Safety

RISK ASSESSMENT FOR ASSOCIATION WATERS

Initiated 18 August 2005

This Risk Assessment will form a separate annex to the Association Rules. All members will be issued with a copy including new members on joining the Association. Sufficient copies will be held at all the permit agencies for inspection by permit holders whose attention will be drawn to the existence of this Risk Assessment.

1. Definitions

a. The Upper Teign Fishing Association (UTFA) will hereinafter be referred to as 'the Association'. b. Hazards/Risk. A hazard is anything that could cause harm and risk is the chance, high, medium or low that someone may be harmed by the hazard.

2. Location

The Association waters take in the upper stretch of the River Teign from Steps Bridge (Grid Ref: SX 805883), near Dunsford, in Devon, through to two fields above Chagford (Grid Ref: SX 694879). See map attached.

3. Nature of the river

The River Teign is a fast flowing spate river, draining from the high moorland above Chagford on Dartmoor. From Chagford (Grid Ref: SX 694879) the waters pass through meadows down to Drogo Pool (Grid Ref: SX 723896) where the river runs through a steep sided woodland gorge down to Upperton Pool (Grid Ref: SX 765901), before easing again below Upperton Weir (Grid Ref: SX 765901) down to Clifford Bridge (Grid Ref: SX 781898), whence it runs on down to Steps Bridge (Grid Ref: SX 805883). Throughout its length the river bed is mostly rocky and boulder strewn which requires great care when wading.

4. Nature of the risk

The river is by its very nature a risk to fishermen, bailiffs, working parties and to members of the public venturing close to its banks and when wading. The nature of the fishing forces anglers to wade most of the time and care has to be exercised in coping with a fast flow and an essentially rocky, boulder strewn bed. However if those who venture near to, or who wade in the river, are careful and mindful of the inherent risks, the overall level of risk is assessed as MEDIUM. No serious accidents or fatalities have been recorded as a direct result of the use of the river and its immediate environment and all members and day ticket holders are reminded of the necessity to take care when angling and to use a wading stick.

5. Specific Hazards

a. Weirs. There are weirs at Stepps Bridge (Grid Ref: SX 805883), below Upperton Pool (Grid Ref: SX 765901), below Fingle Pool (Grid Ref: SX 741897), below Drogo Pool (Grid Ref: SX 723896), at Mill End (Grid Ref: SX 713893) and at Chagford Weir (Grid Ref: SX 699881). The weirs are potentially dangerous and anglers are strongly advised not to climb onto them for any reason. b. Banks. The river banks are for the most part secure and firm but care has to be exercised when entering the river from the bank. Some of them have vertical drops and roots which cannot be relied upon to provide support to gain either access or egress from the river bed. c. River bed. Except where the river has a gravel bed, it is essentially boulder strewn and difficult to wade without care throughout its length. Care needs to be exercised when wading and a wading staff should be used at all times. d. Power Lines. The only power line of any potential danger is located at Clifford Bridge (Grid Ref: SX 781898). Anglers have to pass under it when gaining access to the River on the West side of the bridge. That said the lines are well above rod height, but in an electric storm anglers should keep at least 30m distance from the line and certainly not pass under it in these conditions with a carbon rod. e. Electric storms. Electric storms are potentially lethal and anglers using carbon fishing rods are at high risk of electric shock during an electric storm, particularly if they are in water. Anglers MUST stop fishing, exit the water and immediately pack up their rods at the first sign of an electric storm.

6. Level of use

The Association has approximately 150 members fishing for Salmon, Sea Trout and Brown Trout. Additionally Day Tickets are available to members of the public. Public rights of way follow the length of the river from Steps Bridge (Grid Ref: SX 805883) to Chagford (Grid Ref: SX 694879), sometimes on both banks, and members of the public are inclined to throw sticks into the river for their dogs to retrieve. This is of itself a hazard to both the dog owners and to anglers alike and anglers have to be aware of this.

7. Responsibilities

By virtue of membership of the Association, or by the purchase of a Season, Weekly or Day Permit, all anglers are requested to report any potential hazards, any incidents or any accidents involving anglers or members of the public to the Hon Secretary as soon as possible who will then inform the Insurers immediately of the circumstances.

8. Cautionary Notice

All anglers are warned that angling is a potentially dangerous activity. The River Teign is by its very nature potentially dangerous to anglers and members of the public alike. All anglers are warned to exercise due care when fishing particularly when wading and accessing and exiting the river by its banks. They are warned to use a wading stick and they are warned of the potential risk of Weil's Disease. See Leaflet and Weil's Disease notice.

9. Woolf Reforms

On 26 April 1999 the Civil Justice System changed radically in the manner in which claims, particularly those involving personal injury are handled. Collectively these changes are known as the Woolf Reforms. The intention is that disputes will be resolved quickly, efficiently and economically, with the emphasis on achieving resolution without the need to resort to the Courts. Strict timetables are now in place to direct the handling of claims. Members must therefore report every incident, particularly those involving personal injury, to the Association Hon Secretary immediately it happens so that it may be reported in turn to the Association's insurers who will advise the Association what to do next. The Hon Secretary must forward any appropriate documents to the insurers as soon as possible in order to comply with these new timescales. See the separate notice issued with membership cards and fishing permits, a copy of which is attached.

