The National Organisation of the country in which a match is being fished shall be known as the "host organisation". Subject to the directions of the International Fly Fishing Association (IFFA), the host organisation shall be responsible for all local arrangements. (IFFA Constitution Article 12)
Objectives
The primary aim of Risk Assessment is to avoid harm to health, and to promote the safety and welfare of all involved. The host organisation has not only a moral but also a legal responsibility to ensure that any organised event is as safe as 'practicably possible'
A Risk Assessment needs to be carried out for each international competition venue in order to eliminate foreseeable risks.
Risk assessment will reduce the likelihood of accidents, it will also decrease the chance of injury or ill health. Risk assessment procedures are best kept fairly simple and straightforward with the whole picture being taken into account.
| Organisers need to look at: | |||
| Hazards | - | anything that has potential to cause harm | |
| Measures already in place | - | to avoid possible harm | |
| Risk factor | - | likelihood that something could happen on a scale of "low", "medium" or "high" | |
| Further control measures | - | what more can be reasonably done to reduce the likelihood of an accident happening |
Duty of Care
The duty of care requires that all involved in organising and taking part in international competitions consider the consequences of their acts and omissions and ensure that those acts or omissions do not give rise to a foreseeable risk of injury to any other person. Clearly, one is not expected to guarantee the safety of others, merely to act reasonably and responsibly. The person in charge (I/C) of an international competition will have accepted the responsibility of leading others and will therefore owe them a duty to ensure that they are not exposed to a foreseeable risk of injury as far as he/she reasonably can.
Events involving the use of boats will have previously been organised on the competition water by the host organisation. As the competition water will probably have its own safety measures in place, the host organisation should take on board all its recommended safety measures. In addition to this the host organisation should provide the following guidelines:
| Point of departure eg jetties, piers or foreshore |
- | Tidy work practices must be adhered to as untidy and cluttered areas are potential accident sites. It is essential that all participants know the procedures and how to use the operational area. |
| Boats | - | All boats must be inspected at the point of departure prior to the start of the event. I/C in conjunction with the chief boatman must ensure that the engines are in working order and have plenty of fuel. |
| Boatmen | - | All boatmen must be competent to handle a boat. Prior to moving off they need to carry out a thorough check of the boats, fuel tanks, fuel pipes, engine seating, anchor, oars and rowlocks. As the competition lasts for eight hours, they need to check that everyone on board is adequately dressed and have sufficient food and water to last the day. Each boatman to be in possession of a mobile phone together with an emergency number. |
| Safety Boat | - | A safety boat should be out on the water during the entire event in case of emergencies. A raised oar in the participating boat signals the need for assistance from the safety boat. Personnel on board the safety boat will respond in accordance with the safety procedures outlined by the competition water and the host organisation. |
| End of Competition (return to point of departure) |
- | Boats to return to operational area in an orderly fashion. Head count to ensure safe return of all participants. Safety boat personnel to report any illegal activity. Anglers and boatmen to ensure that the operational area is clear before moving to weighing in area. |
APPROPRIATE CLOTHING AND PERSONAL SAFETY MEASURES (competitors, officials and boatmen)
| Protective clothing | - | clothing which is appropriate to angling activities should be worn |
| Footwear | - | appropriate to the venue |
| Headgear | - | a peaked cap is recommended when fishing from a boat |
| Eye protection | - | should be worn when casting or travelling in boat |
| Personal buoyancy aid | - | should be worn at all times |
| Food & water | - | sufficient to last duration of competition |
| Skin protection | - | sunscreen recommended |
| Insect bites | - | insect repellent recommended - beware of ticks and the problems associated with tick bites (Lyme disease). Attached ticks should be expertly removed |
FIRST AID AND ACCIDENT PROCEDURES
Medical Information Forms
Prior to the international a Medical Information Form will be given to each competitor, official and boatman. Everyone has the option to complete the form. The form must be signed by everyone. If an individual chooses not to complete the form they must still sign and return the form. The signed form is then placed in an envelope and sealed with the person's name printed on the outside. All envelopes will then be handed to the International Secretary. The envelopes will only be opened in the event of an emergency. At the end of the competition the unopened envelopes will be returned or destroyed in front of witnesses.
