Safety Policy

ONE ACCIDENT IS ONE TOO MANY … TAKE TIME TO BE SAFE!

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Wargrave & Shiplake Regatta wants and will ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of all competitors, spectators, officials, staff and visitors to the Regatta.

The Regatta has a health and safety policy and undertakes annual risk assessments on its own activities and on its contractors’ activities. The notes below are designed to minimise the risk of accidents occurring at the Regatta, and to ensure that, in the event of an incident, the effects are minimised

The Committee asks that everyone cooperates to achieve a successful, enjoyable and accident-free Regatta.

ENCLOSURE GUIDELINES

For the comfort and Safety of all visitors to the enclosure, please note the following guidelines:

  • CARS ARE NOT PERMITTED IN THE ENCLOSURE AT ANY TIME.
  • Special arrangements for less active supporters of the regatta may be made by telephoning the Hon. Secretary (day: 01491 410719: eve: 0118 9403413)
  • BARBEQUES ARE NOT PERMITTED IN THE ENCLOSURE
  • No ball games or frisbee throwing in the enclosure
  • Bicycles must be wheeled or pushed – NOT RIDDEN – and should be parked along back wall (they are left at the risk of the owner)
  • Dogs must be kept on leads and any fouling must be cleared immediately
  • Awnings or shelters will only be permitted BEHIND the line of the flag poles
  • It will NOT be acceptable for people to reserve vast areas of bank space by surrounding a sizeable area with unoccupied chairs. Such areas will be reduced to what might be viewed as more reasonable for the numbers of people present at that particular time
  • Remember the needs of younger and more elderly visitors to the regatta, especially those in wheelchairs, all of whom find it less easy to gain access to a good view of the racing
  • Owners mooring craft alongside the Shiplake bank do so at their own risk. The committee cannot be responsible damage caused to such craft by regatta boats during or outside racing hours
  • Either a SUBSCRIBER’S BADGE, an ENCLOSURE WRISTBAND or a COMPETITOR’S WRISTBAND must be worn inside the enclosure at all times, on Friday and Saturday
  • Children of 5 years abnd under are admitted Free

 

Please take note of SAFETY ARRANGEMENTS printed below and also printed in the programme. 

SAFETY SERVICES: The following Safety Services have been voluntarily provided at the Regatta, and the Committee wish to record their sincere thanks to the organisations concerned:-

St. John Ambulance Brigade
The unit is located in the Enclosure, in the vicinity of the BoatRafts adjacent to the Changing Tents.

Oxfordshire Lowland Search and Rescue
Rescue Boats will patrol the course during racing.

Environment Agency
A patrol launch maybe be in attendance during the Regatta.

Medical Officers
Several doctors will be in attendance during the Regatta, and can be contacted through the Controller’s Tent.

Regatta Safety Officer
A co-ordinating Safety Officer may be contacted through theController’s Tent.

Fire Extinguishers
Fire extinguishers are available in Umpire launches, and at the entrance to the Bar – Catering – Controller’s Tent.

 

TO ALL COMPETITORS

  • All competitors take part at their own risk, and should be able to swim at least 50 metres.
  • Your attention is drawn to “Instructions to Competitors” detailed in the programme, which must be followed at ail times.
  • Skylarking is not permitted under any circumstances, and may result in immediate disqualification.
  • Particular care should be taken in the presence of passing river traffic, which it may be assumed will be unaware of potential hazards.
  • Competitors are reminded that an element of hazard is involved in racing all boats and that they should take every step to ensure the safety of other competitors and themselves.

 

SAFETY PLANING THE EVENT OF A WATER-BORNE INCIDENT…

  • The Umpire/Umpire’s launch will immediately render assistance until the rescue boat arrives.
  • Any injured person should be taken to the boat rafts, where immediate medical access is available.
  • Should a water-borne incident occur at times when racing is not in progress, persons in close proximity should render assistance.
  • A Rescue Boat should be called immediately.

 

IN THE EVENT OF AN INCIDENT lN THE ENCLOSURE…

  • St. John Ambulance personnel should be contacted immediately.
  • A Doctor is available through the Controller’s Tent, when required. Particular care should be taken by all spectators to ensure the safety of other persons – particularly children – in the Enclosure, especially in the vicinity of the river bank.

IN ALL INCIDENTS, REGATTA CONTROL MUST BE INFORMED IMMEDIATELY BY THE QUICKEST MEANS.

INLAND WATERS

Some sensible health precautions…

  • NEVER drink untreated water, DON’T USE IT for cooking, nor for washing up cooking and eating utensils, nor for washing yourself.
  • TRY NOT to swallow or breathe in water if you go swimming or fall into the water.
  • DO NOT allow cuts and grazes to come into contact with the water, nor with fish or wet animals.
  • AS FAR AS POSSIBLE use the same standards of hygiene for handling and eating food and drink when you are out of doors or on a boat as you would at home.
  • IF YOU FEEL AT ALL UNWELL within a few days of being in contact with untreated water, go straight to your doctor. It is possible that you may have contracted Weil’s Disease which is a specific health risk from untreated water and a notifiable disease. The most common symptoms are high temperature, and influenza-like illness and joint and muscle pains (pains in the calf muscles are often particularly noticeable). Tell your doctor you have been boating, and where, and ask him if you can have a blood test for Weil’s Disease.