Bridlington
Model Boat Society (MPBA Affiliated)
PREFACE
Bridlington Model Boat Society is not an employer and as such
is not required to comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act. However, this
statement will ensure that all dealings within the club’s site at Carnaby
reflect the spirit of the Act and give advice and guidance to all who use the
facilities.
The following items are considered to be possible hazards.
1.
Slips, trips and falls. (All site users)
2.
Risk of drowning. (All site users)
3.
Personal injury from powerboats. (Members and spectators)
4.
Heavy lifting and handling. (Members only)
5.
Use of rescue boat. (Members only)
6.
Eye injury from transmitter aerial. (Members and spectators)
7.
Re-charging of batteries. (Members/competitors/spectators)
8.
Water-borne diseases. (All site users)
9.
Substances hazardous to health.
EVALUATION OF RISKS
Evaluation is an ongoing process and it is the responsibility
of all committee members to report any possible hazard to the committee for
their further action.
The Captains of each discipline must ensure that these
guidelines are adhered to at all events and it is the responsibility of all
members to act responsibly and within these guidelines at all times when using
the lake and it’s environs.
A full Risk Assessment of the site must be completed at least
once in every 12-month period and also prior to any special event.
Any risk must be assessed as Low/Medium/High and written
details submitted to the committee or appropriate body following the
annual/special event evaluation.
1. Slips, trips and falls. (Assess risk – Low/medium/high)
All steps must have at least one banister rail, be in good
order and free from debris. Walkways must be clear of debris and/or boats and
equipment. Visitors must be made aware of the fact that surfaces can be slippery
when wet.
2. Risk of drowning. (Assess risk – Low/Medium/High)
A fence surrounds the lake and lifebelts are sited at
strategic points. 7 latched gates are sited within the fence with warning signs
stating ‘Limited access for retrieval of dead boats only’. Sailing areas
(landing stages) are necessarily open and great care should be taken when
walking on these areas. Warning signs stating ‘Danger deep water’ are also
sited at strategic points.
3. Personal injury from powerboats. (Assess risk –
Low/Medium/High)
The safety fence will act as a barrier for any powerboat
which is out of control should it strike the bank. There may be other areas
where the Captain of the relevant discipline considers it necessary to restrict
access during an event and will mark these areas using red and white striped
tape and signs as necessary. An outward facing board has been fitted to the main
powerboat operating area to avoid boats mounting the landing stage.
Competitors/members will be asked to ensure safe practice
with regard to rotating propellers and all fast electric boats must have a
safety power isolation loop fitted.
4. Heavy lifting and handling. (Assess risk –
Low/Medium/High)
All heavy equipment including the weed cutter both rescue
boats and outboard motors should be carried by a minimum of two people and
assistance asked for if necessary.
5. Use of rescue boats. (Assess risk – Low/Medium/High)
Any member using a rescue boat must wear the appropriate
buoyancy aid/lifejacket. These are supplied by the club and kept in a rack
inside the clubhouse. Protective headgear must be worn and additional boat side
panel protection used by rescue boat crew during multiracing events. No junior
member under the age of 18 may use the rescue boat unsupervised. Rescue boats
must be returned to their original storage position after use.
6. Eye injury from transmitter
aerial. (Assess risk – Low/Medium/High)]
All transmitters in use with telescopic
aerials must as a minimum have the manufacturers safety button fitted. For
members who move around the site with aerials extended, it is advisory that an
additional device such as a practice golf ball, foam ball or some other such
device be fitted. The wearing of glasses will reduce this risk.
7. Re-charging of batteries. (Assess risk –
Low/Medium/High)
All batteries, if recharged on site must be done so in
accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Lithium Polymer, Lithium
Iron, Nickel Cadmium, Nickel Metal Hydride and Lead Acid technologies are all
used. A bucket of dry sand and/or suitable fire extinguisher or fire blanket
must be provided near the charging area and on the landing stage.
8. Water borne diseases. (Assess risk – Low/Medium/High)
Everyone using the site should be made aware of the
possibility of water borne diseases such as Weil’s disease. Hand washing
facilities are available on site and anyone eating must first wash their hands
and use appropriate hygiene procedures.
9. Substances hazardous to health. (Assess risk –
Low/Medium/High)
Anyone using cleaning materials or any other hazardous
substance must use safety gloves/goggles appropriate to the substance used and
in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Any member using
combustible fuel must take great care and the Captain of the discipline must
ensure that no smoking rules apply in the vicinity of these fuels.
These are felt to be the primary risks but members must still
be aware of possible risks with their models and equipment and should act
accordingly especially when the general public are on site. Any perceived risk
must be reported to a committee member without delay.
Frequency Control.
The frequency control pegboard is in use at all times unless
designated by the respective Captain or Officer of the Day. Each skipper must
check this board before sailing and leave a peg bearing their own full name on
the appropriate frequency. At racing events, pre-booked frequencies may apply.
Use of 2.4GHZ radio sets does not preclude the use of a frequency peg.
Insurance.
Bridlington Model Boat Society holds a current public
liability insurance covering all members throughout the year wherever they are
sailing within the EEC. Any other user of this lake must provide adequate proof
of their personal insurance either via their own club or national organisation.
First Aid Kit.
This is available in the clubhouse and a qualified first aid
assistant will administer first aid but if one is not available, the
responsibility will remain that of the user.
1.
The constitution of Bridlington Model Boat Society does not
permit any junior member to attend the lake unless accompanied by their parent,
guardian or responsible adult or if other arrangements have been agreed with
another adult, then a letter of permission must first be lodged with the
secretary who will report this to the committee for their approval. This
arrangement is deemed a private childcare agreement and is therefore not the
responsibility of Bridlington Model Boat Society or its officers. This also
relates to any vulnerable adult.
2.
No BMBS member is allowed to approach any child or vulnerable
adult without either the presence of or express permission of that child’s or
vulnerable adult’s parent, guardian or responsible adult.
3.
No photograph of any person under the age of 18 or vulnerable
adult may be taken without the permission of the parent, guardian or responsible
adult.
4.
Any BMBS member accused of inappropriate behaviour with a
child or vulnerable adult will be immediately suspended from the club, the
details referred to the relevant authority and that member will not be
readmitted until said authority has investigated the matter. In the event of a
conviction, the said member will be expelled from the club. Inappropriate
behaviour is classed as: -
a)
Physical harm of any kind
b)
Threatening behaviour
c)
Bullying
d)
Any form of discrimination due to Race, Cultural differences,
Gender, Disability or Sexuality.
Revised February 2011