Our annual risk assessment for the 2024 season has highlighted the following potential hazards. All members and their guests should understand the risks and follow the recommended precautions.
Explanation of the risk level:
The Risk Level reflects the likelihood of the risk occurring combined with the impact on the member should it occur, to give a risk rating that ranges from Minor to Intolerable.
Reasonably foreseeable hazards with potential for harm. | Reasonably practicable precautions to be followed by Members and Guests to reduce risk level. Any reference to members in the following risks applies equally to guests. | Risk Level – after precautions have been taken |
Injury from members vehicles and farm machinery on driveway leading to club hut, and farmland. | Be aware of vehicles and machinery working on the farm.
Make yourself visible to the operator/driver. Do not fish if farm machinery is working nearby. Annual vegetation maintenance will ensure good clear sight lines on driveway to farm buildings. |
Unlikely x Very Harmful
Moderate |
Wading in deep or fast flowing water in river and lakes. Risk of drowning.
Risk of becoming stuck due to silt and hidden obstacles. |
Wading in the river is not recommended as the riverbed is soft, there are hidden underwater obstructions and hazards, and water levels can rise rapidly. If members choose to wade, this should only be done when the water clarity is good, and the riverbed and obstacles can be seen clearly. It is recommended that wading should only be undertaken with a ‘buddy’ on the bank who can raise the alarm in the event of an accident. It is recommended that members carry a wading rod, wear a wading belt and buoyancy aid, and proceed with caution.
Remove need to wade in lakes by: – Maintaining swims on banks of river and lakes. – Maintaining jetties to keep them structurally sound. – Throw lines accessible at club hut and Park Lake. |
Unlikely x Very Harmful
Moderate |
Sliding or falling from steep, slippery, or heavily rutted riverbanks. | Beware of unstable (steep, soft, slippery, or heavily rutted) riverbanks, especially after rainfall.
When planning to wade the river, please select a section of riverbank that ensures easy ingress and egress. Members should carry a wading rod and wear a wading belt and buoyancy aid when wading. |
Unlikely x Harmful
Slight |
Sliding, tripping, or falling from jetties on Oxenford Lake, especially when slippery after rainfall. | If waders are worn when fishing from jetties on Oxenford Lake, then it is recommended that a wading belt and buoyancy aid are worn.
Wear appropriate footwear. Consider fishing elsewhere if wet. Jetties fitted with anti-slip treads. Be aware of any raised or broken wood on the jetty planks or loose anti-slip treads. Faults should be reported to the Maintenance team (Steve Proud and Lewis Campbell). Annual inspection and maintenance by the Maintenance team. |
Unlikely x Harmful
Slight |
Cattle in fishing areas approaching club members and guests. | Remember:
– Cattle are inquisitive and may approach members. – Do not approach cattle. – Do not walk between a cow and its calf. – Remain aware while fishing of the approach of inquisitive animals. – Do not fish in the same field as the cattle if the member is uncomfortable or if the cattle appear excitable or agitated. |
Unlikely x Very Harmful
Moderate |
Electric shock from mains power supply units located by side of lakes for aerator pumps. | Do not touch mains power supply units unless authorised to do so as part of scheduled maintenance activities.
Isolate by unplugging from mains before starting work on the aeration units. |
Unlikely x Very Harmful
Moderate |
Trees – risk of injury from falling limbs and branches. | Do not fish or take shelter under trees in high winds and storms.
Members should not fish under wooded areas or large trees during windy conditions. |
Unlikely x Very Harmful
Moderate |
Slips, trips, and falls on uneven or slippery ground, especially after heavy rainfall, and when crossing ditches, including when using narrow footbridges without handrails. | Wear appropriate footwear and clothing. Care should be taken on uneven ground, and when crossing ditches, bridges, and styles. A basic first aid kit is available in the club hut. | Likely x Slight Harm
Slight |
Risk of Shock from electric cattle fencing. | Use crossing points/spring gates if available. Do not touch the wire. | Unlikely x Slight Harm
Minor |
Injury due to barbed wire on Oxenford Bridge, when accessing other side of river. | Do not attempt to climb over gate. Instead collect the padlock key from the club hut and open the gate. Remember to close and lock the gate once through. | Unlikely x Harmful
Slight |
Injury due to hidden hazards and ditches when river meadows are flooded. There is also the risk of falling into deep river water and the risk of drowning if the riverbanks are under water. | Do not fish the river when the meadows are flooded. | Very Likely x Very Harmful
Intolerable |
Weil’s disease contracted from infected water. | Remember to:
– Cover cuts and abrasions, and wash hands after contact with water. – Clean and wounds as soon as possible. – Do not touch dead fish or animals with your bare hands. – If flu like symptoms develop within 3-19 days after contact with water, contact your GP or use the NHS 111 service and inform them of the possibility of Weil’s disease. – See www.nhs.uk for symptoms and further advice. |
Unlikely x Harmful
Slight |
Lyme disease contracted from ticks. | Remember to cover legs and arms, especially when fishing the river due to the long grass and check yourself for ticks when returning from the riverbank.
