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Rowing club risk assessment: a simple, RowSafe-aligned method

A risk assessment is only useful if it changes what happens on a Saturday morning. Here is a simple way to write one.

By Civil Digital, the team building BoatLog · Last updated

BoatLog is independent software from Civil Digital. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by British Rowing or any organisation named in this guide. Always check the current official guidance and follow your club's own procedures.

Five steps

  1. List the hazards for your water and boathouse: stream, wind, weirs, bridges, other users, cold, dark, the landing stage, lifting boats.
  2. Who could be harmed: juniors, beginners, scullers, coxes, launch drivers, visitors.
  3. The controls: what you already do and what you'll add, for example launch cover, restrictions on small boats, lights, swim tests.
  4. Who decides, and how members find out.
  5. Review it after incidents and near misses, and at least once a year before the safety audit.

RowSafe expects clubs to keep risk assessments up to date, and British Rowing's RowHow platform has online risk assessment modules.

Turn it into daily rules

Translate the assessment into a short go/no-go table: what conditions mean green, amber and red, and what each one restricts. That is the part members actually use.

How BoatLog helps

BoatLog puts the daily decision from your risk assessment in front of every member as a red, amber or green flag. The incident log and repairs list give you what you need to review it.

BoatLog screenshot with example club data: The club's go/no-go decision, visible to everyone at sign-out.
The club's go/no-go decision, visible to everyone at sign-out. Example data from a fictional club.

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Questions

FAQ

Does a rowing club need a risk assessment?

Yes. RowSafe expects every club to have up-to-date risk assessments for its activities and water.

Is there a British Rowing risk assessment template?

British Rowing publishes guidance and online risk assessment modules. Most clubs adapt a template to their own water and boathouse.

How often should we review it?

At least once a year, and after any incident, near miss or change such as new water, new boats or a new junior squad.

Related

Guide: RAG flags for rowing outings: a simple club system A plain-language way to flag risk before anyone gets on the water. Guide: British Rowing club safety audit: a quick guide for clubs What the annual British Rowing club safety audit is, when it runs, what evidence helps, and how to keep that evidence ready all year. Guide: Rowing in floods and strong stream: when to stop How rowing clubs decide whether to boat in high water: the warning signs, setting your own limits, and telling every member before they go out.

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