10. Weil's Disease

Weil's disease (Leptospirosis) is a bacterial infection carried in rat's urine which contaminates water and the banks of lakes, rivers and ponds. It is a serious disease in human beings that requires immediate hospital treatment. The early symptoms are similar to those of flu and normally start 3 - 19 days after exposure to contaminated water. Every year people die from this disease which is easily treated if diagnosed in time. See the separate notice issued with membership cards and fishing permits, a copy of which is attached, which details the precautions you can take.

11. Instructors and Guides

The Association will hold a register of all fully qualified and insured instructors and guides recognised by S&TA, GAIA and REFFIS who wish to use Association waters for professional purposes. 'Quasi' instructors and guides who are not recognised by one or more of the aforementioned organisations and who are unqualified and uninsured to instruct or guide, yet who charge a fee for their services, will be informed that they are not permitted to ply their illegal trade on Association waters and that in the event of any incident involving them, or their 'clients', they will risk legal action being taken against them by the Association. Recognised instructors and guides wishing to use Association waters for professional purposes are to produce written proof of their licence to instruct and guide, together with proof of insurance. Instructors and guides who carry out these services on Association waters do so entirely at their own risk. The Association will assume no responsibility for them, their clients, or members of the public, involved in any incident whilst they are instructing or guiding, howsoever qualified and insured.

12. Bank clearing parties

The Association organises Bank Clearing parties during the close season using two professionally qualified and insured foresters and volunteers from the membership. The Association has a Code of Practice and appoints a Bank Marshall on each occasion. The Code of Practice is strictly adhered to on every occasion and members will not be put under any undue risk, but they must understand that by taking part they accept responsibility for their own safety. Members attending Bank Clearing Parties are to ensure that they sign the 'Acceptance of Work Practices and Disclaimer of Responsibility' before they engage in any work. Where professional men are engaged on a fee paying basis to undertake bank clearing work they are responsible for their own insurance.

13. Bailiffs

From time to time the Association appoints its own bailiffs to patrol the river. These volunteer bailiffs carry out their duties at their own risk and the Association accepts no responsibility for their own actions. These Association bailiffs are not to apprehend members of the public where it may lead to a dangerous situation, for instance in the case of poachers at night, but should avoid all contact and report the incident to the Association Secretary and to the Police as soon as possible. Detailed instructions will be issued to Association bailiffs on what they can and cannot do by the Association Secretary. When operating at night on the river there must at all times be two bailiffs working closely together.

14. Authorisation

This Risk Assessment has been compiled by the Risk Management Officer for the Association on the authority of the Committee of the Association and has been approved by all members of the Committee.

15. Disclaimer

The Association accepts no liability howsoever caused for accident, injury or death involving any member of the Association or member of the public whilst in the immediate vicinity of the Association waters.

Signed: Colin Pape, Risk Management Officer. Mike Weaver, Chairman. 30 Aug 2005

WEIL'S DISEASE - TAKING PRECAUTIONS

Weil's Disease (Leptospirosis) is a bacterial infection carried in rats' urine, which contaminates water and the banks of lakes, rivers and ponds. It is a serious disease in human beings that requires hospital treatment.The early symptoms are similar to those of flu and normally start 3 to 19 days after exposure to contaminated water. Every year people die from this disease which is unnecessary because it is easily treated if diagnosed in time. DON'T LET IT HAPPEN TO YOU! There are a number of sensible precautions you can take: cover any cuts, sores or scratches with waterproof plasters or gloves; disinfect any wounds that occur at the waterside; wash your hands or cover food with a wrapper before you eat; do not put your hand in your mouth after immersing in river water and never place bait or fishing line in your mouth; do not touch dead animals, especially rats; if you develop flu like symptoms that persist tell your doctor that you may have been exposed to Leptospirosis so that he/she can consider it in the diagnosis; do not leave food, ground bait or bait on the bank side.

Bank Clearing Code of Practice

SUMMARY

The full UTFA code of practice for bank clearing is available to all members on bank clearing days.

On the first occasion that any member attends a bank clearing session, he or she must sign the UTFA Acceptance of Work Practices and Disclaimer of Responsibility.

The following is a summary of some of the basic points in the code of practice.

1. The first task at each bank clearing session is to appoint a safety supervisor, who will ensure that all reasonable safety measures are observed by

participating members.
2. The Ordnance Survey grid reference for the access point to the area being worked should be available.
3. If possible, a mobile telephone should be available for emergency calls in the event of an accident.
4. If no mobile telephone is available, participants should be aware of the location of the nearest public telephone.
5. Anyone using power saws should be aware of the rules relating to their use and wear the appropriate protective clothing.
6. A first aid box should be available.
7. A life jacket should be available to any member working in deep water.
8. There should be an exclusion zone of at least 5 metres around anyone using a power saw.
9. A clear signal should be given before the commencement of sawing with power saws, and again at the end.
10. No persons shall work on their own.
11. A rope or lifeline should be available at all times.
12. Any injuries that occur during bank clearing should be carefully recorded.
13. All participants should aware of the need for operating in a safe way at all times.

This is only a summary giving some of the main points from the full Code of Practice, which is always available for inspection at bank clearing sessions.