Safety procedures

Purpose

SNRC is committed to the “SNRC Safety Policy”. To support its implementation, SNRC has designed the “SNRC Safety Rules” for all SNRC members, and those utilising the SNRC rowing facilities, to follow. This is to be read in conjunction with the “SNRC Club Safety Risk Assessment” and the “SNRC Safety Plan” (as well as the “Emergency Response Plan” when applicable).

For the purpose of this document, “Rowers” and “Rowing” denote both the sculling and sweep forms of rowing.

Clubs that use SNRC facilities but are not part of SNRC are out of scope.

Abbreviations

Abbreviation Meaning
BR British Rowing
DBS Disclosure and Barring Service
ID Identification
SNRC St Neots Rowing Club

Rules

In addition to expectations in the SNRC Safety Plan, these rules aim to reduce risk and improve enjoyment of rowing, steering, coxing, coaching, and supporting SNRC activities.

Welfare

  • SNRC is a no smoking site, including vaping.
  • Challenge 21 applies at the bar—ask for ID from anyone who appears under 21.
  • Junior Programme supervisors must have a current enhanced DBS check.
  • No junior member is to be alone with an adult member unless a supervisor is also present.
  • Adult members training alone must be fit to do so and ensure someone knows their expected return time.Members must treat each other
  • with respect and courtesy, including on WhatsApp. Gossiping, mocking, or sharing harmful content is not acceptable.
  • Maintain good hand hygiene before eating or handling equipment.
  • Avoid attending the club when unwell.
  • Follow BR guidance on water-borne disease: BR guidance on water and health

Clothing

  • Dress for the weather:

    • Sunny: sun cream, hat, lightweight protective clothing, sunglasses.

    • Wet/cold: breathable layers (e.g. Lycra), waterproof footwear, buffs/scarves.

    • Fog/reduced light: high-visibility clothing. No water activity from sunset to sunrise without approved cox and boat lights.

  • Wear suitable footwear at all times around club facilities.

  • No dirty shoes in boats.

  • Do not wear dryrobes, jeans, or heavy cotton when afloat.

  • No hoodies while rowing, sculling, or coxing bow-loaders.

  • No topless rowing or wearing just sports bras/crop tops.

  • Use mirrors or similar safety aids when steering.

  • Wear official SNRC kit when racing.

  • Tie long hair back.

  • Launch drivers must wear life jackets and attach the kill cord.

  • Coxes must wear a non-auto-inflating life jacket, carry a mobile phone in waterproof case, a whistle, and a working cox box.

Equipment

  • Only use equipment you are trained or supervised to use.

  • Only approved and insured drivers may tow SNRC trailers.

  • Only trained launch drivers may operate launches.

  • Report incidents to BR: Incident Reporting

  • Report accidents at SNRC to: SNRC-Safety-Team@googlegroups.com

  • Use the iCrew app to book equipment.

  • Clean and dry all boats and oars before returning them to the boathouse.

  • Crews must re-rig boats after events away from SNRC.

Before getting on the water

  • Risk assess weather, water, and local conditions. Follow the SNRC Risk Assessment and Safety Plans.

  • Only row if signed off as competent, or supervised by a coach or suitably experienced member with rescue equipment.

  • Inspect all equipment and report any damage in iCrew.

  • Warm up and stretch before sessions.

  • Add all outings to the whiteboard with:

    • Date

    • Start time

    • Boat size (and name if possible)

    • Crew names

Items in a boat

  • Bring relevant medication for any pre-existing health conditions.

  • Bring adequate fluids and food for the session.

  • Use bottles with closed tops to avoid contaminated water exposure.

Whilst on the water

  • Follow the current Circulation Plan and Traffic Light System. Green is default unless otherwise advised. Red/Black means no rowing until revoked by the Captain.

  • Stay alert for debris, other users, bends, poor circulation behaviour, and potential collisions.

  • Do not lie down in a boat.

Other rules

  • Speak to the appropriate Captain about racing at planned or unplanned events.

  • Do not store bicycles in changing areas or blocking emergency exits.