Contacts: Paul Wilkins (welfare) or Matt Castle (safety)

This page sets out the Safety and Welfare policies of the Club. Please take the time to ensure you are aware of them.

Contents 1 Safety 1.1 Water Safety Advisor 1.2 Compliance with the ARA Water Safety Code 1.3 Water Safety at Rob Roy 2 Welfare 2.1 Welfare Officer 2.2 Roles and Responsibilities 2.3 Contacting the Welfare Officer

Safety

Water Safety Advisor

The Water Safety Advisor position at Rob Roy is currently vacant. If you have a water safety issue or would be interested in finding out more about the water saftey advisors role then please contact the club secretary, Matt Castle (secretary).

Compliance with the ARA Water Safety Code

The ARA has issued a Water Safety Code which requires all clubs to comply with basic safety standards. The code prescribes the duties of care for athletes, coaches and coxes. Further details can be found on the ARA website.

Water Safety at Rob Roy

The remainder of this page focuses on key points that all members of Rob Roy should be aware of. Please take your time to familiarise yourself with them before venturing onto the water.

All Members

• All members of the club have a duty of care towards safe rowing.
• All members should read the ARA’s Water Safety Code as well as the ARA Safety Code of Practice poster in the boathouse.
• All members MUST be able to swim AT LEAST 100 metres in light clothing.
• All members are required to acknowledge in writing that they are aware of their duties and responsibilities on theirs and the club's safety.
• No person should undertake rowing activity while they are suffering from a medical condition which could be aggravated by rowing activity.
• All members should log their outings on the log by the changing rooms.
• All members should ensure that they are able to stop the boat quickly.

Coaches

• Coaches should train the athletes on responsible conduct on the water and while training to safeguard the athletes' health.

Equipment

• Rowers should check equipment is in good order before venturing on the water - all damage should be marked and reported.
• All members are responsible to report any incidents or damage to equipment to the Captain.

Coxes

• Coxes must make themselves aware of the navigation rules that apply on the Cam.
• All coxes must wear buoyancy aids/lifejackets for all outings.
• Coxes should ensure that their crew know how to stop the boat quickly.

Rowing at night or in poor visibility

• When going out in the dark or at other times of poor visibility rowers must attach a white light to each end of the boat.
• Stay as close as possible to the right side of the river and do not take a clear river for granted.
• Never row hard in high-risk areas (for example, where crews usually turn).

Juniors

• No under-16 scullers may go beyond Ditton Corner unescorted at any time.
• No under-16 scullers may go out in the dark unescorted at any time.

Rowing off-Cam

• Members rowing on location away from Cambridge must ensure they are aware of specific safety requirements of that location before boating.

Welfare

Welfare Officer

The Welfare Officer at Rob Roy is Paul Wilkins who can be contacted at Welfare.

Roles and Responsibilities

The Welfare Officer will:

• provide information and advice on child protection within the Club;
• ensure that the Club adopts and follows the ARA Safeguarding & Protecting Children policy and procedures and promotes awareness of the policy within the club;
• act as a confirmation signatory, verifying the identity of individuals completing CRB Disclosure application forms;
• keep records of all those who have been CRB vetted within the club to ensure that checks are updated on at least a three yearly basis; and
• keep the club up to date with appropriate levels of child protection training/vetting.

Contacting the Welfare Officer

The Welfare Officer is the first point of contact for any matters causing concern within the club whether or not to do with child protection.

• Is something worrying you?

• Are you keeping it to yourself?

• Do you need someone to listen?

Contact Paul on Welfare. If you would prefer to talk to Paul directly, his contact telephone number can be found in the Members Database here (please note you must have an active account in order to access this page).