk

Unlikely

(Medium)

Tolerable Risk

Moderate Risk

Substantial Risk

Likely

(High)

Moderate Risk

Substantial Risk

Intolerable Risk

RISK LEVEL

ACTION AND TIMESCALE

Trivial

No action required.

Tolerable

No additional controls are required. Consideration may be given to a more effective solution or improvement.

Moderate

Efforts should be made to reduce the risk. Risk reduction measures should be implemented within a defined time period. Where the moderate risk is associated with harmful/serious consequences further assessment may be necessary to establish more precisely the likelihood of harm as a basis for determining the need for improved control measures.

Substantial

The activity should not be started until the risk has been reduced. Considerable resources may have to be allocated to reduce the risk. Where the risk involves activity already in progress, urgent action should be taken.

Intolerable

Activity should not be started or continued until the risk has been reduced. If it is not possible to reduce risk even with unlimited resources, activity has to remain prohibited.

Risks that apply to event

Potentially dangerous water prior to start

High

Medium

Substantial

Inspect river evening before and immediately prior to event and cancel if necessary

Weir is opened after crews boated

Medium

Medium

Substantial

Advise weir operators of date and time of event, providing a contact telephone number for them to contact in the event that the gates require to be opened. Crews to be advised immediately if this happens and removed from the water if necessary.

Slipping at steps while launching boats

Low

Medium

Tolerable

Ensure steps at GRC are cleaned of sediment and in the event of frost are treated with salt.

Collision in boating area

Low

Medium

Tolerable

Ensure steps and boating area are managed at GRC.

Collision between crews rowing in opposite directions during practice or in marshalling area.

Low

Medium

Tolerable

Advise crews of risk in Race Instructions.
Marshalls to control area above start.Safety boats above start.

Collision between crews and hazards on way to start or during race.

These include.

1. All bridges

2. Stakes in water above Rutherglen Bridge.

3. Outfall at Sewerage Works bend.

4. Outfall at Railway Bridge.

5. Island before Belvedere Straight and new outfall opposite on north bank.

6. Old bridge supports above Belevdere.

7. Overhanging trees.

Low

Medium

Tolerable

Advise in Race Instructions areas of risk and extent of upriver limit.

Ensure rescue craft on hand when crews take to the water.

Have team available to deal with personnel in the event of an incident.

Umpires, marshals and safety boats to have radios to summon assistance if required.

Damage and injury resulting from collision

Low

Medium

Tolerable

Competitors and coaches are responsible for ensuring that their boats are safe and are prepared to the required standards at all times including practice. Competitors and coaches are responsible for ensuring that their boats are safe and are prepared to the required standards at all times including practice.

Bow balls, heel restraints and buoyancy compartments aids may be inspected by Control Commission prior to going afloat to race. Buoyancy aids may be visually checked by Control Commission.

Crew being blown round on to the bank at the start

Medium

Medium

Moderate

Marshalls team to have throw lines to be used to assist the crew in getting clear. Notice to competitors advising caution. Safety craft to monitor and be in communication with marshalls.

Capsize following a collision with another crew or a hazard during race

Low

Medium

Tolerable

Provide umpires with throw ropes. Priority to get crews out of the water.

Provide communication with safety craft.

Have procedure in place to effect recovery of competitors and equipment.

Have medical cover available and in a position to take action.

Crews returning to disembarkation points against flow of race or cooling down and thus endangering crews still racing.

Medium

Medium

Moderate

Marshall to control traffic at Viewing Platform stopping crews if necessary

Crews stopping too soon and obstructing those still racing.

Medium

Low

Tolerable

Safety Instructions advise all crews that they should continue downstream clear of the finish and enforced by umpire/marshall at finish.

Crews in distress after race.

Low

Medium

Tolerable

Safety craft at finish to provide assistance if required.

Sudden bad weather causing unrowable and / or dangerous conditions

Medium

Medium

Moderate

Any umpire or other key race official will stop racing. Any crews on the water will be shepherded back to the landing stages by rescue boats.

Collapse of athlete on landing stages (e.g. asthma attack)

Low

Medium

Tolerable

Summon Medical Aid by radio/telephone ( First Aid)

Strong tail wind blowing crews which have finished racing onto landing stages or weir

Low

Medium

Tolerable

Crews informed of hazard of weir in Race Instructions and advised to keep well clear.

Safety craft at finish to keep situation under review and instruct as necessary.