Overall, canoeing has a good track record for safety management at events; however there have been a number of serious accidents which has demonstrated that more could be done to improve this.
In order to support clubs and canoeing activity at all levels British Canoeing has developed a workshop that highlights ‘duty of care’ issues* and offers simple and effective solutions to manage safety.
The focus of the workshop is to raise awareness of safety management and duty of care issues as they effect clubs and committees, both in their normal everyday activities and also when they may run events.
The workshop provides guidance and support to mitigate responsibilities using the concept of an ‘activity/event span of control’ to bring simple well organised solutions that people can understand and apply during even the most complex process.
Through the event safety training, British Canoeing seeks to support the safety of the following types of events:
Club Events
These are Club events involving non club members. Such events would normally be self-sufficient within the club and not require support/ funding / promotion by the BC or Home Nation discipline committee Coaching activity delivered within the scope of the BC Coaching Terms of Reference is not included.
Discipline Committee / Regional Development Team Events
These events have a significant relationship with a discipline committee/RDT, normally advertised by British Canoeing or Home Nation, for example Divisional slalom events, tours. Some are run directly by the Discipline Committee while others are run by a club on behalf of the Discipline Committee/RDT.
Major British Canoeing Events
These events will have direct funding and resource support from the governing body. Such events might include a World Cup/Championship.
British Canoeing Requirements – from 1st January 2016
- All clubs running club events (as described above) must appoint a safety officer and put in place procedures to ensure the management of event safety appropriate to the level of events that they run.
- Discipline committees and Regional Development Team (where applicable) must appoint two Safety Officers.
- Discipline Committee events must be authorised by the relevant Discipline committee appointed Safety Officers.
- All Safety Officers outlined above are required to attend event safety workshop where the event is run under British Canoeing insurance.
Event Authorisation
- Club Events: The responsibility for the authorisation of club events falls to the club committee, guided by the appointed club safety officer.
- Discipline Committee /RDT events – The responsibility for the authorisation of Discipline Committee / RDT Events falls to the Discipline Committee / RDT guided by the appointed committee Safety Officer(s).
- Major British Canoeing Events – Authorisation of major events is the responsibility of the British Canoeing Senior Management Team or home nation Board
Authorisation requires appropriate risk assessment and Event Safety Management Plan appropriate to the scale of the event.
Where and when will the workshops be available?
The Event Safety workshop will be held on the following dates;
- Wednesday 24th June 7.00 – 10.00pm in the CANI office
- Tuesday 15th September 7.00 – 10.00pm Dungannon Venue TBC
- Thursday 12th November 7.00 – 10.00pm Toome Venue TBC
It is recommended that all clubs consider appointing a safety officer and attending the training, even if the club does not deliver events as defined above. The training will support clubs and committees in understanding and fulfilling their general safety responsibilities.
Cost and booking
Places are £10 per person, to book on the workshop please return booking form (below) with payment to office@cani.org.uk.
*Duty of Care
Anyone promoting and offering sporting and adventure training opportunities has a duty of care to look after all persons involved – whether they are participants, instructors, support staff, volunteers or observers and to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, their health safety and welfare.
This duty encompasses all persons who might be associated with activities whether sport or social related, such as participants, spectators, coaches, instructors, volunteers, contractors, visitors and guests and also members of the public. It is important to note that associated activities, such as socials, fundraising events, prize giving’s are also covered by a duty of care.