Ticks should be removed carefully, preferably with a tick removal tool or tweezers. Symptoms include: – Early symptom is circular or oval shape rash. – The rash normally appears within 1 to four weeks but can appear up to 3 months after being bitten by an infected tick. It can last for several weeks. Contact your GP and inform them of the tick and of the possibility of Lyme disease. – Some people get flu like symptoms. – See www.nhs.uk for more symptoms and further advice. |
Unlikely x Harmful
Slight |
Bird (avian) flu contracted from touching infected birds and droppings. | Do not touch dead or sick birds with your bare hands.
Report incident as soon as possible to landowner. Symptoms include: – Very high temperature or feeling hot and shivery. – Aching muscles. – Headache. – Cough or shortness of breath. – It usually takes 3-5 days for the first symptoms to appear after being infected. – Other early symptoms include diarrhoea, sickness, stomach pain, chest pain, bleeding from the nose and gums, and conjunctivitis. – Within days, it can develop into pneumonia, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. – Use NHS 111 online or call NHS 111 if you experience any of these symptoms. – See www.nhs.uk for further advice. |
Unlikely x Very Harmful
Moderate |
Crossing firing line during organised shoot on farmland. | Do not enter designated shooting area. Attempt to confirm shooting area before leaving farmyard and alert organiser/landowner of your presence.
Note – The game season ends on 30 September for Beats F & H as the riparian owner arranges shoots from 1 October. |
Unlikely x Very Harmful
Moderate |
Confrontation with poachers and trespassers. | Do not engage, report to landowner. If threatened, remove yourself to farmyard and call police. Ensure landowner is informed if you have called the police. | Unlikely x Slight Harm
Minor |
Electrocution when fishing under overhead powerlines. | Do not fish directly under or within 30m horizontally of overhead powerlines as electricity can arc over considerable distances. Both carbon fibre rods and fly lines coated in water are excellent conductors of electricity and are potentially lethal.
Warning signs have been installed where powerlines cross the river. |
Unlikely x Very Harmful
Moderate |
Lightning strike during thunderstorms. | Do not fish during thunderstorms and place your rod a safe distance from you as carbon fibre rods and fly lines coated in water are excellent conductors of electricity and are potentially lethal. | Unlikely x Very Harmful
Moderate |
Danger of hooking yourself and other people when casting. | Protective glasses and a hat should be always worn to protect your eyes and head from hooks. Members should cast a safe distance away from each other. A basic first aid kit is available in the club hut. | Likely x Harmful
Moderate |
Becoming unwell from touching or eating plants and berries. | Do not touch or eat any unidentified plant, berry, fungi, or mushroom. Many plants are poisonous so should be left alone. Wear long trousers and long sleeve tops | Unlikely x Very Harmful
Moderate |
Stings and bites from insects. | There are many biting/stinging insects along the banks of the river and lakes and special care should be taken, particularly if members have any allergies. Appropriate repellents / protection is recommended. A basic first aid kit is available in the club hut. | Unlikely x Slight Harm
Minor |
Encounters with aggressive swans and geese. | There are often breeding pairs of swans and geese on the river, and they can be aggressive. They should be given a wide berth, and members are asked to find an alternative place to fish from. | Unlikely x Slight Harm
Minor |
Accidents or becoming unwell when fishing. | All members should carry a mobile phone with adequate charge for emergencies when fishing. Please ensure that your whereabouts are known by someone who can raise the alarm, such as a family member or friend, who should contact the Welfare Officer (David Thorpe), landowner or police.
Members with known medical conditions, e.g., diabetes, epilepsy, etc should carry on their person details of the condition and any emergency treatment instructions. |
Unlikely x Harmful
Slight |
Safeguarding – children, young people, and vulnerable adults at increased risk if unaccompanied. | Children, young people and vulnerable adults1 should always be accompanied by a parent or guardian including when receiving tuition. Any concerns should be reported immediately to the Club Welfare Officer (David Thorpe), whose contact details can be found in the club hut. If a person is at immediate risk of harm or causing harm to others, call the police on 999, and inform the landowner.
Vulnerable adults1 (also defined as adults at risk) are those who have health or social care needs and who are unable to safeguard themselves as a result. |
Unlikely x Very Harmful
Moderate |
Risk of grass fires during hot periods of the summer. Fires started deliberately. | Call the Fire Brigade on discovering an out of control or unmanaged fire. Inform landowner. | Unlikely x Very Harmful
Moderate |