First Aid
First aid kits must be to hand at all times - in the office and on the safety boat. When loch fishing Leptospirosis (Weil's disease) is something competitors need to be aware of and all cuts and abrasions should be treated immediately. Those administering first aid must be aware of dangers of contracting diseases, especially Hepatitis and HIV, from spilt bodily fluids. They should ALWAYS wear protective gloves against bodily fluids.
Accident Procedures
In the event of an accident involving personal injury the following procedures must be followed:
| The injured person should be brought to medical attention as soon as possible. If a person receives a serious knock, especially to the head, the injured person should be recommended to attend hospital for check up. | |
| The I/C is responsible for establishing the whereabouts of the nearest Doctor's surgery and hospital Casualty department. | |
| An ambulance can be obtained by dialling 999 | |
| The following details should accompany the person requiring medical attention: |
|
WEATHER CONDITIONS
In the event of thunder and lightning, anglers will cease fishing immediately (rods act as natural
lightning conductors) and boatmen will be instructed to proceed to the nearest safe shore and
land.
The fishery in conjunction with organisers will decide when weather conditions dictate
that the match be cancelled, the start time delayed or the finish time brought forward.
The safety of anglers must be paramount.
Events on rivers will have previously been organised on the competition water by the host organisation. As the competition water will probably have its own safety measures in place, the host organisation should take on board all its recommended safety measures.
Effective and thorough planning involving all aspects of the event is essential.
Prior to staging an event on a river I/C, together with the local representative must:
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Lines of communication must be firmly established - between I/C, Head Controller, Beat Controllers and Competitor Controllers
APPROPRIATE CLOTHING AND PERSONAL SAFETY MEASURES (competitors, officials and controllers)
| Protective clothing | - | clothing which is appropriate to angling activities should be worn |
| Footwear | - | appropriate to the venue - chest or thigh waders etc - use of wading stick is recommended |
| Headgear | - | a peaked cap is recommended |
| Eye protection | - | in the form of glasses / sunglasses should be worn |
| Personal buoyancy aid | - | should be worn at all times on the riverbank and in the river |
| Food & water | - | sufficient to last duration of competition |
| Skin protection | - | sunscreen recommended |
| Insect bites | - | insect repellent recommended - beware of ticks and the problems associated with tick bites (Lyme disease). Attached ticks should be expertly removed |
FIRST AID AND ACCIDENT PROCEDURES
Medical Information Forms
Prior to the international a Medical Information Form will be given to each competitor, official and controller. Everyone has the option to complete the form. The form must be signed by everyone. If an individual chooses not to complete the form they must still sign and return the form. The signed form is then placed in an envelope and sealed with the person's name printed on the outside. All envelopes will then be handed to the International Secretary. The envelopes will only be opened in the event of an emergency. At the end of the competition the unopened envelopes will be returned or destroyed in front of witnesses.
First Aid
First aid kits must be to hand at all times. When river fishing Leptospirosis (Weil's disease) is something competitors need to be aware of and all cuts and abrasions should be treated immediately. Those administering first aid must be aware of dangers of contracting diseases, especially Hepatitis and HIV, from spilt bodily fluids. They should ALWAYS wear protective gloves against bodily fluids.
Accident Procedures
In the event of an accident involving personal injury the following procedures must be followed:
| The injured person should be brought to medical attention as soon as possible. If a person receives a serious knock, especially to the head, the injured person should be recommended to attend hospital for check up. | |
| The I/C is responsible for establishing the whereabouts of the nearest Doctor's surgery and hospital Casualty department. | |
| An ambulance can be obtained by dialling 999 | |
| The following details should accompany the person requiring medical attention: |
|
WEATHER CONDITIONS
In the event of thunder and lightning, all fishing must cease immediately and anglers return to base.
I/C in conjunction with other officials will decide when weather conditions dictate that the
match be cancelled, the start time delayed or the finish time brought forward.
The safety of anglers must be paramount at all times.